Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
I'm Beginning to See the Light
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in you eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
I used to ramble through the park
Shadow boxing in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now
I never made love by lantern shine
And I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning to see the light
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in you eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
And I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
I'm beginning to see the light
You know I used to ramble through the park
Shadow boxing in the dark
Then you came and lip that spark
That's a four-alarm fire now
I never made love by lantern shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning-hmm to see the light
The lyrics of Bobby Darin's "I'm Beginning to See the Light" express the transformation of the persona’s attitude towards love and romantic experiences. Darin, in the first verse, sets an indifference towards romanticism by claiming that he never cared for moonlit skies or fireflies. However, in the subsequent verses, he hints how the presence of his beloved changes his attitude. In the second verse, Darin notes his disinterest in candlelights and mistletoe but then immediately highlights how he is starting to see the light when his beloved “turn[s] the lamp down low.” Later on, he says how his beloved’s presence has lit a spark in him, and everything is starting to feel like a “four-alarm fire now”. The final verse reveals the out-of-this-world experience of being with his beloved. Darin compares his experience of being with his lover to experiencing rainbows while drinking wine.
Moreover, the phrase "I'm Beginning to See the Light" is used as a metaphor for the persona's awakening to the beauty of love. When the persona says he is beginning to see the light, he means that he is starting to understand and appreciate love. As the song progresses, it is clear that love transforms his life and makes him look at things in different ways.
The song also draws on the swing and big band era's musical style, particularly demonstrated by its upbeat tempo and the use of a full brass section in the musical arrangement. The brass instrumentation often plays in short, punchy phrases that contrast with Darin's smooth vocal delivery. Overall, the lively melody and lyrics express the joy of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I didn't find moonlit skies particularly special
Never wink back at fireflies
I didn't pay attention to little things like fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
But now that I see the stars in your eyes, I'm starting to appreciate the beauty of things
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand things better now
I never went in for afterglow
I wasn't interested in the romantic atmosphere after a date
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
I didn't care for romantic gestures like kissing under the mistletoe with candlelight
But now when you turn the lamp down low
But now, when you set a romantic mood by dimming the lights
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm understanding what romance is all about
I used to ramble through the park
I used to take walks in the park aimlessly
Shadow boxing in the dark
I used to waste my energy on meaningless activities in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
Then you came into my life and ignited a flame within me
That's a four-alarm fire now
That flame has turned into a passionate fire now
I never made love by lantern shine
I never experienced the romantic setting of making love by lantern light
And I never saw rainbows in my wine
I never saw beauty or happiness in my life
But now that your lips are burning mine
But now that I am experiencing the passionate kiss of a loved one
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm beginning to see what true happiness and love really are
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Kennedy Ellington, Don George, Harry James, Johnny Hodges
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.