Steve miller Band – Abracadabra
Inspiration Behind Abracadabra:
Steve Miller had been experimenting with his concept for Abracadabra for over three years. Following an unexpected encounter with Diana Ross, the content of this conversation unlocked the creative breakthrough he had been seeking. While Miller struggled to make the music and words work, Abracadabra is a form of gibberish used by magicians when performing a magic trick.
Biblical Application:
“‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. 32 “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord, Leviticus 19:31-32.
Exegesis of Abracadabra:
[Verse 1]
I heat up, I can’t cool down
You got me spinnin’ ’round and ’round
‘Round and ’round and ’round it goes
Where it stops nobody knows
Every time you call my name
I heat up like a burnin’ flame
Burnin’ flame full of desire
Kiss me, baby, let the fire get higher
A new woman in his life makes Steve passionate about life. Interactions with this woman gets Steve excited. Being with this woman is a magical experience.
[Chorus]
Abra-abra-cadabra
I wanna reach out and grab ya
Abra-abra-cadabra
Abracadabra
The presence of this woman is like a magic trick.
[Bridge]
You make me hot, you make me sigh
You make me laugh, you make me cry
Keep me burnin’ for your love
With the touch of a velvet glove
Steve-s love for this woman is on fire.
[Chorus]
Abra-abra-cadabra
I wanna reach out and grab ya
Abra-abra-cadabra
Abracadabra
He can’t control himself when he is in her presence.
[Verse 2]
I feel the magic in your caress
I feel magic when I touch your dress
Silk and satin, leather and lace
Black panties with an angel’s face
I can see magic in your eyes
I hear the magic in your sighs
Just when I think I’m gonna get away
I hear those words that you always say
Images of foreplay during a moment of passion.
[Chorus]
Abra-abra-cadabra
I wanna reach out and grab ya
Abra-abra-cadabra
Abracadabra
Another magical moment.
[Verse 3]
Every time you call my name
I heat up like a burnin’ flame
Burnin’ flame full of desire
Kiss me baby, let the fire get higher, yeah, yeah
Like a high school boy who falls in love for the first time.
[Break]
I heat up, I can’t cool down
My situation goes ’round and ’round
I heat up, I can’t cool down
My situation goes ’round and ’round
I heat up, I can’t cool down
My situation goes ’round and ’round
Repeating a previous stanza to explain how passionate his love is for this woman.
[Outro]
I heat up (I heat up), I can’t cool down (I can’t cool down)
My situation goes ’round and ’round (‘Round and ’round)
I heat up (I heat up), I can’t cool down (I can’t cool down)
My situation goes ’round and ’round (‘Round and ’round)
I heat up (I heat up), I can’t cool down (I can’t cool down)
The presence of this woman completely transforms his mood time after time.
Final Thoughts:
The night before my first day of high school, an interaction with a girl named Debbie made me feel like Steve Miller in this song. Oddly enough, Debbie would often perform seances. I was a follower at this stage of my life. Because of my interest in Debbie, I was a willing participant, unaware of the spiritual ramifications that I would experience later in life. However, this is what love does to men who fall head over heels for another woman.
by Jay Mankus
