☝️ Key Points
- The song deals with a deep, unrequited love that leaves the singer in a state of confusion and worry.
- Despite knowing that the woman is unattainable and emotionally distant, the singer can't let go of his love for her.
- The singer describes his insomnia caused by his intense feelings of love.
- He is willing to take the risk of rejection to express his love for her.
- He hopes and longs for his love to be reciprocated someday.
Interpretation
The lyrics of 'Bewitched' by
Frank Sinatra speak of a deep, unrequited love and how it leaves the singer in a state of confusion and unease. The singer describes how, despite knowing that the woman he loves is cold and possibly unattainable, he is still hopelessly in love with her. 'She's a fool and don't I know it' shows that he is aware of her imperfections, but is still attracted to her.
The repeated 'Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I' emphasizes his confused feelings and his inability to let go of this love. The line 'Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep' speaks of the sleeplessness that often accompanies intense feelings of love.
The section 'I lost my heart, but what of it / She is cold I agree / She might laugh, but I love it / Although the laugh's on me' shows his willingness to take the risk of rejection just to express his love for her. The last verse, 'I'll sing to her, bring spring to her / And long, for the day when I'll cling to her' shows his hope and longing that his love will be reciprocated someday. Overall, the song is a portrayal of the complicated and often painful nature of unrequited love.