Sedaka wrote his 1959 hit "Oh! Carol" about his then-girlfriend, Carol Klein, later to become Carole King. In 1963, King released a humorous answer entitled "Oh Neil".
The Laughter In the Rain Songfacts says Sedaka's hits dried up when The Beatles arrived, but then he teamed up with the lyricist Philip Cody and had a a number 1 hit with "Laughter In The Rain." It re-ignited Sedaka's career and he had 6 more Top-40 hits in America by 1977.
Sedaka's voice is in the tenor range.
Silent Movies
Neil Sedaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Images of yesterday from nineteen seventeen.
Keystone days of laughter,
A world caught in its prime,
The apple of the camera's eye
Those little clicks of time.
Here comes Charlie, Buster and Fatty too,
I can't hear your voices
But it's clear to me,
You prove that there was once a time
When life was trouble-free.
World you're ever changing,
Stop and count 'til ten,
Remember all the happy days and smile again.
World you're ever changing,
Stop and count 'til ten,
Remember all the happy days and smile again
In Neil Sedaka's song "Silent Movies," the lyrics depict a nostalgic longing for the simpler times of the past. The flashing faces on the screen represent the silent films of old, capturing the earliest forms of cinema and the joys of the golden age of Hollywood. The images of yesterday, taken from the Keystone days of laughter and the height of silent cinema, show a world caught in its prime. Sedaka highlights the apple of the camera's eye – those little clicks of time – in the hope of provoking the sentimentality of the listener to remember a world gone by.
The mention of some of the most iconic cinematic characters in history in the second verse, such as Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, and Laurel and Hardy, cements the idea that Sedaka is yearning to relive the past. Despite not hearing the voices of these great actors, Sedaka reminds us that their presence alone is enough to evoke pleasant memories of a time when our problems were a thing of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Funny flashing faces flicker on the screen,
The film presents amusing pictures of faces, which persistently change in the screen's flickering light.
Images of yesterday from nineteen seventeen.
This film depicts moments from the distant past of 1917.
Keystone days of laughter,
The movie shows humorous moments from the early era of Keystone movies.
A world caught in its prime,
The film showcases a world at its peak, a flourishing and thriving era.
The apple of the camera's eye
The characters in the movie are central and adored by the cameral work.
Those little clicks of time.
The camera's rattling mechanism and flash of light captures seconds of time on film.
Here comes Charlie, Buster, and Fatty too,
The movie features legends of Keystone cinema: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Fatty Arbuckle.
Laurel and Hardy, hello, how are you?
The film includes other famous comedians like Laurel and Hardy, who give a friendly greeting.
I can't hear your voices But it's clear to me,
Although there is no sound, the feel, expression, and humor behind the scene is still evident.
You prove that there was once a time When life was trouble-free.
Despite the challenges in life, the film exemplifies a time when life was simpler and people laughed more freely.
World you're ever-changing,
The world constantly changes.
Stop and count 'til ten,
Take a moment to pause and reflect.
Remember all the happy days and smile again.
Recall the good old days, which can spark joy and happiness in the present.
World you're ever-changing,
The world continues to change.
Stop and count 'til ten,
Take another moment to pause and reflect.
Remember all the happy days and smile again.
Recall the good old days, which can bring a smile to one's face once again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL SEDAKA, HOWARD GREENFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
shyman99
Just an amazing recording and what a shame few know about it. If you are here, you are blessed.
Robert Day
Beautiful song .I may be getting a bit past it but I can remember a version of the song with Here comes Charlie being sung twice .I have never heard it again and wonder if my memory is playing tricks .Anyone else remember this version ?
Ron Freilich
Neil repeated the section at one of his mini concerts some months back.
joey1127
Was my favorite track on this album...
Guy Devereaux
Wonderful !
Rokkor Lens
Why is this song so unknown? It's one of the best/saddest songs i know.
Guy Devereaux
I agree with you.
shyman99
I totally agree. So majestically and beautifully somber that it brings tears to my eyes.