Might it be magic? Donna Summer is a famous singer who rose to fame in the 1970s, known for her powerful voice and captivating performances. But beyond her talent and success, there is an intriguing aspect of her career that is often overlooked - her connection to magic. Donna Summer's hit song "Could It Be Magic" became an instant classic when it was released in 1975. The song, originally written and performed by Barry Manilow, was reimagined by Summer and produced by the legendary Giorgio Moroder. What sets Summer's version apart is the magical quality she brings to the song. Summer's interpretation of "Could It Be Magic" takes the listener on a journey, where the line between reality and fantasy is blurred.
In 2001 Ford met Dana Dark, a gothic model and vocalist from Houston, and two others to begin recording ritual workings and the practice of the specific "luciferian" magick. The band recorded several albums from that point on, performing several live rituals. The group practiced magick as a Coven during this time period.
The knowledge and symbolism of the Horned God, Baphomet, the Adversary, Cain, Lilith, The Djinn, Hecate as well as the Rites of the Devil s Sabbat present a layered gateway to forbidden knowledge and the rational philosophy of Luciferianism. Only when reading accounts of the trials during last year s tricentennial did it dawn on me that Sarah Cloyce, accused witch, was the same woman as Sarah Towne Bridges, esteemed ancestor.
Summer's interpretation of "Could It Be Magic" takes the listener on a journey, where the line between reality and fantasy is blurred. With her electrifying vocals and the enchanting instrumentation, she creates an atmosphere that feels otherworldly. The song becomes a spell that transports the audience to a magical realm, where anything is possible.
The Witch of Edmonton
The Witch of Edmonton by Thomas Dekker is a "Jacobean" play, meaning that it was written during the reign of James I of England. Dekker co-wrote this play with William Rowley and John Ford in 1621. Ford co-authored several plays, with six surviving, including The Witch of Edmonton. There are eight surviving plays written solely by Ford. Rowley’s contributions are not as well divided, but he wrote or co-wrote no less than 17 surviving plays. Nearly 20 plays by Dekker were published during his lifetime of 1572-1632. The Witch of Edmonton is classified as a tragicomedy, containing elements of both tragedy and comedy.
The Witch of Edmonton is based on real events in Edmonton, located outside of London, earlier in 1621. Though the play was penned and acted in 1621, it wasn’t published until 1658. Scholars suggest that John Webster may have been a fourth contributing playwright, because Dekker, Rowley, and Ford were working with him on Keep the Widow Waking at the same timeThe Witch of Edmonton was written, and originally, the poets listed were Rowley, Dekker, Ford, "et cetera."
Inspired by the story of Elizabeth Sawyer, a real woman executed for witchcraft on April 19, 1621, as well as Henry Goodcole’s pamphlet, The wonderful discoverie of Elizabeth Sawyer, Witch, written in 1621, The Witch of Edmonton takes a more sympathetic approach to the conviction and execution of Sawyer. Originally performed at the Cockpit Theatre by Prince Charles’ Men on December 29, 1621, The Witch of Edmonton shows how, after being shunned by neighbors, Sawyer sells her soul to the Devil to get revenge.
Elizabeth Sawyer is a poor elderly woman, and therefore lonely and ostracized by the rest of the village. Neighbors accuse her of witchcraft, unjustly. In order to get even with them, Sawyer becomes the witch they accused her being. Tom, a talking dog sent by the Devil, becomes her familiar. Together, Elizabeth and Tom drive one of the accusers to madness and suicide. Elizabeth’s other attempts at revenge are largely unsuccessful because so many of the other villagers are ready and willing to sell their souls to the Devil, as well. Subplots run alongside Sawyer’s that provide commentary on Dekker’s contemporary society.
One such subplot follows Frank Thorney. A farmer’s son, Frank secretly marries Winnifride. Winnifride is poor, but Frank loves her. He also thinks she’s carrying his baby. Frank’s father, who doesn’t know that Frank has married, insists instead that he marry another woman, Susan. Susan’s father is Old Carter, a wealthy farmer. Rather than confess the truth to his father, Frank marries Susan and becomes a bigamist. However, this doesn’t last long as he tries to flee Edmonton, disguising Winnifride as a male page. Susan finds out he’s left and pursues him, so he stabs her. When Tom reappears, the audience is meant to feel uncertain as to whether Frank wanted to stab Susan or whether the Devil made him do it.
Frank cuts himself, though not severely, so that he can feign having been attacked. He tries to accuse two men, Warbeck and Somerton, of killing Susan. Warbeck is Susan’s former suitor and Somerton wants to marry Katherine, Susan’s younger sister. While nursing Frank’s wounds, Katherine discovers a bloody knife among his things. She guesses that Frank is the one who killed Susan and tells her father. Tom appears again, joyful that he’s played a part in Frank’s ruin. With the truth revealed, Frank is sentenced to be executed along with Elizabeth Sawyer. Unlike Sawyer, Frank is forgiven. Winnifride goes to live with Old Carter’s family, so despite the fact that there are tragic elements, the play ends happily for some.
Sawyer is executed as a witch, though this doesn’t rid Edmonton of evil. For one thing, Tom isn’t destroyed—simply banished. He vows to go to London, where he plans to ruin more people. The play also presents the lord of the manor—Sir Arthur Clarington—in a less than favorable light. Elizabeth accuses him of lechery, and it comes to light that he’s had an affair with Winnifride. Elizabeth also accuses him of corruption. This shows a distrust of authority among English common people in the 1620s. The Witch of Edmonton doesn’t suggest that Elizabeth wasn’t a witch, but rather it places the blame not solely on her shoulders, but on those of all in society, granting sympathy to her conviction and execution.
Over the centuries, many families have felt disgrace and distress.
The essence of magic in Donna Summer's music can also be felt in other songs throughout her career. Whether it's the pulsating disco beats of "I Feel Love" or the emotional resonance of "On the Radio," there is a transcendent quality that elevates her music beyond the ordinary. It is as if she possesses a supernatural ability to mesmerize and captivate her audience. But what truly makes Summer's connection to magic fascinating is her personal journey. Born into a devout Christian family, she faced conflicting beliefs about her music and career. The magic in her performances became a way for her to reconcile her faith with her artistic expression. Through her music, she could tap into a spiritual realm that transcended the limitations of traditional religious practices. Donna Summer's music continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day. Her ability to infuse her songs with a magical quality sets her apart from other artists. Whether it is through her spectacular vocals, mesmerizing stage presence, or the ethereal atmosphere she creates, Summer's music holds an enchanting power that defies explanation. So, might it be magic? Absolutely. Donna Summer's connection to magic is evident in her music, performances, and personal journey. She remains an icon of the disco era and a figure who reminds us of the transformative power of music..
Reviews for "Iconic Fashion Moments: The Magic of Donna Summer's Style"
1. John - 2/5 stars - Might It Be Magic by Donna Summer was a disappointing listen for me. The production felt dated and lacked the energy and excitement that I was expecting from a Donna Summer track. The lyrics were repetitive and didn't leave a lasting impression. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable song that didn't live up to the hype.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I have to say, I was extremely disappointed with Might It Be Magic by Donna Summer. The song felt repetitive and lacked any real depth or substance. The vocals were lackluster and failed to capture my attention. It just felt like a generic pop song that didn't really showcase Donna Summer's talent. I was expecting so much more from such an iconic artist and it's a shame that this song fell flat.
3. David - 2.5/5 stars - Might It Be Magic by Donna Summer didn't quite hit the mark for me. While the song had a catchy melody, the lyrics were cliché and didn't offer anything new or exciting. The production felt too polished and didn't allow for any exploration or experimentation. Overall, it was an average song that didn't leave a lasting impression on me. I expected more from Donna Summer and unfortunately, this track didn't deliver.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really hoping to enjoy Might It Be Magic by Donna Summer, but it just didn't resonate with me. The song felt repetitive and lacked any real emotion or depth. The melody was forgettable and the vocals didn't stand out. It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase Donna Summer's talent and I was left feeling disappointed. Overall, it was an average song that didn't leave a lasting impression.
5. Jake - 3/5 stars - Might It Be Magic by Donna Summer was an okay song for me. While it had a catchy beat and an infectious chorus, I felt that it lacked originality and innovation. The production felt dated and didn't really bring anything new to the table. It was a decent track to listen to, but nothing that stood out or left a lasting impression. Overall, it was an average song that didn't meet my expectations.