I Get A Kick Out Of You

Song Meaning

Jeri Southern's rendition of "I Get a Kick Out of You" isn't just a breezy jazz standard; it's a wry, sophisticated study in unrequited obsession. The song's narrator, world-weary and seemingly immune to the usual thrills of high society – champagne, cocaine, even the supposed adventure of air travel – finds herself inexplicably captivated by a single, unattainable person. This isn't a love song in the traditional sense; it's an exploration of the peculiar, almost perverse, pleasure derived from longing. The kick isn't in reciprocation, but in the sheer act of seeing the object of affection. Southern's delivery, with its understated coolness, amplifies the sense of detached amusement and ironic self-awareness. The genius of "I Get a Kick Out of You" lies in its subversion of romantic tropes. Where other songs celebrate mutual attraction, this one revels in the asymmetry of desire. The lyrics pointedly note, "You obviously do not adore me," yet this rejection doesn't diminish the speaker's enjoyment. Instead, it seems to fuel it. This hints at a deeper psychological dynamic: perhaps the unattainability is precisely what makes the object so alluring. The narrator's ennui, her boredom with the conventional sources of pleasure, suggests a need for something more challenging, more complex. The unrequited crush becomes a source of stimulation in a world that otherwise leaves her "totally cold." Ultimately, Jeri Southern's version of "I Get a Kick Out of You" serves as a bittersweet commentary on the human condition. It acknowledges the inherent absurdity of attraction, the way we can become fixated on individuals who may be indifferent or even unsuitable for us. The song's enduring appeal rests on its honesty; it dares to suggest that the pursuit of love can be just as intoxicating as the attainment of it, and that sometimes, the most profound pleasures are found in the realm of longing and imagination. The song meaning transcends a simple crush; it's about finding a spark in the mundane, even if that spark is fueled by a touch of masochism.