About the Song
Ah, “Oh What a Circus”! This track, from the musical Gatsby, offers a completely different flavor of David Essex. While many remember him for the rock anthems like “Rock On” or the tender ballads like “Hold Me Close,” “Oh What a Circus” showcases his versatility and theatrical flair. It’s a vibrant, energetic, and slightly manic piece that perfectly captures the frenetic energy of the Roaring Twenties, the backdrop for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, The Great Gatsby.
David Essex wasn’t just a pop star; he was a true performer, comfortable on stage as well as in the recording studio. 1 His background in musical theater shines through in “Oh What a Circus.” It’s not just a song; it’s a performance. He embodies the character, throwing himself into the role with gusto. You can almost picture him on stage, strutting and swaggering, surrounded by flapper girls and jazz musicians.
The song itself is a whirlwind of musical styles. It’s got elements of jazz, ragtime, and even a touch of vaudeville. It’s a chaotic, yet carefully orchestrated, explosion of sound that perfectly mirrors the decadent and often reckless atmosphere of the Jazz Age. The lyrics, full of colorful imagery and witty observations, paint a vivid picture of a society obsessed with pleasure and excess. It’s a world of champagne, parties, and fleeting romances, where appearances are everything and reality is often blurred.
What makes “Oh What a Circus” so captivating is its sheer exuberance. It’s a celebration of life, albeit a slightly狂乱 celebration. Essex’s performance is infectious; you can’t help but get caught up in the energy of the song. It’s a reminder that life, like a circus, can be full of surprises, thrills, and maybe even a little bit of danger. So, if you’re looking for a David Essex track that’s a little bit different, a little bit theatrical, and a whole lot of fun, then “Oh What a Circus” is definitely worth a listen. It’s a testament to his talent as a performer and his ability to inhabit a song completely. It’s a musical journey back to a bygone era, a time of glamour, extravagance, and a whole lot of razzmatazz.
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Lyrics: Oh What A Circus
Oh what a circus! Oh what a show!
Argentina has gone to town
Over the death of an actress called Eva Peron
We’ve all gone crazy
Mourning all day and mourning all night
Falling over ourselves to get all, of the misery rightOh what an exit! That’s how to go!
When they’re ringing your curtain down
Demand to be buried like Eva Peron
It’s quite a sunset
And good for the country in a roundabout way
We’ve made the front pages of all, the world’s papers todayBut who is this Santa Evita?
Why all this howling hysterical sorrow?
What kind of goddess has lived among us?
How will we ever get by without her?She had her moments–she had some style
The best show in town was the crowd
Outside the Casa Rosada crying, “Eva Peron”
But that’s all gone now
As soon as the smoke from the funeral clears
We’re all gonna see and howl, she did nothing for years!Salve regina mater misericordiae
Vita dulcedo et spes nostra
Salve salve regina
Ad te clamamus exules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes
O clemens o piaYou let down your people Evita
You were supposed to have been immortal
That’s all they wanted
Not much to ask for
But in the end you could not deliverSalve regina mater misericordiae
Vita dulcedo et spes nostra
Salve salve regina Peron
Ad te clamamus exules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes
O clemens o pia