Ives began his career as an itinerant singer and guitarist, eventually launching his own radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger, which popularized traditional folk songs. In 1942, he appeared in Irving Berlin's This Is the Army and became a major star of CBS Radio. In the 1960s, he successfully crossed over into country music, recording hits such as "A Little Bitty Tear" and "Funny Way of Laughin'". Ives was also a popular film actor through the late 1940s and '50s. His film roles included parts in So Dear to My Heart (1948) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), as well as the role of Rufus Hannassey in The Big Country (1958), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Ives is often associated with the Christmas season. He did voice-over work as Sam the Snowman, narrator of the classic 1964 Christmas television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Ives also worked on the special's soundtrack, including the songs "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", both of which continue to chart annually on the Billboard holiday charts into the 2020s.
A Funny Way Of Laughin'
Burl Ives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just my funny way of laughin'
Yes, my funny way of laughin'
Your leavin' didn't bother me
It's just my funny way of laughin'
Yes, my funny way of laughin'
I'm really happy as can be
At some party where the fun runs wild
If tears start to flow and I fall apart
Please don't think you broke my heart
[Chorus]
If we meet on the street
And a little bitta tear rolls down my cheek
Please don't think it's because I'm blue
Or that I'm still in love with you
[Chorus]
Remember the day you left our place
And how the tears rolled down my face
It wasn't because you were leavin' me
I was happy because you were pleasing me
[Chorus]
(funny way of laughin', laughin')
(funny way of laughin', laughin')
Burl Ives's song "Funny Way of Laughin'" is a song about a man who has a unique way of dealing with heartbreak. The lyrics suggest that despite his lover leaving him, he is actually happy and content with the situation at hand. The chorus repeats the phrase "It's just my funny way of laughin'" which the singer uses to explain his seemingly contradictory behavior. He claims that if he is smiling and having fun at a party despite his recent breakup, it is not because he is pretending or masking his true emotions. Rather, he genuinely does not feel sad or heartbroken. The same goes for when he sheds a tear on the street. This is not a sign of grief or regret, but rather an expression of joy and contentment.
As the chorus repeats, it becomes clear that the singer is not just being flippant or nonchalant about his breakup. He genuinely does not feel upset or heartbroken. This is highlighted most notably in the last verse when he reminisces about the day that his lover left him. Instead of feeling sad or crestfallen, he remembers feeling happy that she was doing what she wanted to do. He is not bitter or resentful towards her. He is genuinely happy that she followed her dreams and is content with his life without her.
Overall, the song is a testament to the different ways in which people express emotions. The singer's unique outlook on heartbreak may seem strange or even unbelievable to some, but it is his way of coping with loss and moving on with his life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just my funny way of laughin'
I cope with my emotions by laughing, even if it seems inappropriate.
Yes, my funny way of laughin'
I'm emphasizing that my way of dealing with things is by laughing.
Your leavin' didn't bother me
I'm not saddened by the fact that you've left.
I'm really happy as can be
I'm truly happy and content with my life.
If you see me with a great big smile
If you catch me smiling widely,
At some party where the fun runs wild
When I'm at a party where everyone is having a blast.
If tears start to flow and I fall apart
If, in some situations, I suddenly start to cry uncontrollably.
Please don't think you broke my heart
Don't assume that my emotional state is because of you.
If we meet on the street
If we happen to bump into each other while walking.
And a little bitta tear rolls down my cheek
If I shed a few tears.
Please don't think it's because I'm blue
Don't assume that I'm sad just because I'm crying.
Or that I'm still in love with you
And also don't assume that my tears are because I still love you.
Remember the day you left our place
Reflecting back to the day that you left.
And how the tears rolled down my face
Recalling the fact that I cried on that day.
It wasn't because you were leavin' me
Contrary to what you may have thought, I wasn't crying because you were leaving me.
I was happy because you were pleasing me
In fact, I was happy that you were making me happy before you left.
(funny way of laughin', laughin')
Repeating the chorus to drive the point home that my way of dealing with things is by laughing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HANK COCHRAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SteVenS
I’m 43 and the older I get the more of these classics I look for and the more I seem to enjoy and appreciate. These were well before my time, but I enjoy this music.
Glenda Gaskin
If you enjoy this try Slim Whitman.
LongJohnSilver
That´s what happens when music goes from heart to heart.
God bless you Burl
Joan Knight
I love all his songs ❤
Daniel
Great artist often play his songs over in my mind his voice and lyrics are still catchy I must say
Patricia Redman
Love this song!
hi babe
I never realized how good he was I really enjoy his songs now .
Brendan Williams
Great song, long live golden music like this song, Burl Ives was a master of classic songs like this. 😄👍🏾👍🏾
Raj Jag Consultant Geologist
The tune just flashed in mind after 30 years or so & I came here .....
Yaa....Your brain decodes the emotions perfectly & brings out the perfect memories.....Waw !☺
6672rock
Probably my favorite of all of Burl's non-Christmas tunes. I'll bet if some country or pop star covered this tune today, they'd have a smash hit on their hands.