You Turn Me On
Judy Garland Lyrics


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You've got me where you want me
And I hope you're satisfied
You've got me where you want me
And you hardly even tried
One single look was all I took
And then, starry-eyed
I watched my poor old heart
Go on that roller-coaster ride
I say I won't surrender
But I know darn well I will
My hopes are pretty slender
And my chances almost nil
Why should I try to alibi
Anyone can see
You've got me where you want me
And it's where I wanna be

You've got me where you want me
And I hope you're satisfied
You've got me where you want me
And you never even tried
A single look was all it took
And then, starry-eyed
I watched my poor heart
Go on that roller-coaster ride
I say I won't surrender
But I know darn well you will
My hopes are pretty slender
And my chances almost nil
Why should I try to alibi
When anyone can see
You've got me where you want me
You've got me where you want me
And it's where I wanna be




And it's where I wanna be
And it's where I wanna be

Overall Meaning

In Judy Garland's song "Where Are You?", the lyrics describe a person who has completely fallen under someone's spell. The singer acknowledges that they are in the exact place the other person wants them to be, and despite their initial resistance, they know deep down that they will eventually give in. The song conveys a feeling of helplessness, where the singer admits that their hopes and chances of resisting are slim, but they continue to deceive themselves by saying they won't surrender.


The lyrics suggest that the other person has a powerful hold over the singer with just a single glance. They are described as being "starry-eyed" and watching their heart go on a roller-coaster ride, indicating the whirlwind of emotions they experience. The singer recognizes that their attempts to make excuses or deny their feelings are futile, as anyone can see how deeply they are affected.


The repetition of the line "You've got me where you want me, and it's where I wanna be" highlights the conflicted nature of the singer's emotions. Despite the fear of surrendering to this intense attraction, they confess that deep down, they actually want to be in this vulnerable state. It conveys a sense of longing and desire for the other person, even though it may not be the most rational or advantageous choice.


Overall, "Where Are You?" portrays a person who has succumbed to the power of someone else's captivating presence, realizing that they are right where the other person wants them to be, and sincerely desiring to remain there.


Line by Line Meaning

You've got me where you want me
I am completely under your control and influence


And I hope you're satisfied
I hope that you are content with having such power over me


And you hardly even tried
You effortlessly obtained this control over me


One single look was all I took
Just one glance from you was enough to captivate me


And then, starry-eyed
I became mesmerized and infatuated


I watched my poor old heart
I observed my vulnerable and fragile heart


Go on that roller-coaster ride
Go through a tumultuous journey filled with emotions and ups and downs


I say I won't surrender
I claim that I will not give in to your power


But I know darn well I will
But deep down, I am aware that I will eventually give in


My hopes are pretty slender
My aspirations for resisting your control are not very strong


And my chances almost nil
And my likelihood of breaking free from your grasp is almost nonexistent


Why should I try to alibi
Why should I make excuses or justify my situation


Anyone can see
It is apparent to anyone who observes


You've got me where you want me
You have me in the exact position you desire


And it's where I wanna be
And strangely, it is the place I desire to be


You've got me where you want me
I remain under your control


And you never even tried
Surprisingly, you never even made an effort to have power over me


A single look was all it took
Just a single glance from you was enough to bewitch me


And then, starry-eyed
And then, filled with admiration and fascination


I watched my poor heart
I observed my vulnerable and emotional heart


Go on that roller-coaster ride
Experience a wild and unpredictable journey of emotions


I say I won't surrender
I declare that I will not yield to your influence


But I know darn well you will
However, I am well aware that you will overpower me eventually


My hopes are pretty slender
My aspirations for resisting your control are not very strong


And my chances almost nil
And the likelihood of me breaking free from your grasp is almost nonexistent


Why should I try to alibi
Why should I bother making excuses or justifications


When anyone can see
Because anyone who observes can clearly recognize


You've got me where you want me
You have successfully placed me in the position you desire


And it's where I wanna be
And strangely, it is the exact place I desire to remain


And it's where I wanna be
And this is exactly where I choose to stay




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY WARREN, JOHNNY MERCER

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

@borderlinegirl5746

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
As we started for Huntington Dell

Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brakes
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
As we glided by Huntington Lake

The day was bright, the air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle charmed me off my feet
I tried to sing but couldn't squeak
In fact, I felt so good I couldn't even speak

Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Time to all to disembark
Time to fall went my heartstrings
As we got off at Huntington Park
As we got off at Huntington Park

With my high starched collar
And my high topped shoes
And my hair
Piled high upon my head
I went to lose a jolly
Hour on the Trolley
And lost my heart instead
With his light brown derby
And his bright green tie
He was quite
The handsomest of men
I started to yen
So I counted to ten
Then I counted to ten again

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
From the moment I saw him I fell

Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
When he smiled I could feel the car shake
(Clang, clang, clang)

He tipped his hat
And took a seat
He said, he hoped he hadn't
Stepped upon my feet
He asked my name
I held my breath
I couldn't speak because
He scared me half to death

Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to go
Then I started to know
How it feels
When the universe reels

The day was bright
The air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle
Charmed you off your feet
You tried to sing
But couldn't squeak
In fact, you loved him
So you couldn't even speak

Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to leave
I took hold of his sleeve
With my hand
And as if it were planned
He stay on with me
And it was grand just to stand
With his hand holding mine
Till the end of the line
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Zing, zing, zing went my heart



@munkustrap79

(Chorus 1)
[PASSENGERS]
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
As we started for Huntington Dell

Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brakes
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
As we glided by Huntington Lake
The day was bright, the air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle charmed me off my feet
I had to sing but couldn't squeak
In fact, I felt so good I couldn't even speak

Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Time for all to disembark
Time to fall went my heartstrings
As we got off at Huntington Park
As we got off at Huntington Park

(Verse)
[ESTHER]
With my high-starched collar and my high-topped shoes
And my hair piled high upon my head
I went to lose a jolly
Hour on the trolley
And lost my heart instead

With his light brown derby and his light green tie
He was quite the handsomest of men
I started to yen
So I counted to ten
Then I counted to ten again

(Chorus 2)
[ESTHER]
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
From the moment I saw him, I fell
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
When he smiled, I could feel the car shake

[PASSENGERS]
Clang! Clang! Clang!

[ESTHER]
He tipped his hat and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name, I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death

[CONDUCTOR]
Hiya, Johnny!

[ESTHER]
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Pop, pop, pop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to go
Then I started to know
How it feels
When the universe reels
[PASSENGERS]
The day was bright, the air was sweet
The smell of honeysuckle charmed you off your feet
You tried to sing but couldn't squeak
In fact, you loved him so you couldn't even speak

[ESTHER]
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Pop, pop, pop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to leave
I took hold of his sleeve
With my hand
And as if it were planned
He stayed on with me and
It was grand
Just to stand
With his hand
Holding mine
To the end of the line



@elainelosee7974

Love this film, this song. Her enthusiasm is
Contagious. She truly happier when
On stage performing, and with her children.
God, how I loved
Her. She was amazingly good, great story teller,
Marvelously talented at all
She did. Thank you,
Judy Garland, for
Everything you did
For you friends,
Fans, how you
Loved your
Children.RIP



@mjwemdee

'...As he started to leave,
I took hold of his sleeve
With my hand,
And as if it were planned,
He stayed on with me, and
It was grand
Just to stand
With his hand
Holding mine - to the end of the line!!' Fantastic lyric writing by Hugh Martin. [Ralph Blane was also credited, but did not actually contribute to this song]



All comments from YouTube:

@tonytune4342

I read that Judy said that while making this movie was the only time she felt beautiful. So sad how her life ended after all the joy she brought to millions by way of her talent . She deserved better.

@lordalessan

Tony Tune She was also being directed by a man who was in love with her. <3

@ryangregorakos5040

I think she said that she was true first in her life she beautiful (I would have to disagree she looked beautiful in many films before and after this one), but after that she still felt beautiful. I remember reading a story about her and one day in her 30’s she broke down crying in her dressing room and said: “I’ve lost my beauty,” after looking at herself in the mirror.

@daniellacecala3858

Tony Tune unfortunately she wasn’t treated with much respect in her life

@iris5678

@@daniellacecala3858 Not many people were in that time period. We've come such a long ways

@fleurconsidine2995

It’s true she deserves better

118 More Replies...

@shoknifeman2mikado135

This song was hurriedly written to add a few extra mins to the film, it turned out to be a masterpiece

@SarahJareth

It became the crowning song of that entire film referenced in almost any form of popular media including 2 times on The Simpsons

@kerriethompson2073

And she did this song in one take!

@SarahJareth

@Acererak oh yeah definitely has

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