My 100 Favorite Charted Pop Songs: King of Clowns

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Lots of head scratching today, I know. At least you’ve heard of this guy. For today’s pop song, I present the man who, to me, is the biggest, most glaring omission from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (And like, Jimmy Buffett, they’ll probably induct him five minutes after he dies. ) King of Clowns - Neil Sedaka A lot of people whine about acts like Abba, the Mamas and Papas, or even the Four Seasons being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But something you have to remember: “rock and roll,” as a definition, has evolved over the past 70 years. Think about it: Elvis wouldn’t be considered “rock and roll” next to the Foo Fighters; and, next to Madonna, he wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow with his “gyrations.” There are people who think Led Zeppelin is “mellow,” and for them, no, Neil Sedaka won’t do anything except make them reach for an air sickness bag. The thing is, however, that the term “rock and roll” is a big umbrella…much like “country music.” I’m sure you’ve heard Jeff Foxworthy’s joke, “If you think country and western are two different types of music, you might be a redneck.” Well, they ARE two different types of music. Add to that honky tonk, “Nashville sound,” country-rock, bluegrass, country-folk, etc. etc. etc., and you see that saying “country music” or “rock and roll” is like saying “planet earth.” LOTS of things encompassed there. And, when he was popular in the 60s, Neil Sedaka was in the “rock and roll” category. Heck, his later, harder-edges things like “Crossroads” had a bite to them. So here’s Neil and my favorite charted song of his. (Not my favorite song of his, that’s 1975’s “Stephen.”) While he recorded this in Italian (“Il Re Dei Pagliacci”), with considerable success, the English version fell pretty flat in America. That’s okay, he rebounded nicely with his next single: “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” went to #1. Oh, and some trivia for you: Sedaka’s songwriting partner here, the late Howard Greenfield, co-wrote the theme song to the TV series Bewitched. King of Clowns Written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield Recorded by Neil Sedaka Released as a single, 1962 Peak chart position: #45 Today’s country song: “I Love You Best of All” I’ve been sad, I’ve been blue: