"Send in the Clowns" is a song from the musical A Little Night Music, composed by Stephen Sondheim. It was first performed in 1973 and has since become one of Sondheim's most famous pieces. The song reflects themes of love, regret, and missed opportunities, capturing the emotional complexity of relationships. The lyrics are sung by the character Desiree Armfeldt, who expresses her feelings about a lost romance. The phrase "send in the clowns" symbolizes the idea of bringing in performers to distract from the pain of unfulfilled love. The song has been covered by many artists, further solidifying its place in popular culture.