That Old Feeling
Rita Reys & Johnny Griffin Lyrics

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Old black magic has me in its spell
Old black magic that you weave so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
Same old tingle that I feel inside
Then the elevator starts it ride

Down and down I go

Round and round I go
Like a leaf caught in a tide
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name and I'm a flame

Flame, flame of desire
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Oh you're the lover I have waiting for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine

Down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
In a spin lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
In a spin lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name and I'm a flame

Flame, flame of desire
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Oh you are the lover I have waited for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine

Down and down I go
Round and round I go

In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rita Reys's song "That Old Black Magic" is a testament to the power love can have over an individual. The "old black magic" that the singer refers to is the feeling of falling in love and being under someone's spell. The lyricist uses vivid imagery to describe the sensations one feels when in love. The singer describes the "icy fingers up and down my spine" and the "same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine" that one experiences when encountering the object of their affection.

The song's chorus suggests that the singer is powerless to resist the magic of love. She acknowledges that she should "stay away," but cannot help being drawn in when she hears the name of her lover. She describes the physical sensations that she experiences when in close proximity to the person she loves: the "tingle" she feels inside and the way she spirals "down and down" and "round and round" like a leaf caught in a tide.

Line by Line Meaning

Old black magic has me in its spell
Rita is enchanted by someone who has a magical hold on her.

Old black magic that you weave so well
The person who has enchanted Rita has a great talent for using this magic.

Those icy fingers up and down my spine
Rita's feelings are intense and have a physical effect on her.

The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
Whenever Rita looks at the person who has enchanted her, she feels helpless and lost in their power.

Same old tingle that I feel inside
Whenever she is around this person, Rita feels an electric sensation inside her.

Then the elevator starts it ride
As Rita gives in to her feelings, she feels like she's going on a wild ride.

Down and down I go
Rita feels like she is falling into an abyss because of her feelings for this person.

Round and round I go
Rita's thoughts about this person are constantly running in circles.

Like a leaf caught in a tide
Rita feels helpless and carried away by her emotions.

I should stay away but what can I do
Rita knows that she should avoid this person, but she can't help being drawn to them.

I hear your name and I'm a flame
Mere mention of this person's name is enough to ignite powerful feelings in Rita.

Flame, flame of desire
Rita's feelings are so strong that they are like a passionate flame within her.

Only your kiss can put out the fire
The only way for Rita to feel relief from her emotions is by being with this person.

Oh you're the lover I have waiting for
Rita's attraction to this person is so strong because in her search for love, she has finally found the perfect match.

Your the mate that fate had me created for
Rita believes that she was destined to be with this person, as if they were created just for her.

And every time your lips meet mine
Being intimate with this person only intensifies Rita's emotions.

In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Rita is dizzy with feelings of love and isn't sure if she wants to stop spinning.

Under the old black magic called love
Rita is under a spell, where her feelings are both wonderful and all-consuming.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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