The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Do you believe in magic?
In a young girls heart
How the music can free her
Whenever it starts
And it's magic
If the music is groovy
It's makes you feel happy like an old time movie
I'll tell ya about the magic
It'll free your soul
But it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
If you believe in magic, don't bother to choose
If it's just 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
Do you believe in magic?
Come along with me
We'll dance until morning, just you and me
And maybe, if the music the right
I'll meet ya tomorrow
So late at night
We'll go a dancin' baby then you'll see
All the magic's in the music and the music's in me, yeah
Do you believe in magic? Yeah.
Believe in the magic in a young girl's soul
Believe in the magic of rock n roll
Believe in the magic that can set you free
Oh, talkin' bout magic
Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe in magic?
Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe in magic?
In a young girls heart
How the music can free her
Whenever it starts
And it's magic
If the music is groovy
It's makes you feel happy like an old time movie
I'll tell ya about the magic
It'll free your soul
But it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
If you believe in magic, don't bother to choose
If it's just 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
Do you believe in magic?
Come along with me
We'll dance until morning, just you and me
And maybe, if the music the right
I'll meet ya tomorrow
So late at night
We'll go a dancin' baby then you'll see
All the magic's in the music and the music's in me, yeah
Do you believe in magic? Yeah.
Believe in the magic in a young girl's soul
Believe in the magic of rock n roll
Believe in the magic that can set you free
Oh, talkin' bout magic
Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe in magic?
Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe in magic?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Do You Believe in Magic Lyrics as written by John Sebastian
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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