Send In The Clowns | Breaking Down The Lyrics with Rob McClure | A Little Night Music

[@danielvincent5306]

Judi Dench fully understands the distressing realisation of the character's moment in this song. She acts the hell out of it.

[@Macrogue65]

I saw Dame Judi at the National in this production. It was magnificent. She was magnificent. Your analysis is on point.

[@DrProgNerd]

Sondheim quoted on Wikipedia: "as Sondheim explained in a 1990 interview: I get a lot of letters over the years asking what the title means and what the song's about; I never thought it would be in any way esoteric. I wanted to use theatrical imagery in the song, because she's an actress, but it's not supposed to be a circus. It's a theater reference meaning "if the show isn't going well, let's send in the clowns"; in other words, "let's do the jokes." I always want to know, when I'm writing a song, what the end is going to be, so "Send in the Clowns" didn't settle in until I got the notion, "Don't bother, they're here", which means that "We are the fools." [wikipedia] I read this to be: you send in the clowns when the show falters - or the actress stumbles. She finds it surprising that she - a seasoned 'performer' in the 'show of attracting admirers' now finds herself uncharacteristically unable to attract the only one she now admires - who used to admire her. "Isn't it rich? Isn't it queer? Losing my timing this late in my career? And where are the clowns? Quick, send in the clowns." Then she recognizes the absurdity of their poor timing: "Don't bother - they're here."

[@lolkayleen2757]

I'm going down a little bit of a stephen sondheim rabbit hole and I CANNOT believe this doesn't have more likes and views, absolutely amazing analysis by Rob Mcclure love him and really made me understand this masterpiece of a song

[@kf1000]

A+

[@patriciaCONTRERAS-yy3wv]

True!!

[@crystalheart9]

I was wondering what the lyrics to Send In The Clowns mean and I found so much more in your video. Thank you for such an enjoyable analysis of the music and the lyrics also the fabulous Judi Dench performance of the song. I enjoyed this so much.💖

[@scopex2749]

Incredibly moving song and Dame Judi is the ONLY one who can pull it off PERFECTLY. It must NOT be sung as in the normal sense but in the way SHE performs it. Gets me every time - send in the Kleenex!

[@SpeechCheck]

Man, this was great. What a breakdown and analysis. Hats off friend.

[@jacalynsqueglia7352]

So beautiful. I've watched this several times. Thank you for this video. I've always loved this song, but after watching your video I understand the meaning of it. ❤️

[@leslieackerman4189]

Marvelous analysis. Both musical and verbal. Excellent, thanks. Yes, Sondheim was a genius.

[@hawlecia]

Auditioning for this solo tomorrow! THANK YOU for this gift of a video to help set me up for success!!!

[@sashreekganguli3428]

This analysis is so helpful in knowing the soul of this piece

[@abhishekjoseph4198]

Incredible commentary! I didn't understated meaning of the sonj but knew it had something profound, so I came here Thank you!

[@josecolon1513]

His commentary is spot on. Remember that this song comes near the end of the show. So, one can now understand the context of these wonderful lyrics. Such a genius.

[@tomg1776]

As a side note, Sondheim revamped the song for Streisand's The Broadway Album. In 1985 he was working with her at the recording sessions and on the spot she challenged him to add a new set of lyrics, she felt something was missing in the "story" at the end of the song. So he came up with these additional lyrics during the recording session - and it's just freaking brilliant: What a surprise Who could foresee? I've come to feel about you what you felt about me Why only now when I see that you've drifted away What a surprise, what a cliché Then the song ends with this slightly altered lyrics: Isn't it rich, isn't it queer Losing my timing this late in my career And where are the clowns Quick send in the clowns Don't bother they're here. I don't know if these new lyrics are used in any current revivals of the musical. Probably not. I don't believe anyone else has recorded the song with "Streisand Lyrics" version. It shows you only Streisand can get away asking Sondheim to take a song of perfection and make it even better.

[@davidbrown-hf3ti]

This is the first of your lessons I’ve encountered. How. many times have I wished I knew where to find this - Thank You!

[@iluvwanesworld]

Exactly to the T how my 29 yr. old daughter explained the meaning of this song to me. She is so bright!!! I always loved this song because my father who passed away, this was his favorite song. So I always think of him and feel so sad when I hear it play. But my daughter said it’s more like the relationship I had with my first love at 18, after 8 yrs. dating he wanted more, loss interest and left me when we were finally engaged to be married. Listening to you amazed me how she pick up the same meaning of this song the way you explain it. With it being a relationship that’s falling apart, and that she was being sarcastic. And the metaphor of the clowns was like their life was a joke. Like a big waste of time. She really opened my eyes to the real meaning to this song. I’ve read many people’s comments on this song and they take meaning like losing their mom or dad, as I did. Either way it is a beautiful song with lots of meaning.

[@johnaldersley3328]

I’ve been told by various musical coaches here in Australia to drop consonants as the vowel sounds have the musicality, but grammatically I agree with you, it is possible to include the consonants without losing musicality providing your diction is correct, and certainly the personage in the song, being a high achiever racing around, would have the educated diction, as the lyrics imply. I just love the song, even more after your analysis. Sadly my life echoes the song. Well maybe NEXT year.

[@stephenvanwoert2447]

Thanks for putting this lovely and poignant song into context. I have never seen the show but have heard recordings of the song for nearly 50 years, always sung by musicians in a studio, and not by actors, understandably a different medium from a stage performance.

[@johnrichards3666]

I've listened to this song hundreds of times and just now realized that I had it only about 75% figured out. You brought it home to me. What a gift. Thanks

[@epo1980]

i really appreciate the deep and detailed analysis of the song.

[@Ladythyme]

Thank you so much…poetic license on the back burner, no matter how many times I’ve listened intently and tried, I could never understand what this all meant …you’ve broken this down so perfectly…it now all makes complete sense….I have a new & amazing appreciation of this beautiful creation

[@cheddarmorris]

Brilliant work young man. I am a guy who was an athlete, not a musician. I know absolutely nothing about the mechanics of making music. However little you think I just meant, less. You just gave me the gift of knowing why I love the song and Sondheim even more.

[@fjn263]

Man, I LOVE your passion! Thank you for breaking this down, I did have a basic idea of what it meant, but you added additional context. Thanks again!

[@shirleykurtz]

If you like this song: you'll love the play. It's called "a little night music".

[@kidmarine7329]

Well done. The world a worse place today without Stephen Sondheim.

[@liviaboer2142]

That was an amazing analysis, I absolutely adore this song. The only performers who can bring me to tears, every single time, are Dame Judi Dench and Hannah Waddingham. I actually first heard this song performed by Hannah, and that was spectacular as well!

[@DennisMurphey]

I have heard this song many times. I liked it but was not quite sure why. You have given me a clarity that helped to better appreciate the song so much more. Both the music, and the lyrics. Thank You, D

[@RudolphFurtado]

I never get bored listening to this classic ballad.Thanks to your deciphering the song appreciate the song much more.

[@execelsior999]

I have just discovered your you tube site and hope to enjoy others critiques. I saw the original version of 'A Little Night Music' on a trip to New York - I hated it with a passion!!!!!! However, over the years, I have come to appreciate this wonderful piece of theatre. I went originally to see it because I have always loved Glynis Johns. I now appreciate tremendously Ms Johns' version and think that it is quite remarkable. However, after seeing the concert at the Royal Albert Hall, I was overwhelmed by Ms Dench's version. By the way, I was also lucky enough to see Ms Dench play that QUINTESSENTIAL English lady, SALLY BOWLS - although Liza Minnelli wasn't bad, she was not Sally Bowls - 'sorry, my dear!' to quote!!!

[@scottross8578]

What a great analysis of this performance. It is absolutely heartbreaking. The perfect match between between song and performer.

[@Retrosenescent]

I could not figure out what this song meant. Your analysis is so cool. Adds so much depth to this song for me

[@lexruaya3940]

Thank you so much for the interpretation of the song Send in the Clowns.

[@stephaniedegange2737]

thank you so much for helping me to finally understand these lyrics!

[@reneelaverne2960]

Thank you for the video. Now I understand the song and Stephen Sondheim. I've always enjoyed his show tunes. Beautiful performance by Judi Dench.

[@nickstratton2896]

Just found you. Loved your analysis of Send in the Clowns and Dames Judi's performance. Have you seen her later performance at a special BBC Prom concert for Sondheims 80th birthday. It's available on KZbin. Search Sondheim 80th birthday prom. The one thing that's missing in that performance in a scene partner but its yet again a brilliant performance. Thanks

[@oddryhepburn]

This dissection is beyond brilliant. Thank you.

[@michaelhart5417]

Thanks for the great analysis!

[@winstonsmith11]

Fascinating. Wonderful analysis. So much more than meets the eye. Thank you.

[@rodw4554]

I truly appreciate your understanding of your craft. I wish my former vocal coaches were intuned as you. I love your interpretation of the score, lyric and theatre as one. I would love to hear analysis of Sarah Vaughan's interpretation of Send in the Clowns. What I love most about her version is her tempo,which allows one to fully hear the beauty of the orchestration. The music is so beautiful. Sarah's embellishments along with the tempo causes one to get full understanding between the lyric and music. Please review and post.

[@blancaoliveras4079]

Bravo perfomance.. and Bravo analysis.... because I loved both ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

[@m.rivers9201]

Lovely Breakdown. Thank you for helping me understand this music a little better!!

[@pollyannaaustin755]

Thank you! Love to see that someone is just as passionate about this piece as I am!! ❤️

[@lindahuetson5779]

Thank you for your explanation of the lyrics, the song makes sense knowing she was singing it to a partner. One thing I have to mention. When this show opened on Broadway I remember reading an article about it and what really stood out for me was Sondheim stating that he had written the entire score in waltz time. That comment was enough for me to watch for the obc recording. It is unusual and pleasant.

[@christophermorehou4473]

The character is an actress, so there are a lot of theatrical allusions here--opening doors, as in a farce; sure of my lines; maybe next year (maybe next season); don't you love farce; and even "send in the clowns" (send in the comic relief). The genius is they all work on two levels at once. "Don't bother, they're here" is epic.

[@moirapettifr7127]

"Interrupting the waltz." Thank you for pointing out the genius of this beautiful piece.

[@evalynnchristiansen9430]

My God, you are wonderful. Such perfect analysis of an outstanding performance.

[@glen1555]

Thank you for this analysis. Came to your video because Glynis Johns died today, and this song was written for her. Saw a video of her singing this from the Broadway show and KZbin's algorithm led to here.

[@ruthkujala7677]

I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Very smart and thought-provoking. Thank you

[@jeffsteitzer6005]

Rob McClure--incredibly insightful as well as incredibly talented! The more I see of him, the more impressive I find him. Bravo, Mr. McClure!

[@russ4862]

This was an absolutely fabulous analysis! Thank you so much! 🙏😊

[@garybland782]

Fabulous disection, Rob.

[@garylife5320]

SO thankful to have found your channel. Great reactions! Dame Judy was originally cast as the original Grizabella in Cats in London. She was injured and Elaine Paige took over and was amazing. BUT, imagine Dame Judy's interpretation of Memory. It would have been totally different and changed the course of the show;.

[@chris372a]

Never saw your Tube Chanel before until now with maybe my favorite song. In 2006 my now ex wife had me served for divorce and this is the first song I heard on the Radio. I never understood it before that in 2006. Then it became clear to me then and even more with your explanation now. Thank for your video.

[@zisnzat-uw7gg]

Thank you for your pure enthusiasm of music, lyrics, and performance. 🏵

[@richardrosebealprestonjohn3144]

Brilliant!! Awesome!! Thank you!!

[@letmeexplain1816]

Thankyou for helping me understand the lyrics, I see it clearly now.

[@susangabrielle3760]

HA! I was right. For years I understood the song. Except the "Send in the clowns" line. I didn't understand it at all. Then one day it hit me. Maybe it's sarcastic? Like "Where's the hidden camera?" "Are you freaking kidding me?" Send in the clowns. You do a great job interpreting. Are there more?

[@megsmith596]

Send in the clowns is an old show business saying when a show isn't going well send in the clowns to get people laughing to save the show.

[@execelsior999]

Forgive me for this, and I do not want to sound pompous here: 1) I once heard or read that Stephen Sondheim always preferred actresses to pure singers to play his roles - am I wrong? 2) It is very ENGLISH not to drop 'letters' - I am writing of the 'd' and the 'two t's" - I live in the US and noted when I first came here the dropping of consonants e.g. spaghetti where both t's are most often dropped. 3) Another subject - I really like Dean Jones' Being Alive - I would have loved to have seen 'Company' when he played 'Bobby'. I hope that you critique this tremendous piece of writing. Thank you for your great site.

[@Richard-ec1yt]

David Kernan is her scene partner. He was The Count in the transfer of the original Broadway production of A Little Night Music at The Adelphi Theatre in 1975 in London

[@edwardlarkin4279]

You are great. Breaking down these beautiful words. Appreciated. I chased an actress. We had a special life together, but maybe next year.

[@zuzzau]

I cried throughout the video. So moving...

[@karylwilliams55]

Thank you so much for this … I have always loved this song but never understood it til now …though not a musician, I am a dancer and always wanted to know the meaning behind the lyrics so that I could better interpret it. I am most grateful.

[@frankbarthold4916]

Thank you so much for the thorough and most excellent explanation of this amazing song and score. I loved this song when it was first released but I was too young, as a high-school junior, to fully appreciate it. Nevertheless, it has "always" been one of my favorites, particularly when life throws a mess my way. Thank you, again, and I wish you much success in your musical endeavors.

[@HighlandDancer31]

Very interesting. Very well explained. At last I understand the lyrics.

[@yayjay01]

Please PLEASE do a video like this with Dorothy Loudon’s performance of Losing My Mind/You Could Drive A Person Crazy. This is a pure MASTERCLASS in Sondheim and you can tell the relationship between actress interpreting a composers work is being enacted in stage in the presence of the composer. It’s a love letter, a tragedy, a comedy all in one.

[@dukerbower2228]

The most important question: Does anyone love me? Thank you for this, I learned so much. I like that singing is from the singer, not the song alone.

[@dawnhirsh6263]

What an incredible analysis. I heard," Well, maybe next year...," more like what one tells oneself at the end of a performing season, when one is younger, but in this case it's saying the formula without any substance in the heart. In this case, there is no next year...in her heart. Just emptiness. Empty theater. Broken heart. What do you think? I don't know the show so well at all.

[@christophermorehou4473]

Fredrik, a staid, bourgeois lawyer, finds himself uncharacteristically "in midair," hovering between the great love of his life and his new trophy wife, who often greets him on his return home, as she is carrying a canary, as though he'd come from Timbuktu, and not the municipal courthouse, a few blocks away. His speech about that dilemma is what triggers this song.

[@cliffworks748]

Excellent Rob, much thanks, cliff in tokyo

[@mexchewy]

I'm not an artist but i love the song and your breakdown.

[@carolegan8475]

Love your dissection of this remarkable performance and song.

[@pamelapiscopo3481]

The love, the pain, two loves in a life time.

[@fannie-leelowe3392]

Thank you for the analysis though. Informative.

[@riskey]

I saw the original Broadway show back in the early 70's. The skinny was that Glynis Johns, who originated the role of Desiree, had a very limited singing range and Sondheim tailored the song to accommodate her voice. The result was the biggest hit in the show. Lyric-wise, the number I found most delightful was Hermoine Gingold's Liaisons.

[@jamesstuartbrice420]

great explication. I did not know how much there is in this song.

[@masarukawada]

Isn't it rich? それってリッチじゃない？ Are we a pair? 私たちペアでしょう？ Me here at last on the ground 私はついにここ地上だけど You in mid-air.. あなたは空に浮いたまま Where are the clowns? ピエロなんて何処にいるのよ？ Isn't it bliss? それって最高じゃない？ Don't you approve? そう思わない？ One who keeps tearing around 一人は涙にくれてさまよっているのに One who can't move... 一人は動けないでいる… Where are the clowns? ピエロなんて何処にいるのよ？ Send in the clowns そのピエロを呼んで来てよ Just when I'd stopped opening doors 私がドアを開けるのをやめたまさにその時 Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours 私が求めていた人はあなたそのものだとようやく分かったの Making my entrance again with my usual flair またいつもの格好で入って行くわ Sure of my lines... 言いたいことを心に決めて… No one is there でもそこには誰も居ないの Don't you love farce? あなたはおふざけがキライ？ My fault, I fear 私の間違いね、悲しわ I thought that you'd want what I want... 私、あなたが望むものは私の望むものと思ってたの… Sorry, my dear! ごめんなさい、ディア！ And where are the clowns それでピエロはどこにいるのよ Send in the clowns そのピエロを連れて来て Don't bother, they're here 心配ないわ、ここに居たから Isn't it rich? それってリッチじゃない？ Isn't it queer? それって変？ Losing my timing this late in my career 私、タイミングを失ったわ、私の人生最後の時点で And where are the clowns? それでそのピエロはどこにいるのよ？ There ought to be clowns... そこにピエロはいるべきよ… Well, maybe next year まあ、多分来年かもね

[@trishjones6712]

Stunning!

[@fancynancy6369]

Bravo! All-the-way-around.

[@sylviamalkahcalderoncourie6561]

BRAVO!!!!

[@epo1980]

Why don't you make another video like this with "Not a day goes by"? Btw, I am convinced that Sondheim has a female heart somewhere deep down :)

[@rosemarymagrino772]

RIP Stephen Sondheim🙏🏻🎶🎵🎼💔

[@billboth6572]

😭💔 R.I.P. Stephen Sondheim

[@JP51ism]

All true above, but also YT has Judi Dench with more anger & 555K views: Judi Dench - The Definitive "Send In The Clowns" - South Bank Show 1995 554,302 views • Jan 15, 2011 • Dame Judi Dench is featured on the South Bank Show in 1995, which centered around her appearance in the revival of "A Little Night Music".

[@lizevans4534]

Sorry this is beyond my intelligence bit I enjoyed listening . This song always makes my hairs stands on edge 💗

[@andreahowell99]

Thank you for this

[@christophermorehou4473]

To me, "maybe next year" is hoping against hope. She knows he's the only one she'll ever love. But she can't keep herself from hoping, even though she knows he won't be coming back.

[@LJfootball14]

Very very good by Dench of course. I seem to prefer Glenn Close’s version but so many did it well including Elizabeth Taylor who even she would admit, was not an accomplished singer. Carol Burnett also gives a great theatric performance to it as well.

[@1guysview232]

I don't quite understand the reference to Ms Bernadette Peters (at about 20:09). It seems to me that the circumstance of the performance would dictate the ability to "just walk off" the stage: Dame Judi Dench was performing a part in a Broadway play whereas Bernadette Peters was singing as a stand-alone song (on the stage with Stephen Sondheim, in the video that I saw, anyway). My point is that Ms Peters should not be criticized (if that was the intent here) for "just NOT leaving" the stage when she was not supposed to do so. I'm definitely NO expert, but Ms Peters' performance struck a definite emotional chord within me as well.

[@tesserene]

❤❤

[@kingoftexas1475]

I can remember Jerry Lewis singing this at the end of the telethon each year. I thought it was silly at the time and out of place. This confirms it. Having never seen the story behind the words I didn't realize how out of place it actually was until now. Jerry was an odd duck.

[@pibly7784]

A new education on this song.

[@derw867]

Thank you.

[@rudy7889]

Great review

[@BeauChapman-zp5lu]

I EXPERIENCED very different emotions than some of yours. I thought Dame Judie's solo performance was far superior than this scene. In her solo I felt she was alone, REFLECTING, and when she yelled (about the clowns): "Don't bother, they're here" was (like a Greek tradegy) her catharsis, someone that was very narscistic in prior years "tearing around, don't what she thought was fun, and too bad if her "mate" didn't find the same motive, but was more in love with her rather than "doing, doing, fun, fun." That "catharsis" was turned upside down with her last lyrics, "Well, (shrug), maybe next year"...without ONE indication that she had changed; No CATHARSIS, A CONDRADICTION. I don't agree at all that having her man stand there like a maniquin during most of the scene was a NONE REAL AS A SCENE CAN BE. Judie's rendition in this video DOES NOT COMPARE TO HER SOLO PERFORMANCE. I do agree with Sondheims brillance with both the lyrics and background music, and clarinet as a "voice" of Judie's. Who's "right?" I predict her solo performance will be viewed 1000%d more than the stage performance you've reviewed. Bottom line: I did not feel sorry for her in the stage performance because I didn't believe she grew from her prior narcistic life; rather, I felt the audience felt sad for those in real life who like today (in abundance) have millions who behave narcistically and later in life suffer, and in the sudience there would be many. That's what I expereience as sadness. Beau Chapman

[@annelefevre9457]

It’s like Scarlet OHara saying “ Tomarrow is Another Day”.

[@thomaschadwick9573]

Life is a circus. When there is a tragedy in the circus, a serious fall or accident, the ringmaster calls out "send in the clowns!" to distract from the reality in front of everyone.

[@Cheryl-xn7gv]

Judy Collings sings this song beautifully

[@parissedeza5147]

Also, for comparison value, here is Glynis Johns, the original performer of the song that Sondheim wrote for her, performing the duet. Glynis is also not a great singer, and Sondheim said he wrote the song the way he did because "she doesn't have breath", but this is clearly an equally good performance to Dench's. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXLPXniXrLuimLs

[@parissedeza5147]

Ah! Rob! The only place here we agree is that Mr. Sondheim wrote completely amazing music. His compositions are astonishing in their richness and simplicity - their ability to express in few words and notes the great depths a human spirit can feel. I compare his work to Beethoven’s for that reason. But to say that an inflexible voice is acceptable because the dramatic quality of the actress is strong is pure folly. When you say Judy is “never bogged down by the responsibility of making pretty noise” I am angered. How dare you imply that beautiful singing is “pretty noise” that one need not be hampered by! What you suggest is a denial of the complete art of singing and in doing so you actually degrade the artform. An inflexible voice is just not capable of expressing the dramatic quality that a truly well-trained, flexible voice is. What good would a well-acted version of Vesti La Giuba be without a rich voice singing it? Or someone singing Oh What A Beautiful Morning in a tense colloquial whine. An un-cultivated voice simply cannot produce the emotional content that a well-cultivated one can. Period. I therefore take issue with you trying to instruct others that it is alright, even artful, to compromise this. Art is the cultivation of the highest in ourselves. Not the cultivation of half of the highest in ourselves. Please rethink your premises here and see the bigger picture.

[@gonzalogonzalez4220]

I do not consider myself to be an expert in music. Somehow, I have always understood the lyrics as one of regret and loss and irony. My take on the "maybe next year" line is as follows. How many times has he asked her to settle down with him and how many times has she likely said something like "I'm too busy, I have a show coming up soon and then after that a blah, blah, blah " Followed by "maybe next year". And, now, she ironically tells herself that to justify the loss to herself and as her only consolation. PS This song, more than others, is a song that must be acted more than sung.

[@annknox3798]

She speaks beautiful english.