And yet Charlie Barnet was only significant in jazz for about a decade (1939-1949). Although his family wanted him to be a lawyer, he was a professional musician by the time he was 16 and ironically in his career made more money than he would have in business. Barnet arrived in New York in 1932 and started leading bands on records the following year, but his career was quite erratic until 1939. Many of Barnet's early records are worthy but some are quite commercial as he attempted to find a niche. Best is a sideman appearance on a 1934 Red Norvo date that also includes Artie Shaw and Teddy Wilson.
In 1939, with the hit recording of "Cherokee" and a very successful run at the Famous Door in New York, Charlie Barnet soon became a household name. In addition to the fine trumpeter Bobby Burnet (who soloed on many of Barnet's Bluebird records), such sidemen as guitarist Bus Etri; drummer Cliff Leeman; singers Lena Horne, Francis Wayne, and Kay Starr; pianist Dodo Marmarosa; clarinetist Buddy DeFranco; guitarist Barney Kessel; and even trumpeter Roy Eldridge spent time with Barnet's bands. Although at the height of his popularity during 1939-1942 (when his orchestra could often play a close imitation of Ellington's), Barnet's recordings for Decca during 1942-1946 were also of great interest with "Skyliner" being a best-seller.
By 1947 Barnet was starting to look toward bop. Clark Terry was his star trumpeter that year, and in 1949 his screaming trumpet section included Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Rolf Ericson, and Ray Wetzel. Barnet, however, soon lost interest and near the end of 1949 he broke up his band. Semi-retired throughout the remainder of his life, Charlie Barnet occasionally led swing-oriented big bands during short tours and appearances, making his last recording in 1966.
That Old Black Magic
Charlie Barnet Lyrics
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That old black magic that you weave so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
The same old tingle that I feel inside
And then the elevator starts its ride
And down and down I go
Round and round I go
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name and I'm a flame
A flame, with stars your burning desire
That only your kiss can put out the fire
Oh, you're the lover I have waited for
The mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Darling, down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
Darling, down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
The lyrics to Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra's song "That Old Black Magic" speak of the overwhelming, captivating power of love. The singer compares this feeling of being in love to the spell of old black magic, which has him under its spell. The way the person he loves weaves this spell is so effective that he feels icy fingers up and down his spine every time their eyes meet. Every time the two of them are together, he feels that familiar tingle inside, like an elevator starting its ride.
Despite knowing that he should stay away from this person who has him under their spell, he cannot resist. He hears their name, and he is consumed with desire. He refers to this desire as a flame that can only be put out by this person's kiss. The singer knows that this person is the lover he has been waiting for, created by fate as his perfect match. And every time they kiss, he is in a spin, loving the feeling that he's in under the old black magic called love.
Overall, the lyrics describe the feeling of being consumed by love, where the attraction is so strong that it feels like a powerful, unbreakable spell. Despite knowing that the relationship might not be practical or advisable, the singer can't help but fall deeper into the spell that his lover weaves.
Line by Line Meaning
Old black magic has me in its spell
I am entranced and under the influence of an ancient, mystical power
Old black magic that you weave so well
The source of this spell lies in your expert manipulation of the mystical forces at play
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The sensations I feel are electrifying and chilling, sending shivers throughout my body
The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
The spell is activated whenever we lock eyes, and it feels like it's been happening for ages
Same old tingle that I feel inside
The sensations I feel are not new, but are rather a continuation of a spell that has already been cast
Then the elevator starts it ride
The spell begins to transport me to a different plane of existence, like an elevator ascending to a higher floor
Down and down I go
I am being pulled deeper and deeper into the effects of the black magic
Round and round I go
I am being spun around like a top, unable to resist the power of the spell
Like a leaf caught in a tide
I am at the mercy of the spell, tossed about like a leaf in a strong current
I should stay away but what can I do
Despite knowing the danger of this spell, I cannot resist its pull
I hear your name and I'm a flame
Merely hearing your name ignites a burning desire within me
Flame, flame of desire
The passion that I am feeling is like a bright, burning flame
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Only through physical contact with you can this intense desire be quenched
Oh you're the lover I have waiting for
You are the ideal romantic partner that I have been searching for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
Our connection is not just by chance, but rather destiny had brought us together
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
I am overwhelmed by the sensations and feelings brought on by the spell
Under the old black magic called love
The source of this mystical force is the love that we share, and it's been around for a long time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@td3993
Such an intriguing version.
@edwardgunyo3638
fantastic.... what a great rendition.