The Tender Trap
Frank Sinatra and Basie Lyrics
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And suddenly your sighing sighs
You're thinking nothing's wrong
You string along, boy, then snap
Those eyes, those sighs,
They're part of the tender trap
And soon there's music in the breeze
You're acting kind of smart, until your heart just goes wap
Those trees, that breeze,
They're part of the tender trap
Some starry night, when her kisses make you tingle
She'll hold you tight, and you'll hate yourself for being single
And all at once it seems so nice
The folks are throwing shoes and rice
You hurry to a spot, that's just a dot on the map
You're hooked, you're cooked,
You're caught in the tender trap
Some starry night, when her kisses make you tingle
She'll hold you tight, and you'll hate yourself for being single
And all at once it seems so nice
The folks are throwing shoes and rice
You hurry to a spot that's just a dot on the map
And then you wonder how it all came about
It's too late now there's no gettin' out
You fell in love, and love is the tender trap
The song "The Tender Trap" is a cautionary tale about falling in love too quickly and being caught in its clutches. The opening lyrics describe someone who is happy-go-lucky until they meet someone with "laughing eyes." They become infatuated, and before they know it, they are caught in the "tender trap." The trap is made up of all the things that make falling in love so alluring: holding hands, music in the breeze, and starry nights. The song suggests that these things can blind you to the reality of a relationship and lead you down a path you may not have intended to go.
The lyrics continue with a picture of a wedding, rice being thrown, and the realization that you are "caught in the tender trap." The song warns that it's too late to turn back once you've fallen in love, and that love can be all-consuming. It's a song about the dangers of letting your heart rule your head and the importance of being cautious when it comes to matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
You see a pair of laughing eyes
You notice someone attractive and charming
And suddenly your sighing sighs
You become infatuated and start longing for them
You're thinking nothing's wrong
You believe everything is going smoothly
You string along, boy, then snap!
You play hard to get, then give in quickly
Those eyes, those sighs, they're part of the tender trap
These subtle romantic gestures lead to strong emotions and attachment
You're hand in hand beneath the trees
You hold hands while enjoying nature together
And soon there's music in the breeze
The atmosphere becomes more romantic and harmonious
You're acting kind of smart, until your heart just goes wap!
You try to play it cool, but your emotions soon take over
Those trees, that breeze, they're part of the tender trap
The romantic setting contributes to heightened emotions and attachment
Some starry night, when her kisses make you tingle
On a romantic, magical evening, their kisses elicit physical sensations
She'll hold you tight, and you'll hate yourself for being single
Their embrace will make you regret not being in a committed relationship
And all at once it seems so nice
Everything feels perfect and desirable
The folks are throwing shoes and rice
People are celebrating your relationship
You hurry to a spot, that's just a dot on the map
You rush to a small, romantic location to express your love
You're hooked, you're cooked, you're caught in the tender trap
You're fully invested and committed to the relationship
And then you wonder how it all came about
You reflect on how you fell in love so deeply
It's too late now there's no gettin' out
You realize you can't easily leave the relationship
You fell in love, and love is the tender trap
Love can be both beautiful and all-consuming, leading us into vulnerability and attachment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, THE MUSIC GOES ROUND
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind