Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
That Old Black Magic
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
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That old black magic that you weave so well
I got those icy, icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
The same old tingle that I feel inside
And then that elevator starts its ride
And down and down I go, all round I go
Well, I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name, and I'm aflame
Aflame with such a burning desire
That only your kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss
Can put out the fire
You are the lover I have waited for
You are the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Darling, down and down I go, 'round and 'round I go
Like a leaf that's caught in the tide
Well, I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name, and I'm aflame
Aflame with such a burning desire
That only your kiss
Put out the fire
You are the lover, lover, lover, that I have waited for
You are the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Baby, down and down and down I go, 'round and 'round and 'round I go
In a spin, ooh, I'm loving the spin that I'm in
Ooh, under that old black magic called
You're a dirty robber
Old black magic called, oh oh, get out the car
Old black magic called, meanwhile back at the ranch
Under that old black magic called love
The lyrics of Sammy Davis Jr.'s song That Old Black Magic describe the feelings of complete enchantment and attraction that love can create. The use of the metaphor of black magic implies that the attraction between the two characters is both irresistible and dangerous. The lyrics suggest that the man is completely under the spell of the woman's love, and no matter how much he tries to resist or stay away, he is powerless to do so. He compares his feelings to being caught in a tide or on an elevator that he has no control over, and that every time they kiss, he becomes more and more entranced.
The repetition of the phrase "Down and down I go, 'round and 'round I go" emphasizes the circular and all-encompassing nature of the attraction they feel. Furthermore, the use of imagery such as "icy fingers up and down my spine" and "aflame with such a burning desire" highlights the overwhelming and intense nature of their passion. The lyrics portray the notion that fate brought them together, and that they are destined to be together no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
That old black magic has me in its spell
I am completely under your spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
You are so skilled at enchanting me with your magic
I got those icy, icy fingers up and down my spine
Your touch sends shivers up and down my body
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
The power of your gaze has the same effect on me every time
The same old tingle that I feel inside
I still feel the same excitement inside when I'm with you
And then that elevator starts its ride
My emotions take control, like an elevator ride
And down and down I go, all round I go
I feel out of control and completely caught up in my feelings
Like a leaf that's caught in the tide
I feel helpless and carried away, like a leaf caught in a river's current
Well, I should stay away but what can I do
I know I should stay away from you, but I can't resist your magic
I hear your name, and I'm aflame
Your name alone ignites a passionate fire inside me
Aflame with such a burning desire
My desire for you burns hot and intense
That only your kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss
Only your kisses have the power to cool and soothe this burning desire
Can put out the fire
Only your kisses can help me regain control and put out this fire
You are the lover I have waited for
You are the love I've been waiting all my life for
You are the mate that fate had me created for
We were destined to be together, it was fate that brought us together
And every time your lips meet mine
Every time we kiss, I feel swept away by your magic
Darling, down and down I go, 'round and 'round I go
Being with you is like a dizzying ride, my emotions swirling round and round
Like a leaf that's caught in the tide
I feel helpless and carried away, like a leaf caught in a river's current
Baby, down and down and down I go, 'round and 'round and 'round I go
I am constantly falling for you, spinning in a loop of love
In a spin, ooh, I'm loving the spin that I'm in
Even though my emotions are in a whirl, I am loving every moment of it
Ooh, under that old black magic called
I am under your spell and it feels magical
You're a dirty robber
You stole my heart, and I don't want it back
Old black magic called, oh oh, get out the car
I am so in love with you that I want to spend every moment with you
Old black magic called, meanwhile back at the ranch
While others may be going about their lives, I am free-falling under your spell
Under that old black magic called love
I am so in love with you that nothing else seems to matter
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind