Witchcraft (Book of Love song)

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"Witchcraft"
BOLWitchcratft.jpg
Single by Book of Love
from the album Lullaby
B-side "Enchantra"
Released15 July 1989
Recorded1987-1988
Genre Synthpop, new wave
Length3:41(album version)
3:16 (7" version)
Label Sire Records
Songwriter(s) Theodore Ottaviano
Producer(s) Flood and Ted Ottaviano
Book of Love singles chronology
"Lullaby"
(1989)		"Witchcraft"
(1989)		"Alice Everyday"
(1991)

"Witchcraft" is the seventh single released by the American synthpop band Book of Love. The song was the third, and final single from the band's second album Lullaby , and was released on July 15, 1989.

Contents

"Witchcraft" was the only single from the album Lullaby that failed to make the Billboard charts. [1] The track samples the classic 60s TV series Bewitched , [1] and also chants the names of the witches/characters from the show..."Enchantra, Endora, Tabitha, Esmerelda, Clara, Hagatha". The song features quirky deadpan rap-style vocals from Susan Ottaviano, Jade Lee, and Lauren Roselli, with a Shakespeare-inspired incanting of ingredients for brewing a love potion. [1] Remixes on the 12" single include samples from the track "Let's All Chant" by Michael Zager Band.

The B-side "Enchantra" is a completely different composition, aside from the fact that it uses the chant of Bewitched character names from "Witchcraft".

The cover art of the 12" was done by band members Lauren Roselli and Jade Lee. It consists of a picture of a Play-Doh "queen" (done by Lauren Roselli), with refrigerator magnet lettering of the band's name and song title. Female names included as part of the back cover artwork (Enchantra, Hagatha, Clara, Endora, and Esmeralda) come from the song's chorus. The witches named in the song's chorus are all named as a part of the back cover art except Tabitha. The cover sleeve was featured in the 2011 book Put The Needle On The Record by Matthew Chojnacki, which celebrated the vinyl sleeves of records from the 1980s.

During the band's Lullaby Tour in 1989, when performing "Witchcraft", the band donned witches' hats, making it a fan favorite of the band's live shows. [1]

"Enchantra" has been used as the intro track while the band takes to the stage during Book of Love's 2013 shows.

Track listings

1989 12" maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0)

Side A:

  1. "Witchcraft" (Extended Mix) - 5:15
  2. "Witchcraft" (7" Mix) - 3:16
  3. "Enchantra" - 2:44

Side B:

  1. "Witchcraft" (Enchantra Chanting) - 6:23
  2. "Witchcraft" (Dub) - 5:20
  3. "Witch's Honor" - 0:05 (not listed on the sleeve)

Personnel

"Witchcraft" written by Theodore Ottaviano. "Enchantra" written by Jade Lee and Ted Ottaviano. All instruments arranged, programmed, and performed by Book of Love.

12" sleeve credits

Side A dead wax says: "Miss Lucy’s in Heaven 4-26-89"

Charts

YearSongChart peak positions
US Club Play [2]
1989"Witchcraft"—

"—" denotes that song failed to chart

Official versions

YearVersionLengthMixed/Remixed byComment
1988Album version3:41Alan MeyersonFound on all formats of the album Lullaby .*
19897" Mix3:16Book of LoveFound on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0), and the Warner Bros. promotional CD compilation Follow Our Trax Volume II (1989).
1989Extended Mix5:15Book of LoveFound on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0), the CD compilation Retro:Active3 - Rare & Remixed, and the 2009 reissue CD of Lullaby (Noble Rot).
1989"Enchantra"2:44Book of LoveCompletely different track that utilizes the "Witchcraft" chorus. Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0) and the 2009 reissue CD of Lullaby (Noble Rot).
1989Enchantra Chanting6:23Book of LoveFound on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0).
1989Dub5:20Book of LoveFound on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0).
1989"Witch's Honor"0:05Book of LoveNot listed on outer sleeve. Spoken vocal of "I am a witch and a queen". Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0).
1989The Warlock Edit6:16Jim "Hip-Hop" HopkinsDJ only edit found only on the 1989 promo 2 x 12" vinyl compilation Rhythm Stick 1-8 (Rhythm Stick – RS1-8).
2010Henner & Green Extended Mix8:37Henner & GreenRemix found only on Henner & Green's Remix Weekend (May 2010).*

" * " denotes that version is available as digital download

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Paoletta, Michael (2009). Lullaby (CD sleeve notes). Book Of Love. Noble Rot. p. 2. 2009 reissue.
  2. ↑ Billboard Music Charts - Search Results - Book of Love, Billboard, retrieved 2013-07-02
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