Simon's career began with a short-lived music group with her sister Lucy as The Simon Sisters. They had a minor hit in 1964 called "Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod", and made three albums together before Lucy left to get married and start a family. Later, Carly Simon collaborated with eclectic New York rockers Elephant's Memory for about six months. She also appeared in the 1971 Milos Forman movie Taking Off, playing an auditioning singer, and sang "Long Term Physical Effects", which was included in Taking Off, the 1971 soundtrack for the movie.
Simon's major breakthrough was 1972's No Secrets. The album spawned several successful singles, including Simon's biggest hit, "You're So Vain". Simon continued to produce successful albums through the 1970s and early 1980s, moving into film scores after she was dropped by her record label in 1985. She performed the main title song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me - "Nobody Does It Better" which was a worldwide hit in 1977.
Bewitched
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a fool can have his charms
I'm in love and don't I show it
Like a babe in arms
Love's the same old sad sensation
Lately I've not slept a week
Since this half pint imitation's
I'm wild again, beguiled again
A simpering, whimpering child again
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
I couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
Until love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
Oh, I lost my heart but what of it
He is cold, I agree
Oh, but he can laugh and I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
And worship the trousers that cling to him
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
And long for the day when I'll cling to him
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
In Carly Simon's song "Bewitched," she describes the feeling of being hopelessly infatuated with someone who does not feel the same way. The first verse describes the physical and emotional effects of being in love. The singer cannot sleep and is constantly consumed with thoughts of her love interest. In the second verse, she acknowledges that the person she loves is not right for her. He is cold and a fool, but she cannot help being charmed by him. The third verse reflects on the changes that have occurred since this person came into her life. She has sinned and acted out of character, but she still feels as giddy as a teenager whenever she is around him. The final verse, however, is a turning point in the song. The singer has had enough of being bewitched, bothered, and bewildered, and has decided to move on. She has learned from her mistakes and has grown stronger as a result. She is no longer consumed by her feelings for this person and is now free to live her life.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was originally written for the Broadway musical "Pal Joey" in 1940 by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. The song has since been covered by a number of artists and has become a jazz standard. Another interesting fact is that Carly Simon's version features an additional verse that was not in the original "Pal Joey" version. The added verse includes the line "Vexed again, perplexed again, thank God I can be oversexed again," which was not included in the original version. Another notable cover of this song was by Ella Fitzgerald, who performed it in 1959 and won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. The song has also been featured in a number of films and TV shows, including the movie "When Harry Met Sally."
Chords: G, Em, C, D, Am7, D7, G6, A7, Dm7, G7, Cmaj7, Fmaj7, E7, Ebdim7, D7
Line by Line Meaning
I'm wild again, beguiled again
I am feeling a rush of emotions that leave me powerless and infatuated yet again.
A simpering, whimpering child again
I have been reduced to acting like an immature and powerless child under this spell of emotions.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I?
I am entranced, troubled, and disoriented by this emotion that has taken control of me.
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
I was unable and unwilling to sleep due to the intensity of my emotions.
When love came and told me, I shouldn't sleep
The emotion of love demanded my attention and kept me awake, making it impossible for me to sleep.
Lost my heart, but what of it
I gave away my heart, but I do not dwell on it or consider it a major problem.
He is cold I agree
I acknowledge that my lover is not warm, affectionate, or emotionally expressive.
He can laugh, but I love it although the laughs on me
My lover may laugh at my infatuation with him, but I am fond of his laughter and enjoy it even though it makes me feel foolish.
I'll sing to him, each spring to him
I will express my affection for him through music, serenading him each spring.
And long, for the day when I'll cling to him
I anticipate and yearn for the day when I will finally be able to hold on to him and be close to him.
He's a fool and don't I know it
My lover has foolish tendencies, and I am aware of them.
But a fool can have his charms
Despite his foolishness, my lover has a certain appeal and charm that draws me to him.
I'm in love and don't I show it like a babe in arms
I am deeply in love with him and cannot help but express it like an innocent child.
Love's the same old sad sensation
The experience of love has not changed, and it still brings a mix of joy and sorrow.
Lately I've not slept a wink
As of late, I have not been able to sleep at all due to the intensity of my emotions.
Since this half-pint imitation put me on the blink
This small and inferior copy of a man has caused me to feel disoriented and unwell.
I've sinned a lot, I'm mean a lot
My actions have been immoral, and I have treated others harshly.
But I'm like sweet seventeen a lot
Despite my wrongdoings, I feel youthful and innocent in this relationship.
When he talks, he is seeking
My lover speaks to me about his thoughts and feelings, trying to find his way through them.
Words to get off his chest
He needs to express these emotions and thoughts to me, to relieve his emotional burden.
Horizontally speaking, he's at his very best
My lover is sexually active and responsive, particularly when lying down.
Wise at last, my eyes at last
I have finally become enlightened, and my perspective has changed radically.
Are cutting you down to your size at last
I am now able to see you for who you truly are and will no longer be deceived by your facade.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered no more
I am no longer trapped and disoriented by my infatuation with you.
Burned a lot, but learned a lot
I have suffered a lot in this relationship, but I have gained wisdom and experience from it.
And now you are broke, so you earned a lot
You have lost everything in the end, so your reward for your cruel behavior is your own downfall.
Couldn't eat, was dyspeptic
I could not eat or enjoy food due to the emotional distress you caused me.
Life was so hard to bear
My life was unbearable due to the pain and misery in this relationship.
Now my heart's antiseptic since you moved out of there
Since you have left my life, my heart has become cleansed and free from the emotional disease you caused me.
Romance, finis, your chance, finis
Our romantic relationship is over, and your opportunity for a future with me has been permanently lost.
Those ants that invaded my pants, finis
The sexual attraction and tension between us that caused me so much trouble is now gone, never to return.
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, no more
The spell of emotions that I once found so overwhelming no longer controls me, and I am free from its influence.
Lyrics © DistroKid, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind