"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.
| "Witchcraft" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Book of Love | ||||
| from the album Lullaby | ||||
| B-side | "Enchantra" | |||
| Released | 15 July 1989 | |||
| Recorded | 1987–1988 | |||
| Genre | Synthpop, new wave | |||
| Length | 3:41 (album version) 3:16 (7" version) | |||
| Label | Sire Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Theodore Ottaviano | |||
| Producer(s) | Flood and Ted Ottaviano | |||
| Book of Love singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"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 edit
1989 12" maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0) edit
Side A:
- "Witchcraft" (Extended Mix) – 5:15
- "Witchcraft" (7" Mix) – 3:16
- "Enchantra" – 2:44
Side B:
- "Witchcraft" (Enchantra Chanting) – 6:23
- "Witchcraft" (Dub) – 5:20
- "Witch's Honor" – 0:05 (not listed on the sleeve)
Personnel edit
"Witchcraft" written by Theodore Ottaviano. "Enchantra" written by Jade Lee and Ted Ottaviano. All instruments arranged, programmed, and performed by Book of Love.
- Susan Ottaviano – lead vocals
- Ted Ottaviano – keyboards
- Lauren Roselli – keyboards, backing vocals
- Jade Lee – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
12" sleeve credits
- Produced by Flood and Ted Ottaviano
- Remix and additional production by Book of Love
- Engineered by Doc Dougherty
- Edited by Roger Pauletta
- Mastered at Sterling Sound
- Play-Doh queen by Lauren Roselli
- Art direction by Jade Lee
Side A dead wax says: "Miss Lucy’s in Heaven 4-26-89"
Charts edit
| Year | Song | Chart peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Club Play[2] | ||
| 1989 | "Witchcraft" | — |
"—" denotes that song failed to chart
Official versions edit
| Year | Version | Length | Mixed/Remixed by | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Album version | 3:41 | Alan Meyerson | Found on all formats of the album Lullaby.* |
| 1989 | 7" Mix | 3:16 | Book of Love | Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0), and the Warner Bros. promotional CD compilation Follow Our Trax Volume II (1989). |
| 1989 | Extended Mix | 5:15 | Book of Love | Found 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" | 2:44 | Book of Love | Completely 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). |
| 1989 | Enchantra Chanting | 6:23 | Book of Love | Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0). |
| 1989 | Dub | 5:20 | Book of Love | Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0). |
| 1989 | "Witch's Honor" | 0:05 | Book of Love | Not 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). |
| 1989 | The Warlock Edit | 6:16 | Jim "Hip-Hop" Hopkins | DJ only edit found only on the 1989 promo 2 x 12" vinyl compilation Rhythm Stick 1-8 (Rhythm Stick – RS1-8). |
| 2010 | Henner & Green Extended Mix | 8:37 | Henner & Green | Remix found only on Henner & Green's Remix Weekend (May 2010).* |
" * " denotes that version is available as digital download