About the song
Gene Pitney’s “Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart” stands as a powerful testament to his vocal prowess and emotive depth, capturing the essence of 1960s pop balladry with its stirring melody and heartfelt lyrics. Originally released in 1967, the song underwent a notable resurgence in 1989 when it was re-recorded as a duet with Marc Almond, reaching new heights of popularity.
The song was written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook, prolific British songwriters known for crafting hits across multiple genres. Gene Pitney’s rendition, characterized by his soulful delivery and dramatic flair, imbues the lyrics with a sense of longing and introspection. The song’s narrative revolves around the overwhelming impact of newfound love, expressed through evocative lines like, “Something’s gotten hold of my heart, keeping my soul and my senses apart.”
Upon its original release, “Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart” achieved moderate success, reaching No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. However, it was the 1989 version featuring Marc Almond that propelled the song to greater prominence. The duet topped the charts in the UK, Ireland, and several other European countries, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.
The song was included on Gene Pitney’s album “Just One Smile,” released in 1968, which showcased his versatility as a vocalist capable of interpreting both tender ballads and upbeat pop tunes. Pitney’s ability to convey deep emotion through his music is particularly evident in “Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart,” where his distinctive voice captures the yearning and vulnerability expressed in the lyrics.
Gene Pitney’s collaboration with Marc Almond on the song’s re-release underscored its enduring appeal and relevance, introducing it to a new generation of listeners while reaffirming its place in the annals of pop music history. As we listen to “Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart,” we are reminded of Pitney’s ability to evoke universal emotions through his music, making a lasting impact on audiences worldwide with his heartfelt performances and timeless songs.
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Lyrics
Something’s gotten hold of my heart
Keeping my soul and my senses apart
Something’s gotten into my life
Cutting its way through my dreams like a knife
Turning me up and turning me down
Making me smile and making me frown
In a world that was small
I once lived in a time there was peace with no trouble at all
But then you came my way
And a feeling unknown shook my heart, made me want you to stay
All of my nights and all of my days
I gotta tell you now
Something’s gotten hold of my hand
Dragging my soul to a beautiful land
Something has invaded my mind
Painting my sleep with a colour so bright
Changing the grey and changing the blue
Scarlet for me and scarlet for you
I’ve got to know if this is the real thing
I’ve got to know what’s making my heart sing
You smile and I am lost for a lifetime
Each minute spent with you is the right time
Every hour, every day
You touch me and my mind goes astray