About The Song
“I Started a Joke” by the Bee Gees is a poignant song from their 1968 album ‘Idea.’ The lyrics depict a man who unintentionally causes turmoil by starting a joke that results in the loss of everything he loves. The chorus emphasizes the irony of the situation, with the line “the joke was on me, oh no,” highlighting the lack of control over how others perceive our actions. The opening lines, “I started a joke, which started the whole world crying,” and “I started to cry, which set the whole world laughing,” showcase the song’s dual interpretation—either achingly poignant or overly sentimental, depending on the listener’s perspective. Written by the Gibb brothers and produced by Robert Stigwood, the song was released as a single in December 1968.
Lyrics
I started a joke
Which started the whole world crying
But I didn't see
That the joke was on me, oh no
I started to cry
Which started the whole world laughing
Oh, if I'd only seen
That the joke was on me
I looked at the skies
Running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed
Hurting my head from things that I'd said
'Til I finally died
Which started the whole world living
Oh, if I'd only seen
That the joke was on me
I looked at the skies
Running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed
Hurting my head from things that I'd said
'Til I finally died
Which started the whole world living
Oh, if I'd only seen, oh yeah
That the joke was on me
Oh no, that the joke was on me, oh
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