Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – 22 September 1989), born Israel Isidore Baline… Read Full Bio ↴Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – 22 September 1989), born Israel Isidore Baline, in Tyumen, Russia (according to other sources possibly Mogilev, now Belarus), was an American composer and lyricist. He was one of the most prodigious and famous American songwriters in history.

Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.

My Defenses Are Down
Irving Berlin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Verse:]
I've had my way with so many girls
And it was lots of fun
My system was to know many girls
'Twould keep me safe from one
I find it can't be done

[1st refrain:]

My defenses are down
She's broken my resistance
And I don't know where I am
I went into the fight like a lion
But I came out like a lamb

My defenses are down
She's got me where she wants me
And I can't escape no how
I could speak to my heart when it wakened
But my heart won't listen now

Like a toothless, clawless tiger
Like an organ grinder's bear
Like a knight without his armor
Like Samson without his hair

My defenses are down
I might as well surrender
For the battle can't be won
But I must confess that I like it
So there's nothing to be done
Yes, I must confess that I like it
Being mis'rable is gonna be fun

[2nd refrain:]
My defenses are down
-She's broken his resistance
-And he's in an awful jam
I went into the fight like a lion
-But you came out like a lamb

My defenses are down
-She's got you where she wants you
-And you can't escape no how
I could speak to my heart when it wakened
-But your heart won't listen now

Like a toothless, clawless tiger
Like an organ grinder's bear
Like a knight without his armor
Like Samson without his hair

My defenses are down
-You might as well surrender
-For the battle can't be won
But I must confess that I like it
So there's nothing to be done
-Yes, you must confess that you like it

Being mis'rable
Is gonna be fun

Overall Meaning

The song "My Defenses Are Down" by Irving Berlin is a classic example of a love song with a twist. The song is about a man who has always been wary of love and has made a conscious decision to avoid committing to one woman. However, after meeting a particular woman, he is unable to resist her charms and realizes that his defenses are down. He is in love and unable to escape it.

The song's clever lyrics use imagery to convey the singer's feelings. He compares himself to a toothless, clawless tiger, an organ grinder's bear, and even the biblical character Samson, all of which imply that his defenses are down and he is no longer the strong, confident man he once was. The singer is admitting that he has been defeated by love and that he is powerless to resist it.

The song's catchy melody and lyrics made it a hit when it was first released in 1943, and it has since become a classic standard. It has been covered by various artists in different genres, including Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, and Willie Nelson. The song's popularity has endured through the years, and it remains a beloved classic.

Line by Line Meaning

I've had my way with so many girls
I have been with many girls before

And it was lots of fun
I enjoyed my time with those girls

My system was to know many girls
My plan was to be involved with many girls

'Twould keep me safe from one
This would keep me from being too attached to any one girl

I find it can't be done
I realize that this plan does not work

My defenses are down
I have let my guard down

She's broken my resistance
She has won me over

And I don't know where I am
I am in a state of confusion

I went into the fight like a lion
I entered confidently

But I came out like a lamb
But I left humbly

She's got me where she wants me
She has control over me