Now that it’s October, your playlist deserves a spooky refresh. Lucky for you, I have compiled the 5 best songs written about witches, just in time for Halloween. Witches aren’t strictly concerned with black cats, pentagrams or brooms. Their compelling nature is what inspired these artists to write such great songs about them. Just take a listen. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
#5. “Black Magic Woman” by Santana
“Black Magic Woman” is a Fleetwood Mac cover from the Peter Green era. It was inspired by a woman he was dating, who he referred to as “Magic Mamma”. Green gave the song a very bluesy feel, given his background with John Mayall and & the Bluesbreakers and Eric Clapton. Santana’s version combines an instrumental blend of the 1966 song, “Gypsy Queen” with jazz and latin rhythms. This absolutely enhances the song overall – and it sets it apart from the original. Although, I’m a fan of both interpretations.
#4. “Spellbound” by Siouxsie and the Banshees
“Spellbound” is from Siouxsie and the Banshees fourth studio album Juju. A very fitting title for a record, hence the witchy theme. The song itself has post-punk written all over it. In recent years, it was featured in season 4 of Stranger Things. Duran Duran even released a cover of it back in 2023 for their album Danse Macabre. I particularly love the bassline – and the guitar work by John McGeoch has been praised as being both mysterious and clever.
#3. “Witchy Woman” by Eagles
According to Linda Ronstadt, “Witchy Woman” was the first song Don Henley and Glenn Frey ever practiced together, prior to Eagles even forming. It was co-written by Henley and Bernie Leadon, who would eventually join the band as a guitarist. Leadon had brought the opening riff to Henley, who wrote the lyrics with Zelda Fitzgerald in mind as the witchy woman in question. Eagles have always considered darker themes in their songwriting, and this song is no different.
#2. “Season of the Witch” by Donovan
“Season of the Witch” is probably the most influential pick on this list with regard to the amount of times it’s been covered by other artists. With the company of Lana Del Rey, Joan Jett, Robert Plant and most recently, Alanis Morrissette – this isn’t just any song we’re talking about. Donovan is best known for his contributions to British folk music, but he envisioned “Season of the Witch” as something with more kick to it. The end result is the song as we know it today – a bit of paranoia and a bit of paranormal.
#1. “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac
When Stevie Nicks performs “Rhiannon” live, she introduces it as a song about a Welsh witch. In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon is a determined ruler who is driven by her intelligence, generosity and beauty. The witch part comes from Nicks’ reaction to reading Triad by Mary Bartlet Leader, and the protagonist who is haunted by the spirit of a fictional Rhiannon. The track is beautiful and timeless, and the quintessential witch song. As one of my all-time favourites, this takes first place on the list by default.
For the record, I believe these songs can be enjoyed year-round. So, next time you’re bored of what’s trending on the Top 100, check out some music that is strange and unusual. You can find a more comprehensive Spotify playlist here.
Happy Witching ~
