At the age of 17, she recorded a duet with her father Rufus Thomas, "Because I Love You", which became a Southern hit and gave the Satellite label (later Stax Records) its first real success.
In 1961 she rose to national prominence with "Gee Whiz (Look in His Eyes)", which reached the Top Ten in both the R&B and Pop categories, becoming the first Memphis soul record to have an impact nationwide and ensuring the success of the Stax Records label.
In the next ten years, she had 22 singles on the national charts, including "I'll Bring It on Home to You" (an answer to Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me"), "Let Me Be Good to You", and Isaac Hayes' "B-A-B-Y".
She is well-known for her duets with Otis Redding, from the album King & Queen, including the recordings of the Lowell Fulson composition "Tramp" and the Steve Cropper/Eddie Floyd song "Knock on Wood".
In 1993 Carla Thomas received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over
Carla Thomas Lyrics
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And my dreams are drifting away
Your eyes don't shine like they used to shine
And the thrill is gone when your lips meet mine
I'm afraid the masquerade is over
And so is love, and so is love
They were once inspired, now they're just routine
I'm afraid the masquerade is over
And so is love, and so is love
I guess I'll have to play Pagliacci
And get myself a clown's disguise
And learn to laugh like Pagliacci
With tears in my eyes
You look the same, you're a lot the same
But my heart says "no, no, you're not the same"
I'm afraid the masquerade is over
And so is love, and so is love
I guess I'll have to play Pagliacci
And get myself a clown's disguise
And learn to laugh like Pagliacci
With tears in my eyes
You look the same, you're a lot the same
But my heart says "No, no, you're not the same"
I'm afraid the masquerade is over
And so is love, and so is love
Carla Thomas's "I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over" is a heart-wrenching song that depicts the harrowing realization that a love affair has come to an end. The song starts with the lyrics "My blue horizon is turning grey, and my dreams are drifting away." These words suggest that the singer's once bright and hopeful future has lost its sheen, and the world seems darker and despairing. The verse continues to describe the disillusionment of the individual, saying that "Your eyes don't shine like they used to shine, and the thrill is gone when your lips meet mine." These lines imply that the passion that once fuelled the relationship has vanished, leaving only a shell of what once was.
The chorus, "I'm afraid the masquerade is over, and so is love, and so is love," is the most poignant part of the song. The masquerade in this song refers to the façade that two people often use to deceive themselves and others that their relationship is still flourishing, even though the love they once shared is gone. The singer has come to realize that this masquerade is over, leaving behind only a sea of painful memories. The second verse further elucidates this point by saying, "Your words don't mean what they used to mean, they were once inspired, now they're just routine." These lines suggest that the emotional intensity that was present between the lovebirds has faded away completely.
In the last section, the song alludes to the famous tragic character of Pagliacci, the clown who suffered personal tragedy while entertaining others with his comedy. This reference is a metaphor for the singer, who will now have to put on a brave face in front of others while concealing the emotional turmoil within. The song ends on a piercingly painful note, with the words, "I guess I'll have to play Pagliacci and get myself a clown's disguise and learn to laugh like Pagliacci with tears in my eyes." These lines aptly convey the devastation of the singer, who has lost all hope and must now bear the burden of her sadness alone.
Line by Line Meaning
My blue horizon is turning grey
My optimistic outlook on life is fading away
And my dreams are drifting away
My aspirations and ambitions are slipping away from me
Your eyes don't shine like they used to shine
Your eyes don't have the same sparkle and enthusiasm that they once did
And the thrill is gone when your lips meet mine
The excitement and passion that we once shared is no longer there
I'm afraid the masquerade is over
I fear that our relationship was just a façade and it has come to an end
And so is love, and so is love
Our love has ended along with the masquerade
Your words don't mean what they used to mean
The things you say to me no longer have the same depth and sincerity
They were once inspired, now they're just routine
Your formerly thoughtful and impassioned words have become mundane and habitual
I guess I'll have to play Pagliacci
I will have to pretend to be happy and wear a mask of contentment
And get myself a clown's disguise
I will have to put on a persona of happiness and humor, like a clown
And learn to laugh like Pagliacci
I will have to force myself to laugh and find joy in life, like the famous clown character
With tears in my eyes
Despite my attempts to appear happy, I will still be grieving and in pain
You look the same, you're a lot the same
Physically, you haven't changed much, but emotionally, you are very different from the person I fell in love with
But my heart says "no, no, you're not the same"
Despite your physical similarities, my heart tells me that you have changed and our love is no longer the same
I'm afraid the masquerade is over
I am scared that our relationship was just a game and it has come to an end
And so is love, and so is love
Our love has ended along with the charade
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Allie Wrubel, Herbert Magidson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind