Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Charade
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were like children posing
Playing at games, acting out names
Guessing the parts we played
Oh what a hit we made
We came on next to closing
Best on the bill, lovers until
Fate seemed to pull the strings
I turned and you were gone
While from the darkened wings
The music box played on
Sad little serenade
Song of my heart's composing
I hear it still, I always will
Best on the bill
Charade
In Bobby Darin's song "Charade," the lyrics describe a relationship between two people who are playing an elaborate game of charades. They act out different roles while trying to guess each other's names. The game works so well that it feels like they are children playing, but as the song progresses, the singer reveals that the love story between them is short-lived.
The two lovers are praised as being "best on the bill" by the audience. They are acting as if they are in love, but like the game they are playing, it is only a masquerade. The singer describes how it feels like fate was pulling the strings when his lover abruptly left him. He is left alone, listening to a sad little melody that is a song of his heart's composition. The song continues to play in his head and serves as a reminder of the love that left him behind.
Overall, "Charade" is a love story that ends in heartbreak. The game of charades serves as a metaphor for the superficial nature of the relationship, where both partners are acting a part instead of being their true selves. The end of the relationship leaves a lasting imprint on the singer's heart, just like the sad little serenade.
Line by Line Meaning
When we played our charade
When we pretended to be someone else to hide our true feelings
We were like children posing
We were acting like we were someone else, not being true to ourselves
Playing at games, acting out names
We were playing games with our hearts, pretending to be someone else
Guessing the parts we played
We were both trying to figure out who the other person was pretending to be
Oh what a hit we made
We were very successful at hiding our true feelings
We came on next to closing
We waited until the end to reveal our true feelings
Best on the bill, lovers until
We were the best performers, pretending to be in love until it was time to end the charade
Love left the masquerade
Once the pretending was over, our true feelings were revealed
Fate seemed to pull the strings
It seemed like it was meant to be, like a higher power was controlling our actions
I turned and you were gone
When I finally revealed my true feelings, you had already left
While from the darkened wings
In the background, behind the scenes
The music box played on
Life continued even though our charade had ended
Sad little serenade
A mournful song
Song of my heart's composing
A song I had written about my true feelings
I hear it still, I always will
I still remember my true feelings and will always hold onto them
Best on the bill
The most successful performance of the night
Charade
The game we played with our hearts, pretending to be someone else
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM STUART ADAMSON, RICHARD JOBSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.