The Show Goes On is a moving and poignant song which I first heard in the movie Backdraft during the training scenes of a rookie in a Chicago Firefighting department. Although Backdraft received mixed reviews I enjoyed watching it in my early adulthood particularly the scene when today’s featured music appears. Hornsby’s voice embodies a sense of intimacy and narrative which draws you in, like it does with his big hit – The Way It Is.
After all these years listening to The Show Goes On, I still find it an emotional and immersive experience because of Hornsby’s singing and the skilfully crafted arrangement. It includes a nice piano solo in the middle, and a sweet little electric guitar solo towards the end of the song.
Bruce Hornsby clarified the meaning of The Show Goes On In a 2019 interview here with John Beaudin:
“It’s about a girl who uses bad judgement. It’s about a girl that I (the singer) really like, and I see her falling for the wrong guys who use her. She’s on a long list of victims. The “show” is basically she’s putting on this show and everyone’s just gossiping about her”.
The song was not a single but remains a popular song from Bruce Hornsby’s catalogue. It comes from his second album – Scenes From the South Side. The single The Valley Road from the record was Hornsby’s third (and last) Top 10 U.S. hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard.Also it became his third chart-topper on the Billboard adult contemporary chart, following The Way It Is and Mandolin Rain.
[Verse 1]
What’s the long face, what’s all the crying for?
Didn’t you expect it when you opened your door?
To the man with the long coat, and the long list of victims
Everybody watching knows he’s the one keeping the score
[Pre-Chorus]
From where she sits, everyone stands in judgment
People watching as the curtain falls down
See the lights do a long slow fade
[Chorus]
The show goes on, and the sad-eyed sisters go walking on
Everyone watching all along
The show goes on
As the autumn’s coming and the summer’s all gone
Still without you, the show goes on
[Verse 2]
Some say she’s alright, some say she’ll never learn
Some rush into things, some stand and wait their turn
I’ve been here all along standing here all this time
But you never noticed, just let the same tired flames burn
[Bridge]
Time is passing, slowly passing you by
You better try, try to find it before it passes you by
As I watch you walking to another cold dawn
And you keep on walking
And they keep on talking
Talking all along
[Outro]
Oh, the summer’s all gone
Still without you, the show goes on
Oh-oh, oh, the summer’s all gone
Still without you, the show goes on
References:
1. Scenes from the Southside – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I first heard of Bruce Hornsby when he came out with the “The Way It Is” album. I borrowed the CD from somebody, taped it on music cassette, and played that tape all the time.
I also got “Scenes from the Southside” on CD when it came out. I was a bit disappointed about that album. With the exception of “Valley Road”, I felt the songs were not as memorable as on “The Way It Is.”
As such, obviously, I listened to “The Show Goes On,” but if you wouldn’t have called it out, I wouldn’t have remembered that track.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad song, and the sound is pretty similar to the tracks on “The Way It Is.” I just feel it’s not as catchy as, say, “Every Little Kiss”, “Mandolin Rain” or the title track.
You have covered a lot more music by Hornsby than I have. However, I did listen to Valley Road’ and Mandolin Rain in researching the article, but remain most fond of ‘The Show Goes On’. I’m also a big fan of ‘The Way It Is’. Cheers.
I love this, and very well-written! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks Lucy. Most kind of you.
really nice, as I’ve aged his music has too, in an amazing way for me. more than ever..
Yeh, I can’t get enough of this song despite how many times I have heard it. I’m glad his music has aged so gracefully with you.