Misty
Bruce Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand
I get misty, holding your hand
Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
That music I hear
I get misty the moment you're near
You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you
On my own
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I get misty, and too much in love
I'm too misty, and too much in love
Bruce Johnson's Misty is a love song that explores the intense infatuation and dependence one can feel towards another person. In the first verse, the persona admits to feeling helpless when they're with their loved one- comparing their vulnerability to that of a kitten stuck up a tree. The description of clinging to a cloud underlines the ethereal and intangible nature of this feeling, hinting at how difficult it is to comprehend. The second verse describes how the sight of the person they're enamored with sends their senses into overdrive; the persona hears music and violins that aren't really there, emphasizing the dizzying effect their presence has. The third verse acknowledges the possibility that the subject of the persona's affections could be leading them on, but that they don't mind at all- getting lost in the world their love interest creates is worth the risk of being misled. The final verse drives home the idea that without the person they're in love with, the world would be a much less interesting and far less navigable place- the image of wandering through the wonderland of life without knowing one's right from their left is a poignant one.
Overall, Misty captures the feelings of euphoria and confusion that love can induce. While the persona may seem overly dependent on their love interest and perhaps not entirely in touch with reality, the song speaks to the transformative power of love and how it can alter our perception of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
I am focused on you and my attention is directed towards you.
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
I feel defenseless and powerless around you, like a kitten up a tree.
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
My experience around you is dreamlike and surreal, like I'm holding onto a cloud.
I can't understand
I can't comprehend or process what I am feeling when I'm with you.
I get misty, holding your hand
I become emotional and overwhelmed when I hold your hand.
Walk my way
I want you to join me on this journey.
And a thousand violins begin to play
My emotions are heightened to the point where the world around me seems more beautiful.
Or it might be the sound of your hello
Even something simple like your greeting can bring me delight.
That music I hear
The happiness I feel in your presence creates a sense of melody or music in my mind.
I get misty the moment you're near
My emotions become too intense for me to handle whenever I'm near you.
You can say that you're leading me on
You could be accused of teasing me or stringing me along.
But it's just what I want you to do
I'm happy to follow and be led on by you because that's what feels right.
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
I'm completely enamored with you and I don't know how to snap out of my feelings.
That's why I'm following you
I can't help but pursue you because of how much I like you.
On my own
Without you by my side.
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
I could be lost and confused without you to guide me through life.
Never knowing my right foot from my left
I am directionless and unsure of my footing.
My hat from my glove
I would be disoriented and confused, unable to distinguish one thing from another.
I get misty, and too much in love
I become overwhelmed with love and emotions to the point where I can't think straight.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ERROLL GARNER, JOHNNY BURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind