1975 (Shirley sings two show tune songs, the 1st a slow emotional ballad of 'Send In The Clowns' and the 2nd an upbeat jazz version of 'Bye Bye Blackbird) Shirley Bassey TV Special) <br /> <br />ABOUT the song, Send In The Clowns: <br />"Send in the Clowns" is a song by Stephen Sondheim from the 1973 musical A Little Night Music, an adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's film Smiles of a Summer Night. It is a ballad from Act II in which the character Desirée reflects on the ironies and disappointments of her life. Among other things, she looks back on an affair years earlier with the lawyer Fredrik. Meeting him after so long, she finds that he is now in an unconsummated marriage with a much younger woman. Desirée proposes marriage to rescue him from this situation, but he declines, citing his dedication to his bride. Reacting to his rejection, Desirée sings this song. The song is later reprised as a coda after Fredrik's young wife runs away with his son, and Fredrik is finally free to accept Desirée's offer. <br /> <br />Sondheim wrote the song specifically for the actress Glynis Johns, who created the role of Desirée on Broadway. The song is structured with four verses and a bridge, and uses a complex triple meter. It became Sondheim's most popular song after Judy Collins and Frank Sinatra recorded it in 1975. Subsequently, Dame Shirley Bassey, Judi Dench, Grace Jones, Barbra Streisand, Zarah Leander, Tiger Lillies and many other famous artists have recorded the song, and it became a jazz standard. <br /> <br />LYRICS: <br />Isn't it rich? <br />Are we a pair? <br />Me here at last on the ground <br />And you in mid-air <br />Send in the clowns <br /> Isn't it bliss? <br />Don't you approve? <br />One who keeps tearing around <br />One who can't move <br />Where are the clowns? <br />Send in the clowns <br />Just when I stopped <br />Opening doors <br />Finally knowing the one <br />That I wanted was yours <br />Making my entrance again <br />With my usual flair <br />Sure of my lines <br />No one is there <br />Don't you love farce? <br />My fault, I fear <br />I thought that you want what I want <br />Sorry, my dear <br />But where are the clowns? <br />Quick, send in the clowns <br />Don't bother <br />They're here <br /> <br />Isn't it rich? <br />Isn't it queer? <br />Losing my timing this late <br />In my career? <br />And where are the clowns? <br />There ought to be clowns <br />Well maybe <br />Next year <br /> <br />ABOUT the song, Bye Bye Blackbird: <br />"Bye Bye Blackbird" is a song published in 1926 by the American composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is considered a popular standard and was first recorded by Gene Austin in 1926. <br /> <br />There is much speculation a
