"Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1969 pop song written by Mark James originally p… Read Full Bio ↴"Hooked on a Feeling" is a 1969 pop song written by Mark James originally performed by B. J. Thomas. Featuring the sound of the electric Sitar, that version reached number five in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100. This then had two successful covers:

* In 1971, Jonathan King produced his own version, adding ooka shaka jungle chants similar to, but not exactly the same as, Johnny Preston's "Running Bear." King described it as "a reggae rhythm by male voices." His version was a Top 30 hit throughout Europe.
* In 1974 the Swedish pop group Blue Swede with Björn Skifs as lead singer did a cover, with the ooka shaka introduction, that reached number one in the USA, and was revived on the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack in 1992. In 1975, this version was subject to some minor controversy when Wilson Bryan Key, in his book, "Subliminal Seduction", claimed the words "ooka shaka" are changed to the phrase "who got sucked off" at 0:33 into the song.

A Valentine's Day themed episode of Bobby's World featured the original B.J. Thomas version of the song describing Bobby's feelings toward Jackie.

The introduction ("ooga chakka") of Blue Swede's version of the song was parodized on Mystery Science Theater 3000's episode 506 (Eegah) by Tom Servo and Crow while watching the film: "EEGAH-chakka!! EEgah!! EEgah!!"

It was covered again in 1997 by David Hasselhoff. The music video of the Hasselhoff version became an Internet phenomenon due to its surreal visuals, low production quality, and Hasselhoff's celebrity status. Excerpts from the Blue Swede version of the song were used as the audio that accompanied the "Dancing Baby" Internet phenomenon of 1996-1997.

The introduction ("ooga chakka") of this song was sampled in the Offspring song "Special Delivery" off the Conspiracy of One album in 2000.

It was also covered 2003 by Vonda Shepard and was featured on the Ally McBeal soundtrack. That cover was used during the dancing baby hallucinations that Ally faced in a few episodes.

In 2005 it was used in Cheerios and Listerine commercial.

It was used on the Shrek 2 DVD as Captain Hook sang it during "Far, Far Away Idol".

The "ooga chakka" introduction was used briefly in an Animaniacs cartoon in the 1990s when the Warners found themselves amongst jungle cannibals.

It was parodied in an season 3 episode of Two and a Half Men in which Charlie is kidnapped and drugged by a group of Satan-worshipping women who start to chant "anointment" repeatedly, to which Charlie begins to sing "Hooked on a Feeling."

Hooked On A Feeling
B.J. Thomas Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't stop this feeling
Deep inside of me
Girl, you just don't realize
What you do to me

Your lips are sweet as candy
The taste stays on my mind
You just keep me thirsty

For another cup of wine

When you hold me
In your arms so tight
You let me know
Everything's all right

I, I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me

I've got it bad for you, darling
But I don't need a cure
I'll just stay addicted
And hope I can endure

All the good love
When we're all alone
Keep it up boy
Yeah, you turn me on

I, I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me

When you hold me

In your arms so tight
You let me know
Everything's all right

I, I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me

I said I'm hooked on a feeling

Overall Meaning

B.J. Thomas's song Hooked On a Feeling is a classic love song that expresses a feeling of deep attachment and obsession for someone. The song presents an intense emotional state that the singer cannot control, where he feels addicted to the person he loves. The lyrics "I can't stop this feeling, deep inside of me" and "I'm hooked on a feeling, high on believing that you're in love with me" represent the powerful rush that love can create. The singer seems to be overwhelmed by his love, and he is grateful for every moment he spends with his partner, as it helps him feel alright.

Moreover, the lyrics also depict the physical effect of love on the singer's body. "When you hold me, in your arms so tight, you let me know everything's all right," he sings, showing how he feels safe and protected in the arms of his lover. The lyrics "Your lips are sweet as candy, the taste stays on my mind, girl, you keep me thirsty for another cup of wine" further suggest the immense physical attraction between the two, with the singer unable to stop thinking about the taste of his lover's lips.

All in all, the song expresses a deep, uncontrollable love for someone, a feeling that can be both overwhelming and addictive.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't stop this feeling
I am unable to control the intense emotion inside me

Deep inside of me
The feeling is coming from a profound, inner place within me

Girl, you just don't realize what you do to me
You, the subject of my affection, are not aware of the profound effect you have on me

When you hold me
Your physical embrace

In your arms so tight
A strong and secure hold as if I am the most precious thing in the world

You let me know
You give me confirmation, you reassure me with your touch/hold

Everything's all right
All is well and fine, nothing to worry about

I, I'm hooked on a feeling
I am totally and irrevocably captivated by an intense sensation

High on believing
I am under a powerful and euphoric impression

That you're in love with me
My perception is that you return my affection with equal intensity

Your lips are sweet as candy
Your kiss is delicious and desirable

The taste stays on my mind
Your kiss is unforgettable and lingers with me

Girl, you keep me thirsty for
You arouse in me a strong desire for

Another cup of wine
An additional measure of your love and affection

I got it bad for you, girl
I am deeply infatuated with you

But I don't need a cure
I do not wish to be healed or to have these feelings lessened in any way

I'll just stay addicted and hope I can endure
I will remain addicted to the feeling and hope that I can handle it over a long period of time

All the good love
The affectionate passion that is exchanged between us

When we're all alone
In moments where we are the only ones present

Keep it up, girl
Continue giving me your strong and passionate love

Yeah, you turn me on
You stimulate me and induce these intense feelings