I Get a Kick Out of You
Dinah Washington Lyrics


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My story is much too sad to be told,
But practically everything leaves me totally cold.
The exception I know is the case
When I'm out on a quiet spree,
Fighting vainly the old ennui,
And I suddenly turn and see your fabulous face.

I get no kick from champagne.
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all.
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you?

Some, they may go for cocaine.
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
It would bore me terrifically, too.
Yet I get a kick out of you.

I get a kick every time I see
You standing there before me.
I get a kick though it's clear to see
You obviously do not adore me.

I get no kick in a plane.
Flying too high with some gal in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do.




Yet I get a kick, um you give me a boot
I get a kick out of you.

Overall Meaning

In Dinah Washington's song "I Get a Kick out of You," she starts out by stating that her story is too sad to tell, and that she remains indifferent towards almost everything. The only exception to this is when she is out, bored, and suddenly turns to see the person she loves, which gives her a reason to feel joy. Washington then goes on to mention that she doesn't enjoy champagne or alcohol but surprisingly gets a kick out of the person she loves.


She then compares her love for them to others' addiction to cocaine. To her, even the mere thought of trying it bores her, yet seeing the person she cares for gives her a thrill. Washington continues on, saying that she finds it inspiring every time she sees the person she loves, even though it's clear that they don't feel the same way. She ends the song by saying that even though she doesn't enjoy flying, as it's not her idea of enjoyment, the person she loves excites her and makes her feel elated.


Line by Line Meaning

My story is much too sad to be told,
My life has been filled with tragedies and difficulties that cannot be elaborated upon in any detail.


But practically everything leaves me totally cold.
I am largely unaffected by most things in life, as I remain unresponsive to them.


The exception I know is the case
However, there is one rare occurrence where I am able to feel alive and engaged.


When I'm out on a quiet spree,
This special occasion only arises when I am out, away from my usual environment of ennui and inactivity.


Fighting vainly the old ennui,
I am constantly struggling to overcome the persistent feeling of apathy and listlessness that pervades my existence.


And I suddenly turn and see your fabulous face.
But then I unexpectedly encounter you, and for a moment, everything appears to be vibrant and full of life.


I get no kick from champagne.
I do not derive any genuine pleasure or excitement from drinking champagne, despite it being considered as a luxurious beverage.


Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all.
In fact, alcohol in general fails to elicit any significant emotional response from me whatsoever.


So tell me why should it be true
Thus, I am bewildered as to why there is one particular factor that always manages to bring out a different, exhilarating side of me.


That I get a kick out of you?
Why is it that in your presence, I am always filled with energy and excitement, despite my usual lifeless state?


Some, they may go for cocaine.
I recognize that there are those who find solace and pleasure in the consumption of illicit drugs such as cocaine.


I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
However, I know that if I attempted to dabble in such substances, I would find it completely uninteresting and dull.


It would bore me terrifically, too.
Indeed, I would find it just as tedious and tiresome as any other activity that fails to excite me.


Yet I get a kick out of you.
And yet, despite my lack of enthusiasm for most things, I cannot deny the fact that I always feel a rush of emotion and energy upon seeing you.


I get a kick every time I see
The mere act of beholding your presence is enough to induce feelings of intense elation and excitement in me.


You standing there before me.
Just the sight of you, stationary and unmoving, is enough to fill me with a sense of wonder and admiration.


I get a kick though it's clear to see
Despite the fact that it is obvious and evident that you do not reciprocate my feelings, I cannot help but feel a sense of attraction towards you.


You obviously do not adore me.
It is clear that you do not feel the same way about me as I do about you.


I get no kick in a plane.
I do not find flying on an airplane or jetting off to faraway destinations to be an enjoyable or exciting activity.


Flying too high with some gal in the sky
In fact, the idea of soaring through the clouds with a lover or significant other is not an appealing prospect to me.


Is my idea of nothing to do.
This activity holds very little interest for me, and I would much rather do something else instead.


Yet I get a kick, um you give me a boot
However, despite my usual lack of interest in flying and travel, I cannot deny that being with you makes me feel an energizing jolt that I cannot help but be drawn to.


I get a kick out of you.
Ultimately, it is only in your company that I am able to find genuine joy and exuberance in life.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@brianlemaire4221

In my old age, I'm appreciating Dinah Washington more and more. Her line readings don't get sentimental — they keep up the rhythm as intended, to accentuate the music as intended.

@Hammerton32

From the phenomenal Dinah Washington. At the end, her sardonic line readings convey the bruising one's ego/heart takes when someone is obviously not interested.

@danielkannan6246

The genius arrangements of Quincy Delight Jones Jr …

@maurizioera

Very very nice!

@jorgemarcelodealmeidaantun4178

Bravo!!

@thomaslombardo3401

Dina does Cole Porter like no one else .😊😊😊

@eliciajones4955

Rip grandma boy I miss you time goes so fast

@nigerjenkins6372

Nice music

@user-hr6uy5go3q

👑👑👑👑👑

@bklyngurlwurl

Sing Dinah!

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