Inspiration Behind You Can Do Magic:
Following Dan Peek’s departure from the band America, this former soft rock giant went nearly a decade without a hit song. You Can Do Magic was conceived using out of the box thinking. After making a couple of chord changes, the lyrics to You Can Do Magic quickly followed. This song’s meaning refers to a woman who brings the supernatural powers of love.
Biblical Application:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’” 6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land. 7 But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt, Exodus 8:5-7.
Exegesis of You Can Do Magic:
I never believed in things that I couldn’t see
I said, “If I can’t feel it, how can it be?”
No, no magic could happen to me
And then I saw you
I couldn’t believe it, you took my heart
“I couldn’t retrieve it,” said to myself
What’s it all about?
Now I know there can be no doubt
A skeptic of the supernatural. Not believing that he could become a part of a special relationship. This new woman in his life caught him off guard, surprised by this newfound love.
You can do magic
You can have anything that you desire
Magic, and you know
You’re the one who can put out the fire
You know darn well
When you cast your spell you will get your way
When you hypnotize with your eyes
A heart of stone can turn to clay
Comparing this newfound love with magic. This man is smitten by love with a woman who is captivating.
And when the rain is beatin’ upon the window pane
And when the night it gets so cold, when I can’t sleep
Again you come to me
I hold you tight, the rain disappears
This woman has changed this man’s life.
Who would believe it?
With a word you dry my tears
This woman is amazing.
You can do magic
You can have anything that you desire
Magic, and you know
You’re the one who can put out the fire
You know darn well
When you cast your spell you will get your way
When you hypnotize with your eyes
A heart of stone can turn to clay
This woman offers everything that you want in a special relationship. Mature and convincing.
And if I wanted to
I could never be free
I never believed it was true
But now it’s so clear to me
He’s never been in love like this before.
You can do magic
You can have anything that you desire
Magic, and you know
You’re the one who can put out the fire
You know darn well
When you cast your spell you will get your way
When you hypnotize with your eyes
A heart of stone can turn to clay
Repeating the chorus one last time, seeing this new relationship like poetry in motion.
You’re the one who can put out the fire
You’re the one who can put out the fire
You’re the one who can put out the fire
This woman has the ability to cease any kind of anger or tension.
Final Thoughts:
Song writer Russ Ballard compares this relationship to magic. While there are always people that you may meet in life who have magical personalities, God is the one who is the giver of life, James 1:17-18. Like newlyweds on their honeymoon, the reality of married life will become real with challenges. Subsequently, Jehovah Jireh, God provides, is the one who I credit for the blessings in my own life. God is the ultimate source of supernatural love.
by Jay Mankus
