The Tears of a Clown

What if this were Heaven?
Wouldn't that be Hell?

Now if there's a smile on my face
It's only there trying to fool the public
But when it comes down to fooling you
Now honey that's quite a different subject

But don't let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
'Cause really I'm sad
Oh I'm sadder than sad
Well I'm hurt and I want you so bad
Like a clown I appear to be glad
Ooh, yeah

Well they're some sad things known to man
But ain't too much sadder than
The tears of a clown when there's no one around
Oh yeah, baby, baby
Oh yeah, baby, baby

Now if I appear to be carefree
It's only to camouflage my sadness
And honey to shield my pride I try
To cover this hurt with a show of gladness
But don't let my show convince you
That I've been happy since you
'Cause I need to go
Oh I need you so
Look I'm hurt and I want you to know
For others I put on a show ...

Well they're some sad things known to man
But ain't too much sadder than
The tears of a clown when there's no one around
Oh yeah, baby, baby
Oh yeah, baby, baby

Just like Pagliacci did
I try to keep my surface hid
Smiling in the crowd I try
But in a lonely room I cry
The tears of a clown
When there's no one around
Oh yeah, baby, baby
Now if there's a smile on my face
Don't let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
Don't let this smile I wear
Make you think that I don't care
'Cause really I'm sad...

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles lyrics
1970 - 1 week at #1 - 14 weeks on chart

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