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The Comedians Lyrics
I fell under such gentle persuasion
You can't refuse it's like a home from home
Meanwhile in the Motor car kingdom
They're finding that all that glitters is not chrome
The social circle have these cardiac complaints
Their hearts are empty when their hands are full
All these new found fond acquaintances
Turn out to be the red rag to my bull
Chorus
And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
Even though my heart is aching
I should be drinking a toast to absent friends
Instead of these comedians
I've looked into these eyes upon reflection
They've seen the face of love, they've seen a few
What kind of love is this upon inspection
You'll be the last to know who's fooling who
Chorus
You can't refuse it's like a home from home
Meanwhile in the Motor car kingdom
They're finding that all that glitters is not chrome
The social circle have these cardiac complaints
Their hearts are empty when their hands are full
All these new found fond acquaintances
Turn out to be the red rag to my bull
Chorus
And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
Even though my heart is aching
I should be drinking a toast to absent friends
Instead of these comedians
They've seen the face of love, they've seen a few
What kind of love is this upon inspection
You'll be the last to know who's fooling who
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Well, its obviously about the sadness people feel when confronted by the hollowness of other people plus the hollowness of their own lives.
More importantly, the lyrics were quoted in the comic version of Alan Moore's Watchmen, in reference to the death of the Comedian - a character haunted by his own acts plus the world around him
This song was originally recorded for "Goodbye Cruel World" in fast waltz time. EC heavily rewrote the lyrics, changed it to a slow march, and gave it to Roy Orbison. I think all that he retained was the chorus that was famously quoted in Watchmen.
It's so completely Roy Orbison's song now that it is difficult for me to listen to the original. Still, EC does have some good wordplay in the original lyrics.