I named my blog based on the rock and roll anthem by the Lovin’ Spoonful. However, knowing the song’s meaning and its’ words appear to be a generational thing. So, for the benefit of my younger readers and the older ones who don’t want to admit not really knowing the song, let’s explore DYBIM.

The Lovin’ Spoonful was a NYC based folk rock band from 1965 to 1968. During that time, the band had seven Top Ten hits competing with the Beatles, Stones and other emerging bands from America and England. The quartet, John Sebastian, Val Yanofsky, Steve Boone and Joe Butler, gave us hits in many different styles of music.  Case in point is “Do You Believe In Magic”,

Their first hit in 1965, lyrics below.

Do you believe in magic in a young girl’s heart

How the music can free her, whenever it starts

And it’s magic, if the music is groovy

It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie

I’ll tell you about the magic, and it’ll free your soul

But it’s like trying to tell a stranger ’bout rock and roll

If you believe in magic don’t bother to choose

If it’s jug band music or rhythm and blues

Just go and listen it’ll start with a smile

It won’t wipe off your face no matter how hard you try

Your feet start tapping and you can’t seem to find

How you got there, so just blow your mind

If you believe in magic, come along with me

We’ll dance until morning ’till there‘s just you and me

And maybe, if the music is right

I’ll meet you tomorrow, sort of late at night

And we’ll go dancing, baby, then you’ll see

How the magic‘s in the music and the music‘s in me

Yeah, do you believe in magic

Yeah, believe in the magic of a young girl’s soul

Believe in the magic of rock and roll

Believe in the magic that can set you free

Oh, talking ’bout magic

Do you believe like I believe… Do you believe in magic

Do you believe like I believe… Do you believe, believer

Do you believe like I believe… Do you believe in magic

 Often, when we read the lyrics of a song we discover meanings that we have forgotten over  the years.  There are several memorable lines that jump out to me from, “I’ll tell you about the   magic, and it’ll free your soul, But it’s like trying to tell a stranger ’bout rock and roll,”  to    “Don’t bother to choose, If it’s jug band music or rhythm and blues, Just go and listen it’ll start    with a smile, It won’t wipe off your face no matter how hard you try,”     and,  “Believe in the magic of rock and roll, Believe in the magic that can set you free, Oh, talking ’bout magic.

Music is the soundtrack to our lives, each with a different score but always filled with   songs that touched us, moved us and changed us. The magic comes often                  unexpectedly but is always cherished.  We love live music for how it makes us feel and where it takes us. The Lovin’ Spoonful was onto that. I would highly recommend a tour  of the You Tube history of the Spoonful. There you’ll get reacquainted with “Summer in  the City”, “Nashville Cats”, ” Daydream”(a stoners delight), “You Didn’t Have to be So Nice”, “Darlin’ Be Home Soon”, “Rain on the Roof”, “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind”, “Jug Band Music” and “DYBIM” of course.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Their time together     was short but their impact was large! I believe in the magic and have experienced it      often over the years. Come to think of it, isn’t that why we keep coming back for more? You never know when the next time will be when you experience the magic and share it with your friends!!

As the song says, “the magic’s in the music and the music’s in me”.

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