Draft:1941 (song)

"1941" is a song by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson. It first appeared as the second track on his 1967 album Pandemonium Shadow Show.

Lyrically, the song tells the story of a man born in 1941, who falls into disarray following the leave of his father. Years later, the man becomes interested in circus acts after meeting a clown. He chases after to find the circus, and along the way falls in love with a woman. The man gives all of his love to the woman, causing his dream to "turn blue." The two get married, and in 1961 give birth to a child of their own. The song ends on a parallel to the opening, with the man leaving the woman and child three years later, with the final lyric "But what will happen to the boy when the circus comes to town?" bringing the song full circle.

"1941" is among Nilsson's more autobiographical recordings.

Allusions
The song has been considered by some to be a direct parallel to Nilsson's personal life. The subject of the father leaving the son perfectly mirrors Nilsson's own father leaving him when he was three years old. The song's protagonist later leaving his own son and wife is a possible illusion to Nilsson divorcing his first wife, Sandi McTaggart the same year the song was released.