Old Devil Moon
O'Day Anita Lyrics
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Something in your eyes I see
Soon begins bewitching me
It's that old devil moon
That you stole from the skies
It's that old devil moon in your eyes
You and you glance make this romance
Stars in the night
Blazing their light
Can't hold a candle
To your razzle-dazzle
You've got me flyin' high and wide
On a magic carpet ride
Full of butterflies inside
Wanna cry, wanna croon
Wanna laugh like a loon
It's that old devil moon in your eyes
Just when I think
I'm free as a dove
Old devil moon
Deep in your eyes
Blinds me with love
In the first verse of Anita O’Day’s song “Old Devil Moon”, the singer talks about how she looks at someone and sees something in their eyes that begins to bewitch her. The “old devil moon” in the person’s eyes is seen as the culprit for this sudden attraction that the singer feels. This is further emphasized when she says that the person she’s looking at has stolen the old devil moon from the skies.
In the second verse, she talks about how the attraction is too hot to handle, and compares it to stars in the night sky that are brighter than candles. She continues to describe how her feelings for this person are causing her to feel various emotions; flying high, butterflies in her stomach, and wanting to cry, croon, and laugh uncontrollably. The old devil moon in the person’s eyes seems to be the source of all of these emotions.
In the final verse, the singer acknowledges how the old devil moon has blinded her with love. The singer realizes that just when she thought she was free as a dove, the old devil moon comes back and blinds her with love once again. Overall, the song is about the power of love and attraction, particularly when it is heightened by the presence of the “old devil moon”.
Line by Line Meaning
I look at you and suddenly
When I lay my eyes upon you, something extraordinary occurs,
Something in your eyes I see
An inexplicable allure emanates from your eyes,
Soon begins bewitching me
Your enchanting presence easily captivates me,
It's that old devil moon
This mystical, supernatural entity grabs hold of me once I'm under your spell,
That you stole from the skies
Possibly, you alone have been blessed with the gift of charming me with its power,
It's that old devil moon in your eyes
The symbol of your great influence over me shines from incredibly bewitching eyes,
You and you glance make this romance
The way you regard me results in a passion so intense that it's difficult to manage,
Too hot to handle
The heat between us is almost unbearable,
Stars in the night
Even the bright celestial objects in the vast, open sky cannot compare,
Blazing their light
Although the stars shine brightly, their light pales in comparison to you,
Can't hold a candle
The stars are of little significance when compared to the overwhelming appeal of being with you,
To your razzle-dazzle
Your unmatched charisma always has me entranced,
You've got me flyin' high and wide
My heart soars, and my joy knows no bounds when we're together,
On a magic carpet ride
I feel as if I'm in a dreamlike state, taken away by a force I cannot resist,
Full of butterflies inside
My stomach flutters, and I'm left feeling elated and euphoric,
Wanna cry, wanna croon
I'm overtaken with emotion and have a sudden urge to express myself unreservedly,
Wanna laugh like a loon
I feel a strong inclination to let loose and revel in the moment without restraint,
It's that old devil moon in your eyes
It's unmistakably the power that you possess over me that's visible in your captivating gaze,
Just when I think
Even when I'm certain that I'm in control of myself,
I'm free as a dove
And living life with ease and unburdened contentment,
Old devil moon
That irresistible force that has me completely under its control,
Deep in your eyes
Exerts its influence from your incomparably beautiful and hypnotic eyes,
Blinds me with love
And I am overwhelmed by the strength of my emotions for you,
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burton Lane, E. Y. Harburg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jackd8602
Saw her in Newport in 1950s. Fabulous still!
@uhoh007
Oscar never could slow down.....draggin poor Anita along.
@sbf516
I stumbled on Anita O'Day because I loved the funny way she looks on her "The Most" album. I love her inflections.
@guitarfoundry
what a line up
@montmorency1950
You could count the number of great (white) female jazz singers on your one hand on a good day and Anita would be one of them. Of course we love and adore all the women of jazz. But I only discovered Anita recently and she is simple so cool.
@donnakaysings
OMG... I don't think there's a better version of this tune! Just listened to Sarah Vaughn's version, which is also incredible.
@douglassharpe55
try Ella live 1968
@popspops819
I’ve loved Carmen McRae,s version since th 50s
@UrsulaPowers
Love it!
@RaySherman1000
Pianist: Oscar Peterson, guitarist: Herb Ellis, bassist: Ray Brown, drummer: John Poole. Composed by Burton Lane, with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, for the 1947 musical Finian's Rainbow.