Bewitched
Anita O'Day/Takeshi Inomata & His West Liners/Toshiyuki Miyama & The All-Star Orchestra Lyrics
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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 song Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered was originally written by Rodgers and Hart for the 1940 Broadway musical Pal Joey. However, Anita O'Day's version is one of the most well-known and celebrated recordings of the song. In the lyrics, the singer describes how she is "wild again" and "beguiled again" by a man who has put her "on the blink," despite the fact that she acknowledges he is a "fool" who is "cold." She sings about the pain of being in love with someone who does not reciprocate her feelings, but also about the way that love can make her feel young and reckless once again.
One of the interesting things about this song is the way that it critiques traditional gender roles. The singer is a woman who acknowledges that she has had other lovers before, and is not afraid to be sexually forward with the man who is currently captivating her. She describes herself as "oversexed" and "perplexed" by her attraction to this man, but also takes pleasure in the way that he talks about his own desire.
Another interesting aspect of the song is the way that the lyrics use wordplay, particularly around the idea of being "bewitched, bothered, and bewildered." The phrase appears multiple times throughout the song, and the singer seems to be using it to describe a feeling of being completely overcome and overwhelmed by her emotions. However, the words themselves also have a musicality to them that fits perfectly with the melody of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
After one whole quart of brandy
After consuming a large amount of alcohol
Like a daisy, I'm awake
Feeling refreshed and alert
With no bromo-seltzer handy
Without any medicine for a hangover
I don't even shake
Not feeling the effects of the alcohol
Men are not a new sensation
Women are not unfamiliar with men
I've done pretty well I think
I have been successful with men
But this half-pint imitation
But this small and insignificant man
Put me on the blink
Has made me feel unwell and confused
I'm wild again, beguiled again
Feeling excited and seduced
A simpering, whimpering child again
Feeling weak and helpless
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
Feeling captivated, troubled, and confused by love
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
Unable and unwilling to sleep
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
When I fell in love and it kept me awake
Lost my heart, but what of it
I fell in love, but with little benefit
He is cold I agree
He is emotionally distant
He can laugh, but I love it
I still find him amusing
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 and long for him
And long for the day when I'll cling to him
And hope for the day when he will be mine
He's a fool and don't I know it
He's foolish, and I'm fully aware of it
But a fool can have his charms
However, he can still be charming despite his foolishness
I'm in love and don't I show it
I am undoubtedly in love and not ashamed to express it
Like a babe in arms
Feeling vulnerable and defenseless
Love's the same old sad sensation
Love is a bittersweet feeling
Lately I've not slept a wink
I have been unable to sleep lately
Since this half-pint imitation
Since this small and insignificant man appeared in my life
Put me on the blink
Has made me feel unwell and confused
I've sinned a lot; I'm mean a lot
I have made many mistakes and done wrong many times
But I'm like sweet seventeen a lot
But I still feel young and foolish at times
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
Feeling captivated, troubled, and confused by love
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
I will serenade him and long for him
And worship the trousers that cling to him
And admire the clothes that fit him so well
When he talks, he is seeking
When he talks, he is looking for something
Words to get off his chest
Words to express his thoughts or feelings
Horizontally speaking, he's at his very best
He is most comfortable in physical intimacy
Vexed again, perplexed again
Feeling frustrated and confused again
Thank God, I can be oversexed again
Thankfully, I can feel sexual desire again
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
Feeling captivated, troubled, and confused by love
Wise at last, my eyes at last
I have finally become wise and insightful
Are cutting you down to your size at last
Seeing you as you truly are at last
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
No longer feeling captivated, troubled, and confused by love
Burned a lot, but learned a lot
I have experienced a lot but also learned a lot
And now you are broke, so you earned a lot
And now that you are gone, I have gained a lot of knowledge
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
No longer feeling captivated, troubled, and confused by love
Couldn't eat, was dyspeptic
I was unable to eat and felt ill
Life was so hard to bear
Life felt unbearable
Now my heart's antiseptic
Now my heart is free from pain and infection
Since you moved out of there
Since you left my life
Romance, finis, your chance, finis
Our romance is over, and so is your opportunity
Those ants that invaded my pants, finis
Those uncomfortable and unwanted feelings are gone now
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more
No longer feeling captivated, troubled, and confused by love
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: DAVID GEDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bessieoriotis5104
What is there to say. I love Bewitched. ❤❤
@georgesandchopin
So do I!
@tommywatterson5276
I loved watching Bewitched when it was actually on in the 1960's. I'm enjoying reliving the episodes again on this and on Roku.
@sarahaurara
Thx for the full episodes👍🍀👌🏾
@Madonnis
When we were kids we used to think Bewitched was another name for Samantha🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@user-us3xl6id6t
Cute! ;)
@tammynoveh353
I thought the name of the show was “The Witch” I couldn’t read yet when the show came out.
@lplaney
I love Sam’s clothes throughout the whole series. Even from year to year they changed… just like the 60’s!
@gaylewhauwhau3972
Beautiful clothes back then, not so today.
@kenw.1112
One of the top episodes of bewitched. Very clever writing.