Song Meaning
This song captures the disorienting, intoxicating rush of falling head-over-heels, attributing the overwhelming feeling to a mystical, almost supernatural force emanating from a lover's gaze. The narrator is instantly captivated, feeling bewitched by something unseen but deeply felt. The lyrics paint a picture of a sudden, powerful enchantment that takes hold without warning.
The central tension lies in the irresistible pull of this new romance, contrasted with the narrator's previous sense of freedom. The phrase "just when I think I'm free as a dove" highlights this conflict, showing how quickly that independence evaporates under the influence of the "old devil moon." This moon isn't just a celestial body; it's a potent, almost dangerous enchantment tied directly to the lover's eyes, capable of "blinding with love."
The most striking craft element is the personification of the moon as a "devil" that has been "stolen from the skies" and placed "in your eyes." This metaphor elevates the lover's gaze beyond mere attractiveness, suggesting it possesses a powerful, otherworldly magic that overrides rational thought. The comparison of the lover's "razzle-dazzle" to stars that "can't hold a candle" further emphasizes this unique, overwhelming allure.
What makes these lyrics so effective is their ability to articulate the chaotic, exhilarating, and slightly terrifying sensation of being utterly smitten. The narrator's desire to "cry, wanna croon, wanna laugh like a loon" perfectly encapsulates the extreme emotional swings of new love. The recurring image of the "old devil moon" serves as a potent, memorable anchor for this complex emotional state, making the abstract feeling of infatuation feel tangible and almost magical.