Blue Magic
Kelly Hogan
The Enchantment of Love: Unveiling the Magic in Kelly Hogan's 'Blue Magic'
Kelly Hogan's 'Blue Magic' is a mesmerizing exploration of love and illusion, wrapped in the metaphor of a magic show. The song opens with a vivid description of a humid night under a full moon, setting a mystical and almost eerie atmosphere. The mention of a 'slight figure made of paraffin' being manipulated suggests a puppet or a wax figure, symbolizing how love can sometimes feel like an enchanting yet controlled experience. The imagery of someone turning its head and pulling its leg further emphasizes the idea of being under a spell or in a state of enchantment.
The second verse introduces a restless crowd and doves flying from a magician's sleeves, classic elements of a magic show. Here, Hogan draws a parallel between the audience's awe and a girl's newfound belief in the magic of love. She has always been skeptical, looking for 'wires' or logical explanations, but now she realizes that true magic doesn't require any. This shift from skepticism to belief mirrors the transformative power of love, which can make even the most doubtful hearts believe in the impossible.
The chorus brings the theme of magic and love to a personal level. Hogan sings about being wrapped in chains and using her brain to make a getaway, yet she willingly becomes a volunteer if the magician can make love disappear. This paradoxical desire to escape yet remain captivated highlights the complex nature of love—it's both liberating and binding. The repeated assertion of 'It's magic' underscores the song's central theme: love, like magic, is an inexplicable force that can enchant, bewilder, and transform us in ways we can't fully understand.