About the song
“The End of the World” is a poignant pop song that remains memorable for its heartfelt portrayal of heartbreak. Written by Arthur Kent and Sylvia Dee, this song was brought to life by American singer Skeeter Davis in the early 1960s. Known for their collaborative work, Kent and Dee crafted a song that resonated deeply with listeners. The emotional weight of the song comes from Dee’s personal experience; she drew from her own grief following her father’s death to shape the song’s somber tone.
Skeeter Davis recorded “The End of the World” on June 8, 1962, at RCA Studios in Nashville. Produced by the renowned Chet Atkins and featuring the talents of pianist Floyd Cramer, the song was released by RCA Records in December 1962. It quickly climbed the charts, achieving remarkable success. By March 1963, it had reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, just behind “Our Day Will Come” by Ruby & the Romantics. Additionally, it topped Billboard’s Easy Listening chart and made significant impacts on both the Hot Country Singles and Hot R&B Singles charts. This achievement marked the song as the only one to place in the Top 10 and Top 5 across all four major Billboard charts simultaneously.
The song’s distinctive arrangement includes a key change towards the end, where Davis shifts from B-flat major to B major. This transition adds to the emotional depth as Davis speaks the final lines before concluding the song.
“The End of the World” has left a lasting legacy, with its instrumental version played at both Chet Atkins’ and Skeeter Davis’s funerals. Its influence extends beyond music, as it has been featured in films, television shows, and even video games. The song’s enduring appeal and its powerful reflection on loss continue to touch audiences even today.
Video
Lyrics
Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
‘Cause you don’t love me any more
Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars glow above?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when I lost your love
I wake-up in the morning, and I wonder
Why everything’s the same as it was
I can’t understand, no, I can’t understand
How life goes on the way it does
Why does my heart go on beating?
Why do these eyes of mine cry?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when you said, “Good-bye”
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
(Why do these eyes of mine cry?)
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when you said, “Good-bye”