In 1978, A&M Records released Tim Curry's debut solo album. Entitled Read My Lips, the album featured an eclectic range of songs (mostly covers) performed in diverse genre. Highlights of the album are a reggae version of the Beatles song "I Will", a rendition of "Wake Nicodemus" with full bagpipe backing, and an original bar-room ballad, "Alan".
The following year, Curry's second and most successful album was released. Titled Fearless, the LP was more rock-oriented than Read My Lips and mostly featured original songs rather than cover versions. The record included Tim Curry's only US charting songs: "I Do the Rock" and "Paradise Garage".
Curry's third and final album, Simplicity, was released in 1981, again by A&M Records. This record did not sell as well as the previous offerings, due in part to a less appealing, more maudlin sound. This record combined both original songs and cover versions, and is commonly held to be the weakest of the three albums.
In 1989, A&M released The Best of Tim Curry on CD and cassette, featuring songs from his albums (including a live version of "Alan") and a previously-unreleased song, a live cover version of "Simple Twist of Fate".
Curry toured America with his band through the late 1970s and the first half of the 1980s.
Curry's first full-time role was as part of the original London cast of the musical Hair in 1968. Here he first met Richard O'Brien, who went on to create his next full-time and perhaps still most famous role, that of Frank N. Furter in the Rocky Horror Show.
Originally Curry rehearsed the character with a German accent and peroxide blonde hair, but the character evolved into the sly, very upper-class English (He says 'dine' instead of down, 'brine' instead of brown etc) drag-wearing mad scientist incarnation that carried over to the movie version and made Curry both a star and a cult figure. He continued to play the character in London, Los Angeles and New York until 1975.
For many years, Curry was reluctant to talk about Rocky Horror, feeling that it was a trend that had gone too far and had distracted attention away from his later roles. However, in recent years he has been much more open about discussing the show and now recognises it as a "rite of passage" for many young people.
I Put a Spell on You
Tim Curry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better stop the things that you do
I ain't lyin', no, I ain't lyin'
I just can't stand it babe
The way you're always runnin' 'round
I just can't stand it, the way you always put me down
I put a spell on you because you're mine
You better stop the things that you do
I ain't lyin', no, I ain't lyin'
I just can't stand it babe
The way you're always runnin' 'round
I just can't stand it, the way you always put me down
I put a spell on you because you're mine
I put a spell on you. I put a spell on you
I put a spell on you. I put a spell on you
In Tim Curry's rendition of "I Put a Spell on You," the lyrics describe a possessive and jealous lover who has put a spell on their significant other. The first verse sets the tone of the song with the repetition of "I put a spell on you because you're mine," emphasizing the possessive nature of the singer. They then proceed to demand that their lover stop their behavior, setting aside any ambiguity about what it is they don't like. The phrases "I ain't lyin', no, I ain't lyin'" could represent the singer's desperation and earnestness to be taken seriously.
The second verse further expands on the lyrics with "the way you're always runnin' round" and "the way you always put me down," emphasizing how the lover's behavior is driving the singer crazy. The repeated line "I put a spell on you because you're mine" is almost like a threat, warning their lover to not continue their behavior.
Overall, the lyrics showcase a possessive and controlling lover who will do anything - even put a spell on their significant other - to keep them in line.
Line by Line Meaning
I put a spell on you because you're mine
I used magic to enchant you because I possess you
You better stop the things that you do
Cease your actions or suffer the consequences
I ain't lyin', no, I ain't lyin'
I am telling you the truth and nothing but the truth
I just can't stand it babe
I cannot tolerate your behavior
The way you're always runnin' 'round
Your constant movement and lack of commitment is vexing
I just can't stand it, the way you always put me down
Your constant belittling and discouraging attitude towards me is intolerable
I put a spell on you. I put a spell on you
Again, I reiterate that I have used magic to control you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jay Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Louie
the fact this isn't on spotify is a hate crime
J. R.G.B.
I want Curry for life. On my chicken, on my screen, and on my silver screen!
great scott!
if you guys are new and are coming from the guys tiktok i recommend checking out tim’s other music too!🥰 he’s great! the song most similar to theirs one would be ‘out of pawn’ enjoy!!
Apollo S. Vaiou
I really loved his acting career... but his singing one , makes him an.IDOL !!
Fanny García
Of course he put a spell on me. I'm hypnotized with his beautiful voice 🥴
Heather McGuirk
Right? Devastating.
suviannina
I get shivers all over my spine..damn, his voice melts my insides <3
Hoopla!
l love pretty much everything he sings but his voice was made for this genre
Lani Carey-Peacher
I have goosebumps. Damn it Mr Curry.
Alice lockwood
his scintillating voice ricochets into my very soul, its the perfect rendition of the song in my mind