One hails from St. Louis, has a band, and has been quietly and steadily building a fervent following across the country, stepping outside his role as one of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers to front his own band, The Peter Mayer Group. Melding a unique and eclectic writing style, a distinctive voice, and virtuoso musicianship, Peter and his band create compelling and accessible music that is electrifying in live performance.
The other is a folk singer and hails from Stillwater, MN. This Peter writes songs for a small planet—songs about interconnectedness and the human journey; about the beauty and the mystery of the world. Whimsical, humorous, and profound, his music breaks the boundaries of "folk" and transcends to a realm beyond the everyday love song, to a place of wonder at the very heart of life itself.
This second Peter began playing the guitar and writing songs when he was in high school. He studied theology and music in college and then spent two years in seminary. After deciding that the priesthood wasn't for him, he took a part-time job as a church music director for eight years, while performing at clubs and colleges and writing and recording his music. In 1995, he quit his job and started touring full-time. Since then, Peter has gradually gained a dedicated, word-of-mouth following, selling out shows from Minnesota to Texas, New England to California. He has eight CDs to his credit, and has sold over 50,000 of them independently.
Under Your Spell
Peter Mayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it went to France
Ended up in New Orleans doin' a voodoo dance
What game are you playing?
What did you put in my tea?
You got your hands on the steering wheel
Ooh and it's a terrifying me
How was I to know where I should go
And it's too late to tell darling I'm under your spell
Band was playing a tango
In some mysterious key
You and me and your cigarette
Talked poetry
First she took my hand
Took me off my feet
Then she took my pocketbook
No one could identify me
'Cause I'm under your spell
How was I to know where I should go
It's too late to tell darling I'm under your spell
I'm caught by your eye
How was I to see in the pale moonlight
I'm too mystified
Darling I'm under your spell
Three days gone in a minute
A breeze in a hurricane if you spin it
I'm in a hush ever since I caught your eye
Caught in New Orleans in a spell now
'Cause I'm under your spell
How was I to know I should let go
I should let go
The lyrics of Peter Mayer's song "Under Your Spell" present a narrative of an individual who is both mystified and uncomfortable with the way their life has been transformed by a powerful force, presumably a romantic interest. The singer's opening lines describe an unexpected journey that led them to New Orleans, where they participated in a voodoo dance. From there, the scene shifts to a tango in which the singer engages with their love interest while becoming increasingly overpowered by their influence. The singer describes how they become disoriented, robbed, and rapt with poetic talk, ultimately admitting that they are "under [their] spell."
The lyrics reflect on the allure and dangers of romantic love, as the singer is deeply captivated by their lover, but is fearful of losing themselves in the process. The final stanzas of the song highlight this dilemma, as the singer describes how their previous life has slipped away "in a minute," and they are left in a state of confusion and inertia. They are unable to break free of their lover's hold and are resigned to their fate, asking what else they can do but surrender to the enchantment.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught a train to London
I embarked on a journey, presumably to London.
But it went to France
However, the train I boarded went to France instead of London.
Ended up in New Orleans doin' a voodoo dance
The unexpected turn of events led me to New Orleans, where I participated in a voodoo dance.
What game are you playing?
I'm wondering what your intentions are and why you're acting as you are.
What did you put in my tea?
I'm suspicious that you may have drugged me by putting something in my tea without my knowledge.
You got your hands on the steering wheel
I feel like you're the one in control of the situation, guiding the events according to your will.
Ooh and it's a terrifying me
The thought of not being in control of this situation is frightening me.
'Cause I'm under your spell
I feel like there's some kind of enchantment over me, making me do things I wouldn't otherwise.
How was I to know where I should go
I didn't have a clue as to where I should be going or what I should be doing.
And it's too late to tell darling I'm under your spell
Now it's too late to tell you that I feel like I'm being controlled by you in some way.
Band was playing a tango
There was a band playing music, specifically a tango.
In some mysterious key
The music was in a key that was unfamiliar or unknown to me.
You and me and your cigarette
We were together, along with your cigarette.
Talked poetry
We conversed about poetry or spoke in a poetic manner.
First she took my hand
The person who has been controlling me took my hand, possibly to lead me somewhere.
Took me off my feet
This person swept me off my feet, possibly by charming me or using their charismatic powers.
Then she took my pocketbook
This person proceeded to take my wallet or purse from me.
No one could identify me
After my wallet or purse was taken, I became unrecognizable to others who may have known me.
I'm caught by your eye
I'm captivated by your gaze or appearance.
How was I to see in the pale moonlight
I couldn't clearly see your face in the dim moonlight.
I'm too mystified
I'm feeling confused or bewildered about what's going on between us.
Darling I'm under your spell
I believe that this person has some kind of power over me, causing me to act out of character.
Three days gone in a minute
A significant amount of time has passed by quickly, making me feel like it all happened in a flash.
A breeze in a hurricane if you spin it
This situation feels enormous and overwhelming, even though it might look like a small thing from the outside.
I'm in a hush ever since I caught your eye
I've been feeling speechless and unable to speak since I first saw you.
Caught in New Orleans in a spell now
I feel like I'm stuck in New Orleans, under some kind of spell or magical influence.
'Cause I'm under your spell
Once again, I'm expressing that I feel like I'm being controlled by this person.
How was I to know I should let go
I didn't realize that I needed to let go of this situation or person until now.
I should let go
I understand that I need to release myself from this spell and move on from this situation.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MAYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind