Alvin and the Chipmunks is a popular animated musical group consisting of three chipmunk characters, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. They were created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. in the late 1950s and have since become an iconic part of pop culture. One of their most well-known songs is "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)," which was released in 1958 and became a huge success. Another popular song by Alvin and the Chipmunks is "Witch Doctor." The song was originally released in 1958 and became a number one hit in the United States.

Criss Angel Magic Secrets

Levitation is a big part of Criss Angel's repertoire. He has fascinated crowds all over the globe by floating off the ground, seemingly without any supporting device, special equipment or wires. On his television show Mindfreak he once floated off the ground about two feet and gently landed on a cement ledge to the amazement of spectators on a busy street.

So how is this done? How does Criss Angel levitate himself? It's actually easier than you think. In a recent video Criss Angel shows some of his friends how this is done.

This form of levitation involves standing in front of an prop, like a metal box, chair, or stair case with your back to the audience. In this demonstration Criss stands approximately one foot from the prop, in this case a metal box.

He places his feet together (his shoes are magnetized). He stands so he is in the center of the spectators. Now while talking to his audience he uses misdirection with his right hand while his left hand opens a panel on his pants that allows his right leg to come out.

This is the gimmick, the right shoe is attached to the pants so when his leg is out of the shoe, the shoe will hang.

The critical point is removing the right leg from the slit in the pants. Criss again misdirects. The importance being he doesn't want spectators concentrating on his legs. This is the most difficult part of the trick, actually getting the leg out and firmly planted on the box. Engaging the spectators with speech and hand movements allows Criss the split second needed to accomplish this.

Just before he rises from the ground Criss arches his back looking up, extends his arms outwards and takes deep breaths. This wraps the spectators in anticipation and allows Criss the time to balance himself.

He floats up. His arms outstreached, his eyes gazing upwards. His legs remain straight, heels together, floating two feet off the ground. "How does it look?", Criss asks the three or four friends that have gathered. "Looks good.", someone answers.

Criss explains that from this point he can float to the top of the box or float back down. If he floats to the top his foot is placed on top of the right shoe. The exposed leg is then slipped back into the pants and shoe.

Criss would then end the act by turning to his spectators, observing their expressions and saying something like, "Do you believe?"

How to Levitate Like Criss Angel

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Criss Angel, David Blaine, and many other magicians show off their powers of levitation to television or live audiences. When you see them rocketing high into the air, they are actually attached to an off-camera crane by thin wires, and sometimes surrounded by fake audience members pretending to be fooled. However, these magicians also do smaller-scale tricks, lifting themselves a short distance, and you can learn this technique at home with minimal preparation.

Using Criss Angel's Trick

• Criss Angel has also "levitated" many feet up into the air, but in that trick he is most likely wearing a wire harness attached to a crane. The black clothing, bright sky, and carefully selected camera angles make the wires invisible. [1] X Research source

• You can use alternate methods of attaching the magnets, such as slitting a hole in the interior side of your shoes and inserting the magnets into the pocket.
• Try asking for rare earth magnets or other strong magnets at a home improvement store or online.

• Use dark pants to make the slit less obvious, and wear long underwear, tights, or tight pants underneath that blend in with the pants' color.
• If the slit is very obvious, extend it further downward, then pinch the lower end of the slit and bring it over so the two halves of the pant leg overlap slightly. Sew this material together at the bottom of the slit.

• Use thread that blends in with the color of the pants.

Stand in front of a platform or chair. Although Criss Angel always seems to simply be standing in front of a chair, he's actually using it as a very important prop. Start practicing with low platforms, that you can easily step onto with minimal foot movements. When facing the platform, your back should be facing the audience.

• Face toward the platform (away from the audience), and bring your feet together so the magnets hold your shoes together.
• Slip one foot out of its shoe and through the slit in the pants leg, and place it on the platform in front of you.
• Lean forward and lift your other foot in the air behind you, so you are balancing on one leg.
• Hover for a couple seconds. Move your "levitating" feet and your arms slightly to make this look like a great effort.

• You can instead land back on the ground, but this is harder to pull off convincingly. [3] X Research source Also, if you don't land on the platform, the audience may wonder why it's there, and guess how you pulled off the trick.

Use a video camera or friend to get feedback. Only audience members directly behind you will be fooled by this trick. While practicing, set up a video camera or recruit a friend to watch you behind you and to the left or right. Do this many times, moving the camera or friend each time, so you get a better idea of where the audience needs to stand to be fooled.

• It usually helps if you start doing this as you're walking towards the chair.
• Stress that the audience needs to stay back. Some magicians claim they might fall onto them and injure someone nearby.

Levitating Without Special Materials

• Make sure the audience stays back. If they're antsy, demand space and make a big deal of "searching for the right spot."
• This trick is unlikely to succeed without practicing first. Use a video camera or friend to help you figure out the right angle and control your movements.

Put your heels together and your toes apart. Arrange your feet so your audience can see our entire left foot and the heel of your right foot. The tip of your right foot should not be visible, due to the angle of your body and the left foot placed between you and the audience.

Pretend to make a great effort. Pump your arms up, grunt, or bend your knees. The more you get into your body motions, the more you help your audience convince itself.

Stand on your right toes only. With a final effort, "jump" off the ground an inch or two and hover. In reality, all you're doing is bending your right foot and standing on the toes. Your left foot should stay flat and lift completely off the ground. If your angle is well-chosen, the audience will only see the parts of your feet that are "hovering" off the ground. [6] X Research source

Bend your knees as you land. After a few seconds, bring your feet down and bend your knees and ankles as you "land," as though you dropped from a significant distance.

" The song was originally released in 1958 and became a number one hit in the United States. It features a catchy melody and hilarious high-pitched voices that have become synonymous with the Chipmunks. "Witch Doctor" is a fun and playful song that tells the story of someone seeking the help of a witch doctor to win over the affections of a girl.

Community Q&A

This isn't actually levitating - it's an illusion. But pretending to concentrate might make it more believable.

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While the principle of the trick is simple, it takes convincing theatrics and confidence to pull off. The more you practice, the better you'll get.

Wear socks and underclothes that blend in with the pants, or a second inner layer of long underwear or tights.

The song's chorus, "Oo ee oo ah ah, ting tang walla walla bing bang," has become a memorable catchphrase associated with the Chipmunks. In recent years, "Witch Doctor" gained renewed popularity when it was featured in the 2007 live-action/animated film "Alvin and the Chipmunks." The film introduced a new generation to the beloved chipmunk characters and their unique musical style. The success of the movie led to the creation of several sequels and a television series, further solidifying the Chipmunks' place in popular culture. Overall, "Witch Doctor" is a classic song by Alvin and the Chipmunks that showcases their signature high-pitched voices and catchy melodies. It remains a beloved part of their extensive discography and continues to be enjoyed by fans of all ages..

Reviews for "The Legacy of "Witch Doctor" in Alvin and the Chipmunks' Discography"

1. John - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with the original version of 'Witch Doctor' by Alvin and the Chipmunks. The high-pitched chipmunk voices were irritating and made it nearly impossible for me to enjoy the song. The repetitive tune and nonsensical lyrics didn't help either. It's a shame because I remember enjoying the Chipmunks as a child, but this particular song just missed the mark for me. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a catchy and enjoyable tune."

2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "I cannot express enough how much I disliked 'Witch Doctor' by Alvin and the Chipmunks. The constant squeaky voices were grating on my nerves, and the lyrics were just silly and nonsensical. I cannot understand how this song became so popular. The music itself was forgettable and seemed like a relic from a bygone era. I will absolutely avoid any further songs from the Chipmunks in the future, as listening to this one was a total waste of my time."

3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "I didn't understand the appeal of 'Witch Doctor' by Alvin and the Chipmunks. The song felt repetitive and juvenile, and the chipmunk voices made it difficult for me to take it seriously. While I understand that the Chipmunks are meant to be a fun and lighthearted group, this particular song just didn't resonate with me. I would recommend looking elsewhere for quality music that is more enjoyable and less gimmicky."

Witch Doctor" and Other Alvin and the Chipmunks Songs: A Comprehensive Guide