The word magic in songs

Arthur C. Clark said that magic is a science we do not understand. It is perhaps for this reason that we term whatever we cannot explain as magic. It could be falling in love in the most unexpected way or things falling into place in unexplainable ways.

Songwriters have used the word “magic” to refer to various phenomena they cannot understand, but some prefer using it as a metaphor. There are plenty of songs about magic, and here are twenty of them we think are awesome.

20. Magic Stick by 50 Cent and Lil Kim

A very explicit song, with both artists talking about their sexual prowess. Lil Kim even says her sexual skills are so magical that they can afford to buy her mink coats and leather goods. 50 Cent had initially wanted Trina to perform the song but changed his mind to have Lil Kim do it. it was supposed to be on his record, but Lil Kim delayed sending the song to him. Once the deadline passed, 50 Cent allowed her to use it for her album “La Bella Mafia.”

19. Got My Mojo Workin’ by Muddy Waters

“Mojo” allegedly refers to magical charms, specifically those that give men sexual powers over women. It is no wonder that in the song, Waters talks about getting a mojo hand so that women will be at his command. In this context, a mojo hand would probably be an amulet to carry around, and going by the lyrics, it could be four-leaf clovers or dry black cat bones.

Waters sings he has tried all he can but cannot seem to get the girl of his dreams hence he resorts to magical charms. However, the song was originally performed by Ann Cole in 1956 after Preston Foster wrote it. Since Waters toured with Cole, he must have picked it from her.

18. Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf

This is a song that came about purely by chance. The band members were in the studio having fun with the instruments, but the recording engineers loved whatever was being played so they recorded it.

The band ended up with a track with no lyrics. John Kay took the track home and started improvising lyrics, and somehow, “Magic Carpet Ride” was created in about twenty minutes. Allegedly, it is about drug use, and the feeling of being high is like being taken on a magic carpet ride.

17. Black Magic Woman by Santana

Peter Green composed the lyrics to this song but left even before his band, Fleetwood Mac, could record it. According to RollingStone, Green ran into a group of people who practiced black magic and were into the occult immediately after writing this song.

He changed negatively, even rejecting the money from royalties, and eventually was committed to a mental institution. Santana revered Fleetwood Mac and covered this song which climbed to No. 4 in the US and Canada.

16. Puff The Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul & Mary

Lenny Lipton read a children’s poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” by Ogden Nash, and felt inspired. So, when he found himself sitting next to a typewriter, he immediately started typing what would be the lyrics of this song. For some, the song’s title is a metaphor, talking about smoking marijuana. However, Lipton insisted it was innocently about a dragon. The song was covered by different artists. Eventually, it inspired a children’s book of the same title.

15. Don’t Kill the Magic by MAGIC!

MAGIC! Is a Canadian reggae fusion band, and the lead vocalist Nasri Atweh is behind the lyrics of this song. Atweh is known for being the co-writer of some of Justin Bieber’s hit songs, such as “Never Say Never” and “As Long as You Love Me.” He also co-wrote Chris Brown’s “Next To You” and “Don’t Judge Me.” “Don’t Kill The Magic” is from the album of the same name and is one of the four singles. It talks about being ready to do anything for a relationship to go on except giving up on love, the magic.

14. Magic by The Cars

The late Ric Ocasek will always be remembered as a creative songwriter who inspired many musicians including the late Kurt Cobain. He penned this song that topped the Billboard Top Tracks chart and peaked at No.12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The video shows how Ocasek can magically walk on water and others attempt the same feat but plunge into the pool.

Of course, it took a few takes to perfect the illusion. Adam Sandler even found the song perfect for “Click” for the film’s opening scene. The movie is about a magical remote control that allows Sandler’s character to fast-forward through unpleasant scenarios.

13. Love Potion No. 9 by The Searchers

This song is a composition by Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber. It was originally performed by The Clovers, becoming their biggest hit before The Searchers popularized it in the UK with their version. Harold Winley had formed The Clovers in his teens, but even if the song was a massive hit, the band did not enjoy financial success. The lyrics talk about a young man in search of love so he goes to a gypsy for help. The gypsy advises the man to use love potion number nine.

12. Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police

Sting wrote the song in 1976. He had moved to London in 1975 and was broke, but the hopes of forming a band kept him alive. He performed this song at an audition in Zanzibar, a bar in Covent Garden, but was turned down. Eventually, when the band, The Police, came to be in 1977, Sting was the songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist. The song became a commercial success as it became the number-one single in the UK.

11. I Put A Spell On You by Annie Lennox

This song was originally performed by Screaming’ Jay Hawkins. He wrote it in the mid-50s, but when he and his band went to the recording studio, they were drunk. So, the resulting song had lots of grunts and moans. DJ Alan Freed convinced Hawkins that there was no need to clean up the song.

That Hawkins could take up the persona of a deranged and bewitched man; thus, the singer would emerge from coffins with fog machines giving him a ghostly look. He even incorporated some voodoo, such as a bone in his nose. The song talks about casting a spell on a girl so he can have her.

10. A Kind of Magic by Queen

In 1986, the film “Highlander” was released. When Roger Taylor, Queen’s drummer watched it, he was captivated by the phrase “a kind of magic,” which the character Connor MacLeod uses to brag about his immortality. Taylor developed a tune inspired by the phrase, and “A Kind of Magic” was born. According to UDiscoverMusic, Freddie Mercury believed in the song so much that he convinced his bandmates to rework it as a single.

9. Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac

In 1974, Stevie Nicks read a book, “Triad” by Mary Leader, and was captivated by the story of a girl possessed by a spirit called Rhiannon. The name stuck in Nicks’ head, and she knew she had to write a song about it. So, when she began playing the piano, she wrote a song about a woman and birds.

She even recorded birds singing, and only later did she realize that Rhiannon was a goddess of steeds. She would appear when one was in danger, and the person in trouble would black out. Upon waking up, the danger would be gone, and Rhiannon’s three birds would sing as they flew away. This is all in Welsh mythology.

8. Houdini by Foster The People

Mark Foster, the pop band’s guitarist, wrote the song. When asked by MVRemix Rock blog if he were to pick a song from the “Torches” album to sell it, he said it would have to be “Houdini.” He explained that the song represents the different elements in the entire album. Foster once said that it was inspired by his favorite magician.

7. Superstition by Stevie Wonder

Wonder disclosed that he did not believe in superstition hence he penned the song. He continued to explain that he did not believe in what people said about breaking glass or that number thirteen brings bad luck. Therefore, in this song, he is discouraging superstitious people from paying too much attention to things they do not understand because they suffer.

6. Love Sex Magic by Ciara Featuring Justin Timberlake

The song is about getting intimate, and Ciara promises to make the boy believe in love, sex, and magic. She compares his touch to magic as it gets her reacting strangely. Ciara revealed that making the video was the fun part because they had to do many takes with Timberlake biting on her neck, while she licked his ears to visualize the message in the song.

5. A Whole New World by ZAYN and Zhavia Ward

Alan Menken is the composer behind this beautiful piece, while the lyrics were by Tim Rice. According to Playbill, Menken, Rice, and Chris Montan felt something magical with the song featured in “Aladdin.” Menken even said that when he wrote the song, he got on that magic carpet ride metaphysically.

In the 1992 film, Brad Kane and Lea Salonga were the artists, but since then, it has been covered by different musicians. This version by ZAYN and Zhavia Ward has garnered lots of views on YouTube.

4. Magic by Coldplay

For Chris Martin, the love he had for Gwyneth Paltrow, his ex-wife, was like magic, and he did not want to give it up. Unfortunately, things did not work out between them despite trying to salvage their marriage. Eventually, they had to let the relationship, but Martin insisted in the emotional breakup song that he would still love her and did not want anybody else but her.

3. Magic In The Air by Magic System Featuring Chawki

Magic System comprises four men who hail from Cote d’Ivoire. Their start in music was bumpy as published by Redbull Music Academy. From borrowing houses and cars to making their first low-budget video, Magic System has risen to be one of the most popular bands that play French music. “Magic In The Air” was perceived to be France’s lucky song during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Every time France scored, the song would be played, and the France national team “magically” won.

2. Black Magic by Little Mix

If you feel like you are yet to get the man of your dreams, Little Mix came up with a solution; they have the “Black Magic.” One of the group members, Leigh-Ann disclosed that the secret potion they talk about in the song is a metaphor for confidence. The girls believe that if you are confident enough, you can make any man fall for you. However, some fans have misinterpreted the lyrics to be sexual.

1. 24K Magic by Bruno Mars

Good things take time, and this song is the epitome of perfection. Mars does not like to disappoint his fans with mediocre content. So, it took him four years to record a song worthy of being released to the public. Mars encountered writer’s block that almost made “24K Magic” not happen, but the wait was worth it. The song, inspired by the 90’s music scene, topped the charts in different countries, although it peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

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If you are looking for a little magic in your life, especially of the romantic kind, you have a lot of empathy coming from the realm of pop music and rock-and-roll. Heck, even blues musicians and jazz singers contribute songs about magic, spells, and potions. Even the stars need a little magic from time to time.

The desire for a love potion to woo your crush, magic to enlighten a dull relationship, or the feeling that you are under a spell. All the magic-related songs are here in this list. Read on and take a trip through the decades to remember some of the best songs about magic, spells, and potions.

“Love Potion No. 9” by The Searchers

Song Year: 1959

One of the most recognizable songs about magic is about a young man who goes down to a gypsy to get a magic potion for love.

But the potion is a little too strong for the young lad because he ends up kissing everything he can get his lips on.

“I Put a Spell on You” by Nina Simone

Song Year: 1965

Jazz pianist and singer Nina Simone put her spin on this song from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins for an album of pop-oriented tunes.

This song of desire and longing for someone who is more than a little interested in other people became associated with Simone because of her aching vocal that even has a little scat at the end.

“Magic Carpet Ride” by Steppenwolf

Song Year: 1968

One of the original American bad-boy bands, Steppenwolf got a major hit from this song which peaked at number 3 on the billboard and was 16 weeks on the charts.

That’s not a bad run for a song about escaping the confines of reality on a carpet made of sound and possibly a couple of chemical reactions.

“Abracadabra” by Steve Miller

Song Year: 1982

After a run of hits in the 70s, Steve Miller proved he still had it with the song that brought him into the new decade and told of women who make him feel magic in everything about her.

The famous chorus may be less about an actual magic spell and more about him practicing the magic of his own to grab the object of his desire.

“Magic Bus” by The Who

Song Year: 1968

Roger Daughtery from The Who found a magic bus that took him to his sweetheart. But when he tries to buy he is denied at first.

It is unclear how (except by implication from a scattered chorus in which he says over and over that he wants the bus) but he ends up buying it driving his girl around town.

“Black Magic Woman” by Santana

Song Year: 1970

Santana covered this tune originally written by Peter Green (of the original Fleetwood Mac) and smoothed out the rough edges making a hit for the band.

It tells of a man’s struggle against the evil magic of a woman he nevertheless has to have.

“Magic” by Bruce Springsteen

Song Year: 2007

In this song from the Boss, he himself is the wielder of practical magic, using card tricks and the like to impress the person he is talking to.

But his intentions seem dubious at best and the closing verse speaks of a chilly revelation of what is to come.

“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder

Song Year: 1972

This song was a number one hit for Stevie Wonder. Unlike some of the other tunes about magic on this list, Wonder is actually writing against superstition.

Ascribing things to the curse of bad luck has consequences worse than the supposed superstitious outcome it seems.

“Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” by The Police

Song Year: 1981

This is a rare happy, bouncy love song from The Police featuring a keyboard-heavy sound that was unusual for the band.

In this song, Sting sings of a woman whose presence is so charming and overwhelming that it feels like everything she does is born out of magic.

“Got My Mojo Workin’” by Muddy Waters

1956

This Muddy Waters side went on to be a classic blues number sung and recorded innumerable times.

According to African American folklore, Mojo is a bag containing one or two magical items that act as a talisman that can have an influence on others. Waters gets his mojo from Louisiana and it works on all the women but one.

“That Old Black Magic” by Frank Sinatra

Song Year: 1961

That Old Black Magic was written by Harold Arlen in 1942 and has been covered by a who’s who of singers including Bing Crosby to Rod Stewart to Bob Dylan.

This version features Sinatra singing of that old witchcraft that we all know about called love.

“Santeria” by Sublime

Song Year: 1996

Santeria is a folk religion that is a mix of West African and Cuban beliefs plus a bit of Catholicism for good measure.

As such magical rituals and elements are popularly associated with it. While the singer of “Santeria” claims not to practice it, he is nevertheless looking for a magical payoff.

“Do You Believe in Magic” by Lovin Spoonful

Song Year: 1965

Songwriter John Sebastion tries to convince the listener that there is magic in rock and roll and that it will put a smile on your face that you cannot remove.

Of course, the listener is a girl and he wants her to dance with him and you know where that is going.

“Puff the Magic Dragon” by Peter, Paul, and Mary

Song Year: 1963

“Puff the Magic Dragon” is Peter, Paul, and Mary’s classic magical ode to the imagination of a child, bringing a magic dragon to life until the child, Jackie Paper, grows too old for such things.

Over the years many people have believed the song to be about marijuana but that is not true.

“Magic Man” by Heart

Song Year: 1976

This hit from the iconic female rock team of Nancy and Ann Wilson is the story of a young woman caught in the entrancing stare and grip of a magic man that she cannot flee from no matter how her mom worries over her.

This song may not be about the magic of romance, but the magic of entrapment. Either way, the song has an eerie, voodoo kind of feeling appropriate to its subject.

“You Make Lovin Fun” by Fleetwood Mac

Song Year: 1977

Oddly enough, this magical song from Fleetwood Mac was not written by Stevie Nicks, but rather by Christine McVie who sings about the miraculous and magical power of love.

This upbeat tune has a beautiful chorus and a memorable outro making us all believe in the fun magic of love.

“Don’t Kill the Magic” by Magic!

Song Year: 2014

In “Don’t Kill the Magic,” the singer, Nasri, is pleading for a second chance with his lover in a unique way.

He gives his lover permission to take everything from him including such crucial body members as arms and legs but asks her not to take away the magic.

“Voodoo” by Godsmack

Song Year: 2002

Here is a cheerful song about a voodoo ritual involving snake bites and dreaming demons and a singer who feels isolated, beaten down by a rainstorm, and thoughts that he cannot understand.

This is the dark side of magic, so do not put this song on your romantic playlist or you will find the moment to be somewhat tarnished.

“24K Magic” by Bruno Mars

Song Year: 2016

Bruno Mars extolls the magical virtues of money in this song. After all, money has the power to arouse the jealousy of others as well as the ego, as it were, of the person who has the money.

This is especially true when he has girls hanging on each arm, gold around his neck and on his fingers, and a posse of friends to watch his back.

“Voodoo Woman” by Koko Taylor

Song Year: 1975

This song from Koko Taylor eschews the typical voodoo references to men and puts them on herself.

With many magical artifacts commonly referenced in blues songs, she has power that can bring the sky to tears and tell other women if their men are being unfaithful.

“Magic” by Olivia Newton-John

Song Year: 1980

This gentle ballad from the eighties pop sensation is all about the magic of optimism and believing that your time has arrived.

In “Magic” the stars shine on the anointed one who, with Newton-John’s help, will be able to achieve their dream and their destiny.

“You Made Me Believe in Magic” by the Bay City Rollers

Song Year: 1976

In this ballad, the singer admits that it take s supernatural cure for him to be able to stay faithful to one woman.

Of course, the focus of his adoration in this tune has the magical aura that it takes to bring him around to monogamy. All it took was for him to believe in the magic in his life.

“This Magic Moment” by Jay and the Americans

Song Year: 1969

When Jay and the Americans recorded this song by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, they unwittingly created the soundtrack for every pre-teen crush moment in a nostalgic movie about the sixties.

So some of the magic of this song has departed from overuse, but if you can hear it with fresh ears, you can feel the sparkle of the moment they describe.

“3 Is a Magic Number” by Blind Melon

Song Year: 1996

This is a great little tune that Blind Melon covered for a tribute album to the kid’s show “School House Rock.” The song is original to the show and develops examples of that special triune number 3.

In addition to magical examples of the number three, the song goes on to be a math lesson showing different things about the multiples of three.

“Magic” by Coldplay

Song Year: 2014

In yet another song simply titled “Magic,” Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin tells of an attraction so magical that he feels whole when next to his muse even though he was broken apart.

It must be a magical feeling for him to be able to repeat I don’t so many times in a song and still be able to sing it with a straight face. That’s some muse.

“Spanish Castle Magic” by Jimi Hendrix

Song Year: 1967

Here is a classic rock number from the late guitar hero, Jimi Hendrix. “Spanish Castle Magic” mixes Hendrix’s hard-driving rhythms with a story about riding dragonflies through clouds of cotton candy.

Whether he is going to a place called Spanish Castle Magic (the Spanish Castle was a club in Seattle, Washington) or going by the use of Spanish Castle Magic is unclear.

However, like many of Hendrix’s songs, there seems to be an implication that Spanish Castle Magic is best achieved through a chemical reaction of the illicit kind.

“You Can Do Magic” by America

Song Year: 1982

Once again, a nonbeliever in magic is converted into the fold by the magical devices of an attractive lover. Who would have thought?

In this song, the broken-hearted singer is an atheist in the chapel of magic until that special someone comes along, dries his tears, and makes him feel magical again.

“Spellwork” by Austra Hirudin

Song Year: 2011

In this kind of creepy song, the singer has to work spells for her salvation from an unnamed evil.

This song seems less about the nature of the object of the singer’s desire and more about the singer’s willingness to sacrifice herself for that desire no matter what.

“Magic” by Smashmouth

Song Year: 2012

In another song simply called “Magic,” Smashmouth paints the listener a picture of the other side of magic.

In this song, it is not the magic of attraction that has the singer perplexed, but the woman’s magic disappearing act after they spend a couple of days together that has him bewildered.

“The Magic is Still There” by Helen Reddy

Song Year: 1979

Like many people at a certain point in their relationships, Helen Reddy is asking her significant other if the magic is still there.

She reminisces about how magical it was when they were first together, but the memories only make her ask again if they are as into each other as before.

“The Magic Hour is Now” by Hellogoodbye

Song Year: 2013

In this song from the power pop band Hellogoodbye, Forrest Kline sings of the magic hour as the hour when the sun is setting.

This is the hour when he confesses that he wants to be with his lover and watch the sun come together at dawn.

“So Magical” by ATC

Song Year: 2000

ATC makes a magical come on to a former lover in “So Magical.” Like so many others before them, they feel the burden of that magical feeling called love.

Even after it has ended, the singer claims they are like those astral bodies, the sun and the moon and they should not give up the magic they have together.

“Magic” by The Cars

Song Year: 1984

In this song, yet another hormonal young man is wooed by the magical attraction he has with a young woman.

With high heels and a great dress, the magic is so strong the singer, Ric Ocasek, just has to hold her tight.

“Love Sex Magic” by Ciara

Song Year: 2009

This song by Ciara also features Justin Timberlake to create the love, sex, and magic vibe that she describes.

There is no confusion or innuendo here. The two parties are talking about the physical attraction that wants an explicitly physical connection.

“Strange Brew” by Cream

Song Year: 1967

This is the opener from Cream’s classic album of the same name. In it, guitar god Eric Clapton sings of the strange brew that the woman in question mixes up.

Whatever the brew is that the woman is making it will destroy what is inside of the object of her affection.

“Strange Magic” by Electric Light Orchestra

Song Year: 1975

For ELO the magic is different, and decidedly better than what Cream experienced. Strange though it may be, the magic opens up all kinds of possibilities for the singer.

This magical muse is able to create a natural world of meadows and waves and earth in its stone age. That is quite a trip.

“Little Magic Glasses” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1975

Epic singer and songwriter Johnny Cash pens a short moral tale about what he would do if he had a pair of magical glasses that allowed him to see the future.

He would look ahead to see what would happen and he would keep the glasses a secret unless they foretold a time when he would be alone. What would you do with the glasses if that were the case?

“No Potion for the Pain” by the Charlie Daniels Band

Song Year: 1980

The good ol’ boy band led by fiddler and country icon Charlie Daniels burst into the decade of the eighties doing what they had been doing all along, playing hard-rocking country.

This slow blues number is about refusing potions, magical or otherwise. The list includes moonshine and cocaine as well.

“Magical Mystery Tour” by the Beatles

Song Year: 1967

The Beatles were known for writing about all kinds of magical and/or drug-inspired things, but no song is more explicitly appropriate to this list than the title track of the album Magical Mystery Tour.

This is an upbeat tune with roller coaster sounds, making it feel like a true ride through a magic carnival.

“All the Magic” by Natalie Imbruglia

Song Year: 2007

In this song, Natalie Imbruglia sings of magic opening up her heart to love and receive love again.

With natural imagery abounding, magic makes her feel like she is seeing the world for the first time.

“Devil Woman” by Cliff Richard

Song Year: 1976

Superstition drives Cliff Richard to a mystical woman with a crystal ball and the ability to see the future.

But the future turns sour when he realizes that the woman has the same eyes and the black cat that drove him there in the first place.

“Open Your Eyes (Deep Blue Songspell)” by Bea Miller

Song Year: 2014

While the spells are not mentioned in the song, it is clear that Miller intends the song itself to be the spell.

She is calling on her significant other to be the water and light that she thinks they are and fight the darkness.

“Magic Touch” by KISS

Song Year: 1979

It would not be a list about magic if it did not feature everyone’s favorite face-painted band of tongue-wielding rockers.

KISS sings about the magic touch that has a complication. She makes you feel hot with desire while she is cold as ice.

“Me Wise Magic” by Van Halen

Song Year: 1996

In this Van Halen song, David Lee Roth calls on magic to convince the object of his desire to trust him.

This kind of magic has a Buddhist twist at the end in Roth’s claim that it will make itself known in the future.

“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac

Song Year: 2015

It would definitely not be a complete list of magical songs without at least one song from Stevie Nicks, her classic tune “Rhiannon.”

While the word magic is never used, she clearly describes a magical woman who can change shape into a cat and darkness.

“The Magic is Working” by Janet Jackson

Song Year: 1982

This is Janet Jackson’s ode to falling in love. When it happens, it feels like magic that is working on your heart.

Here the magic feels divinely sent and appears in the form of a knight who charms her and changes her life.

“Strange and Beautiful (I’ll Put a Spell on You)” by Rebecca Ferguson

Song Year: 2011

This tune comes from the deluxe version of her album Heaven and is a haunting ballad about wanting the attention of someone who does not love her.

Her solution is to put a spell on him and be the first thing he sees when he wakes up in order to capture his love.

“Potion Approaching” by Arctic Monkeys

Song Year: 2009

The Arctic Monkeys have a contribution to the magic theme as well. In this one, the singer is swept away thoughtlessly into the embrace of another.

When it is far too late, he asks if they should think about this, maybe make some plans for the future, like building a go-kart.

“A Kind of Magic” by Queen

Song Year: 1986

This song by Queen is pretty straightforward. The statement that it is a kind of magic is repeated several times.

It must be a kind of magic that is very strong, but what kind it is and what it relates to is never explained.

“A Cloak of Elvenkind” by Marcy Playground

Song Year: 1997

A few years before The Lord of Rings movies made J.R.R. Tolkien’s elves a byword, Marcy Playground sang this song about an elven cloak.

With the cloak and a bunch of elvish spell books, the singer, John Wozniak, is able to tell something about a certain person.

53 December Will Be Magic Again by Kate Bush

Song Year: 1980

What is magic without the magic of Christmas? That is exactly what Kate Bush sings about in this song.

With a husky dog and a little Bing Crosby, she can see the snow of December coming down to cover up all the dirt and grime of the city.

Best Songs About Magic, Final Thoughts

You probably did not think that there could be so much talk of magic and potions and spells. From The Police to Kate Bush, the music tells it all.

If you cannot find magic in the person across the bar from you, you will definitely find it in this music. I hope you enjoyed these top songs about magic and spells.

P.S. Remember though, none of what you’ve learned will matter if you don’t know how to get your music out there and earn from it. Want to learn how to do that? Then get our free ‘5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career’ ebook emailed directly to you!