It's A Laugh

Album: Along The Red Ledge (1978)
Charted: 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Daryl Hall, this is one of the more bitter breakup songs of its era. A dumped boyfriend dismisses his relationship with his ex as nothing of significance, even as a joke. If you look at the lyrics, it seems that he's "protesting too much," as Shakespeare had long ago put it. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA

Comments: 1

  • Matt from Dayton, OhThere is a anecdote I heard a long time ago (by Hall and Oates, I believe) that the song was inspired by a friend that was going to kill himself over a girl and Hall (I believe) thought it was a laugh that the guy was going to kill himself over someone that didn't give a hit about him.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."