That Old Black Magic
Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics


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That old black magic has me in its spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
Icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine

The same old tingle that I feel inside
When that elevator starts its ride
Down and down I go, 'round and 'round I go
Like a leaf that's caught in the tide

I should stay away, but what can I do?
I hear your name, and I'm aflame
Aflame with such a burning desire
That only your kiss can put out the fire

You are the lover that I've waited for
The mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Baby, down and down I go
All around I go, in a spin




Loving the spin that I'm in
Under that old black magic called love

Overall Meaning

In Ella Fitzgerald's song, That Old Black Magic, the lyrics describe the overwhelming and all-consuming feeling of falling in love. The magic described is not a positive force, but rather an enchantment that is both fascinating and dangerous. The line "Icy fingers up and down my spine" suggests a mysterious and slightly unsettling sensation, while "the same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine" highlights the irresistible and inevitable pull two lovers can have on each other. The description of the elevator ride further emphasizes this sense of being caught in a spell with no escape.


Despite recognizing the danger of this "old black magic," the singer cannot resist the pull of their lover. The burning desire that only their kiss can satiate is a powerful force that the singer cannot control. The deep love and connection between the two is emphasized in the lines "You are the lover that I've waited for, The mate that fate had me created for." This love is so overwhelming that it sends the singer spinning, but such a spin is welcomed because of the unrelenting love they feel.


Overall, That Old Black Magic represents a love that can captivate and consume an individual, leaving them powerless to resist. It's a testament to the mesmerizing and enthralling nature of love, even at its most dangerous.


Line by Line Meaning

That old black magic has me in its spell
I am helplessly captivated by the power of your love and can't resist its hold on me


That old black magic that you weave so well
You are a master of enchantment and have cast a potent spell over me


Icy fingers up and down my spine
Your touch sends shivers down my entire body, leaving me breathless with desire


The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
Every time we make eye contact, I feel the same powerful, irresistible allure that first enchanted me


The same old tingle that I feel inside
I still feel the same electric spark of attraction that I felt when we first met


When that elevator starts its ride
My heart races and my excitement builds as soon as we start to move closer to each other


Down and down I go, 'round and 'round I go
I am hopelessly falling under your spell, spiraling further into the depths of love


Like a leaf that's caught in the tide
I am swept away by the powerful currents of passion and emotion that you evoke in me


I should stay away, but what can I do?
I know that I shouldn't give in to my feelings for you, but I am powerless to resist


I hear your name, and I'm aflame
The mere mention of your name ignites a fiery passion in me


Aflame with such a burning desire
My longing for you is so intense that I feel as though I am on fire


That only your kiss can put out the fire
Only your passionate kiss can quell the flames of my desire for you


You are the lover that I've waited for
You are the one I have been yearning for, the perfect match for me in every way


The mate that fate had me created for
I believe that destiny brought us together, and that we are meant to be together forever


And every time your lips meet mine
Whenever we share a kiss, I experience a blissful sensation that I never want to end


Baby, down and down I go
Whenever we are together, I feel myself falling deeper and deeper in love with you


All around I go, in a spin
My entire world revolves around you, and my thoughts are consumed by my passion for you


Loving the spin that I'm in
Despite the overwhelming intensity of my feelings, I relish every moment that I spend with you


Under that old black magic called love
All of these powerful emotions and intense feelings are the result of a mysterious force known as love, which has enchanted and ensnared me completely




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, JOHNNY MERCER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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