Originally recorded by Gene Pitney in 1967 the song reached #5 on the UK singles chart but failed to chart in the USA. The song was subsequently covered by a number of other acts including Cilla Black, Terry Reid and Nick Cave on his 1986 album of cover's Kicking Against the Pricks.
It achieved its greatest success in 1989 when it was covered by Marc Almond. Originally recorded by Almond alone for his 1988 album The Stars We Are, the single version reunited it with its original singer Gene Pitney, their version became a number one single in the UK for four weeks in January 1989. Sales were boosted particularly by the two vocalists' appearance on the Terry Wogan TV show as it was climbing the charts. Pitney's US record company declined to issue the record in America on the grounds that buyers would mistake it for a vocal duet by two gay men, Almond being leather-clad as usual, and Pitney dressed in a white tuxedo.
Something's Gotten Hold Of
Marc Almond & Gene Pitney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keeping my soul and my senses apart
Something's gotten into my life
Cutting its way through my dreams like a knife
Turning me up and turning me down
Making me smile and making me frown
In a world that was small
But then you came my way
And a feeling unknown shook my heart, made me want you to stay
All of my nights and all of my days
I gotta tell you now
Something's gotten hold of my hand
Dragging my soul to a beautiful land
Something has invaded my mind
Painting my sleep with a colour so bright
Changing the grey and changing the blue
Scarlet for me and scarlet for you
I've got to know if this is the real thing
I've got to know what's making my heart sing
You smile and I am lost for a lifetime
Each minute spent with you is the right time
Every hour, every day
You touch me and my mind goes astray
The song "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" by Marc Almond and Gene Pitney is a melancholic ballad about the overwhelming, almost consuming power of love. The first verse describes how love has taken hold of the singer, separating him from his senses and penetrating his life like a knife. It is a force that can turn him up or down, inspiring joy or sadness.
In the second verse, the singer remembers a time when his world was small and peaceful. However, since meeting the one he loves, his heart has been shaking with an unknown feeling that he can't shake. He is captivated by this person, and their presence makes his days and nights brighter.
The chorus emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the love that the singer is experiencing, with something taking hold of his hand and dragging his soul to a beautiful land. Something has invaded his mind, painting his sleep with bright colors and changing the world around him from grey to scarlet. He cannot resist the pull of this love, and every minute spent with his beloved feels right.
Overall, the song's lyrics capture the thrill and intensity of falling in love, how it can turn your world upside down and change everything in ways you never thought possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Something's gotten hold of my heart
My heart is being controlled by an unknown force
Keeping my soul and my senses apart
The force is causing a divide between my emotional and physical being
Something's gotten into my life
An unknown thing has entered my life
Cutting its way through my dreams like a knife
The force is disrupting my dreams and aspirations
Turning me up and turning me down
The force is influencing my emotions and mood
Making me smile and making me frown
The force is causing both positive and negative emotions
In a world that was small
In a previous time when things were simpler
I once lived in a time there was peace with no trouble at all
I used to live a peaceable life without any problems
But then you came my way
But then you entered my life
And a feeling unknown shook my heart, made me want you to stay
You made me feel an intense, unknown emotion that made me want you in my life
All of my nights and all of my days
This feeling affects me all the time
I gotta tell you now
I need to express this to you
Something's gotten hold of my hand
The force is affecting my physical movements
Dragging my soul to a beautiful land
The force is leading me to a place that is wonderful
Something has invaded my mind
The force is impacting my thoughts
Painting my sleep with a colour so bright
The force is giving me vivid dreams
Changing the grey and changing the blue
The force is altering my perceptions of the world
Scarlet for me and scarlet for you
The force is causing intense passion and desire between us
I've got to know if this is the real thing
I need to know if this feeling is genuine
I've got to know what's making my heart sing
I need to understand what is causing my happiness
You smile and I am lost for a lifetime
Your smile is so captivating that it takes my breath away
Each minute spent with you is the right time
Being with you feels perfect no matter what time it is
Every hour, every day
These feelings persist constantly
You touch me and my mind goes astray
Your touch is so powerful that it distracts me from everything else
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Roger Frederick Cook, Roger John Reginald Greenaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@princeofdaftness
25 years ago this week ;o) it was at #1 thank you Marc and thank you unforgettable Gene Pitney
@hbomb1964
princeofdaftness Fantastic song, loved Gene. Unique voice, love Marc too
@giuseppezuppardo645
Steve Hope i
@serjek
No likes yet? 55K views for 5 years? What's wrong with this world?
@susanyates1429
I just love this song
@JackSmash32
scarlet for me and scarlet for you!
@mrkinthdrk325
One of the voices that could keep up with Gene.....so good
@gothiclight7
Magic.
Timeless.
@johnerdmann7797
timeless classic
@helgazubiz1750
Super!