What You Feel
Buffy Lyrics


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Why don't you run away,
Don't you like my style?
Why don't you come and play
I guarantee a great big smile
I come from the imagination
And I'm here strictly by your invocation
So what'd say
Why don't we dance a while
I'm the heart of swing
I'm the twist and shout
When you gotta sing
When you gotta let it out
You call me and I come a-runnin'
I turn the music on - I bring the fun in
Now where partying - that's what it's all about
'Cause I know what you feel girl
I know just what you feel girl
All these melodies
They go on too long
Then that energy
Starts to come on way too strong
All those hearts laid open - that must sting
Plus some customers just start combusting
That's the penalty
When life is but a song
You brought me down and doomed this town
So when we blow this scene
Back we will go to my kingdom below
And you will be my queen
'Cause I know what you feel, girl

Dawn: No you see
You and me
Wouldn't be very regal

Sweet: And I make it real, girl

Dawn: What I mean
I'm fifteen
So this "queen" thing's illegal

Sweet: I can bring whole cities to ruin
And still have time to get a soft shoe in

Dawn: No that's great
But I'm late
And I'd hate to delay her

Sweet: Something's cooking, I'm at the griddle
I bought Nero his very first fiddle

Dawn: She'll get pissed
If I'm missed
See, my sister's the slayer





Sweet: Now we're partying - that's what it's all about

Overall Meaning

The song "What you feel" is a powerful musical number from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Once more, with feeling". It portrays the character of Sweet, a demon who has been summoned by the townspeople to Sunnydale to make them all sing and dance until they express their true feelings. Sweet is a charming demon who presents himself as a performer and describes himself as the embodiment of swing, twist, and shout music. He invites Buffy and her friends to join in the fun and dance with him, promising a great time and a smile on their faces.


However, the lyrics of the song have a darker meaning. Sweet's true intention is to cause chaos and destruction by exploiting people's deep-seated emotions. The lyrics suggest that while music can be a source of joy and empowerment, it can also be dangerous when it awakens repressed feelings, leading to explosive emotional expressions. Sweet's manipulative tactics prove too much for some characters, who collapse during the musical number. Meanwhile, the song reflects on Buffy's internal struggles with her identity and the pressure to maintain a facade of strength and control.


In conclusion, the song "What you feel" is a finely crafted number that explores the dual nature of music- both a source of joy and a trigger of hidden emotions. Sweet's seductive tune and stylized performance conceal his darker motives, mirroring the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. By using music as a metaphor for emotional turmoil, the song demonstrates the complexity of human experience and the vital importance of emotional honesty.


Line by Line Meaning

Why don't you run away,
Asking why are you still here, don't you want to escape?


Don't you like my style?
Don't you like what I bring to the table?


Why don't you come and play
Why don't you join in and have some fun?


I guarantee a great big smile
I promise to make you happy and bring joy to your face


I'm the heart of swing
I'm the essence of the swing style of music


I'm the twist and shout
I'm the dancing music that makes you want to move and shout


When you gotta sing
When you have emotions that only singing can release


When you gotta let it out
When you feel repressed and need a release


You call me and I come a-runnin'
When you need me, I'm always here for you


I turn the music on - I bring the fun in
I bring the atmosphere that makes people happy and excited


Now where partying - that's what it's all about
Let's have fun and enjoy ourselves


'Cause I know what you feel girl
I understand your emotions and can relate to them


All these melodies
All the different songs


They go on too long
Sometimes songs feel like they never end


Then that energy
The emotions that come with the music


Starts to come on way too strong
Those emotions become overwhelming


All those hearts laid open - that must sting
People sharing their emotions can hurt and be a vulnerable experience


Plus some customers just start combusting
Some people can't handle the emotions and break down


That's the penalty
That's the consequence of allowing yourself to feel


When life is but a song
When everything you do becomes an artificial performance


You brought me down and doomed this town
The emotional atmosphere has brought down the town's inhabitants


So when we blow this scene
When we leave this place


Back we will go to my kingdom below
I'll take you to my world where I reign supreme


And you will be my queen
And you will be my partner, my closest ally


Dawn: No you see
Dawn interjects into the conversation


You and me
We, you and I


Wouldn't be very regal
Wouldn't be fitting for aristocracy


And I make it real, girl
I'll make it work, don't worry


What I mean
What I'm trying to say


I'm fifteen
I'm underage


So this "queen" thing's illegal
So the notion of me being your queen is against the law


I can bring whole cities to ruin
I can cause destruction on a grand scale


And still have time to get a soft shoe in
Despite all that, I can still have some leisure time


No that's great
That's impressive


But I'm late
I'm running behind schedule


And I'd hate to delay her
I don't want to keep my sister waiting


Something's cooking, I'm at the griddle
Something is about to happen, and I'm in control of it


I bought Nero his very first fiddle
I'm responsible for significant events in history


She'll get pissed
My sister will become angry


If I'm missed
If I don't arrive on time


See, my sister's the slayer
My sister is a powerful warrior


Now we're partying - that's what it's all about
Let's focus on enjoying the moment and having fun


Sweet: Something's cooking, I'm at the griddle
Sweet asserts his control over the situation


Sweet: Now we're partying - that's what it's all about
Let's party and enjoy the moment, that's what matters




Contributed by Elizabeth S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Robert-fd2cc

LYRICS!

SWEET:
Why'd you run away?
Don't you like my style?
Why don't you come and play?
I guarantee a great big smile

I come from the imagination
And I'm here strictly by your invocation
So what do you say?
Why don't we dance awhile?

I'm the heart of swing
I'm the twist and shout
When you gotta sing,
When you gotta let it out
You call me and I come a-running
I turn the music on; I bring the fun in
Now, we're partying
That's what it's all about

'Cuz I know, what you feel, girl
I know just what you feel, girl

DAWN (spoken):
Oh, so you're like a good demon? Bringing the fun in?

SWEET:

All these melodies, they go on too long
Then that energy starts to come on way too strong
All those hearts lay open; that must sting
Plus, some customers just start combusting
That's the penalty when life is but a song

You brought me down and doomed this town
So, when we blow this scene,
Back we will go to my kingdom below and you will be my queen
Cuz I know what you feel, girl

DAWN:
No, you see
You and me
Wouldn't be very regal

SWEET:
I'll make it real, girl

DAWN:
What I mean
I'm fifteen
So, this queen thing's illegal

SWEET:
I can bring whole cities to ruin
And still have time to get a soft-shoe in

DAWN:
Well, that's great
But I'm late
And I'd hate to delay her

SWEET:
Something's cooking, I'm at the griddle
I bought Nero his very first fiddle

DAWN:
She'll get pissed
If I'm missed
See, my sister's the Slayer...

SWEET (spoken):
The Slayer?

DAWN (spoken):
Yuh-huh.

SWEET:
(spoken)
Find her. Tell her...tell her everything. Just get her here. I want to see the Slayer burn.
(sung)
Now we're partying
That's what it's all about



All comments from YouTube:

@esopillar34

Jumping back to say RIP Hinton Battle. Tony winner, should have had a special guest Emmy for this.

@lasombramagister2668

Buon Anima

@catm6289

“so you’re like a good demon? bringing the fun in?” she sounded so hopeful lmao i wish she met Lorne from Angel

@Renagade2332

Imagine if we had gotten full blown crossovers with both Buffy and Angel casts!!!

@ATACXGYMCAPOEIRA

Exactly! Well said.

@kirbystarnino4199

Lornes head would have exploded if he had been in Sunnydale at this time lol

@davids2427

The guy who played Lorn was pretty cool as well ....RIP

@HouseCatTV

And now this actor has passed away too... 😢

@METerrell

Rest in peace Hinton Battle. 1956-2024

@davidallen3158

The best part is Michelle's facial expressions saying WTF am I doing while she dances perfectly.

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