Lyrics
Is he funny?
The audience questions whether the comedian is humorous.
Is he someone that we will miss?
They wonder if the comedian will be remembered or valued.
The comedian
Referring to the subject of the song as a comedian.
When nobody laughs
When no one in the audience laughs at his jokes.
At the comedian
Reiterating the lack of laughter when the comedian performs.
Nobody laughs
Emphasizing again the absence of laughter during the comedian's act.
It's such a sad sight all those empty seats
Describing the sadness of an almost empty venue during his performance.
A polite applause
There's a mild, polite response from the audience.
and they are on their feet
The audience stands up, showing respect, before the show ends.
Before
Just before the show concludes.
The curtian comes down
Before the final moments of the performance.
there is no one around
No one remains to witness his pain.
Too see the pain in his eyes
His suffering goes unnoticed.
No , they don't realize that he finds it hard to understand:
The audience fails to comprehend his struggle.
How success could fade and slip out of his hand
He's puzzled by the sudden decline of his success.
The Comedian
Repetition of the theme of the comedian performing without laughter.
When nobody laughs
Continuing the idea of a lack of audience response.
At the Comedian
Reiterating the absence of laughter when he performs.
Once the King of Comedy
Previously celebrated in comedy, now fallen from grace.
Now
His current state is pitiful and sad.
A pathetic clown
He struggled too much and unsuccessfully to maintain his status.
He tried to hard and in vain
His efforts to retain his position were futile.
To keep his crown
All his jokes have lost their effectiveness.
All his jokes
Highlighting the decline of his humorous material.
Now
His jokes have now become ineffective.
They has lost their twist
The humor in his jokes has vanished.
Is he funny?
Repetition of the question regarding his comedic ability.
The Comedian
Reaffirming his identity as a comedian.
Is he funny?
Repeated questioning of his humor and value.
Is he someone that we will miss?
Similar to line 2, pondering if he'll be missed.
The Comedian
Restating the lack of audience response to his comedy.
When nobody laughs
Reiterating the absence of laughter during his performance.
At the Comedian
Continuing the idea of no laughter from the audience.
Nobody laughs
Emphasizing the continued lack of audience response.
His timing is lost
His comedic timing is off, affecting his performance negatively.
When improvise he drops the line to late
When improvising, he misses cues, affecting his act.
He can feel his age it's out of date
He's aware of his aging and its impact on his comedic relevance.
Somehow he takes a final bow
Despite the challenges, he takes a final bow.
And before leaving the stage
Before leaving the stage, acknowledging its decline.
Though it's seen better days
The stage is no longer in its prime.
He manage that one last funny face
Despite the situation, he manages one last comedic expression.
And he knows he never will
He understands he won't have another chance to perform.
Come back again
Realization that the excitement and appeal are gone.
Couse' the thrill is gone
He acknowledges the absence of the thrill from his performances.
When nobody laughs
Reiterating the lack of laughter from the audience.
At the Comedian
Continuing to highlight the absence of audience response.
Comment