Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered
Anita O’Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a daisy, I'm awake
With no bromo-seltzer handy
I don't even shake
Men are not a new sensation
I've done pretty well I think
But this half-pint imitation
I'm wild again, beguiled again
A simpering, whimpering child again
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
Lost my heart, but what of it
He is cold I agree
He can laugh, but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
And long for the day when I'll cling to him
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
He's a fool and don't I know it
But a fool can have his charms
I'm in love and don't I show it
Like a babe in arms
Love's the same old sad sensation
Lately I've not slept a wink
Since this half-pint imitation
Put me on the blink
I've sinned a lot; I'm mean a lot
But I'm like sweet seventeen a lot
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
And worship the trousers that cling to him
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
When he talks, he is seeking
Words to get off his chest
Horizontally speaking, he's at his very best
Vexed again, perplexed again
Thank God, I can be oversexed again
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
Wise at last, my eyes at last
Are cutting you down to your size at last
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
Burned a lot, but learned a lot
And now you are broke, so you earned a lot
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
Couldn't eat, was dyspeptic
Life was so hard to bear
Now my heart's antiseptic
Since you moved out of there
Romance, finis, your chance, finis
Those ants that invaded my pants, finis
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
The lyrics of Anita O'Day's "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered" tell a story of a woman who finds herself infatuated and obsessed with a man who has captured her heart. The song opens with a reference to alcohol, suggesting that the singer has indulged in a quart of brandy. Despite the effects of the alcohol, she is wide awake and unfazed. She then acknowledges that she has had experiences with men before, but this particular man, who she refers to as a "half-pint imitation," has entranced her and left her feeling bewildered.
The chorus highlights her mixed emotions, as she oscillates between being wild and carefree, and then cast into a state of vulnerability and childishness. She confesses that she couldn't sleep and was told not to sleep, implying that her infatuation with this man consumes her thoughts and keeps her awake at night.
The lyrics continue to express her obsession and the power the man holds over her. She admits to losing her heart to him, regardless of his coldness and the fact that he may be taking advantage of her. She sings of her longing for him, willing to overlook her own foolishness for the chance to be with him.
As the song progresses, the singer's perspective begins to shift. She recognizes the man's flaws and acknowledges her own mistakes, but still finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. However, by the end of the song, she declares that she has become wise and has finally seen through his facade. She no longer feels under his spell and confidently proclaims that she is no longer bewitched, bothered, and bewildered.
Line by Line Meaning
After one whole quart of brandy
After consuming a large amount of brandy
Like a daisy, I'm awake
I am wide awake and alert
With no bromo-seltzer handy
Without any medicine to relieve my symptoms
I don't even shake
I am not even trembling or shaking
Men are not a new sensation
I have experienced men before
I've done pretty well I think
I have had success in my relationships
But this half-pint imitation
However, this small and insignificant person
Put me on the blink
Has caused me confusion and turmoil
I'm wild again, beguiled again
I am feeling passionate and captivated once more
A simpering, whimpering child again
I find myself acting like an immature and vulnerable person
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
I am under a spell, troubled, and completely confused
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
I was unable and unwilling to sleep
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
When love arrived and advised me against sleeping
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
I am under a spell, troubled, and completely confused
Lost my heart, but what of it
I have given my heart away, but it doesn't matter
He is cold I agree
He is emotionally distant, I acknowledge
He can laugh, but I love it
He can laugh at me, but I still adore him
Although the laugh's on me
Even though I am the one being laughed at
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
I will serenade him, every springtime
And long for the day when I'll cling to him
And yearn for the day when I can hold onto him
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
I am under a spell, troubled, and completely confused
He's a fool and don't I know it
I am aware that he is foolish
But a fool can have his charms
However, even a foolish person can be charming
I'm in love and don't I show it
I am deeply in love, and my feelings are evident
Like a babe in arms
I am as defenseless as a baby
Love's the same old sad sensation
Love brings the same familiar sadness
Lately I've not slept a wink
Lately, I haven't been able to sleep at all
Since this half-pint imitation
Because of this small and insignificant person
Put me on the blink
Caused me confusion and turmoil
I've sinned a lot; I'm mean a lot
I have made many mistakes and behaved poorly
But I'm like sweet seventeen a lot
But I am still youthful and full of romantic ideals
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
I am under a spell, troubled, and completely confused
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
I will serenade him, every springtime
And worship the trousers that cling to him
And admire the pants that fit him perfectly
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
I am under a spell, troubled, and completely confused
When he talks, he is seeking
When he speaks, he is searching
Words to get off his chest
Words to express his thoughts and emotions
Horizontally speaking, he's at his very best
When it comes to physical intimacy, he excels
Vexed again, perplexed again
Feeling annoyed and confused once more
Thank God, I can be oversexed again
Thankfully, I can experience strong sexual desire once more
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
I am under a spell, troubled, and completely confused
Wise at last, my eyes at last
Finally, I have become wise, my eyes are open
Are cutting you down to your size at last
They are reducing your significance and power
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
I am no longer under a spell, troubled, or confused
Burned a lot, but learned a lot
I have experienced a lot of pain and gained valuable lessons
And now you are broke, so you earned a lot
And now, you are emotionally bankrupt, so you have gained a lot
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
I am no longer under a spell, troubled, or confused
Couldn't eat, was dyspeptic
I couldn't eat, I was plagued by indigestion
Life was so hard to bear
Life felt incredibly difficult to endure
Now my heart's antiseptic
Now, my heart is free from harmful influences
Since you moved out of there
Since you left and no longer reside in my heart
Romance, finis, your chance, finis
Romantic relationship, it's over, your opportunity, it's over
Those ants that invaded my pants, finis
Those feelings of nervousness and anxiety, it's over
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
I am no longer under a spell, troubled, or confused
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID GEDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind