By age 15, McKee was writing songs and performing in the Seattle area. A friend helped get her EP to Nic Harcourt, a popular disc jockey in Los Angeles and host of KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic". He helped spark a major record label bidding war after playing the song "Somebody" on his radio program for several weeks. After signing a recording contract at age 16, she moved to Los Angeles to begin work on her debut album with producer Rob Cavallo. Trouble was commercially released on September 28, 2004.
After ending her recording contract, McKee spent many hours in the recording studio and was introduced to music producer Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, by her manager. Gottwald had collaborated with McKee's longtime friend Katy Perry on her debut album One of the Boys. They (along with Max Martin and Benny Blanco) began writing songs together, ultimately producing the hits that would appear on Perry's second album, the worldwide multi-platinum, Teenage Dream. The singles "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream" and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" each topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold millions of copies around the world. Other successful collaborations between McKee, Gottwald and Martin include Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me," Taio Cruz's "Dynamite," Rita Ora's "How We Do (Party)," and Katy Perry's singles from Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection, "Wide Awake" and "Part of Me."
McKee recently signed a recording contract as a solo artist with Epic Records, and is currently at work on her second studio album, to be released in summer 2013. The lead single will be "American Girl," which McKee described as a "summer banger". "American Girl" was released in July 2013.
Love Spell
Bonnie McKee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stumbling around reaching out for my heart
Wondering just how I allowed you to turn the light out inside of me
You've got tricks up your sleeve
And got the power to keep me intrigued
Well I guess I should have known
I guess I should have seen
That you would pull the love right from underneath
Under your love spell
I'm just trying to forget you
But nobody compares nobody even close baby
You got that logic I need and it's holding me hostage
And now I've just become prisoner to your love baby
Well I'm trying to let go
But I don't know how
Won't you set me free give me the remedy
For this love spell
Love spell
Should have heard what they said
When they told me I end up caught in your web
I thought that I was strong
Don't know what went wrong
But now I'm frozen in your captivity
Under your love spell
I'm just trying to forget you
But nobody compares nobody even close baby
You got that logic I need and it's holding me hostage
And now I've just become prisoner to your love baby
Well I'm trying to let go
But I don't know how
Won't set me free I need a remedy
From this love spell that you cast over me
I can't speak
I can't see
I've been poisoned with romance
And it's cruel cause you know what your doing
When you cast this illusion, that I stand a chance
But I'm just standing...
Under your love spell
I'm just trying to forget you
But nobody compares nobody even close
You got that logic I need
And I can't let go
Won't you set me free
I need a remedy
For this love spell
Love spell
Love spell
Please set me free
In this song, Bonnie McKee describes the feeling of being trapped under a love spell cast by her lover. She feels like she's lost control of herself and is trying to break free from the spell but can't seem to do so. The lyrics suggest that she was once a confident and strong person but now she's become powerless and overwhelmed with feelings for her lover. She admits that she should have seen the signs early on and known that he would eventually pull the love from underneath her. The chorus is a plea for someone to set her free from the love spell and provide her with a remedy for the situation.
The powerful theme of the song is relatable to anyone who has had a difficult time breaking free from a toxic relationship. McKee's vocals are very emotional and the intense beat of the song helps to convey the feelings of being trapped in a spell. The song exposes the dangerous, intoxicating, and thrilling traits of love and how one can lose control of themselves under the spell of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been stuck in the dark
I have been feeling trapped and unable to find my way out of a difficult situation
Stumbling around reaching out for my heart
Trying to find my heart and the love that I lost
Wondering just how I allowed you to turn the light out inside of me
Confused and frustrated as to how you were able to take away my happiness and leave me in darkness
You've got tricks up your sleeve
You are crafty and have a way of manipulating me that I didn't see before
And got the power to keep me intrigued
You have an irresistible charm and ability to capture my attention
Well I guess I should have known
I acknowledge that I should have seen through your facade and known better
I guess I should have seen
I realize that I missed the warning signs to avoid getting involved with someone like you
That you would pull the love right from underneath
You were able to take my love for you away almost instantly
Under your love spell
Feeling as if I am under your control and unable to break free from your power
I'm just trying to forget you
I am motivated to move on and leave you behind
But nobody compares nobody even close baby
I haven't found anyone else who can compare to the feelings I had for you
You got that logic I need and it's holding me hostage
I am held captive by the logical and rational side of you that I find necessary for myself
And now I've just become prisoner to your love baby
I am now trapped in love with you against my own will
Well I'm trying to let go
I am attempting to release my feelings and let go of our relationship
But I don't know how
I am unsure of how to move forward and let go of what we had
Won't you set me free give me the remedy
I ask for your help in releasing me from your spell and finding a solution to my situation
From this love spell
Operated by a spell of passion which I cannot break out of
Should have heard what they said
I should have listened to the warnings others gave me about you
When they told me I end up caught in your web
The people around me advised that I would become entangled and trapped by your ways
I thought that I was strong
I believed myself to be strong enough to resist your influence
Don't know what went wrong
I am unsure what caused me to fall into your trap
But now I'm frozen in your captivity
I am now completely captured by your love and unable to move on
Please set me free
I plead and ask for your help to break free of your influence
Contributed by Aria A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris Hoffman
WOW this is such a powerful song. Absolutely what my heart needs right now. Bravo. <3
Kirtred Music
This song is describing the way I feel right now
Linda Lopez
Oh Yes,Baby
Hamilton, Benson Stone
Please Tell Allyson and Lisa I Miss All Of You So Much!!!
Hamilton, Benson Stone
Hey Baby