Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - Tears Of A Clown

[@RoxanneDionne]

My daughter (2yrs) loves this song- we dance around the living room to it! 3rd generation appreciation of REAL music.

[@LoyalRaiderFan]

one of the most brilliant songs ever written...I've always loved the juxtaposition of peppy, cheery music over depressing lyrics...which drives home the point of the song...smiling on the outside, dying on the inside.

[@tenderpawsm473]

I think it's about Pagliacci. I heard Smokey talk about this song.

[@terfar5195]

Smiling on the outside, dying on the inside. sadly

[@hazelwood55]

@1:31, it's hard to believe the blonde dancing is probably in her late 70's now(if still alive).

[@gotalittlecaptain]

Can't beat oldies like this. So awesome...

[@edwardsellars9889]

very good song...wasn't born yet but ma mom raised me on music like this sje'z a 54 baby im only 82 lol

[@paulcarson5271]

The footage depicts the "circus" that America was in the 1960s and matches the lyric very neatly. Notice, for example, how the line "But ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown" is juxtaposed with funeral images of Kennedy and King. Very nice work indeed!

[@jhcfight]

I think it's not fitting. In my opinion the song is about a personal tragedy rather than the problems in America at that time. "Just like Pagliacci did I'm gonna keep my surface hid" says enough. I can't call it nice work when somebody tries to make a beautiful love song into a political one.

[@paulcarson5271]

***** Of course Smokey wasn't writing about the events portrayed in the video! But that's no reason why another artist can't add his own meaning as is the case here. Indeed, Smokey alludes to "Pagliacci", as you yourself point out, another work by another artist. That is about an actual clown, not the metaphorical one that Smokey imagines himself to be as the person who sings the song. There's nothing wrong with one artist taking another's work and reinterpreting it to produce a new work, even if it has a political aspect! (Incidentally, after checking the lyric, I believe the part you quote should end in "I try to keep my sadness hid".)

[@djmicnifacent]

Agreed!!! The video is great!!!! It captures the time so vividly. People need to stop bitching and let Smokey do what he does!!!

[@paulcarson5271]

DJ Micnifacent ; )

[@austinsimmons4393]

I totally agree with you, Paul. Very well said!

[@JupiterSKin]

the ULTIMATE song ever written....EVER!!!

[@fas9667]

smokey was and always will be a class act ! absolutely love this song and vid !

[@kikimartini2479]

I love this song.Smokey Robinson is a legend.

[@captmurdock]

This song, and this video, remind me of my friend, now passed on, who smiled no matter what life through at him. He's gone and it still hurts.

[@billwilson5341]

You're blessed to have had such a friend. Hope you are well.

[@thespookyoldtree]

It was so fun seeing Smokey on American Idol tonight! I was hoping someone would sing this song, though, it's my favorite of Smokey's. Motown forever, baby!

[@Destroe1]

This song was and is a break up song about his girl leaving him. However it doesn't take too much imagination to see how it can relate to other things in life. Things like the happiness and joy of life and the strife and pain of it as well. You don't need clear cut reasons to like this song somethings you just know are good and this song is all good.

[@nancyrodriguez4893]

Omg this video made me cry

[@Leyenda1]

America you are messy but I love you like no other.

[@TheAnnaFisher]

Despite Smokey's courageously radical statement made in this video, it is still a hit today. There will be only one Smokey Robinson. Thank you for posting, one love!

[@josephlaster5510]

i love this song it touches me inside

[@poppinmycollar423]

This video always brings a tear to my eye. Even though I'm just 44 and way too young for Vietnam, I've watched enough movies and this song and 'Can't help myself' by the Four Tops and 'Fortunate Son' are the best songs that represent that whole cluster fuck.

[@alexanderalekhine2609]

Awesome video.

[@thorts]

2020

[@simon4186]

I LOVE MOTOWN!

[@adamyoung8606]

Pretty much the 60's in a 3-minute video.

[@amberleaf45]

i fiest heard this in a pub i work in and went and brought it great track and so is the other stuff smokey robinson sings.

[@ediann]

What a great song and video! Classic scenes! JFK and his little boy!

[@teresaachorn2405]

I think they are great Love the song Tears Of A Clown

[@violatenor26]

This is such a wonderful song-fun but so meaningful. Also, such a got video to accompany it. Makes the song a little more powerful! Go Smokey and the Miracles!

[@glong86]

Great song and great video. Great editing on your part showing the turbulence of the 1960's to the song.

[@mblack713]

So the song, "Tears of a Clown," is supoosed to represent the turmoil of the turbent 60's? Being the son of parents who lived in American during that time, the images portrayed in the video from Kennedy to Dr. King and the civil rights movement are all part of my American history and heritage. My mom tells me where she was when she found out about Kennedy being shot. Great song and great video!

[@BlazeApe]

i'm lucky my godfather was a die hard fan. each time i hear the song memories just come rushing back. Great melody

[@niblett20]

love the song brings back so many memories

[@cootmaster]

THIS IS THE BOMB the cartoons mixed w the news clips

[@caj1119]

This song is so good... wish it was longer

[@damodel513]

beautiful song just an era of greatness! todays music is a pinch off this era if todays music would progress into something different it would b great but we have artist that are trying to make 2000's era like outkast, erka badu, common, kanye west ppl like that

[@josephbrown5805]

Great song brings me back

[@johnquakenbush]

If they died, they were feared and stood for something great.

[@Rockstar212911]

LOVE THIS SONG!

[@usmcfutball]

Few songs (very few) can bounce along as effortlessly as this classic. No hesitation in the beat; no lack of confidence in the vocal. Jesus would have a hard time penning a better tune.

[@crazyskater147]

CLASSIC!!!

[@zxygh]

Genuinely haunting...

[@rashido_grey]

the lyrics match up with the video clips perfectly, there is an ironic twist to it thats all

[@towringer]

Wonderful song & video! I wonder whatever happened to that woman at 2:46.

[@hattiem.7966]

towringer She's probably a Grandma now.

[@masonfssr9335]

I like grandmother's eh he eh he eh he

[@jimscribner8314]

Probably died of AIDS or a drug overdose. It's always been the nature of pacifists to destroy themselves.

[@risycat]

LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[@TickleFingers]

We need you mlk!

[@LeveySaintil]

you are so right i cant stand todays so called music

[@michigan21]

That Bassoon!

[@ReneeGriego]

The 60's started out with high hopes, Kennedy and ended with sorrow, Vietnam.

[@Leyenda1]

@TheUbiquitousPoppy I know what you mean but at the same time I cant explain it. The words elude me.

[@kingleonidas1097]

man i love this song. it reminds me of forest gump, because it looks at all of america's great, or not so great historical moments, i saw jfk, kkk, martin luther king jr., vietnam war. it's very good.

[@meanrene59]

There was one missing from back then....Robert F. Kennedy...

[@myround0]

does anyone have or can they post smokey and the miracles version of "you've lost that lovin' feelin'? Thanks

[@killerfly]

2019 watching..

[@cia615]

2024!

[@reformedcoolguydesu]

O MEH GAWD

[@ThekaiserXD]

this song is amazin! pehehe wtf haterz. . . .

[@gipsywoman100]

Bobby Rogers R.I.P

[@velenvskaelhas]

The little tune in it, sounds like the monster rancher game music

[@questkid73]

Great song, co written by Stevie Wonder

[@OpinionsAnimationStudios]

For The Record: "Tears Of.." was constructed first as a 'germ' of an idea by Motown staff producer Henry Cosby, who asked Stevie Wonder to help him with the fleshing out of music; At a Motown Christnmas Party, Stevie gave the song to Smokey as present that he thought he might like to add lyric to & record with Miracles. Smokey did;although he avowed a complete distaste for said finished product. Enter Motown UK who put the single out, watched it rocket up charts..The rest is history.Thanx,m8...

[@reachnickhere1]

This should be a video that comes along with a virus. explaination- when the conductor takes instruction from the band. Symbolism, the band (computer drones) teach the conductor or server (mainframe or website) and the conductor is clearly overloaded with to many requests. or something like that, you know in a new hackers movie or somethin

[@michornet]

Love the squadron of f4 phantoms flying by aircraft carrier.

[@peterangusguy3382]

Tear Of A Clown (From "Legend Of Zelda Majora's Mask" Soundtrack)

[@MaryMantous]

the wow factor is allowed

[@kevin122380]

If that's the case...I would agree with said metaphor.

[@petetube99]

poignant & cool

[@SuPeReZ23]

i had to watch the beginning a couple of times to get the joke 5 Stars

[@violatenor26]

such a "GOOD" video...

[@DadooIsWatching]

Music is awesome. Would have rather watched Smokey singing the song.

[@elchavamendoza2006]

This song it´s a 1971 number 1 hit, not sixties...

[@RKOHBK457]

"I hear The Tears of a Clown. I hate that song I feel like they talking to me when it comes on."

[@kevin122380]

SRATM=groovy man

[@mdz255]

@KLummZyHD no... this song was a hit

[@colepepper83]

love this song, too bad its tainted with bad and useless comments, just enjoy the damn video, sheesh

[@decaphragm]

Diddy was one of the six dislikes.

[@devilslaya25]

Diddy hates this song. if you looked this up cause of coming home by diddy then look up a house is not a home. he hates that one too. and then aint no stopping us now. he loves that one

[@Rockstar212911]

@Fromer111 So you are watching the video why....? or did you think you were being funny?

[@HattieLovesCattie]

@donna1175 And that JFK didn't die and Nam never happened.We changed too much after that.

[@amberleaf45]

no it not your pc it does break up

[@rayjr62]

Who cares about Diddy? Diddy WISHES he was 1/100th the singer / songwriter / entertainer that Smokey Robinson is.

[@dennisfrenchman]

war war war sick sick sick

[@rayjr62]

No. And if that is all you got from this song and from this video . . . . if you don't know what the hell the 1960s were about, then there is really nothing more that anyone can say to you.

[@caplumatt2010]

Stevie wonder wrote music but couldn’t write lyrics. He gave it to Smokey and he thought it has a carnivalesque feel. So he wrote lyrics for a clown that makes everyone smile but has no one to make him smile….

[@jennywebb22]

the footage was really inappropriate for the classic song sadly

[@paulcarson5271]

I have to strongly disagree, Jenny. The footage epitomises "Circus America" in the 1960s and the bittersweet song compliments it perfectly. Notice, for example, how the line "But ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown" is juxtaposed with the funeral images of Kennedy and MLK. Very nice work indeed!

[@JJReynolds-tk7vr]

Fantastic song but the video In my opinion doesn’t fit it. The music was done by Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson provided the lyrics. The song is about Pagliacci the clown not about JFK, hippies, race tensions, or MLK.

[@shellybastion9974]

The song's a masterpiece..perfect for the latter '60's, perfect for RIGHT EFFIN' NOW..

[@anotherNYer]

I love this song but.....the video needs something else. The content of the video is profoundly painful and the song is actually quite upbeat in spite of the words.

[@0TylerDurden0]

diddy hates this song

[@HooPSta1990]

I know y P Diddy hates this song. Its Garbage!

[@eye5755]

diddy hates this song