Love Potion #9
Gary Lewis & The Playboys Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Leiber-Stoller

I took my troubles down to Madame Rue
You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
She's got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
Sellin' little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine

I told her that I was a flop with chics
I've been this way since 1956
She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
She said "What you need is Love Potion Number Nine"

She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink
She said "I'm gonna make it up right here in the sink"
It smelled like turpentine, it looked like Indian ink
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink

I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine

I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink

I didn't know if it was day or night
I started kissin' everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine




Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine

Overall Meaning

The song "Love Potion #9" by Gary Lewis & The Playboys tells the story of a man who has had no luck with women, so he decides to visit a gypsy by the name of Madame Rue in hopes of finding a solution. She suggests that he try a love potion, specifically "Love Potion Number Nine," which she sells in little bottles. With nothing to lose, the man takes a swig of the potion, and it completely changes his behavior, causing him to start kissing everything in sight. Unfortunately, things come to a halt when he kisses a cop, and his bottle of love potion is shattered.


The song's lyrics were written by the famous songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally performed and recorded by The Clovers in 1959, but it became a hit when performed by The Searchers in 1964. Gary Lewis & The Playboys' version was released in 1965, and it also became a commercial success. The song is known for its catchy melody, upbeat tempo, and humorous lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

I took my troubles down to Madame Rue
I went to see a fortune teller named Madame Rue to help me with my problems


You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
She's a well-known fortune teller with a golden tooth that distinguishes her


She's got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
She has a residence located on Thirty-Fourth and Vine where she conducts her business


Sellin' little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine
She sells small bottles of a love potion called Love Potion Number Nine that supposedly have magical properties


I told her that I was a flop with chics
I confided in her that I was unsuccessful with women


I've been this way since 1956
My lack of success with women has been going on for a long time, since 1956


She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
She examined my palm and performed a magical gesture


She said "What you need is Love Potion Number Nine"
She told me that the solution to my romantic difficulties was to use her Love Potion Number Nine


She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink
She leaned over and gave me a flirtatious wink


She said "I'm gonna make it up right here in the sink"
She said that she would mix the potion for me right there in the sink


It smelled like turpentine, it looked like Indian ink
The potion had a pungent smell and dark color like ink


I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
I bravely drank the love potion despite its unpleasant odor and appearance


I didn't know if it was day or night
After drinking the potion, I was disoriented and could not tell the time


I started kissin' everything in sight
I became overwhelmed with passion and began kissing anyone and anything nearby


But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
I unexpectedly kissed a police officer on Thirty-Fourth and Vine


He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
The police officer broke the bottle of the love potion, stopping its effect on me


Love Potion Number Nine
A repeated emphasis on the name of the magical love potion




Writer(s): Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions