Retro Music 17

~ beetleypete

Tamla-Motown had a big impact on my life as a teenager, and quite a few of the songs released by that company will feature here. Written by Smokey Robinson, and recorded by The Marvelettes in 1967, this was a classic song for radio or juke boxes; under three minutes long, and with a catchy chorus. I didn’t hesitate to buy it the same day I first heard it.

You are under my power
It is the power of love
Eyes that hypnotize
And all it takes is just once glance
Just one look at him
Puts me in a lover’s trance
Now listen, no rabbits in his hand
No pigeons up his sleeve
But you better believe (You better believe)
When I prove he can do so much
My baby must be a magician
‘Cause he’s sure got the magic touch
Oh, my morale was low
Then he appeared just like a genie
His love has the power
He’s my private great Houdini
No reading decks of cards
No cords that disappear
No special gear (No special gear)
Like Alladin’s lamp and such
But my baby must be a magician
‘Cause he’s sure got the magic touch
Whenever I’m feeling bad
My baby simply kisses me
And then Presto, Chango, Alakazam
I’m alright again
Oh, yes I am
Yes, I am alright
No mystic crystal ball
No long black flowing cape
But I can’t escape (I can’t escape)
From his tender loving touch
Oh, my baby must be a magician
‘Cause he’s sure got the magic touch
Say, my baby must be a magician
‘Cause he’s sure got the magic touch
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: William Robinson Jr.

28 thoughts on “Retro Music 17”

  3. The Marvelettes were very good, yet Martha and the Vandellas, and the Chiffons, were the best at this. Picture Jennie and her Mermatron friends doing wedding performances. Did you know the Chiffons were on the bill with the Beatles here in America?

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  6. Pingback: Retro Music 17 | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  11. Did you catch the excellent documentary about the introduction of Motown [and how the name Tamla Motown was created specifically for this country] into Britain on BBC2 last week, Pete? If not, it would be worth finding it on iPlayer 😀 Cheers, Jon.

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    1. I did watch that, Jon. I rarely miss anything about Tamla Motown on TV. I agree it was really interesting. My dad worked in the record business from 1959-1980, so I was introduced to a lot of music from the age of 7.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  12. love, love Motown. it’s where I grew up, not to far from Detroit/motown. there is still a small house where it all began, just recently redone, where you can walk in and see where little Stevie wonder banged on the piano and so many of the greats, began their story

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