Music Video

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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
Vocals
Ronnie White
Ronnie White
Background Vocals
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Background Vocals
Claudette Robinson
Claudette Robinson
Background Vocals
Marvin Tarplin
Marvin Tarplin
Guitar
Charles Sirard
Charles Sirard
Bassoon
The Funk Brothers
The Funk Brothers
All Instruments
Warren "Pete" Moore
Warren "Pete" Moore
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Henry Cosby
Henry Cosby
Songwriter
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Songwriter
William "Smokey" Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
Producer
BRIAN HOLLAND
BRIAN HOLLAND
Producer
Lamont Dozier
Lamont Dozier
Producer
Henry Cosby
Henry Cosby
Producer
Marvin Tarplin
Marvin Tarplin
Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now if there's a smile on my face
It's only there tryin' to fool the public
But when it comes down to foolin' you
Now, honey, that's quite a different subject
But don't let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
Really, I'm sad
Oh, I'm sadder than sad
You're gone and I'm hurtin' so bad
Like a clown, I pretend to be glad
[Verse 2]
Now there's some sad things known to man
But ain't too much sadder than
The tears of a clown
When there's no one around
Mhmm
Oh, yeah, baby
[Verse 3]
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
Decided to go
Oh, I need you so
I'm hurt and I want you to know
But for others I put on a show, ooh, ah
[Verse 4]
There's 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
[Verse 5]
Just like Pagliacci did
I try to keep my sadness hid
Smilin' in the public eye
But in my lonely room, I cry
The tears of a clown
When there's no one around
Oh, yeah, baby
[Verse 6]
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
When really I'm sad, I'm hurtin' so bad
Written by: Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder, William "Smokey" Robinson
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