Meaning of That Old Black Magic by Bob Dylan

"The Old Black Magic" by Bob Dylan may be a popular song, but its themes go much deeper than what meets the ear. At first listen, one might interpret it as a love song about being under the spell of an irresistible attraction. While that interpretation is certainly valid, let's dive deeper into the standout lyrics to uncover the unexpected and imaginative themes they help develop.The opening lines, "That old black magic has weaved its spell, That old black magic that you weave so well," sets the stage for the song's overarching theme - the irresistible allure of forbidden desires. This theme is further explored in the following lines, "Those icy fingers up and down my spine, Same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine." Here, a sense of danger and forbidden attraction is hinted at, suggesting that succumbing to this magic has consequences.But what exactly is this magic? The lyrics, "Same old tingle that I feel inside, And then that elevator starts its ride, And down and down I go, 'round and 'round I go," introduce an unexpected theme of addiction. The elevator symbolizes the descent into the dark depths of the spell, where one gets caught in a relentless cycle of desire and craving. This addiction mirrors the concept of being under the influence of an addictive substance, only to spiral further and further down.As the lyrics continue, "Like a