Simon's career began with a short-lived music group with her sister Lucy as The Simon Sisters. They had a minor hit in 1964 called "Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod", and made three albums together before Lucy left to get married and start a family. Later, Carly Simon collaborated with eclectic New York rockers Elephant's Memory for about six months. She also appeared in the 1971 Milos Forman movie Taking Off, playing an auditioning singer, and sang "Long Term Physical Effects", which was included in Taking Off, the 1971 soundtrack for the movie.
Simon's major breakthrough was 1972's No Secrets. The album spawned several successful singles, including Simon's biggest hit, "You're So Vain". Simon continued to produce successful albums through the 1970s and early 1980s, moving into film scores after she was dropped by her record label in 1985. She performed the main title song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me - "Nobody Does It Better" which was a worldwide hit in 1977.
The Show Must Go On
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some folks like to be alone
So when they finally come out of their nest
I've got to turn it on
I've got to be my best
The street may be slick with ice
And I'm sick with butterflies
And some other girl may be the talk of the town
Or I could split my gown
But when I'm in the spotlight
It's got to be a hot night
Even when I'm feeling down
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
I've won some and I have lost
But what I enjoy the most
Is never knowing how the evening will end
Will I be the joke or the comedienne
And when I'm in the spotlight
It's got to be a hot night
Even when I'm shivering cold
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
(The show must go on)
Even in a hurricane
Your contact lens goes down the drain
When your agent goes insane
When you can hardly stay awake
You'd rather stay at home and bake
When you've got a tummy-ache
To an audience of one
And you think he's got a gun
When laughing isn't any fun
You want to watch the end of "Cheers"
Your mother is a lunatic
You think you've left the oven on
You find out there's no Santa Claus
You're doggy can't remember you
You want to move up to Vermont
You just ran out of underwear
Your prescription won't renew
You just ran into your ex
The handyman was very rude
Your landlord just evicted you
It's cozy by the fireplace
You really have to blow your nose
It must, it must, it must go on
Arnold says it must go on
Carly Simon's "The Show Must Go On" is a song about the pressure of performing in front of an audience, even when you're not feeling your best. Simon expresses that performing is a job and when the show must go on, she must be at her best. She compares herself to others who prefer to stay home or be alone because she has to perform and turn it on when she steps out of her nest. Simon notes that the street may be slick with ice and she may be sick with butterflies, but she knows that she must give her best performance even when she doesn't feel one hundred percent. Despite the unpredictable nature of performing, Simon enjoys it because every evening is different and she never knows how it will end. Whether she's the joke or the comedienne or even if there is a hurricane or her contact lens goes down the drain, she knows that the show must go on, and she must put on a brave front and entertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Some folks like to stay at home
Some people prefer staying indoors in the comfort of their homes.
Some folks like to be alone
Some individuals want to be in solitude, without anyone's company.
So when they finally come out of their nest
When such people eventually decide to leave their private spaces and join others.
I've got to turn it on
I need to perform my best and be at my utmost energetic capacity.
I've got to be my best
I must present myself at the highest level of excellence and achievement.
The street may be slick with ice
It's possible that things might not go as planned, with events containing unforeseen risks or situations.
And I'm sick with butterflies
I may have a terrible nervous feeling in my stomach, such as stage fright.
And some other girl may be the talk of the town
My competition might outshine me and get all the attention.
I could lose my voice
There is an opportunity I might lose my vocal strength and not be able to sing.
Or I could split my gown
It's possible my dress could tear or inadvertently get ripped.
But when I'm in the spotlight
When I am on stage and the center of everyone's attention.
It's got to be a hot night
The show must be exciting and with high energy.
Even when I'm feeling down
Even when I'm not in a good mood or feeling well, the show must go on.
The show must go on
The performance must continue, without any disruption, regardless of any circumstance.
The show must go on
It is essential that the spectacle progresses and happens as planned.
I've won some and I have lost
There were times when I succeeded and other times when I failed.
But what I enjoy the most
But what has brought me the most happiness and satisfaction.
Is never knowing how the evening will end
Is the fact that I can never predict the ending of a particular show or its outcome.
Will I be the joke or the comedienne
Whether I will be perceived by others as a joke or have successfully made them laugh and entertained them.
Even when I'm shivering cold
Even when I'm freezing and feel miserable.
The show must go on
Despite feeling sick, the performance must continue.
The show must go on
Regardless of the adversity, the performance must continue and be a success.
Even in a hurricane
Even in terrible conditions such as a hurricane.
Your contact lens goes down the drain
Unexpected circumstances such as losing my contact lens or eyeglasses, disrupting my performance.
When your agent goes insane
When your manager or representative loses their minds, impacting your performance significantly.
When you can hardly stay awake
When you are sleepy and can hardly keep your eyes open.
You'd rather stay at home and bake
You wish to remain home instead of continuing to appear in front of people.
When you've got a tummy-ache
When you have an upset stomach, unable to deal with your daily responsibilities.
To an audience of one
To an audience consisting of exactly one person.
And you think he's got a gun
When you're unsure whether the lone viewer in the front row is holding a firearm, making you uncomfortable.
When laughing isn't any fun
When others should have been laughing, but instead revealed a sour or disapproving demeanor.
You want to watch the end of 'Cheers'
You would rather relax and watch your favorite TV show instead of continuing an unpleasant concert.
Your mother is a lunatic
If you receive distressing news about your family, which can affect your behavior during a live performance.
You think you've left the oven on
You're potentially worried about your home security, distracting you during your music act.
You find out there's no Santa Claus
You receive shocking news that can depress and impact your overall mood and performance.
You're doggy can't remember you
When our loyal and affectionate pet fails to recognize us or greets us upon our arrival from a trip, affecting your enthusiasm.
You want to move up to Vermont
You're thinking and making plans for your future life, making it difficult to concentrate on your current performance.
You just ran out of underwear
When experiencing mundane yet essential problems that interfere with your focus, such as running out of clean undergarments.
Your prescription won't renew
When you require medication to help you feel better, but for some reason, you can't renew your prescription.
You just ran into your ex
Unexpectedly running into your previous partner can disturb and affect your behavior and performance.
The handyman was very rude
When dealing with impolite individuals, such as a handyman, may have adverse effects on your state of mind.
Your landlord just evicted you
When essential things such as financial hardships and eviction can arise, impacting your ability to perform well.
It's cozy by the fireplace
When your thoughts are far away from your performance and you'd rather be relaxing in front of your fireplace.
You really have to blow your nose
When cold symptoms arise, complicating your singing skills.
It must, it must, it must go on
It is necessary that the concert proceeds, despite anything preventing its progression.
Arnold says it must go on
Arnold, whatever his identity is, has suggested that the performance should not be delayed or interrupted.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind