Sway
Julie London Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like the lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance, you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway, I grow weak
I can hear the violins long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway, I grow weak
I can hear the swell of violins long before it begins





Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Overall Meaning

In "Sway" by Julie London, she sings of being swept away by the music and the physical embrace of her dance partner. The marimba rhythms set the tone for the dancing and the lyrics urge her partner to dance with her and make her sway. The imagery of the lazy ocean and bending flowers demonstrates the gentle fluidity of the dance and how the singer is completely absorbed in the moment. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and dependence on the partner in the dance as the singer asks to be held and swayed.


The singer praises the partner's magic technique and how they make her weak with their sway. She can hear the violins long before the dance begins, anticipating the thrill of the experience. The song highlights the power of dance to transport people to another realm where they are totally wrapped up in the music and the embrace of their partner. Through the lyrics, Julie London captures the essence of the experience of dancing with someone who makes you feel alive and transported.


Line by Line Meaning

When marimba rhythms start to play
As soon as the marimba rhythms begin to play,


Dance with me, make me sway
I want to be your partner in dance, let's make the sultry music move us.


Like the lazy ocean hugs the shore
As the ocean moves lazily along the shore,


Hold me close, sway me more
Hold me close to you and move with me to the music.


Like a flower bending in the breeze
As a flower sways gently in the breeze,


Bend with me, sway with ease
Let's move together gracefully, with ease.


When we dance, you have a way with me
When we dance together, there's something special about how you move with me.


Stay with me, sway with me
Stay close to me and sway with me to the rhythm of the music.


Other dancers may be on the floor
There may be other dancers around us,


Dear, but my eyes will see only you
But you're the only one I see, dear.


Only you have that magic technique
You have a magic way of dancing with me that no one else has.


When we sway, I grow weak
When we move together to the music, I feel weak with emotion.


I can hear the violins long before it begins
The sound of the violins makes me feel romantic even before the music starts.


Make me thrill as only you know how
Make me feel excitement and pleasure as only you can do.


Sway me smooth, sway me now
Move with me smoothly and with feeling right now.


Other dancers may be on the floor
Again, there may be other dancers around us,


Dear, but my eyes will see only you
but my eyes are only for you, my love.


Only you have that magic technique
Only you can dance with me in that enchanting way.


When we sway, I grow weak
When we dance together, I start to feel weak and wonderfully overwhelmed by your presence.


I can hear the swell of violins long before it begins
Even before the music starts, I feel the stirring of the violins.


Make me thrill as only you know how
Make me feel that thrill that only you can give me.


Sway me smooth, sway me now
Move me smoothly and gracefully to the music in this moment.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard Melville Hall

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

@nadzirahshukor5843

SWAY


When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like the lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance, you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway, I grow weak

I can hear the swell of violins long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway, I grow weak

I can hear the swell of violins long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now



All comments from YouTube:

@domidelongpre3920

I absolutely love the sound of her voice. The epitome of "Sultry"

@winston-mathew-bollockchops

She is the real Jessica rabbit

@reuireuiop0

That's what my dictionary app said :

"Go listen Julie London sing"

@ascics4205

Words do no justice to describe her voice...

@mephisto4618

everyone who's here
MAN YOU GOT THAT TASTE OF MUSIC

@Graycata

The softness of the instruments is how i always imagined this song to be. Most other versions have the trumpet section blowing everyone way.

@ppinchera8225

yes y e s sway ! sway me smooth, a softness to it, a strength yes , even a tension
but not a sharpness your so right ! the big horn versions are but weak interpretation
how does anyone get overpowering horns out of "like a lazy ocean hugs the shore"
if you sing you should work up your own version, begin with nothing and start from just reading it
as a poem, slowly add the melody

@bobdownes162

Agree !
Trumpets on this one sound as if they could have been played by a Mexican Band.

(Composer/Musician)

@Marklovesdrama

Yes the lower tone of the instruments, really allows the listener to hear the emotion in the singer’s voice.

@ratcat7668

my mum had the album with Julie dressed in that satin dress wrapped around her and extending out to the edges of the album cover. Ten years old and I couldnt stop staring at it.

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