Just Like Fred Astaire
James Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Doctor, what is happening to me?
Palpitations, my mind's diseased
Even my vision is impaired
I'm losing my hair

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
Lovesick, my temperature's high
Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I'm a bull, not a bear
I'm a millionaire

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire

I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to earth
From somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire

You say love is just a disease
A plague for the naïve
These days, no-one believes

Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now we're gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in my arms
Just like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in these charms
Like Fred Astaire

(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire




(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire

Overall Meaning

The song "Just Like Fred Astaire" by James is a fun, upbeat commentary on the transformative power of love, comparing the feeling of being in love to the legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire. The opening lines, sung in a worried, frightened tone, describe a physical and mental decline, as the singer shares symptoms of lovesickness, implying that falling in love can have the same debilitating effects as an illness. However, when he is with the object of his affection, the feeling is transformative, making him feel "like Fred Astaire". The lyrics are a nod to the iconic dancer's grace, elegance, and charisma, ultimately suggesting that love can have the same effects on a person, elevating them to new heights in the way that Astaire's performances once did for his audiences. The song is a lighthearted celebration of love, Hollywood, and the potential for magic in all aspects of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Doctor, what is happening to me?
I am experiencing health problems such as palpitations, impaired vision, and hair loss and seeking medical advice about them.


Palpitations, my mind's diseased
I am experiencing irregular heartbeat or a pounding heart, which can be a symptom of anxiety or other health problem affecting my mind.


Even my vision is impaired
My eyesight is not clear, and I may have difficulty seeing things properly.


I'm losing my hair
I am experiencing hair loss, which could be due to stress, hormonal changes, or other factors.


'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.


Lovesick, my temperature's high
I am infatuated with a girl and feel overwhelmed with emotions, such as excitement or anxiety, which is causing a feverish sensation.


Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I have found a girl who has a positive, optimistic outlook on life, and we share the belief that anything is possible.


I'm a bull, not a bear
I am optimistic and bullish about the future, confident that things will turn out well for me, rather than being pessimistic like a bear.


'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.


I believe in happiness
I have faith that happiness is attainable, and I am optimistic about life.


I believe in love
I believe that love is a powerful force that can transform lives and bring joy and fulfillment to those who experience it.


I believe she fell to earth from somewhere high above
I feel that the girl I love is extraordinary, almost otherworldly, and has come into my life as if by fate or serendipity.


I believe in Hollywood
I am enamored with the glitz, glamour, and romance of Hollywood movies.


Don't believe that love must bring despair
Although love can be painful and difficult at times, I believe that it can also bring hope, joy, and inspiration, rather than just despair.


'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.


You say love is just a disease
You may be skeptical or cynical about love and see it as nothing more than a biological or psychological condition or illness.


A plague for the naïve
You may believe that only naive or gullible people fall in love and that it is a source of suffering and misery rather than joy or fulfillment.


These days, no-one believes
In these modern times, many people have become cynical or disillusioned about love and lost their faith or hope in it.


Meteors may strike the earth
Unexpected, catastrophic events can happen at any time and disrupt people's lives, just like a meteor hitting the earth.


Nations live and die
History shows that nations and empires rise and fall, and nothing is permanent.


I'm the boy who got the girl
Against all odds, I have found the girl of my dreams, and I feel lucky to have her in my life.


And now we're gonna fly
With her by my side, I feel like I can achieve anything and soar to new heights of happiness and success.


We can cross the race divide
Our love transcends our racial or cultural differences, and we can overcome any obstacles or prejudices that may exist between us or in society.


Bridge a gap that wasn't really there
We can connect and unite as human beings, despite any perceived differences or divisions, and create a more loving and harmonious world.


'Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire
When I am with the girl I love, I feel happy, confident, and graceful, like the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.


I'm gonna hold her in my arms, just like Fred Astaire
I am determined to cherish and protect the girl I love and savor every moment I have with her, like the way Fred Astaire danced with his partners.


I'm gonna hold her in these charms, like Fred Astaire
I am going to use my charm, wit, and romantic gestures to win and keep the heart of the girl I adore, like Fred Astaire did with his leading ladies.


(My goodness, the water's rising)
This could be a reference to a literal flooding or natural disaster, or a metaphor for a crisis or challenge that may arise unexpectedly.


Like Fred Astaire
Despite any adversity, I will remain optimistic and graceful, like Fred Astaire, and face life's challenges with style and elegance.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID JOHN BAYNTON-POWER, JAMES GLENNIE, MARK HUNTER, SAUL DAVIES, TIMOTHY BOOTH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Ismail OZAY

One of the James song that felt me so happy after the years..

Doctor, what is happening to me?
Palpitations, my mind's diseased
Even my vision is impaired
I'm losing my hair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
Lovesick, my temperature's high
Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I'm a bull, not a bear
I'm a millionaire
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to earth
From somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
You say love is just a disease
A plague for the naive
These days, no-one believes
Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now we're gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there
'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in my arms
Just like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in these charms
Like Fred Astaire
Like Fred Astaire
(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire



lou9878

Doctor, what is happening to me?
Palpitations, my mind's diseased
Even my vision is impaired
I'm losing my hair

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire

Lovesick, my temperature's high
Just met a girl who believes we can fly
I'm a bull, not a bear
I'm a millionaire

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire

I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to earth
From somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire

You say love is just a disease
A plague for the naive
These days, no-one believes

Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now we're gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasn't really there

'Cause when I hold her in my arms
I feel like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in my arms
Just like Fred Astaire
I'm gonna hold her in these charms
Like Fred Astaire

(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire
(My goodness, the water's rising)
Like Fred Astaire



All comments from YouTube:

Ray Joiner

How the hell can anyone give this musical masterpiece a thumbs down 😲
It's bloody brilliant 🥰

MrTuryn

its just boring ^^

Edward William Morris

If you can't see the excellent mastery of music in this song you are suffering from brain damage. It's superb

Solvej Nielsen

I’m mesmerised ❤

Hare Typer

The moment I realized I was in love with my husband (a couple weeks after we met) was while I was listening to this song for the first time 8 years ago in the car driving to meet him after my friend's wedding where this song was on the wedding favor which was a mix CD made by the groom.  My husband died 1 year ago today from cancer at 38 years old.  I am thankful I have that moment of realization and feeling preserved in this song forever and am right back in the car driving again every time I hear it.  "I believe in happiness, I believe in love, I believe he fell to earth from somewhere high above".  I will always miss you and will love you forever. <3 

PAUL WADDINGTON

Your post literally made me cover my mouth and shed a tear for your loss..... I cannot imagine how hard it must be.....

Hare Typer

PAUL WADDINGTON Thank you Paul.  That is so sweet of you to be so touched by my comment and to admit it publicly.  I am sorry it upset you though.  It IS very hard, but I'm doing OK... usually. :) Sometimes I can't believe he's gone and reality hits me like a slap in the face.  Sometimes I feel like I hate this life without him, but not all the time and there are usually more good days than bad ones now.  I try to live my life now being thoughtful of him being proud of what I'm doing.  I have a 3 year old son that looks JUST like my husband and for him I'm very thankful.  My husband knew he was dying and during that time he told me several times he wanted me to find someone else and remarry when I was able, he was so selfless like that.  I love that being human means we are capable of loving many people at the same time and have enough love to go around.  Sometimes I can't imagine how hard this is either, but we're forced to be strong when we have to be and either stop living or force ourselves to keep going and do what is scary and uncomfortable and appreciate life and make those that we lose along the way proud by living better- being our best selves.  I never understood really the term "live one day at a time" until this last year.  It'll never be OK, it'll never be right, it'll never be easy but I choose to be happy and allow love in and that does allow for healing.  That's what he wanted and I'm trying to do that, I am doing that :) 

Thomas Cook

Just read your post and it brought a tear to my eyes, i also love the line you quoted

Hare Typer

Thomas Cook
 Thank you Thomas.

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bigtommyt71

What can you say about James..... seriously under-rated, they have done a bucket load of amazing songs like this but never get mentioned. James you guys rock

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