Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered

Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of 'Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered' is a classic portrayal of the complex emotions that accompany falling in love. The song, originally from the 1940 Rodgers and Hart musical 'Pal Joey', has been covered by many artists, but Fitzgerald's version stands out for its vocal elegance and emotional depth. The lyrics describe a person who is utterly captivated and confused by their feelings for someone who doesn't necessarily return their affections in the same measure.

The opening verses set the scene of someone who has been up all night, possibly drinking, trying to make sense of their emotions. The reference to 'no bromo-seltzer handy' suggests a hangover, but here it's a metaphor for the headache of love. The singer acknowledges past experiences with men, indicating that she's no stranger to love's effects, yet this particular encounter has left her feeling young and foolish again. The repeated line 'Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I' encapsulates the song's theme of being consumed by love.

As the song progresses, the lyrics oscillate between moments of self-awareness and self-deprecation. The singer is aware that her love interest is not perfect, even calling him a 'fool', yet she admits to being charmed and in love. The transformation from being 'bewitched, bothered and bewildered' to a state of wisdom and recovery by the end of the song suggests a journey through the trials of love to a place of self-realization and empowerment. The final verses, with lines like 'Wise at last' and 'Bewitched, bothered and bewildered no more', indicate a release from the spell of infatuation and a newfound strength.