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.
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
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.
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
Interestingly, this bizarre set of images chronicles the 60's, but this song hit biggest in December, 1970. I'm not sure that it's really a good stylistic choice to start out silly and then go very somber. It's a strange juxtaposition. I find it amazing so many things happened 40 to 50 years ago, and then, the generation that had so much hope, became self absorbed and became conservative.
But while I'm at it (commenting), I can say what "Selma's NAACP" seems to me to mean. I noticed the sign and it made sense: it's Selma, Alabama's contingent of the National Assn for the Advancement of Colored People proudly announcing their presence as a group among these marchers / demonstators. Not unlike the state-contingent signs on the floor of a national political convention. And Selma's history probably earned a lot of respect in that crowd.
The video has nothing whatsoever to do with the song!
That song is one of the most brilliant pop hits ever written, and its performance is stellar - but it's about one guy's feelings over one girl, and even the decade whose style it epitomizes has nothing to do with the song. (I say that as a Sixties activist myself.) "Enjoy the damn video, sheesh!" is an asinine bit of advice. Better to close your eyes and let the song transport you to an exquisitely tender place.
The juxaposition of the music over scenes of tragedy and unrest, especially w/ the panthers @ 1:08 and the F-4s @ 2:09, is really awesome. The video producer knew when to punch the gas for maximum impact. It reminds me of ode to joy in a clockwork orange during the ludevigo scene.
I LOVE this video. It has so much to say...It moves me everytime. My daughter & I dance to this, she's 4. Its a happy tempo song yet sad in alot of ways, the video makes me long for the past but unfortunately with everything good, some bad has to balance it out. Peace my friends...thats all we wanted all along.
Are you kidding me?! LOL...I'm 47 years old, so I was around 6 years old at the zenith of the hippie era. My father was a cop & I support DRAFTED Vietnam Vets, but that has NOTHING to do with why I like the video you goofy-cat-redneck-bastard.
@TheUbiquitousPoppy I'm sorry I was rude. I made the die, Hippie comment to amuse myself. I took a peek at your channel and we have some of the same tastes. Sorry I offended you, nothing personal.
well...I certainly appreciat that & Im sorry if I misjudged you as well. I'm from TN, so maybe that rivalry peaked me a bit, lol. If I knew you I'd probably laugh immediatly about your comment. My band recently broke up because my idiot guitarist took a comment I said completely different from what I meant, but then again he knows me, so he must be an idiot...& would never admit hes wrong, so with that in mind you have my respect as well. Maybe we'll cross paths sometimes on I-65, lol.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
look at that criminal JFK (you idiots make him out to be a great man), the KKK, white hippies taking drugs, blacks marching for freedom? i can sum this up in a few words...white america (the south and midwest) are fucked up for what they did to the blacks. any kennedy is a criminal, and white kids with money took a lot of drugs in the 60's and 70's and now are the watchdogs of us all. as they point their tainted finger of shame at you me and the next guy...the 60's are a joke!
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.
"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...
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!
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.
It's of no coincidence that two of my favorite songs came from the 1960's era; Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf and Tears of a Clown by yours truly. Uptight Alright by Stevie Wonder is also another one, which came from the 60's.
And speaking of Stevie, here's a factoid for those proponents of Tears of a Clown; Wonder along with Hank Cosby were the one's that actually compiled this marvelous piece. They gave it to Smokey as a present and he carried it out with his unprecedented voice.
I love this song of Smokey Robinson! I grew up with the oldies. I saw him perform on Friday nite at the L.A County Fair in Pomona California. He did an amazing show & he still looks and sounds the same!! & I was suprised that I wasnt the only young adult in the audience. Im 18 and there were people the same age or younger who were singing along! Thats how you knoe oldies are the shit! =]
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
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!
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!
Comment removed
Efneely 4 months ago
God this video is amazing. very emotional who ever doesn't like it isn't deep enough.
chaya326 6 months ago
LOVE THIS SONG!
Rockstar212911 7 months ago
O MEH GAWD
recon294 7 months ago
the ULTIMATE song ever written....EVER!!!
JupiterSKin 7 months ago
i hate this song
Fromer111 8 months ago
@Fromer111 So you are watching the video why....? or did you think you were being funny?
Rockstar212911 7 months ago
@eye5755 fuck that illuminati little bitch!!!!
zeuslives11 9 months ago 4
diddy hates this song
eye5755 10 months ago
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.
LoyalRaiderFan 10 months ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
vote up my video if you came here after hearing coming home
nosetackle72 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
vote up this comment if u came to this video after u heard Coming Home
nosetackle72 10 months ago
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reachnickhere1 11 months ago
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
reachnickhere1 11 months ago
I LOVE MOTOWN!
simon4186 11 months ago
Diddy was one of the six dislikes.
nubtalkshow 11 months ago
this song is amazin! pehehe wtf haterz. . . .
ThekaiserXD 11 months ago
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.
anotherNYer 11 months ago
hes such a good singer
Varencilator 11 months ago
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
devilslaya25 11 months ago
"I hear The Tears of a Clown. I hate that song I feel like they talking to me when it comes on."
RKOHBK457 11 months ago 6
@KLummZyHD no... this song was a hit
mdz255 11 months ago
this song is the shit fuck you haters and "Diddy too!!"
MsAurora420 11 months ago
I know y P Diddy hates this song. Its Garbage!
HooPSta1990 1 year ago
diddy hates this song
0TylerDurden0 1 year ago 8
The little tune in it, sounds like the monster rancher game music
velenvskaelhas 1 year ago
@velenvskaelhas ahh fuck now i want to look up monster rancher!!!!!foooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooock!!!!
devilslaya25 11 months ago
Interestingly, this bizarre set of images chronicles the 60's, but this song hit biggest in December, 1970. I'm not sure that it's really a good stylistic choice to start out silly and then go very somber. It's a strange juxtaposition. I find it amazing so many things happened 40 to 50 years ago, and then, the generation that had so much hope, became self absorbed and became conservative.
hattree 1 year ago
I myself "can't relate", as they say.
But while I'm at it (commenting), I can say what "Selma's NAACP" seems to me to mean. I noticed the sign and it made sense: it's Selma, Alabama's contingent of the National Assn for the Advancement of Colored People proudly announcing their presence as a group among these marchers / demonstators. Not unlike the state-contingent signs on the floor of a national political convention. And Selma's history probably earned a lot of respect in that crowd.
Avon53 1 year ago
The video has nothing whatsoever to do with the song!
That song is one of the most brilliant pop hits ever written, and its performance is stellar - but it's about one guy's feelings over one girl, and even the decade whose style it epitomizes has nothing to do with the song. (I say that as a Sixties activist myself.) "Enjoy the damn video, sheesh!" is an asinine bit of advice. Better to close your eyes and let the song transport you to an exquisitely tender place.
Avon53 1 year ago
@Avon53 You can relate the song to this video.
TruthFullWords 1 year ago
In the video what does "Selma's NAACP" mean?
TruthFullWords 1 year ago
Break the system, Remove the people at the top and stop voting these crooks in people !
irelandbacktoirish 1 year ago
There sure are some sad things known to man. A lot of the images on this video have been around my whole life.
jmms429 1 year ago
Comment removed
jmms429 1 year ago
Smokey is the best. I was introduced to him at 16 and now many years later, I still love him.
1jadajada 1 year ago
You can grab the audio-mp3 of this vid at grabaudionow doht cohm.
TabathaRodwell910487 1 year ago
They heard this song in Vietnam, it was a Big hit in the clubs in Dong khoi street. Vietnam forever.
kook2222 1 year ago
this is the best video on youtube
hookuspookus529 1 year ago
Fucking great song and a great video.
jasonleigh1974 1 year ago
THIS IS SO ME!
whitebirdwoman22 1 year ago
Anyone know or got, the fantastic bassoon "buffo animato" part?
I can't quite make out the 16th note (semi quaver ) run?? thanks W
wcampbelljnr 1 year ago
Comment removed
SuperKulkin 1 year ago
Comment removed
ddja57 1 year ago
It's a great song but I never knew Stevie Wonder co-wrote it.
jamiroquailover 1 year ago
1:12 KKK, the retards of America.
rexplosi0n 1 year ago 6
I wish it was the 60's :(
donna1175 1 year ago 2
@donna1175 And that JFK didn't die and Nam never happened.We changed too much after that.
HattieLovesCattie 1 year ago
♥ .
MrMLD72MLD 1 year ago
Bitch'n bassoon part! Hard ass key sig too.
bigmandrel 1 year ago
Un capolavoro stupendo !!!
Calatafimi 1 year ago
fkn Barks hard,thank you Smokey........
1019drummer 1 year ago
this is some good stuff right here!
well done.
Peace.
belizeambushgal 1 year ago 2
The juxaposition of the music over scenes of tragedy and unrest, especially w/ the panthers @ 1:08 and the F-4s @ 2:09, is really awesome. The video producer knew when to punch the gas for maximum impact. It reminds me of ode to joy in a clockwork orange during the ludevigo scene.
dapercodanman 1 year ago
I LOVE this video. It has so much to say...It moves me everytime. My daughter & I dance to this, she's 4. Its a happy tempo song yet sad in alot of ways, the video makes me long for the past but unfortunately with everything good, some bad has to balance it out. Peace my friends...thats all we wanted all along.
TheUbiquitousPoppy 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Die, hippie.
alabamagoofycat 2 years ago
Are you kidding me?! LOL...I'm 47 years old, so I was around 6 years old at the zenith of the hippie era. My father was a cop & I support DRAFTED Vietnam Vets, but that has NOTHING to do with why I like the video you goofy-cat-redneck-bastard.
TheUbiquitousPoppy 2 years ago
@TheUbiquitousPoppy I'm sorry I was rude. I made the die, Hippie comment to amuse myself. I took a peek at your channel and we have some of the same tastes. Sorry I offended you, nothing personal.
alabamagoofycat 2 years ago
well...I certainly appreciat that & Im sorry if I misjudged you as well. I'm from TN, so maybe that rivalry peaked me a bit, lol. If I knew you I'd probably laugh immediatly about your comment. My band recently broke up because my idiot guitarist took a comment I said completely different from what I meant, but then again he knows me, so he must be an idiot...& would never admit hes wrong, so with that in mind you have my respect as well. Maybe we'll cross paths sometimes on I-65, lol.
TheUbiquitousPoppy 2 years ago
@TheUbiquitousPoppy I know what you mean but at the same time I cant explain it. The words elude me.
Leyenda1 1 year ago
My Heart Hurts! JFK MLK! how could it happen!
JrAdrock5447 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
I love this song so much! :)
blubryfields4evr 2 years ago 2
ill tell u whats sadder than the tears of a clown...... its the tears of two clowns!lol.
1conniejean 2 years ago
LOVE EVER1 B4 DA END
GOAT2C4YOU 2 years ago
love this song, too bad its tainted with bad and useless comments, just enjoy the damn video, sheesh
colepepper83 2 years ago 36
@colepepper83 Agreed
TrainToSkaville91 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
look at that criminal JFK (you idiots make him out to be a great man), the KKK, white hippies taking drugs, blacks marching for freedom? i can sum this up in a few words...white america (the south and midwest) are fucked up for what they did to the blacks. any kennedy is a criminal, and white kids with money took a lot of drugs in the 60's and 70's and now are the watchdogs of us all. as they point their tainted finger of shame at you me and the next guy...the 60's are a joke!
coka5841 2 years ago
Comment removed
7514328 2 years ago
Comment removed
7514328 2 years ago
I'll tell you what's sadder than the tears of a clown! That used to be America.....
Doesn't seem like the same place I grew up these days.
poopfist 2 years ago 3
Its been paralyzed for maximum profit. The banksters.
7514328 2 years ago
love the vid 1st heard on a way to a tigers game:))
johnnyamorrison 2 years ago
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.
kingleonidas1097 2 years ago 3
as good as it gets
duckpoop1956 2 years ago 25
THIS IS THE BOMB
the cartoons mixed w the news clips
cootmaster 2 years ago 2
This is one of the many songs that (Smokey &)the Miracles have produced that I love.
I love this song and "Going to a go-go"!!!!!!
motownman9191 2 years ago
i love this song!!!
bookey75 2 years ago
Can't beat oldies like this. So awesome...
gotalittlecaptain 2 years ago
This song is so powerful to me, and the video does an excellent job at reflecting the lyrics.
Leicesterdog 2 years ago 3
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...
BadNews88 2 years ago
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!
thespookyoldtree 2 years ago
Comment removed
RAMBOANGEL 2 years ago
LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
risycat 2 years ago 4
war war war sick sick sick
dennisfrenchman 3 years ago
The moment the main engines ignite, thats this tune..
spacenacht 3 years ago
i've always remembered this video by the guy in 2:43. he looks so sad. :( love this song and the whole vid.
moonflower0924 3 years ago
luv it
salicson 3 years ago
A great song and the ultimate toe-tapper but whats with the video? A bunch of random clips with no connection to the lyrics.
yokai1968 3 years ago
the lyrics match up with the video clips perfectly, there is an ironic twist to it thats all
Krakan20 3 years ago
Class song love it.
Dreaming32 3 years ago
CLASSIC!!!
crazyskater147 3 years ago
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.
usmcfutball 3 years ago 4
This must be the original 1967 version because it sounds slightly different than the 1970 version.
03bgood 3 years ago
This song it´s a 1971 number 1 hit, not sixties...
elchavamendoza2006 3 years ago
I miss you Grandfather...
This song always reminded me of him...
1913 - 1982
MotherMoonie 3 years ago
It's of no coincidence that two of my favorite songs came from the 1960's era; Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf and Tears of a Clown by yours truly. Uptight Alright by Stevie Wonder is also another one, which came from the 60's.
And speaking of Stevie, here's a factoid for those proponents of Tears of a Clown; Wonder along with Hank Cosby were the one's that actually compiled this marvelous piece. They gave it to Smokey as a present and he carried it out with his unprecedented voice.
stlcardsin2007 3 years ago
Smokey also wrote the lyrics
JBnut 3 years ago
greatest song ever, im 20 years old and have been jamming this song for almost 10 years now bitchessssssssssss, skate or die
Theratinthehouse 3 years ago
One of the top ten songs of all time.
wilson02112 3 years ago
does anyone have or can they post smokey and the miracles version of "you've lost that lovin' feelin'? Thanks
myround0 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
MzCherry90 3 years ago
i had to watch the beginning a couple of times to get the joke
5 Stars
SuPeReZ23 3 years ago
They don't make them like this anymore...cliche but true.
TheSchoolWorld 3 years ago
Not so good as ooooh baby baby from! buts its a really good song god bless Smokey and his doowop party
Jawblues 3 years ago
hell yea this is real music!
joker70784 3 years ago 3
Awesome song
racyweb 3 years ago
this music is amazing but there no need to bad mouth todays music
we dont bad mouth old music now do we??
jingle4488 3 years ago
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
damodel513 3 years ago 2
we need more soul in sounds.
parafleet 3 years ago
the suffering '60's made that art so sweet. but wake up..there's no romance in hurt. just ignore negativity and learn to care for folks.
parafleet 3 years ago
i wanna be your friend.
Gathol 3 years ago
such a "GOOD" video...
violatenor26 3 years ago 4
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!
violatenor26 3 years ago
interesting video clips ~ wow !! 5 stars
have to share this one for sure
(and this song was my fave as a child)
MLKjr / JFK ~ RIP
humanedomain 3 years ago 2
Very great video, but I can not believe it played on MTV2. I wonder who slid that in?
porchfilmgroup 3 years ago 3
i'm lucky my godfather was a die hard fan.
each time i hear the song memories just come rushing back. Great melody
BlazeApe 4 years ago 2
Yea todays music is nothing but techno gay bullshit
ZionNeo1 4 years ago
poignant & cool
petetube99 4 years ago 3
A superb find musikvideoman.
thanks for sharing.
I love it so much that it is now my "featured" on my chanel.
JomoKitale 4 years ago 2
If there's a smile on my face.
It's only there trying to fool the public.
Omgitszztop 4 years ago
My daughter (2yrs) loves this song- we dance around the living room to it! 3rd generation appreciation of REAL music.
RoxanneDionne 4 years ago
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.
amberleaf45 4 years ago
lyRiiCs iiN thiiS s0nG arE aws0mE!!! juSt liiKe ne-Yos! Ne-yo iiZ thE cl0esTesT we wiilL geT t0 muSiiq liiKe thiiS!
redjasmine91 4 years ago
love the song brings back so many memories
niblett20 4 years ago 2
my mom said the "Zombies" sing this song
Halfbluemoon1 4 years ago
At the very beginning from 0:00-0:07 lol!
michaelmoval 4 years ago
im 19 and i love Smokey
covblazefan 4 years ago 2
Ein super Song und ein tolles Video!!
8frisia 4 years ago
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
bashmentparty 4 years ago
i'm an 82 baby and i grew up on all this great music and i'm glad i did cause this on the radio today sucks ass
silkmansmooth 4 years ago 2
you are so right i cant stand todays so called music
blankster 4 years ago 3
M CRAP TV should play more real mysic like this!!!
woodztream0808 4 years ago 4
great video it brought tears to my eyes. I love it
indakline 4 years ago 4
My teenage encapsulated- born 1954!!
mommydoos 4 years ago 3
Great song and great video. Great editing on your part showing the turbulence of the 1960's to the song.
glong86 4 years ago
I love this song.Smokey Robinson is a legend.
kikimartini2479 4 years ago 4
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!
mblack713 4 years ago 4
This is one of the greatest songs ever written.
I was no more than 8 when it hit the pop charts...on AM radio. It was unforgettable.
Thank you for this posting.
Arkady63 4 years ago
Is it just my pc or does this video pause for seconds at a time? Thanks.
cutedudearizona 4 years ago
no it not your pc it does break up
amberleaf45 4 years ago
It does not break up. Play fine all the way through.
AgentJack13 4 years ago
What a great song and video!
Classic scenes!
JFK and his little boy!
ediann 4 years ago
I Love That Oldie Song!
MizzJacquetta9999 4 years ago