Robbie Williams
Alanis Morissette
Sheryl Crow
Elvis Costello
Kevin Kline & Peter Polycarpou
John Barrowman & Kevin Kline
Kevin Kline
Ashley Judd & Tayler Hamilton
Lemar
Mick Hucknall
Diana Krall
Caroline O’Connor
Kevin Kline
Vivian Green
Natalie Cole
Jonathan Pryce & Kevin Kline
Kevin Kline &
Cole Porter
Louis B. Mayer (Peter Polycarpou) advises Cole Porter (Kevin Kline) that his writing is too clever for movie audiences and that if he wants to write songs for Hollywood, he’ll have to dumb down his humor. With that, Cole agrees to sell out and sings this song with Louis and a bunch of his MGM execut...
(Verse)
[COLE]
I remember forever
When I was but 3
Mama, who was clever
Remarking to me
"If, son, when you're grown up
You want everything nice
I've got your future sewn up
If you take this advice."
(Chorus 1)
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Act a fool, play the calf
And you'll always have the last laugh
Wear the cap and the bells
And you'll rate with all the great swells
If you become a doctor, folks'll face you with dread
If you become a dentist, they'll be glad when you're dead
You'll get a bigger hand if you can stand on your head
[EXECUTIVES]
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
(Chorus 2)
[LOUIS]
Be a clown!
[EXECUTIVES]
Be a clown!
[LOUIS]
All the world loves a clown
Show 'em tricks
[EXECUTIVES]
Tell 'em jokes
And you'll only stop with top folks
[COLE]
Be a crack jackanapes
[EXECUTIVES]
And they'll imitate you like apes
[LOUIS]
Why be a great composer with your rent in arrears?
[COLE]
Why be a major poet when you'll owe it for years?
When crowds'll pay to giggle if you wiggle your ears?
[EXECUTIVES]
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown!
(Chorus 3)
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
If you just make 'em roar
Watch your monthly bank account soar
Wear a painted mustache
And you're sure to make a big splash
[LOUIS]
A college education I should never propose
A bachelor's degree won't even keep you in clo'es
[COLE]
But millions you will win if you can spin on your nose
[ALL]
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown!
(Chorus 4)
[COLE]
Give 'em quips (give 'em quips!), give 'em fun (give 'em fun!)
[ALL]
And they'll always say you're A-1
If you become a farmer, you've the weather to buck
If you become a gambler, then you're stuck with your luck
[COLE]
But Jack, you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck
[LOUIS]
Quack, quack, quack!
[ALL]
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown!
Be A Clown was written by Cole Porter.
Kevin Kline released Be A Clown on Tue Jun 15 2004.