"Send in the Clowns"

Irony - Sometimes defined as an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected
For example, in 1975 a little song from the Broadway musical, “A Little Night Music,”
Won the Grammy for Song of the Year!!

Even more Ironic? This song is a brilliant use of Irony!
“What’s it called?" SEND IN THE CLOWNS

If I said, “Hey send in the clowns” You would think – what happened??!?! What’s so funny ? Yeah, some people find clowns scary, but for the most part, clowns are supposed to be silly.
But if you were reflecting upon the ironies and disappointments of you life? That would be a very different matter... And that would be a very ingenious twist on the typical picture…. Alas, Thank You once again Stephen Sondheim (who is probably my most favorite Broadway composer and "A Little Night Music is one of my most favorite musicals)
At the end of the song he states, "Don't bother, they're here." Which also means, the players are the clowns, or as he says it, clowns is a synonym for fools.

But which choice is more interesting? Fools or Clowns? I'll let you guess.
We can learn something here!
Songwriters, never say die! when it comes to exploring options for different words and images. Better said, never, rest in peace, succumb, give up the ghost, abate,
expire, wain, wither, succumb, pass on, lapse, weaken, ... you get the point!!!

This little article in Wikipedia is awesome. It discusses his writing process and the influence of his mentor (Leonard Bernstein, another one of my favorite people);
as well as the unique song structure (the song has 4 verses and a bridge) and the unusual meter/timing. Songwriters, I say it again Broadway Cats can be pretty hip creatures and we can learn a lot from them!
More Here

And who else thought this song was cool enough to sing?
Krusty the Clown (sorry I had to mention that)
Frank Sinatra, Kenny Rogers, Frida (Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA), Bryan Ferry, Tom Jones, Glenn Close, Van Morrison, Wil Ferrell, Steven Colbert (when he had Sondheim as a guest) And many others, One of my favorite versions is by Barbara Streisand
View it here

Singers, this one is for you. First watch her body, specifically the placement of her head and the long lines of her neck. This allows the voice to flow easily. If we reach our chin too far forward or the position of our head is crooked, this creates tension, makes it more difficult to sing and will cause problems (fatigue, hoarseness, etc). Also, note the relaxed jaw and how she opens, opens, opens her mouth! Free that beautiful tone! While she's doing this, take a look, notice how her tongue is beautifully relaxed. Also, her vocal control and tone are breathtaking. (hint: listen to where she breathes) Ok, I'm gonna stop here for this week...

I shall sign off with this gem of rhyme, imagery, and cleverness....
(also from A Little Night Music)
It's a push and a fumble and a tumble in the sheets, And I'll foot the highland fancy,
A dip in the butter and a flutter with what meets my eye, It's a very short fetch
From the push and the whoop, To the squint and the stoop, And the mumble.
It's not much of a stretch, To the cribs and the croup And the bosoms that droop
And go dry. In the meanwhile, There are mouths to be kissed, Before mouths to be fed,
And there's many a tryst, And there's many a bed, To be sampled and seen
In the meanwhile, And a girl has to celebrate what passes by."
(the Millers Son -Stephen Sondheim)