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.
Curtain Falls
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Off comes the clown's disguise
The curtain's fallin'
The music softly dies.
But I hope your smilin'
As you're filin' out the door
That's all there is, there isn't anymore.
We've shared a moment
And as the moment ends
I got a funny feelin'
We're parting now as friends.
Your cheers and laughter will linger after
They've torn down these dusty walls
If I had this to do again
And the evening were new again
I would spend it with you again
But now the curtain falls.
Your cheers and laughter will linger after
They've torn down these dusty walls
People say I was made for this
Nothin' else would I trade for this
And just think I get paid for this...
“Goodnight ladies and gentlemen and God love you, thank you.”
The lyrics of Bobby Darin's song Curtain Falls talk about the end of a moment - a moment of performance, an act in the theater, but also a moment shared between two people. The first two lines talk about the performer coming out of character, taking off the "make-up" and ending the performance as the "music softly dies," preparing to leave. Despite this, the singer hopes that the audience is leaving with a smile, as someone in "this biz" might say that the show is over and there's no more to it.
The second verse is interesting because it speaks deeply to the meaning of human connection and relationships - as the moment ends, there's a "funny feeling" that we get when we part ways with someone that we care about, whether it's a performer-audience member relationship or a personal relationship. The singer concludes by saying that though the walls may be torn down, and the show may be over, the memories of the experience will remain. If given the chance, they would spend the evening with the person again. In the end, the song is not just about a performer's farewell to his audience, but it is also a reflection of us saying goodbye to the people we love, and how we hope that they will always hold a memory of us in their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Off comes the make up
The performer is removing the layer of protection they wear in the form of makeup.
Off comes the clown's disguise
The illusion and facade that the performer portrays as a clown is coming off now.
The curtain's fallin'
The show is coming to an end and the curtain is closing.
The music softly dies.
The music that accompanied the performance fades away.
But I hope your smilin'
The performer hopes that the audience enjoyed the show and is happy.
As you're filin' out the door
The audience is leaving the venue as the show has ended.
As they say in this biz
There is a saying in the entertainment industry.
That's all there is, there isn't anymore.
The saying implies that the performance is over and there won't be any more.
We've shared a moment
The performer acknowledges that they and the audience shared a moment during the performance.
And as the moment ends
The shared moment is now over as the show has ended.
I got a funny feelin'
The performer has a peculiar and possibly nostalgic feeling about the end of this show.
We're parting now as friends.
The performer is bidding farewell to the audience and wishes to leave on a friendly note.
Your cheers and laughter will linger after
The performer is gratified by the audience’s reaction, and the memories of their positive reception will last.
They've torn down these dusty walls
The venue where the show was held is old and musty, and is possibly being demolished.
If I had this to do again
The performer is reflecting that given the chance, they would love to do the show all over again.
And the evening were new again
The performer longs to experience the same evening all over again, possibly to correct past mistakes.
I would spend it with you again
The performer would like to be with the audience who made the show special, again.
But now the curtain falls.
The show is now over, and it is time for the audience and performer to leave.
People say I was made for this
The performer feels that they are suited perfectly for their job.
Nothin' else would I trade for this
The performer enjoys their job so much that they wouldn't like to trade it for anything else in the world.
And just think I get paid for this...
The performer marvels that they are being paid for something they love to do.
“Goodnight ladies and gentlemen and God love you, thank you.”
The closing remarks made by the performer as a gesture of gratitude and thanks to the audience.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SOL WEINSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sussy LH
"The Curtain Falls"
0:01
Off comes the make up
Off comes, the clown's, disguise
The curtain's fallin'
The music, softly dies.
0:21
But I, hope your smilin'
As you're filin', out, the door
Cause as they say, in this business
That's all there is .. there isn't, anymore
0:57
We've shared, a, moment
And as, the moment, ends
I got a, funny feelin'
We're parting, now, as friends
1:32
Your cheers and laughter, will linger after
They have torn, down, these dusty walls
If I had this, to do again
And the evening, were, new again
I would spend it, with you, again
But now, the curtain falls
2:23
Your cheers and laughter, will linger after
They've torn, down, these, dusty walls
People say, I was made, for this
Nothin' else, would I, trade for this
And just think, I get paid, for this
3:16
"Goodnight ladies and gentlemen and God love you, thank you"
David Weinstein
The Curtain Falls was composed by my father Sol Weinstein. He was on an early talk show hosted by Jerry Lester. Darin was also on the show and Lester sang the Curtain Falls, apparently badly. After the show, Darin talked to my dad and asked if he could use the song. Darin ended up using it to close his nightclub routines for many years.
Mark Holmes
Thanks for the insight David. Your father wrote a truly great song.
Mark Holmes
Your father wrote a truly great song.
David Weinstein
he did and sung by a great artist!
IslandGirl 9152
Thank you for sharing this. Your father wrote an incredibly beautiful song. Darin just makes this song so unforgettable, I think it truly was written for him in the end. But with his fragile heart, I think he knew each performance might be his last.
Steve Marko
Is there someway to send you the version of your fathers song I recorded? I have an incredible group of players on it, and I poured my soul into it. It's the best thing I've ever done.
Richard White
I met Bobby in 1968 through a mutual friend (Jimmy Durante). I talked with him about this song once - and Surprise! A copy of the chart arrived in my mail a few days later with a note "Use it. Bobby".
I still use it often as my closing song.
He tried so hard to do so much, knowing that he didn't have the time to do everything.
He died too damn young at the age of 37.
Gwen Graham
@Richard White wonderful story. Thanks for sharing this.
TIMBERFRAMER9
Who else is here on John Krasinski’s recommendation?
Kevin Dagostino
Me