The Magic Tree House: The Musical is an enchanting and captivating stage adaptation of the popular children's book series by Mary Pope Osborne. The musical, which debuted in 2007, has been delighting audiences of all ages with its magical storytelling, catchy songs, and vibrant characters. The story revolves around two siblings, Jack and Annie, who discover a magical tree house filled with books that can transport them to different times and places. Along their incredible journeys, they encounter dinosaurs, pirates, knights, and other fascinating characters from history and literature. The musical brings these adventures to life through lively and spirited performances. The characters are brought to life with vibrant costumes, energetic choreography, and a talented cast that takes the audience on a magical journey through time and space.
Yes, I am a carnival
A house of mirrors
And I will con you
And all my tricks and all my magic
Will keep you dizzy
With desire.
This generation also rejected the traditional belief systems held by their parents and explored different lifestyles and spiritual ideas such as Buddhism, cults, and of course, witchcraft. And while this time period was certainly not the first rise in witchcraft, it did however, happen to occur during a time where music was playing a significant part in the countercultures of that time.
The characters are brought to life with vibrant costumes, energetic choreography, and a talented cast that takes the audience on a magical journey through time and space. The songs in the musical are catchy, engaging, and help to drive the storyline forward. From upbeat and fun songs that get the audience clapping along, to powerful ballads that tug at the heartstrings, the music adds an extra layer of enchantment to the already captivating story.
The complete list of witch songs – with the top 13
This is a list of witch songs. That is, songs about witches. You’ll find these songs in just about every genre from jazz to rock to soul to Broadway to rap, decade after decade, proving the enduring power of the imagery. Especially as a metaphor for the enchantment of love. Often the lure is tinged with danger. Or at least mystery. I’ve selected thirteen of the best, most enchanting tunes for the first part of this post. In the second part you’ll find a compilation of all songs. While many more songs reference witches in passing (like “Sister Janet” by Tori Amos), this list focuses on witches as the main subject of the song. And for the most part, these are the original recordings, not covers.
The player below features snippets of each song. You can listen to the full tracks on my Spotify playlist Songs About Witches.
[Note: This sampler lists a maximum 100 songs from the list. See the complete playlist “Songs About Witches” on Spotify.]
Top 13 Witch Songs
In this list you’ll find classics, the expected, as well as the unexpected. I’ve picked my favorites to represent a range of styles and perspectives.
1. Rhiannon (1975 — soft rock) — Fleetwood Mac, written by Stevie Nicks
Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn’t you love to love her?
2. Witch Queen of New Orleans (1971 — rock) — Redbone, inspired by legend of Marie Laveau
Marie, Marie La Voodoo veau
She’s the witch-queen oh
Of New Orleans.
3. Witchcraft (1957 — jazz standard) — Frank Sinatra, written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh
‘Cause it’s witchcraft
Wicked witchcraft
And although, I know, it’s strictly taboo.
4. Witchy Woman (1972 – rock) – The Eagles, written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon
Woo hoo, witchy woman
See how high she flies
Woo hoo, witchy woman
She got the moon in her eye.
5. The White Witch of Rose Hall (1969 – pyschedelica) – Coven, based on a Jamaican legend
The white witch of Rose Hall
The devil she could call.
6. Burn the Witch (2016 — alternative) — written and performed by Radiohead
Burn the witch
Burn the witch
We know where you live.
7. Beloved Enchantress (2005 — folk) — written and performed by the Moon and the Nightspirit
O, beloved enchantress,
fairest of all,
Scythed empress of the ivory moon.
8. Black Magic Woman / Gypsy (1970 — blues rock) — Santana; “Black Magic Woman” written by Peter Green (1968), first recorded by Fleetwood Mac; “Gypsy” written by Gábor Szabó (1966)
I’ve got a black magic woman
Got me so blind I can’t see
That she’s a black magic woman
She’s trying to make a devil out of me.
9. Witch (2009 — retro 60s swinging pop) — The Bird and the Bee, written by Greg Kurstin and Inara George
Yes, I am a carnival
A house of mirrors
And I will con you
And all my tricks and all my magic
Will keep you dizzy
With desire.
10. Defying Gravity (2003 — Broadway pop) — from the musical Wicked, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
It’s time to try defying gravity
I think I’ll try defying gravity
And you can’t pull me down.
11. Black Magic (2008 — grunge) — Magic Wands
White light my time has come
All night out on the run from black magic
Black magic
Black
Black magic.
12. Wrong Bitch (2016 — rap) — Todrick Hall
Now if you think that this witch won’t expose
The fact that Five-0’s droppin’ houses on hoes
Bitch, you got the wrong bitch.
13. Marie Laveau (2013 — smooth jazz) — Tao of Sound
Standing on the lakeside
The smell of incense in midsummer air.
13 Witches Album
Mysterious, magical, healing, seductive, dangerous, sacred, strange, wonderful… These thirteen tracks portray various characteristics of famous witches from history and legend. Enter the mystical world of the witch and celebrate the divine power of feminine energy across cultures and time. Listen to the album at HearNow. Available at all the usual music retailers and streaming services.
Complete List: Songs about Witches
Jazz
Bewitched (1964) — Steve Lawrence, written by Jack Keller as theme for the TV sitcom
Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead (1961) — Ella Fitzgerald, from The Wizard of Oz
That Old Black Magic (1942) — Ella Fitzgerald
Witch Fire (1960) — Booker Little and Booker Ervin (instrumental)
Witchcraft (1957) — Frank Sinatra, written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh
X Marks the Spot (Marie Laveau) (2002) — Joe Sample (instrumental)
Smooth Jazz
Marie Laveau (2013) — Tao of Sound
Rock & Roll
Big Black Witchcraft Rock (2003) — The Cramps
I’m Your Witchdoctor (1965) — The Yardbirds (written by John Mayall)
Witch, The (1965) — The Sonics
Blues / Blues Rock
Even Witches Like to Go Out Dancing (2010) — Graveyard Train [not available in playlist]
I Put a Spell on You (1956) — Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Marie Laveau (year?) — Dr. John
She’s My Witch (1958) — Kip Tyler
Wicked Old Witch — John Fogerty
R&B / Soul
Mobile Lil the Dancing Witch (1965) — Martha and the Vandellas
Witch Craft in the Air (1962) — Betty LaVette
Witchcraft (1964) — The Temptations
Pop
Alison Gross (1973) — Steeleye Span
Black Magic (2015) — Little Mix
Curse of the Witches (1968) — Strawberry Alarm Clock
Defying Gravity (2003) — Idina Menzel, from the musical Wicked
I Did Something Bad (2017) — Taylor Swift
Rhiannon (1975) — Fleetwood Mac, written by Stevie Nicks
Season of the Witch (1966) — Donovan
Wild Witch Lady (1973) — Donovan [not available in playlist]
Witch (2009) — The Bird and the Bee
Witch in the Ditch (1988) — Erasure
Witches’ Song (1979) — Marianne Faithful
New Wave
Spellbound (1981) — Siouxsie and the Banshees
Wicked Witch, The (2005) — Lene Lovich
Witch in the Club (2005) – Quintron and Miss Pussycat
Witch Is Witch (1996) — Gloo Girls [not available in playlist]
Alternative
And He Slayed Her (2010) — Liz Phair
Black Magic (2008) — Magic Wands
Cut-Out Witch (1996) — Guided by Voices
Demon Woman (2009) — Flight of the Conchords
My Precious (2015) — Soko
Nearly Witches (2011) — Panic! at the Disco
Sad Witch, The (1998) – Hefner
Teenage Witch (2001) — Eels
Which Witch (2015) — Florence and the Machine
Wich is Wich (2011) — Jonny
Witch (1993) — Belly [not available in playlist]
Witch’s Wand (2008) – Sloan
Witches (2011) — Low
Witches (1997) — Switchblade Symphony
Witch’s Rave (1998) — Jeff Buckley
Witch’s Song (1973) — Gong
Witch Hunt Town (2010) — Flight
Wonderful Witches and Language Meanies (2007) – Thurston Moore
Rock
Black Magic Woman / Gypsy (1970) — Santana [“Black Magic Woman” written by Peter Green (1968); “Gypsy” written by Gábor Szabó (1966)] Black Sabbath (1969) — Coven
Come to the Sabbat (1972) — Black Widow
Crimson Witch (1969) — The Moving Sidewalks
Devil Woman (1976) — Cliff Richard
Magic Man (1976) — Heart
My Girlfriend Is a Witch (1968) — October Country
Shockadelica (1986) — Prince
Sisters of the Moon (1979) — Fleetwood Mac
Strange Brew (1967) — Cream
Trick of the Witch (1986) — Poly Styrene [not available in playlist]
Voodoo (1994) — Godsmack
Voodoo Child (1968) — Jimi Hendrix
White Witch of Rose Hall (1969) — Coven
Wicked Annabella (1968) — The Kinks
Wicked Old Witch (2018) — Marky Monday
Wicked Woman (1969) — Coven
Wild Woman (2017) — Sleep Machine
Witch, The (1970) — The Rattles
Witch, The (2008) –- Clinic
Witch, The (1965) — The Sonics
Witch Hunt (1981) — Rush
Witch Queen of New Orleans (1971) — Redbone
Witch Rider (2017) — Audrey Burne
Witch Wolf (1974) — Styx
Witch’s Dance (1994) — Mercyful Fate
Witches Walk (2022) — Goatriders
Witchy Woman (1972) — The Eagles
You Must Be a Witch (1968) — The Weeds
You Must Be a Witch (2004) – Dead Moon
EDM / Electronic
Small Town Witch (2002) — Sneaker Pimps
Voodoo People (1997) — The Prodigy
Witch (2011) — Notic Nastic
Witch’s Invitation (2014) — Mili
Witches (2022) — Access One, MC Prime
Witches Briew (2017) — Katy B
Folk
Beloved Enchantress (2005) — The Moon and the Nightspirit
Roses Blue (1969) — Joni Mitchell [not available in playlist]
White Witch (2017) — Peter Gundry (instrumental)
Wicked Witch (2005) — Demons and Wizards
Witch, The (1972) – Mark Fry
Witch’s Daughter, The (2017) — Ashley Serena
Witch’s Promise (1970) — Jethro Tull
Witch’s Rune (2007) — S.J. Tucker
Witches (1990) — Cowboy Junkies
Witches Reel (2003) — Lucidian
Witches Song, The (1969) — Matt McGinn
Country
Ballad of Annie Palmer, The (1973) — Johnny Cash
J.B. Witchdance (1992) – Masters of Reality
Marie Laveau (1974) — Bobby Bare
Children’s Music
Mad Madam Mim (1963) — from the Disney cartoon movie The Sword in the Stone [not available in playlist]
Rap
Sorceress (2021) — The Bone Man
Witch, The (2004) — Insane Clown Posse
Wrong Bitch (2016) — Todrick Hall
Punk
Witch Hunt (1999) — Misfits
Rock with an Edge (Metal, Thrash, etc.)
American Witch (2006) — Rob Zombie
Angel Witch (1980) — Angel Witch
Bell Witch, The (1993) — Mercyful Fate
Bitch Witch (1981) — Venom
Black Magic (1983) — Slayer
Blood Witch (2006) — Melvins
Burn the Witch (2009) — Queens of the Stone Age
Children of the Night (2019) — Witch’s Mark
Don’t Burn the Witch (1982) — Venom
Isobel Goudie (2008) — The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Marie Laveau (2016) — Volbeat
Moonchild (1988) — Iron Maiden
Mr. Crowley (1980) — Ozzy Osbourne
Naked Witch (2002) — Danzig [not available in playlist]
19 Witches (1998) — Monster Magnet
Virgin Witch (2010) — Rob Zombie
White Witch (1980) — Angel Witch
Witch Alone, A (2019) — Witch’s Mark
Witch, The (1992) — The Cult
Witch Hunt (2007) — Kittie [not available in playlist]
Witchcraft (2010) — Pendulum
Witches (2005) — Candlemass
Witches (year?) — Secret Life
Witchtripper (2012) — Down
Yes, I’m a Witch (2007) — Yoko Ono
Atmospheric
Witch (1977) — Goblin (for the movie Suspiria)
Eccentric
Drowning Witch (1982) — Frank Zappa
I Know How to Hex You (2018) — Twin Temple
Logan Rock Witch (1996) — Aphex Twin
Waking the Witch (1985) — Kate Bush
Noise Rock
There’s Always Room on the Broom (2004) — Liars
2. Witch Queen of New Orleans (1971 — rock) — Redbone, inspired by legend of Marie Laveau
One of the highlights of the musical is the magical set design. The tree house itself is a stunning centerpiece, with its intricate details and hidden surprises. The various time periods and settings are also brought to life through creative and imaginative set designs, captivating the audience's imagination and immersing them in the world of the story. Overall, The Magic Tree House: The Musical is a delightful and enchanting experience for audiences of all ages. It combines the magic of the beloved book series with the excitement and energy of live theater. Whether you're a fan of the books or new to the series, this musical is sure to leave you spellbound and wanting more..
Reviews for "Discovering the Magic Tree House Musical: A Captivating Journey"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House: The Musical". I'm a huge fan of the books and was excited to see this adaptation, but it just fell flat for me. The songs were forgettable and the storyline felt rushed and disjointed. I didn't connect with any of the characters and felt like they lacked depth. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I left the theater feeling underwhelmed.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I have to say, "Magic Tree House: The Musical" was a complete letdown. The acting was subpar and the set design was lackluster, to say the least. The transitions between scenes were clunky and poorly executed. The songs were forgettable and didn't add anything to the story. I felt like the production lacked creativity and attention to detail. I was really hoping for a magical and enchanting experience, but unfortunately, this musical fell short in every aspect.
3. Mark - 2/5 - As someone who grew up reading the "Magic Tree House" books, I was excited to see the musical adaptation. However, I was really disappointed. The songs were forgettable and lacked the catchiness that would've made them memorable. The pacing of the story felt off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The set design was underwhelming and didn't capture the magic of the books. Overall, I left the theater feeling unsatisfied and wishing I had chosen a different show to watch.
4. Emily - 3/5 - While "Magic Tree House: The Musical" had its moments, it didn't fully live up to my expectations. The actors did a decent job, but the songs were forgettable and didn't leave a lasting impression. The set design was simple and lacked the wow factor I was hoping for. The storyline felt predictable and didn't offer any surprises. Overall, it was an okay musical, but nothing exceptional. I would recommend it to die-hard fans of the books, but others may find it underwhelming.