The Party's Over
Shirley Bassey Lyrics


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The party's over
It's time to call it a day
They've burst your
Pretty balloon
And taken the moon away

It's time to wind up
The masquerade
Just make your mind up
The piper must be paid

The party's over
The candles flicker and dim
You danced and dreamed
Through the night
It seemed to be right
Just being with him

Now you must wake up
All dreams must end
Take off your makeup
The party's over
It's all over
My friend

You danced and dreamed
Through the night
It seemed to be right
Just being with him

Now you must wake up
All dreams must end
Take off your makeup
The party's over




It's all over
My friend

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the classic song "The Party's Over" by Shirley Bassey are an allegory for the end of a relationship. The party is over, and it's time to call it a day; the balloons have been burst, and the moon has been taken away. The party represents the illusion of a perfect relationship, which has now come to an end. The singer is warning the subject that it's time to wind up the masquerade because the piper must be paid - the consequences of their actions have caught up with them.


The candles in the room flicker and dim, symbolizing how the passion and excitement of the relationship have waned. The subject danced and dreamt through the night, believing that being with their partner was right. But now it's time to wake up because all dreams must come to an end. It's time to take off the makeup, the mask that hides who one really is, and face the reality that the relationship is over. The party is over; it’s all over, my friend.


The song is a poignant reminder of how relationships can end, leaving one feeling empty and alone. The chorus of the song - "The party's over, it's time to call it a day" - has become a popular saying used for various occasions, not just for the end of a relationship. The song has gained enormous popularity over the years and has been covered by various artists.


Line by Line Meaning

The party's over
The fun and joyous occasion has come to an end


It's time to call it a day
It is time to put an end to the celebration


They've burst your pretty balloon
Someone has ruined your happiness and excitement


And taken the moon away
The source of your happiness and light is now gone


It's time to wind up the masquerade
It's time to stop pretending and be honest


Just make your mind up, the piper must be paid
Make a decision and face the consequences


The candles flicker and dim
The celebration is losing its spark and energy


You danced and dreamed through the night, it seemed to be right just being with him
You were caught up in a dreamlike state, ignoring any potential problems with your partner


Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
It's time to face reality and leave behind any illusions


Take off your makeup, the party's over, it's all over, my friend
It's time to remove the façade and return to the real world, leaving the past behind




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADOLPH GREEN, BETTY COMDEN, JULE STYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

singers47

I’ve listened to this a hundred times and it never gets old. Pure genius in every gesture and note. Long live DSB.

Anne thing

Oh god she still rocks it after all these years. I came to see this again as I just watched the Michael Caine movie and they put this song in it. I wanted to see if I still got her after all these years. I am 60. She was on my TV weekly as a kid. Yes she still cuts it. Actor, Voice. The works. One of a kind.

Tee Brown

Same here, we're watching the movie and had to pause it to find this song. I'm glad we can see as well as hear her. This is BEAUTIFUL! I'm 64, THIS IS MUSIC and singing at its finest! Be blessed, stay safe and healthy. 🎶

Robert Pereira

Same. I’m watching the movie as I write this. I never heard this song before but I had to find out what the name of it was and who sings it but I am familiar with her voice as in “Goldfinger” (james bond) I believe.

Angela Anderson's

Snap! King of thieves! Long live Dame Shirley Bassey x

David Regan

No one sings like this gift from the gods, incredible

Dawn Askey

My mom use to sing the 1st 2 lines to me when i was little. She passed in 2013. This is something that just came to me the other day.

Marcia Harvey

Dame Shirley Bassy is an artist personified. WOW what a rich voice. This woman was and is the creme d' la creme. A star like non-other.

Ross Turrell

This song is too long I'm bored half way through it just my opinion

luiz carlos oyhenart dias Dias

Beautiful song! Extraordinary singer!

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