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.
The 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 you're smilin'
As you're filin' out the door
'Cause as they say in this biz
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
The Curtain Falls, written by Bobby Darin and recorded in 1963, is a reflective song about the end of a performance. As the makeup comes off and the clown's disguise is put away, the curtain falls and the music softly dies. The singer hopes that the audience is happy and smiling as they leave because in show business, that's all there is, there isn't anymore. The singer and the audience have shared a moment, and as the moment ends, there's a funny feeling that they are parting as friends. The cheers and laughter will linger after the dusty walls are torn down. If the singer could do it again, they would spend the evening with the audience once again, but now the curtain falls.
Line by Line Meaning
Off comes the make up
The performer's identity and facade is revealed as the act comes to an end.
Off comes the clown's disguise
The performer removes the silly mask, representing the end of the character they played.
The curtain's fallin'
The show is ending, signified by the falling of the curtain.
The music softly dies
The background music fades away, concluding the performance.
But I hope you're smilin'
The performer wants the audience to leave with satisfaction.
As you're filin' out the door
The audience is leaving the venue.
'Cause as they say in this biz
It is a common phrase used in the entertainment industry.
That's all there is, there isn't anymore
The show and performance are over, and there is nothing else left to be seen or experienced.
We've shared a moment
The performer and audience had an intimate moment during the performance.
And as the moment ends
The special moment of the performance concludes.
I got a funny feelin'
The performer has a peculiar feeling during this moment.
We're parting now as friends
Although the performance has ended, the performer and audience will still cherish and recall it.
Your cheers and laughter will linger after
The audience's applause and laughter will resonate long after the performance is over.
They've torn down these dusty walls
The venue will be dismantled or forgotten over time.
If I had this to do again and the evening were new again
The performer imagines reliving this moment with the audience.
I would spend it with you again but now the curtain falls
If given the chance to repeat this experience, the performer would relish it, but for now, the curtains have closed and the performance has come to an end.
People say I was made for this
The performer is often complimented or recognized as being a natural performer.
Nothin' else would I trade for this
The performer does not desire to do anything else besides entertaining.
And just think I get paid for this
The performer is grateful that they get to do what they love for a living.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, 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