The World's Catchiest Songs: Scientific Study!

By Nicholas Stix

In New York City, a scientist conducted a scientific study, to scientifically determine what the world's catchiest song is.

Here is the first result of my, er, the scientist’s research: 20. “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.”

The best version is Ella Fitzgerald singing with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, probably with an arrangement by Riddle, who was the greatest arranger of his, or any other generation. However, the Kopyright Kops got to that Youtube posting very recently, and had it taken down. However, I was able to find this version, with Fitzgerald accompanied by Oscar Peterson, who was probably the greatest accompanist she ever had.
 

20. “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” as sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Accompanied by Oscar Peterson

 


Published on October 17, 2013 by Okmusix.
 

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz (Larry) Hart

After one whole quart of brandy,
Like a daisy, I'm awake,
With no bromo-seltzer handy,
I don't even shake.

Men are not a new sensation,
I've done pretty well I think,
But this half-pint imitation,
Put me on the blink.

I'm wild again, beguiled again,
A simpering, whimpering child again,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I.

Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep,
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep,
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I.

Lost my heart, but what of it?
He is cold, I agree,
He can laugh, but I love it,
Although the laugh's on me.

I'll sing to him, each spring to him,
And long for the day when I'll cling to him,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I.

He's a fool, and don't I know it,
But a fool can have his charms,
I'm in love, and don't I show it,
Like a babe in arms.

Love's the same old sad sensation,
Lately I've not slept a wink,
Since this half-pint imitation,
Put me on the blink.

I've sinned a lot, I mean a lot,
But I'm like sweet seventeen a lot,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I.

I'll sing to him, each spring to him,
And worship the trousers that cling to him,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I.

When he talks, he is seeking,
Words to get off his chest,
Horizontally speaking, he's at his very best.

Vexed again, perplexed again,
Thank God, I can be oversexed again,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I.

Wise at last, my eyes at last,
Are cutting you down to your size at last,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more.

Burned a lot, but learned a lot.
And now you are broke, so you earned a lot,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more.

Couldn't eat, was dyspeptic,
Life was so hard to bear,
Now my heart's antiseptic,
Since you moved out of there.

Romance, finis, your chance, finis,
Those ants that invaded my pants, finis,
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered no more.
 

Thanks to Lyrics 007.