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The Dave Brubeck Octet Lyrics


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You go to my head
And you linger like a haunting refrain
And I find you spinning round in my brain
Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne

You go to my head
Like a sip of sparkling burgundy brew
And I find the very mention of you
Like the kicker in a julep or two

The thrill of the thought
That you might give a thought to my plea, cast a spell over me
Still I say to myself get a hold of yourself
Can't you see that it never can be?

You go to my head
With a smile that makes my temperature rise
Like a summer with a thousand July's
You intoxicate my soul with your eyes

Though I'm certain that this heart of mine
Hasn't a ghost of a chance in this crazy romance




You go to my head
You go to my head

Overall Meaning

In the song "You Go to My Head" by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, the singer expresses the feeling of being captivated by someone to the point where their presence becomes all-consuming. The first line, "You go to my head," sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, which describe the way this person haunts the singer's thoughts and emotions. The comparison to a "haunting refrain" emphasizes the persistence of this person's influence, while the image of "spinning round in my brain" suggests a sense of disorientation and even obsession.


The second verse continues the theme of being enthralled by this person, comparing them to an intoxicating beverage. The alliteration of "sparkling burgundy brew" and "kicker in a julep" creates a sense of the luxurious pleasure this person brings, while also highlighting their potentially dangerous effects. The lyrics build to a climax in the chorus, with the singer admitting to being under a kind of spell, but also acknowledging that the reality of the situation may not live up to their fantasies.


The final verse returns to the idea of being overwhelmed by this person's presence, with the comparison of their smile to a hot summer day reinforcing the intensity of the emotions involved. The admission that "this heart of mine hasn't a ghost of a chance" suggests a kind of resignation or fatalism, but also highlights the power this person holds over the singer's desires. Overall, "You Go to My Head" is a song about the way love can feel like an all-encompassing force that takes over the mind and body.


Line by Line Meaning

You go to my head
You occupy my thoughts and constantly preoccupy my mind.


And you linger like a haunting refrain
Your memory lingers in my mind, just like a song's melody that keeps playing in my head.


And I find you spinning round in my brain
You keep spinning in my mind, not letting me forget about you.


Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne
The way you occupy my mind is similar to how the bubbles rise in champagne, with a persistent and effervescent quality.


Like a sip of sparkling burgundy brew
Thinking of you is akin to sipping on a glass of fine wine - the sensation is intoxicating and memorable.


And I find the very mention of you
The mere mention of your name is enough to make me think of you and be reminded of your presence.


Like the kicker in a julep or two
Just like the kicker in a cocktail, the thought of you has a strong impact on me and affects my mood.


The thrill of the thought
The excitement and anticipation of potentially being with you is exhilarating.


That you might give a thought to my plea, cast a spell over me
The thought of you possibly entertaining my request is almost spellbinding and makes me hopeful.


Still I say to myself get a hold of yourself
Despite my infatuation, I am aware that my feelings may not be reciprocated, and I try to control my intense emotions.


Can't you see that it never can be?
I am acknowledging that a romantic relationship with you may not be possible.


With a smile that makes my temperature rise
Your smile has a strong effect on me and makes me feel warm and excited.


Like a summer with a thousand July's
Your presence feels like a whole season's worth of warmth and happiness.


You intoxicate my soul with your eyes
Your gaze is powerful enough to make me feel drunk and enthralled.


Though I'm certain that this heart of mine hasn't a ghost of a chance in this crazy romance
Despite my strong feelings, I understand that this may not work out due to external factors or incompatibility.


You go to my head
You keep taking up space in my mind and don't let me forget about you.


You go to my head
You are a constant thought in my mind and affect me deeply.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: J Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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