It's Magic
Carmen McRae & Shirley Horn Lyrics


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You sigh and the song begins
You speak and I hear violins
It's magic
(It's magic)

The stars desert the skies
And rush to nestle in your eyes
It's magic
(It's magic)

Without a golden wand
Or mystic charms
Fantastic things begin
When I am in your arms

When we walk hand in hand
The world becomes a wonderland
Oh, it's magic
(It's magic)

How else can I explain
Those rainbows when there is no rain?
It's magic, why do I tell myself
These things that happen
Are all really true

When within my heart I know
The magic is my love for you?
Why do I tell myself
These things that happen
Are all really true

When within my heart I know




The magic is my love for you?
(The magic is my love for you)

Overall Meaning

In Carmen McRae's song "It's Magic," she describes the intense emotions one feels when in love. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, as she describes the way that her lover's every breath and movement seems to conjure a symphony of sound around them. She feels as if she is under a spell or enchantment, hence the repeated refrain of "It's magic". The second verse carries on the theme, but with a different metaphor. Now, the stars are moving from their usual place in the sky and gathering in her lover's eyes. The intense concentration of beauty and wonder is almost too much to bear, and she feels as though she's levitating in the midst of a magical experience.


The third verse introduces a more grounded, tactile sense of wonder. The singer and her lover walking hand in hand, conjuring up a world where even the mundane becomes extraordinary. Every step they take becomes a step into a new, magical world, where the colors are more vivid and the sounds more musical. The final verse is the most introspective of the bunch, as the singer contemplates why she tells herself that these things that are happening are real. Ultimately, she knows that it's not the magic of the world that she's experiencing, but rather the magic of being in love with someone.


Line by Line Meaning

You sigh and the song begins
The sound of your sigh is so enchanting that it immediately makes me feel like the world is singing a beautiful song.


You speak and I hear violins
Your voice is so melodic and soothing that it sounds like an orchestra of violins playing a heavenly tune.


It's magic
The emotions that you bring out in me are so intense and extraordinary that they can only be explained by the supernatural.


The stars desert the skies
Your eyes are so brilliant that they attract and make the stars leave the sky to take refuge in them.


And rush to nestle in your eyes
The stars are so drawn to the sparkle in your eyes that they hurry to settle within them and make them shine even brighter.


Without a golden wand
Despite not having any magical tool or trick, wonderful things start to happen when I am with you.


Or mystic charms
I don't need any special talisman or spell because the mere presence of your charm is enough to create an enchanting environment.


Fantastic things begin
An incredible and seemingly impossible chain of events unfolds when you are near me because of the magical aura that emanates from you.


When I am in your arms
I feel so protected and loved when you hold me that the whole world becomes a magical and safe place.


When we walk hand in hand
The simple act of walking with you while we hold hands fills me with so much happiness and wonder that everything around me transforms into a enchanting wonderland.


The world becomes a wonderland
My perception of reality changes drastically when I am with you and I see everything in a more beautiful and extraordinary way.


Oh, it's magic
All of the exceptional feelings of love and joy that come over me when I am with you are impossible to describe as anything other than magical.


How else can I explain
I cannot think of any logical or rational explanation for why I feel this way when I am with you, other than it simply being magic.


Those rainbows when there is no rain?
I cannot fathom why I see rainbows brightly gleaming when there is no precipitation in sight, other than your mere presence creating the beauty of the rainbow.


It's magic, why do I tell myself
I feel foolish for trying to find a sensible explanation for my overwhelming emotions, because the truth is, it's just magic that brings me to this level of joy.


These things that happen
All the inexplicable occurrences and emotions that take place when I am close to you defy logical explanation or reasonable assumptions.


Are all really true
Despite the fact that these emotions and experiences are outside of my understanding, I know without a doubt that they are completely real and genuine.


When within my heart I know
I have a profound sense in my heart and soul that these magical feelings that fill me are completely true and genuine.


The magic is my love for you
The truth is, the magic that I experience when I am with you is entirely rooted in the love that I have for you and the incredible emotions that you inspire within me.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, SAMMY CAHN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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