About the song
“The End of the World” is a poignant pop song that captures the deep sense of loss following a romantic breakup. Penned by the talented duo Arthur Kent and Sylvia Dee, this song reflects a unique blend of emotional vulnerability and melodic sophistication. Composed in 1962, it was specifically tailored for American singer Skeeter Davis, whose rendition became a significant hit in the early 1960s.
The song’s lyrical content is imbued with a profound sense of melancholy, a sentiment that Dee, the lyricist, channeled from her own personal grief over her father’s death. This emotional depth resonates throughout the song, creating a hauntingly beautiful narrative of heartbreak and resignation. Davis’s version, recorded on June 8, 1962, at RCA Studios in Nashville, was produced by the renowned Chet Atkins and featured the exceptional piano work of Floyd Cramer.
Released by RCA Records in December 1962, “The End of the World” quickly gained traction, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1963, just behind “Our Day Will Come” by Ruby & the Romantics. The song also reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart, No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart, and No. 4 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. This remarkable achievement marked the first and, so far, only occasion that a song has cracked the Top 10 on all four Billboard charts simultaneously. Billboard even ranked it as the No. 2 song of 1963.
Davis’s interpretation of the song is notable for its dynamic modulation. After performing the entire piece in the key of B-flat major, the song shifts up a half step to B major for the final stanza, during which Davis speaks the initial lines before concluding with a powerful vocal finish. This creative arrangement adds a dramatic flair to the song’s conclusion.
Beyond its chart success, “The End of the World” has left a lasting legacy, being featured in various films, TV shows, and video games. Its emotional impact was so profound that it was played instrumentally by Marty Stuart at Chet Atkins’ funeral and was also a part of Skeeter Davis’s own memorial service at the Ryman Auditorium. The enduring popularity of this song is a testament to its timeless appeal and the emotional depth conveyed through Davis’s evocative performance.
Video
Lyrics
Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
‘Cause you don’t love me any more
Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars glow above?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when I lost your love
I wake-up in the morning, and I wonder
Why everything’s the same as it was
I can’t understand, no, I can’t understand
How life goes on the way it does
Why does my heart go on beating?
Why do these eyes of mine cry?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when you said, “Good-bye”
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
(Why do these eyes of mine cry?)
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended when you said, “Good-bye”