Song Meaning
This live performance intro sets a specific stage: a theater's late-show slot, a character named Fanny waiting for Nicky. The lyrics that follow paint a picture of intense anticipation and a deep, almost supernatural connection. The narrator knows her beloved is near not through conventional signs, but through a sensory overload where the "sky and the ground start in ringing." It's a visceral, almost cosmic awareness that signals his imminent arrival, a feeling so profound it precedes any physical presence.
This heightened state is directly linked to the power of his words. The narrator declares, "His words and his words alone / Are the words that can start my heart singing." This isn't just about pleasant conversation; it's about a specific, singular impact that ignites her spirit. The repetition of "words" emphasizes their unique potency, suggesting a profound understanding or a deeply resonant communication that no one else can replicate. It's this singular ability that defines their connection.
The core of the song's emotional weight lies in this exclusive responsiveness. The narrator states, "And his is the only music that makes me dance." This line is the ultimate declaration of devotion and dependence. The "music" here is clearly a metaphor for his presence, his words, his essence – whatever constitutes him. Only *he* possesses the power to elicit this joyful, uninhibited physical reaction, framing him as the sole source of her deepest happiness and expression.
The outro adds a layer of meta-commentary, referencing the song's history in a Broadway production and its replacement in a film. This contextualizes the live performance, highlighting the enduring power of the song itself, even as its specific narrative placement shifts. The lyrics, however, remain a potent expression of a singular, all-consuming love where one person's presence is the only catalyst for true joy and movement.