I Put A Spell On You – English Lyrics

• By: Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic journey, and "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins offers a unique opportunity to explore the raw power of emotion in English. The song's simple yet forceful lyrics provide a great foundation for understanding expressions of love and possession. What makes this song truly special is its groundbreaking theatricality and the untamed vocal performance that shattered conventions of its time, making it a pivotal piece in the history of rock and roll.

[English]

I put a spell on you

Because you're mine

Stop the things you do

Watch out I ain't lying

Yeah I can't stand

No running around

I can't stand no put me down

I put a spell on you

Because you're mine

Oh oh yeah

Stop the things you do

Watch out

I ain't lying

Oh oh I love you

I love you

I love you anyhow

I don't care if you don't want me

I'm yours right now

I put a spell on you

Because you're mine

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
spell /spel/ B1	noun - a form of words used as a magical charm or incantation. verb - to write or say the letters that form a word in the correct order.
mine /maɪn/ A1	pronoun - belonging to or associated with me.
stop /stɒp/ A1	verb - bring or come to an end.
watch /wɒtʃ/ A1	verb - look at something for a period of time.
lying /ˈlaɪɪŋ/ B1	verb - present participle of lie (to tell an untruth).
stand /stænd/ A2	verb - have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet. verb - tolerate; bear.
running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1	verb - moving at a speed faster than a walk.
down /daʊn/ A1	adverb - towards or in a lower place or position. adjective - feeling sad or depressed.
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - have a strong affection for. noun - an intense feeling of deep affection.
care /keər/ A2	verb - feel concern or interest.
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - have a desire to possess or do something.
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - morally good, justified, or acceptable.
now /naʊ/ A1	adverb - at the present time or moment.

Key Grammar Structures

• I put a spell on you

  ➔ Simple Past Tense (irregular verb)

  ➔ The verb "put" is irregular and its past form is also "put". This indicates an action completed in the past. The sentence signifies the speaker cast a spell at some point before the present.

• Because you're mine

  ➔ Contraction ('re = are) and Possessive Pronoun ('mine')

  ➔ "You're" is a contraction of "you are". "Mine" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership. It means 'belonging to me'.

• Stop the things you do

  ➔ Imperative and Relative Clause (implied 'that' or 'which')

  ➔ "Stop" is an imperative verb telling someone to halt an action. "The things you do" is a relative clause modifying "things", where "that/which" is implied (e.g., "the things *that* you do").

• Watch out I ain't lying

  ➔ Imperative and Negative Contraction ('ain't')

  ➔ "Watch out" is an imperative phrase urging caution. "Ain't" is a non-standard negative contraction (typically "am not", "is not", or "are not").

• I can't stand no running around

  ➔ Double Negative ('can't stand no')

  ➔ The phrase "can't stand no" is a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English. In this context, it emphasizes the speaker's strong dislike of 'running around'. Standard English would be "I can't stand any running around" or "I can stand no running around".

• I don't care if you don't want me

  ➔ Conditional Clause (if-clause) + Main Clause with Negative Contraction

  ➔ This sentence utilizes a conditional clause starting with "if". "I don't care" is the main clause with the negative contraction "don't" (do not). The if-clause indicates a condition under which the main clause remains true (the speaker doesn't care even if the other person doesn't want them).