About the song
**Introduction to “Cathy’s Clown”: The Everly Brothers’ Timeless Hit**
In 1960, The Everly Brothers released one of the most iconic songs of their career, “Cathy’s Clown.” Penned by Don Everly, the track stands as a testament to the duo’s distinctive sound and remarkable songwriting prowess. With its poignant lyrics depicting a man who has been emotionally wronged and humiliated, the song’s chorus delivers a powerful punch: “Here he comes / That’s Cathy’s clown.” This vivid narrative, combined with the brothers’ signature close harmonies, propelled the song to unprecedented success and established it as the best-selling single of their career.
“Cathy’s Clown” is renowned for its innovative structure, diverging from conventional song formats. It notably begins with the chorus and features bridges but omits verses—a structure that contributed to its unique and memorable quality. The recording, done live in a single take with Don and Phil Everly sharing a microphone, showcases their vocal synergy and the polished instrumentation that defined their sound. Musicians like Floyd Cramer on piano, Floyd Chance on bass, and Buddy Harman on drums all contributed to the track, with Harman’s distinctive drum sound achieved through a tape loop technique, giving the impression of multiple drummers.
The single marked a significant milestone for The Everly Brothers as it was their first release under Warner Bros., following a successful stint with Archie Bleyer’s Cadence label. “Cathy’s Clown” quickly became a global sensation, selling over eight million copies worldwide. It topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and also claimed the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart for seven weeks in 1960. This remarkable success was further recognized when the song was ranked as Billboard’s number 3 song of the year and was eventually inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2013, underscoring its enduring influence on popular music.
The song’s impact extended beyond its initial release. It was notably ranked 149th on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004. Additionally, “Cathy’s Clown” served as an inspiration for other artists, including The Beatles, who emulated The Everly Brothers’ harmonies in their own music. The song even found its way into Elliott Smith’s 1998 track “Waltz 2 (XO)” and was covered by Jan and Dean, although their version was not included in the album’s final track listing.
Despite some legal and authorship disputes, with a judge ruling Don Everly as the sole writer in 2018, “Cathy’s Clown” remains a cornerstone of The Everly Brothers’ legacy. Its blend of emotional depth, harmonic innovation, and cultural impact ensures that it continues to be celebrated as one of the quintessential songs of the 1960s.
Video
Lyrics
Don’t want your love anymore
Don’t want your kisses, that’s for sure
I die each time I hear this sound
Here he comes, that’s Cathy’s clown
I gotta stand tall
You know a man can’t crawl
When he knows you’re tellin’ lies and he hears ’em passing by
He’s not a man at all
Don’t want your love anymore
Don’t want your kisses, that’s for sure
I die each time I hear this sound
Here he comes, that’s Cathy’s clown
When you see me shed a tear
And you know that it’s sincere
Don’t you think it’s kinda sad that you’re treating me so bad
Or don’t you even care?
Don’t want your love anymore
Don’t want your kisses, that’s for sure
I die each time I hear this sound
Here he comes, that’s Cathy’s clown
That’s Cathy’s clown
That’s Cathy’s clown