Judy Collins’ “Send in the Clowns” Lyrics Meaning

The unique titular metaphor upon which this song is based literally dates back to the circus business, where actual clowns are of course present. But within the context of the song it is once again a metaphorical device. And perhaps the easiest way to describe what it points to, as used, is as being equivalent with the phrase ‘isn’t that ironic?’ 

In other words, what Judy Collins is doing is sarcastically looking back upon a romantic relationship with the addressee that did not end up as idealized. Or more simply put, the two of them are no longer a pair, and she finds this fact to be funny, in the sarcastic sense of the word.

The first half of the song makes it seem like, despite their best wishes, the two of them simply are not compatible. Or, let’s look at it like this. The narrator had concluded that the addressee was the one. And apparently, he felt the same about her. So it’s like ‘after long last I’ve finally found my soulmate, and I’m going to behave myself accordingly’. 

But lo and behold, as fate would have it, that is not how things have turned out. So now the vocalist is just laughing at the irony of the situation.

Message of “Send in the Clowns”

And to note this song does fit into the narrative of a particular theatrical piece. But the reason it blew up mainstream would logically have something to do with people being able to relate to the message contained therein. And that message may be understood as something like don’t take love for granted. Or it can also be interpreted as even the best-laid romances, i.e. the one where everything should go right, can in fact go wrong. 

Or perhaps yet another way of looking at it is that we as individuals do not ultimately decide if a relationship lasts or not. This is something that the narrator has unfortunately learned the hard way.

Who wrote “Send in the Clowns”?

This song was written by a prolific composer, who specialized in theatre, by the name of Stephen Sondheim. He has won every major music award associated with that pursuit. Additionally he has been honored with a Pulitzer Prize and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

And the third of the eight Grammys he won between 1971 and 2008 was for this song, “Send in the Clowns”, which was released on record during March of 1975.

More Interesting Facts

Prior to that, the song debuted in a 1973 Broadway musical entitled A Little Night Music, as performed by a character named Desiree and then a reprise with her alongside another figure in the play, Fredrik. That means respectively the first entertainers who would have regularly performed it would have been Glynis Johns and Len Cariou. These are the actors who initially portrayed the aforementioned characters. 

But according to Stephen Sondheim the first person to actually sing it was Bobby Short (1924-2005), who was a well-known cabaret singer.

Meanwhile Judy Collins is a folk singer from Denver who apparently was not involved in theatre. But it was her rendition which went on to make the song famous. For instance, out of all versions that were dropped during the 20^th century hers had the most-impressive chart showing, breaking the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. And it was also Judy’s cover which resulted in a 1975 Grammy Award for Stephen Sondheim, in the category of Song of the Year.

Prior to that Judy Collins won a Grammy of her own in 1969, taking home the Best Folk Performance trophy for the a tune entitled “Both Sides, Now”.

The producer of this track, on behalf of Judy Collins, was Arif Marden (1932-2006), who has won even more Grammy Awards than Stephen Sondheim. Marden also produced the album it was featured on, Collins’ 12^th studio effort, which is entitled “Judith” (1975).