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.
Funny Way Of Laughing
Burl Ives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
If you see me with a great big smile
If tears start to flow and I fall apart
Please don't think you broke my heart
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
If we meet on the street
And a little bitty tear rolls down my cheek
Please don't think it's because I'm blue
Or that I'm still in love with you
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
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
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
(Funny way of laughin', laughin')
(Funny way of laughin', laughin')
Burl Ives's song "Funny Way of Laughing" seems to be about a situation where the singer is trying to convince someone that they are genuinely happy despite the fact that the other person left them. The song starts with the singer acknowledging that their way of laughing may seem funny or strange. They repeat the phrase "It's just my funny way of laughin', yes, my funny way of laughin'" to emphasize this point. The singer then goes on to explain that their ex-partner leaving them did not bother them at all, in fact, they are really happy.
The second verse describes a situation where the singer is at a party and appears to be having a great time with a big smile on their face. However, if tears start to flow, the other person shouldn't think that it's because their departure broke the singer's heart. It's just their way of laughing. Similarly, if the two meet on the street and a tear rolls down the singer's cheek, it shouldn't be taken as a sign that they're still in love. Instead, it's just another manifestation of their funny way of laughing.
In the final verse, the singer recalls the day when their former partner left and tears rolled down their face. However, it wasn't because they were upset about being left but rather happy because their partner was pleasing them. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "It's just my funny way of laughin'" driving home the point that, despite appearances, the singer is truly happy, and their laughter is just their idiosyncratic way of showing it.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just my funny way of laughin'
The way I express my emotions may seem odd or unexpected to others
Yes, my funny way of laughin'
I acknowledge that my way of processing feelings is different
Your leavin' didn't bother me
I was not negatively affected by your departure
I'm really happy as can be
I am genuinely content and joyful
If you see me with a great big smile
If you observe me wearing a wide grin
At some party where the fun runs wild
In a social gathering filled with excitement and cheerfulness
If tears start to flow and I fall apart
If I begin to cry and lose composure
Please don't think you broke my heart
Do not assume that my emotional display is a result of heartbreak caused by you
If we meet on the street
In the event that we come across each other in public
And a little bitty tear rolls down my cheek
If a small tear trickles down my face
Please don't think it's because I'm blue
Do not interpret my emotional reaction as sadness or depression
Or that I'm still in love with you
And do not assume that I still have lingering romantic feelings towards you
Remember the day you left our place
Recall the time when you departed from our shared location
And how the tears rolled down my face
And how tears streamed down my cheeks
It wasn't because you were leavin' me
My tears were not due to your departure from me
I was happy because you were pleasing me
Rather, I was experiencing happiness due to your previous actions that brought me pleasure
(Funny way of laughin', laughin')
Repeating the initial statement to reinforce its meaning
(Funny way of laughin', laughin')
Repeating the initial statement to reinforce its meaning
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.