About The Song
The song “Love Potion Number 9” was originally written and performed by the Clovers in 1959. However, it became more popular when the Searchers recorded it in 1964. The Searchers’ version reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on Cash Box during winter 1965. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and it’s not related to the popular series “The Searchers.”
The song describes a man’s attempt to use a love potion to regain his place in the dating scene. He visits a gypsy, Madame Rue, to buy the potion. The mysterious elixir’s effects can lead to unintended consequences and a loss of control. The lyrics confirm that the man purchases a love potion from Madame Rue.
Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I took my troubles down to Madame Rue
You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
She’s got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
Sellin’ little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine
[Verse 2]
I told her that I was a flop with chicks
I’d been this way since 1956
She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
She said “What you need is Love Potion Number Nine”
[Verse 3]
She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink
She said “I’m gonna make it up right here in the sink”
It smelled like turpentine, it looked like India Ink
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
[Chorus]
I didn’t know if it was day or night
I started kissin’ everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
[Guitar Solo]
[Pre-Chorus]
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink
[Chorus]
I didn’t know if it was day or night
I started kissin’ everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine
[Outro]
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine