Misty
David Grisman & Stephane Grappelli Lyrics
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I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand,
I get misty, holding your hand.
Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play
That music I hear,
I get misty the moment you're near
You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you.
On my own,
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left,
My hat from my glove,
I get misty, and too much in love.
I'm too misty, and too much in love
In "Misty" by David Grisman and Stephane Grappelli, the singer is expressing their helplessness and vulnerability in the presence of their lover. They compare their state to that of a kitten stuck up a tree, hinting at their feeling trapped and unsure of how to navigate their emotions. The imagery of clinging to a cloud suggests a dreamlike quality to their experience, almost as if they are floating in a trance-like state. The mere presence of their lover is enough to make a symphony of violins begin to play, or at least that is how it feels to them. They are so enthralled by their lover's presence that they cannot help but fall into a haze of emotions every time they hold hands, making them feel "misty".
The song also touches on the singer's fear of being alone, without their lover. They feel as though they are wandering "through this wonderland alone", with no sense of direction or purpose. They are completely lost without their lover and fear that, without them, they will never be able to find their way. They are too "misty" and too much in love to imagine being without the object of their affection. Despite the possibility that their lover might only be leading them on, they cannot resist following them blindly and hopelessly.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me,
Pay attention to me,
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
I feel vulnerable and dependent on you like a helpless kitten stuck in a tree,
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I feel ecstatic and euphoric, as if I'm holding onto a soft, fluffy cloud,
I can't understand,
I'm not sure why, but...
I get misty, holding your hand.
...I become overwhelmed with emotion and a bit lightheaded when I hold your hand.
Walk my way,
Come towards me, walk in my direction,
And a thousand violins begin to play
It's as if the entire world becomes romanticized when you're around, and the sound of a thousand violins make it even more so,
Or it might be the sound of your hello
Maybe it's just the sound of your voice, when you greet me,
That music I hear,
The sound I perceive, the music I hear,
I get misty the moment you're near
I become overwhelmed with emotion the second you're around.
You can say that you're leading me on
You might say that you're teasing me, giving me false hope or expectations,
But it's just what I want you to do
But the truth is I enjoy it, I want you to lead me on,
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
Can't you see how lost and confused I am, how much power you hold over me?
That's why I'm following you.
That's why I'm willing to follow you, go wherever you go, do whatever you tell me to do.
On my own,
If I were by myself, if you didn't exist in my life,
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
I would be lost on my own in this beautiful world, without knowing which way to turn,
Never knowing my right foot from my left,
I wouldn't even know which way to walk, which path to take, or what direction to go in,
My hat from my glove,
I'd struggle to distinguish between even the most basic and distinct articles of clothing,
I get misty, and too much in love.
I become overwhelmed with emotion and love when I think of you, to the point where it's too much for me to handle.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY BURKE, ERROLL GARNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max Merry
This is possibly as good as it gets! The world is a better place for having had Stephane Grappelli in it!
Neil Kerr
Back in the long-ago as a small child, I can remember this music coming out of the wooden box and the fretwork cover and can hear the sound of concerned northern grandparents...just wittering in a nice , way steamy kitchens, Sunday afternoons on dank November Sundays...Stephan Grappelli in the background from long ago.
Janus Adams
Rest in peace, Rob Wasserman.