About the song
“The End of the World” is a timeless pop ballad that first captivated audiences in the early 1960s. This evocative song was crafted by the talented composer Arthur Kent and lyricist Sylvia Dee, who frequently collaborated to create memorable music. It was brought to life by the American singer Skeeter Davis, whose rendition of the song achieved remarkable success.
The song reflects a poignant theme of heartbreak and loss, capturing the profound sense of sorrow experienced after a romantic relationship ends. Sylvia Dee drew inspiration for the lyrics from her own grief following the death of her father, which lends the song its deeply emotional quality.
Skeeter Davis recorded “The End of the World” on June 8, 1962, at RCA Studios in Nashville, under the production of the renowned Chet Atkins and with the instrumental backing of Floyd Cramer. Released by RCA Records in December 1962, the song quickly gained popularity, climbing to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1963. It also achieved impressive rankings on various Billboard charts: No. 2 on the Hot Country Singles chart, No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart, and No. 4 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. Remarkably, it became the first song to reach the Top 10 on all four Billboard charts, a milestone that underscores its widespread appeal.
In the original recording, Davis’s voice transitions from the key of B-flat major to B major towards the end of the song, adding a unique touch to the final lines. This song’s lasting impact is evident in its continued presence in media and its memorable performance at both Chet Atkins’ and Skeeter Davis’s funerals, performed by Marty Stuart and reflecting the song’s deep emotional resonance.
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”