McRae was born in Harlem, New York, on the 8th April 1920, and studied piano as a child. As a teenager she came to the attention of Teddy Wilson and his wife, the composer Irene Kitchings Wilson. Through their influence, one of McRae’s early songs, "Dream of Life", was recorded by Wilson’s longtime collaborator Billie Holiday.
By the late 1940s she was well known among the modern jazz musicians who gathered at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem’s most famous jazz club, where she was the intermission pianist. But it was while working in Brooklyn that she came to the attention of Decca’s Milt Gabler. Her five year association with Decca yielded twelve LPs.
The musicians she sang with include Benny Carter, Mercer Ellington, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr, Dave Brubeck, and Louis Armstrong. She was married once (and briefly), to drummer Kenny Clarke.
McRae died on the 10th November 1994.
Mister Magic
Carmen McRae Lyrics
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The time is right
For you and me
To get together
Be mine tonight
Our future's bright
And this could be
And, oh, be mine tonight
Girl, when we get together
It's gonne be like dynamite
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
Don't you know I love you
Be mine tonight
And with all my might
I'll try to show
That love can be tender
Be mine tonight
Give up, don't fight
And you will know
The thrill of surrender
And, oh, be mine tonight
Girl, when we get together
It's gonne be like dynamite
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
Don't you know I love you
Be mine tonight
We'll dim the light
But you and me
Will glow like an ember
Be mine tonight
We'll hold on tight
And this could be
A night to remember
And, oh, be mine tonight
Girl, when we get together
It's gonne be like dynamite
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
No more stormy weather
You don't need to be uptight
Don't you know I love you
(Oh, be mine tonight)
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
Oh, be mine tonight
The lyrics to Carmen McRae's song "Mister Magic" express the desire for companionship and the hope for a long-lasting relationship. The singer repeatedly urges their love interest to "be mine tonight," emphasizing the urgency of the moment and the potential for a deep connection. They describe the future as "bright" and full of potential. The singer also promises to show that love can be tender, and urges their partner not to fight the feeling.
The repeated refrain of "Don't you know I love you" reinforces the singer's passion and the depth of their emotions. They reassure their love interest that they won't have to face any more "stormy weather" or be "uptight" once they give in to their feelings. The final lines of the song evoke a romantic, intimate setting, with the suggestion that their connection will "glow like an ember" and be a "night to remember."
Overall, the lyrics of "Mister Magic" paint a picture of two people who are longing for connection and willing to take a chance on love, with a hopeful and optimistic outlook on their future together.
Line by Line Meaning
Be mine tonight
Let's spend the night together.
The time is right
It's the perfect moment for us to be together.
For you and me
We are meant to be together.
To get together
To start a romantic relationship.
Our future's bright
There is a lot of potential for us to have a successful future together.
And this could be
There's a possibility for us to start a long-lasting relationship.
The start of forever
This could be the beginning of a lifelong love story.
When we get together
When we start our romantic relationship.
It's gonna be like dynamite
Our connection is going to be explosive in a good way.
Don't you know I love you
I have strong feelings of love for you.
No more stormy weather
Our relationship won't have any more obstacles or difficulties.
You don't need to be uptight
You don't need to be tense or nervous.
And with all my might
I'll do everything in my power.
I'll try to show
I'll demonstrate through my actions.
That love can be tender
That love can be gentle and nurturing.
Give up, don't fight
Let go of any resistance or doubts and accept my love.
And you will know
You will understand and experience.
The thrill of surrender
The excitement of giving in to love and allowing yourself to be vulnerable.
We'll dim the light
We'll set a romantic mood by lowering the lights.
But you and me
Just the two of us.
Will glow like an ember
Our connection will be passionate and strong.
We'll hold on tight
We'll embrace each other tightly.
A night to remember
A memorable and special night that we'll cherish.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: WILLIAM SALTER, RALPH MACDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind