That Old Black Magic

Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of 'That Old Black Magic' is a timeless exploration of the intoxicating and often uncontrollable nature of love. The song's lyrics vividly describe the overwhelming sensations and emotions that come with falling deeply in love. The 'old black magic' metaphorically represents the powerful and almost supernatural force of attraction and desire that the singer feels. This magic is so potent that it sends 'ice fingers' up and down her spine, a physical manifestation of the intense emotions she experiences when she is near her lover.

The song continues to delve into the cyclical and consuming nature of this love. The imagery of an elevator ride and a leaf caught in the tide illustrates the uncontrollable and dizzying effect that love has on the singer. She feels as though she is on a never-ending ride, constantly spinning and unable to escape the pull of her emotions. Despite knowing that she should stay away, the singer is irresistibly drawn to her lover, igniting a 'burning desire' that only a kiss can quench. This highlights the paradox of love: it can be both exhilarating and consuming, a force that one cannot easily resist.

In the final verses, the singer acknowledges that her lover is the one she has been waiting for, the person she believes fate has destined for her. The repetition of 'down and down I go, all around I go' emphasizes the inescapable and all-encompassing nature of her love. She is caught in a spin, but it is a spin she loves, fully embracing the magic and chaos that comes with being in love. Ella Fitzgerald's soulful and emotive delivery of these lyrics adds depth to the song, making it a poignant and relatable portrayal of the highs and lows of romantic love.