"
Death of a Clown" is a song by
Dave Davies, member of
British rock group
The Kinks, released as his debut solo single in 1967. The song is co-written with his brother
Ray Davies, who contributed the 5-bar "La la la" hook; Ray's first wife, Rasa, sings this phrase as well as descant in the second verse, while Ray himself sings harmony in the refrain.
Nicky Hopkins played the distinctive introduction, using
fingerpicks on the strings of a piano. The single was credited to Dave Davies but the song also appeared on the Kinks' album
Something Else by The Kinks, released later in 1967.