Bewitched
Christy June Lyrics
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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 wink
Put me on the blink
I'm wild again
Beguiled again
A simpering whimpering child again
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
Lost my heart but what of it
He is cold I agree
He can laugh but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
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
Men are not a new sensation
I've done pretty well I think
But this half-pint imitation
Put me on the blink
I've seen a lot
I mean a lot
But now I'm like sweet seventeen a lot
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
The lyrics of Christy June's Bewitched explore the complex emotions of someone hopelessly in love with a man who may not necessarily reciprocate her feelings. The singer acknowledges that the man in question is a "fool," yet she cannot help but be entranced by him, describing herself as "bewitched." She feels like a "babe in arms," implying a sense of vulnerability and dependence on this man. Despite knowing that she shouldn't obsess over him, she feels unable to control herself or her feelings.
She goes on to explain that love is a "sad sensation" that has been keeping her up at night. She uses the term "half-pint imitation" to describe the man, suggesting that he is not what he seems or that he is not as impressive as he presents himself to be. However, despite noting his flaws, the singer cannot help but feel enamored by him. She sings of being "wild again" and like a "simpering whimpering child again," further emphasizing her feelings of helplessness and desperation.
The second half of the song continues to explore the singer's complicated relationship with this man. She admits that he is "cold" and that he laughs at her, but she loves him anyway. She vows to continue to sing to him and long for the day when she can be with him. The song concludes with the repeated line "Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I," highlighting the singer's continued sense of confusion and obsession with the man.
Line by Line Meaning
He's a fool and don't I know it
I am fully aware that the man I am in love with is foolish
But a fool can have his charms
Despite his foolishness, this man has certain endearing qualities
I'm in love and don't I show it
My love for him is so obvious that everyone can see it
Like a babe in arms
My love for him is innocent and pure like that of a baby
Love's the same old sad sensation
Being in love is a familiar feeling, but it often brings sadness and heartache
Lately I've not slept a wink
My love for him is so consuming that it keeps me awake at night
Since this half-pint imitation
Since I met this small and unimportant man
Put me on the blink
He has caused me to feel confused and disoriented
I'm wild again
My emotions are out of control
Beguiled again
He has captivated me once more
A simpering whimpering child again
I am reduced to a helpless and foolish child-like state
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
I am under a spell, bothered, and completely confused by my feelings for him
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about him, and I didn't want to sleep because I wanted to think of him more
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
When I fell in love, I felt so alive that I didn't want to waste time sleeping
Lost my heart but what of it
Even though I have given my heart to him, it doesn't matter
He is cold I agree
I know he seems disinterested and aloof
He can laugh but I love it
Although he may be mocking or teasing me, I still adore him
Although the laugh's on me
Even though he is laughing at me, I still find him charming
I'll sing to him each spring to him
I will express my love for him through song and words
And long for the day when I'll cling to him
I eagerly await the day when I can embrace him and be close to him
Men are not a new sensation
I have been with many men before, but this one feels special
I've done pretty well I think
I believe I have been successful in my romantic pursuits so far
But this half-pint imitation
But this small and unimportant man has made me question my abilities
Put me on the blink
He has confused and disoriented me, making me unsure of myself
I've seen a lot
I have experienced a lot in my romantic life
I mean a lot
I truly have been through a lot, both good and bad
But now I'm like sweet seventeen a lot
But with him, I feel like a naive and inexperienced girl in love for the first time
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
My feelings for him have put me under a spell, left me emotionally agitated, and confused me greatly
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
skela aderrab
He's a fool and don't I know it
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 wink
Since this half-pint imitation
Put me on the blink
I'm wild again
Beguiled again
A simpering whimpering child again
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
Lost my heart but what of it
He is cold I agree
He can laugh but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
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
Men are not a new sensation
I've done pretty well I think
But this half-pint imitation
Put me on the blink
I've seen a lot
I mean a lot
But now I'm like sweet seventeen a lot
Bewitched bothered and bewildered am I
Robert Rosenberg
She had a Pittsburgh connection
Hubby Coop and Safranski etc.
And I saw her there in clubs and at the universities.
Both her and her total opposite, Sassy bring tears to my eyes
Her understated fragility
Sarah overwhelming you With erotic swing
Par excellent.
Sarah I dreamed of
June was mine
Whispers of wonderful
Very moving
With Kenton and Rugolo
Unbeatable...gee
She makes my eyes water
Lost in a summer's night, daydream, interlude, lazy afternoon, this one
She died a very long and painful death
She deserved so much more
Duet w Kenton on piano is her masterpiece for me
June forever
Alan Jarman
I just love this woman... I could never understand why she wasn't always mentioned "up there" with Billie and Sarah and Ella and Anita. That voice, and that delivery... the perfect example of the very best jazz has to offer. It's so great to read these comments and to know that so many others feel exactly the same. You listen, you marvel, and you fall in love. Thanks so much for posting this, one of the very best readings she ever put down.. and she told me that it was the first (and only) take!
Scott Luster
I wrote my Aunt June a letter back in about 1988, citing this song as my reason to defend forever her pitch, articulation, phrasing, and femininity as one of the very great jazz singers. Pure June, she seemed underwhelmed. Years later, I read that Frank Rosolino said of this cut, "It just ain't gonna get better than that. " June was so blasé and so superior, sometimes I feel frustrated. But at least I felt like somebody else (Frank)also really "got it." She taught me so much about the benefit of quality music, I will be forever grateful to the "West Coast Cool" school. She and my Uncle "Coop" just keep on giving. What a legacy :)
Marcel Audubon
a noble legacy you've inherited, Scott
Alec Marran
I read somewhere that after she'd sung the last note of this song, Frank Rossolino (sp?) the trombonist came up tg her and said something like ..'That was sheer perfection and we definitely don't need a second take": ...or words to that effect. He 's right of course because everything June did was sheer perfection. I mean I should know...I've adored her ever since I was a teen-ager....and that was a long time ago :-) I reckon that she's THE most under-rated jazz singer ever...and find it sad !
QUABLEDISTOCFICKLEPO
Not by me, and that's what counts..to me.
Marla Lukofsky
I've recently discovered June Christy and her voice blows me away. She is in that special class of Anita O'Day, Jeri Southern, Chris Connor, and Doris Day. I could listen to June all day and night and never tire of her.
Harry Bryant
I was about 10 when I first here this lady sing. I was hooked on her and jazz from then on. Isn't it wonderful that her music can live on.
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.
GOD---June is so BLOODY FANTASTIC....
Pepper Williams
What a great singer she was! A very 'original' singer (unlike today's myriad of singers that all sound the same). She puts her whole soul into the lyrics!
Ronald Strange
Never get tired of listening to June. Her voice was perfect. Is there a singer today to compare? I don't mean the current crop of screeching show it all sound the samers. Thank you so much for this. Here for as long as people appreciate good, quality singing.