Chemistry

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Why is it that when you hear a song about sexual attraction, a sultry, smoky jazz song seems to be the perfect genre?

The style of “Chemistry” is a sexual attraction song similar to “Fever” performed by Peggy Lee (smokin’ hot for 1959), Madonna and Beyoncé. In our lives, we meet many people of the opposite sex and dating is the usual ritual. But if there are no sparks, there is no fire, no “chemistry,” and the mystery of love is elusive. This jazzy song features a prominent stand-‐up bass and the guitar has an alternate Bb tuning to emphasize jazz chords. The setting? A smoky bar with low lights. Maybe listen to this song with low lights and a martini?

This song has a long history was was recorded with its original title about churches, called "Show Me A Door" and you can hear it HERE.

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Scroll down to see a video of Paige recording this song at Assembly Line Studio.

Chemistry

1. Could it be love at first sight?
I never believed it before
When you smiled and simply said, “Hello”
What you ignited, I couldn’t ignore

Chorus: Chemistry makes my heart go dancing
Chemistry sparks between me and you
Chemistry locks our eyes together
Hey, can you feel — chemistry too?

2. My heart and my mind keep arguing
Confusing me when you come near
But my mind and thoughts lose every time
My happy heart is thrilled you are here (Chorus)

3. Risking with wild abandonment
My heart is leading the way
And with every touch, I feel so warm
Oh, how I want this fever to stay! (Chorus)

Chorus Tag: Chemistry stops my mind from working
Hoping that love will start coming through
Chemistry makes the whole room vanish
Hey, can you feel the chemistry too?
Sizzling heat between me and you
Could I have love — and chemistry too?

Blog for June 4, 2021: The Story Behind the Song, "Chemistry":

Why is it that a sultry song about sexual attraction best when it's in the JAZZ genre? "Chemistry" is in the same style as "Fever" made famous by Peggy Lee and recorded decades later by Madonna and Beyoncé. I even used the word "fever" in the third verse. Click on the title above and you can hear the song while reading the lyrics.

"Chemistry" has a very long history. It started in 1989 as a songwriting assignment by a local cable television producer who went by the name "Noah Peel" (although I think his name was Michael). He decided to film churches with odd buildings, called "Church Faces". For example, he managed to find a church that had once been a gas station. For the opening song on the show, I wrote, "Show Me A Door" about wanting to find a place to worship God. He gave me full credit when the film was finished. I've looked for it on YouTube, but I think it has gotten lost over time. Years later, I recorded the melody as a smooth jazz instrumental, performed beautifully by Steve Wolfe playing saxophone. It's on my Cappuccino Music CD, and you can hear it HERE (click).

Years later, I realized that the lyrics to "Show Me A Door" didn't really fit the music, so I decided to write new lyrics about "love chemistry" which is not easily explained, only experienced. A face, a gesture, a man's posture can all add up to an immediate attraction, and when it has happened to me, I find that "my heart and my mind keep arguing" as shown in the lyrics. One of my favorite lines in the song is the last line of the first verse: "What you ignited, I couldn't ignore" because I got the "ig" part of two words to match, a fun accomplishment for my songwriter heart.

Can an old song be re-written? Why not?

Your local Singer/Songwriter, Paige Powell