Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of a mystical, almost hypnotic experience, beginning with a countdown that ushers in "eastern voices calling." There's an immediate sense of enchantment, with "mystic magic oceans of blue" and "timeless wonders." The dominant tone is one of being captivated, suggesting a powerful, perhaps overwhelming, influence is at play.
The central tension seems to reside in the nature of this "spell." The narrator claims ownership: "When you know the spell you're under Is mine." Yet, this possessiveness is immediately followed by a personal quest for love and "unseen pleasures." This suggests a duality: the narrator exerts control over an external enchantment while simultaneously being driven by internal desires.
The imagery of "golden cats in temples only" is particularly striking, evoking a sense of ancient, hidden knowledge. These cats, like the "giant sea birds" singing to "lonesome sailors," seem to exist in a realm separate from ordinary experience. The shift from the narrator's spell being "mine" to the spell of time being "his" introduces an intriguing ambiguity about who or what ultimately holds power.
This lyrical construction is effective because it creates a sense of alluring mystery. The specific, dreamlike images, combined with the assertion of control that then subtly shifts, draw the listener into a world where reality feels fluid and subjective. It leaves one questioning the source and extent of the enchantment described.