Newley had a successful pop music career, with two number one hits in 1960: "Why?" and "Do You Mind?". He won the 1963 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "What Kind of Fool Am I", but he was also well-known for "Gonna Build a Mountain" and comic novelty songs such as his version of "Strawberry Fair". He wrote songs that others made hits including Goldfinger (the title song of the James Bond movie), and Feeling Good, which became a hit for Nina Simone. With Leslie Bricusse, he wrote the musical Stop the World - I Want to Get Off in which he also performed, earning a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. His other musicals included The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd (1965) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), based on the children's book by Roald Dahl. The play was released in a film version in 1971.
Newley's vocal style has been recognised as a major influence on that of David Bowie. In recognition of his creative skills and body of work, Newley was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
The shortlived 1960 ATV series "The Strange World of Gurney Slade" in which Newley starred, continues to have a cult following due to its postmodern premise that the Newley character is trapped inside a television programme. Apart from a repeat of one episode on Channel 4 in 1992, it has not been seen in the UK in recent years. The show's theme tune by Max Harris may be better-known today than the series itself.
His last feature role in the cast of EastEnders was to be a regular role, but Newley had to withdraw after a few months when his health began to fail.
The Joker
Anthony Newley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There′s always a joker in the pack
There's a cardboard clown
The poor painted fool falls on his back
And ev′ryone laughs when he's down
There's always a funny man in the game
But he′s only funny by mistake
But ev′ryone laughs at him, just the same
They don′t care as long as there is jester, just a fool
As foolish as he can be
There's always a joker, that′s a rule
But fate deals the hand and I see
The joker is me!
There's always a funny man in the game
But he′s only funny by mistake
But ev'ryone laughs at him, just the same
...
They don't see his painted heart break
...
They don′t care as long as there is jester, just a fool
As foolish as he can be
There′s always a joker, that's a rule
But fate deals the hand and I see
The joker is me!
The joker is me!
The joker is me!
In Anthony Newley's song "The Joker," the lyrics express the feeling of being the outsider, the one who is always looked down upon and laughed at. The joker is a metaphor for this character who is constantly being made fun of and not taken seriously. The song highlights the notion that people often find amusement in someone else's misfortune, without considering the pain and heartbreak the joker might be experiencing behind the painted smile. The joker represents the person who is perceived as silly and foolish, but underneath there is a vulnerable and hurting individual.
The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and acceptance of one's role as the joker. Regardless of the circumstances, fate deals the hand, and the realization hits that the joker is actually oneself. It speaks to the loneliness and isolation that can come from always being the one who is laughed at, not being understood or cared for beyond the entertainment value they provide. The repetition of the line "The joker is me" emphasizes the internalization of this identity and the inability to escape from it.
Overall, "The Joker" explores the complex emotions of someone who constantly plays the fool, reminding listeners that behind the mask of laughter, there may be hidden pain and longing for genuine connection.
Line by Line Meaning
The joker is me!
I am the one who acts as a clown or fool
There's always a joker in the pack
In every group, there is always someone who plays the role of a joker
There's a cardboard clown
There exists a clown made of cardboard
The poor painted fool falls on his back
The unfortunate clown, painted with a fake smile, tumbles backwards
And ev'ryone laughs when he's down
And everyone ridicules and finds amusement when he is in a lowly state
There's always a funny man in the game
There is consistently a person who brings humor to the situation
But he's only funny by mistake
However, his comedic effect is not intentional or planned
But ev'ryone laughs at him, just the same
Nevertheless, everyone still bursts into laughter at his expense
They don't see his painted heart break
They fail to observe the emotional pain hidden beneath his painted exterior
They don't care as long as there is jester, just a fool
People remain indifferent as long as there exists a performer, even if they are merely a fool
As foolish as he can be
Regardless of how foolish he may act or appear
There's always a joker, that's a rule
The presence of a joker is an established norm or expectation
But fate deals the hand and I see
However, destiny determines the outcome and I comprehend
The joker is me!
I am the one playing the role of the joker
The joker is me!
I am the one portraying the character of the joker
The joker is me!
I am the individual embodying the joker persona
Writer(s): Leslie Bricusse, Anthony George Newley
Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
polyesterpootang
Thank you all for your reactions ! This is what I want ! He deserves every special look on his complex work and life ! For me Anthony Newley is an extraordinary unique gifted artist without any comparision, who is is /was too much overseen ! He was one of the greatest artists ever & of the last century whose influence on art and artists is 2 overseen ! He too often had not the possibility to show all his artistic potential, because they stopped him (eg Chaplin)! This was/is a WASTE forever!!!
NHMO OYTIS
I don't know why Anthony Newley wasn't a bigger star....I liked him from way back in the early days. Now he's nearly unknown, this video has only 52 views. For my money either "What Kind of Fool Am I" or "Who Can I Turn To" by him are the best of those much covered songs.
Crystal Price
He also cowrote the candy man.
Sue Selfe
Anthony Newley was a complex man; many entertainers suffer sadness and insecurities, and he was no exception. His life although at times very sad,I don't like to think as tragic.He was full of joy and wonder,and left that to us to enjoy in his music, acting, writing ect.The world is a sadder place since he left it. Thank you for this lovely video. xxxxxxxxxxx
richard gornalle
What a talent! Amazing voice, amazing composer, amazing performer
Enrique Del Risco (Eric has moved)
This song should've been in Joker. The lyrics just fit way too well.
NHMO OYTIS
Just shared this with a friend who’s a big Joker fan and said the same!
Ben Jonson
Love this song.
Bill Pollock
Always loved him as a performer from his days as the clown in the adventure films he was in through to Idol On Parade and his big two musicals. Was not overshadowed by the big name stars in Dr Dolittle. In one word GREAT!
richard gornalle
A briliant talent.