The lyrics form a narrative, in which experiences with the lilac tree are recounted - lilac wine made from it, & a loved one. It evokes his feelings of love, loss, pleasure & confusion - in the lyrics - that are, arguably, subject to broad interpretation.
Lilac Wine
Eartha Kitt Lyrics
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I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in its recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be
When I think more than I want to think
Do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you
Lilac wine is sweet and heady
Like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady
Like my love
Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Isn’t that she, coming to me, nearly here
Lilac wine is sweet and heady
Where’s my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady
Where’s my love
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy
Isn’t that she, or am I just going crazy, dear
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love
Feel unready, for my love
The lyrics to Eartha Kitt's Lilac Wine are a haunting testimony to the power of love and intoxication. The opening lines, "I lost myself on a cool damp night/I gave myself in that misty light/Was hypnotized by a strange delight/Under a lilac tree" describe a moment of surrender to passion, where the singer loses control and is seduced by the beauty of the world around her. The lilac tree becomes a symbol of this enchantment, representing the deep desire that can take hold of a person when they are fully open to the possibilities of life.
From this moment of enchantment, the singer moves on to talk about the creation of wine from the lilac tree. This becomes a metaphor for the way in which love and desire can transform a person, making them see the world in a new way and empowering them to be who they want to be. The words "It makes me see what I want to see/And be what I want to be" capture the deep connection between the wine and the singer's desire, explaining how they are both linked in a powerful way.
The final verses of the song continue this exploration of the power of love and obsession, with the singer admitting that they drink too much and do things they never should because it brings them back to the one they love. There's a sense of desperation in these words, as if the singer is a person who is lost without the embrace of their lover. The lilac wine is sweet and heady, just like the love that the singer feels, but it also makes them feel unsteady and unready for what's to come. The final words of the song, "I feel unready, for my love" convey a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty, suggesting that even the most powerful of emotions can sometimes leave a person feeling unsure.
Line by Line Meaning
I lost myself on a cool damp night
I was emotionally and mentally lost on a chilly and damp evening
I gave myself in that misty light
I let my guard down and surrendered to my emotions under the cover of misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
I was enchanted by an inexplicable and unusual pleasure
Under a lilac tree
While I was under a lilac tree
I made wine from the lilac tree
I created wine using lilac flowers from the tree
Put my heart in its recipe
I poured my heart and soul into making the wine
It makes me see what I want to see
Drinking the lilac wine lets me see what I want and not what is real
And be what I want to be
It also lets me be who I desire to be, even if it's not my true self
When I think more than I want to think
When I overthink
Do things I never should do
And do things that I shouldn't do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
I drink more wine than what's good for me
Because it brings me back you
As the wine makes me delusional, I drink more as it takes me back to a time with the person I love
Lilac wine is sweet and heady
The taste and aroma of the lilac wine is intoxicating and powerful
Like my love
Similar to my feelings towards my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady
Drinking the wine makes me emotionally unbalanced and bewildered
Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
I am unable to see the situation clearly and with clarity
Isn’t that she, coming to me, nearly here
Perhaps the person I love is coming to me or nearby
Where’s my love
Where is the person I love now?
Listen to me, why is everything so hazy
Why do I feel confused and delusional?
Or am I just going crazy, dear
Could it be that I'm losing my mind?
Lilac wine, I feel unready for my love
Drinking the wine makes me unprepared and hesitant for my love
Feel unready, for my love
I am not yet ready to love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James H. Shelton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Hunt
Superb musician who deserves much more recognition these days. And was there ever a naughtier laugh on record? Thanks to debuizen for this special piece.
Spookysoup
Everytime she says "heady" or "unsteady" i always think she's gonna rhyme it with spaghetti for some reason and then she doesn't AND IT DRIVES ME INSANE
mamatibbors cassady
She was so wonderful, talented, beautiful and intelligent............and strong.
Jim Chevallier
I saw her at the Cafe Carlyle - a memorable moment - then several years later was standing right next to her at a bar and didn't even realize it. :)
One of a kind. Apparently she had an immediate physiological effect on Orson Welles.
A Man Has No Name
“Immediate physiological effect” 🤣🤣🤣
Tony Whitburn
She sounds exactly like she looks
Moleratical
Gorgeous? I agree
Lester Falcon
Catwomen
Patrick Mcmanus
Eartha exudes talent and sex. one of my favourite female singers. not the best catwomen. but ....ohh LA LA !
D
What??? She's known for being the BEST Catwoman.