Fever

Peggy Lee's 'Fever' is a classic tune that encapsulates the intensity and passion of love through the metaphor of a fever. The song's lyrics convey the physical and emotional sensations that love can induce, likening them to the heat and energy of a fever. The repetition of the word 'fever' throughout the song emphasizes the overwhelming and consuming nature of these feelings. Lee's sultry voice and the minimalist arrangement of the song contribute to the smoldering atmosphere, making the metaphor of fever feel palpable.

The song also references historical and fictional love stories, such as Romeo and Juliet and the tale of Captain Smith and Pocahontas, to illustrate that the fever of love is timeless and universal. By invoking these stories, Lee suggests that the fever of love is not just a personal experience but a phenomenon that has affected lovers throughout history. The lyrics 'Fever isn't such a new thing, Fever started long ago' reinforce the idea that love's fever is an intrinsic part of the human condition.

The closing lines of the song, 'What a lovely way to burn,' encapsulate the duality of love's fever—it can be both pleasurable and painful, but ultimately, it is a cherished part of the human experience. The song's playful tone, combined with its bluesy rhythm, creates a sense of acceptance and even celebration of the fever that love brings, suggesting that the experience of love, with all its highs and lows, is worth the metaphorical burn.