July 2019 – J.E.M. Wildfire

My rational mind knows that this week, as every week, Jim Adams chose multiple Song Lyric Sunday theme words: haunted / magic / mystery / supernatural / trick. The only word that registered in my other brain was “magic.” I very briefly thought of remaining true to my Cars and featuring their 1984 hit “Magic,” but I just couldn’t. For me, the only only only song HAS to be “This Magic Moment,” written by lyricist Doc Pomus and pianist Mort Shuman. The song was first recorded in 1960 by the Drifters, sung by the inimitable Ben E. King and peaking at #16 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Of course, I’m including a Drifters video for history’s sake (and for Ben E. King), but their version isn’t MY version. Neither, for that matter, is Lou Reed’s 1995 effort (video also included below for shits ‘n’ giggles).

As far as I’m concerned, “This Magic Moment” really belongs to Jay & the Americans. Whenever I hear their first guitar chords, I am transported back to one magical night early in 1969, when my then-boyfriend gave me his high school ring as “This Magic Moment” played on the car radio. Those blissful going-steady moments ended far too soon when my father grounded me until my 17th birthday, nine months away. Jay Black and the Americans, on the other hand, had many more magic moments that year, with their version of this sweet song peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was their third, and last, top ten hit.

“This Magic Moment”

This magic moment
So different and so new
Was like any other
Until I kissed you

And then it happened
It took me by surprise
I knew that you felt it too
By the look in your eyes

Sweeter than wine (sweeter than wine)
Softer than a summer night (softer than a summer night)
Everything I want, I have (everything, everything)
Whenever I hold you tight

This magic moment (this magic moment)
While your lips are close to mine
Will last forever
Forever till the end of time

(this magic moment)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
(this magic moment)
Oh-oh-oh-oh

Sweeter than wine (sweeter than wine)
Softer than a summer night (softer than a summer night)
Everything I want, I have (everything, everything)
Whenever I hold you tight

This magic moment (this magic moment)
While your lips are close to mine
Will last forever (this magic moment)
Forever till the end of time (magic)

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh (magic)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh (magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (moment)

Oh-oh-oh-oh (magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (moment)

Magic, oh-oh-oh
Magic, oh-oh-oh
Magic, oh-oh-oh (moment)

Jim Adams’ theme this week is Chinese Zodiac Animals. As he points out, there are 12 zodiac animals, each associated with a year in 12-year cycles. Simple? Not exactly. Each year’s zodiac animal is paired with one of five elements: water, wood, fire, earth, or metal. All five elements cycle through each zodiac animal, creating a 60-year element cycle. For example, 2019 is a Year of the Pig and is associated with the earth element. Twelve years from now, 2031 will also be a Pig year but will be associated with the metal element. Since I was born in a Water Dragon year, I looked for songs featuring both concepts.

Bruce Dickinson’s “Tears of the Dragon” fit the bill. Struck by the power and raw emotion of the song’s lyrics, I had no idea Dickinson is a Renaissance man whose primary gig is lead singer of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. “Tears of the Dragon,” the first single from his second solo album, 1994’s “Balls to Picasso,” is not what I would consider heavy metal. Watch the official “plugged in” version, then compare it with an acoustic performance, and judge for yourself. (Lyrics are included in the description of the official video, as well as here.)