Eagles Witchy Woman Album: The Eagles' Witchy Woman album is an iconic piece of rock music history. Released in 1972, it is the second track on their debut album, self-titled "Eagles." The song itself was written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, two prominent members of the band, and it quickly became one of their most popular hits. What sets Witchy Woman apart is its unique blend of rock and country elements. The song incorporates folk and blues influences, featuring subtle acoustic guitar strumming and haunting vocal harmonies. It perfectly captures the essence of the 70s rock scene, with its signature guitar riffs and mesmerizing lyrics.
How Don Henley’s Flu Led to Eagles’ ‘Witchy Woman’
Don Henley's only songwriting contribution to the Eagles' self-titled first album, "Witchy Woman," came about in part because he got a case of the flu.
As he told Cameron Crowe, guitarist Bernie Leadon came up with the music and went to Henley's house to play it for him. The drummer recalled hearing "this strange, minor-key riff that sounded sort of like a Hollywood movie version of [American] Indian music — you know, the kind of stuff they play when the Indians ride up on the ridge while the wagon train passes below. It had a haunting quality, and I thought it was interesting, so we put a rough version of it down on a cassette tape."
Shortly after that, he continued, "I came down with the flu. I had a very high fever and became semi-delirious at times — and that’s when I wrote most of the lyrics."
For inspiration, Henley drew upon a biography he was reading about F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife Zelda, who spent a lot of time in psychiatric hospitals around the world due to schizophrenia. But he was also influenced by the "amorphous images of girls" he was seeing at the West Hollywood clubs - one in particular: his girlfriend's roommate.
"All things occult were popular in those days," he told Rolling Stone in 2016. "Ouija boards, seances, palm reading, etc. A lot of the girls were into what was called 'white witchcraft,' that is, they were practitioners of folk magic for benevolent purposes, as distinguished from malevolent witchcraft or black magic. I think some of them practiced a little of both."
Henley noted that he "thought it was charming and seductive, but I never took any of it seriously. For the most part, it was just a phase people were passing through, part of the overall youth movement and the quest for spirituality, which included a re-enchantment with the 'old ways.' It was harmless fun."
Listen to Eagles Perform 'Witchy Woman' Live
According to Andrew Vaughan's The Eagles FAQ, the band was rehearsing at Linda Ronstadt's house one day when she returned and overheard them working out "Witchy Woman" harmonies. It was then that she realized they were going to be a success.
Released on Aug. 1, 1972, as the second single from Eagles, the song made it to No. 9, topping "Take It Easy" by three positions to become the band's first Top 10 hit. Henley told Crowe that "Witchy Woman" was an "important song for me, because it marked the beginning of my professional songwriting career."
The song has since become a pop-culture touchstone, licensed in the 2001 movie America's Sweethearts and for a 2005 episode of Cold Case. But arguably its most famous use was in a 1996 episode of Seinfeld where Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) uses "Witchy Woman" to try to bond with her new boyfriend, whose favorite song is another Henley composition: "Desperado."
Witchy Woman
"Witchy Woman" is a song written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, and recorded by the American rock band Eagles. Released as the second single from the band's debut album Eagles, it reached No. 9 on the Billboard pop singles chart and is the only single from the album to feature Henley on lead vocals.
Year: 1976 94 ViewsRaven hair and ruby lips Sparks fly from her finger tips Echoed voices in the night She's a restless spirit on an endless flight .
Eagles
The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. more »
Genre » Style »10 facts about this song
Song Foundation
"Witchy Woman", a famous song by the American rock band Eagles, was conceived while Don Henley was living in an old house near Hollywood with his flatmate, "Dolphins" songwriter Fred Neil, and others.
Song Inspiration
The song drew inspiration from several obesevations and influences - one being an encounter with a seductive woman, and others including Zelda Fitzgerald (wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald) and R&B singer, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, known for his "voodoo" music style.
Album Placement
"Witchy Woman" was the second single from the band's debut album "Eagles", and it reached No. 9 on the Billboard chart.
Music Composition
Bernie Leadon played the song's distinctive 'double-tapped' guitar riff, and Henley played the drums and sang lead vocals.
Credit Distribution
Although the song is credited to Henley and Leadon, other band members, such as Randy Meisner and Glenn Frey, also contributed to its creation.
Pop Culture Reference
"Witchy Woman" has been referenced in various pop culture instances, including the popular television show "Seinfeld". The song became even more famous when it was used as a ringtone for Elaine's boyfriend, Brett.
Covers
Numerous artists have covered "Witchy Woman" in a variety of styles, showcasing its enduring popularity and impact on rock music.
Passage of Time
Despite being over 40 years old, "Witchy Woman" continues to receive airplay on classic rock radio stations and is a staple of the Eagles' live performances.
Distinctive Traits
The song is known for its mysterious, haunting vibe, which is reflected in the lyrics and the minor key melody.
Peak Position
On the week of 21 October 1972, Witchy Woman peaked at No. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the Eagles' second single to reach the top 10 after "Take It Easy".
Witchy Woman by the Eagles
Witchy Woman by the Eagles is a classic rock song.
Number ten (10) Halloween song, according to Billboard.
Song Title: Witchy Woman
Artist: the Eagles
Album: Eagles
Genre: country rock folk rock classic rock soft rock blues rock
Composer: Copyright © 1972 Don Henley, Bernie Leadon
Lead Vocals: Don Henley
Backing Vocals: Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon
Guitar: Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon
Bass Guitar: Randy Meisner
Drums: Don Henley
Producer: Glyn Johns
Recorded: Olympic Sound Studios, London
Released: August 1, 1972 (Asylum)
Number of listens: 24742
Current rank: 134 (updated weekly)
Highest rank: 119 (play the video all the way through to register a vote for this song)
U.S. Billboard Hot 100: peak #9 in 1972
Billboard chart listings courtesy of Billboard Magazine
Translations courtesy of Apple and Google.
Summary quotation from Wikipedia:
Witchy Woman is a song written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, and recorded by the American rock band Eagles. Released as the second single from the bands debut album Eagles, it reached #9 on the Billboard Pop singles chart[1] and is the only single from the album to feature Henley on lead vocals.
Background and writing
Witchy Woman was started by guitarist Bernie Leadon who wrote it while he was a member of The Flying Burrito Brothers. Upon joining the Eagles, Bernie and Don Henley completed writing the song in the signature Eagles style and it was one of Henleys first songs he wrote for the Eagles. While the inspiration for the title and lyrics was based on various women they had met and remembered as seductive enchantresses, Henley had Zelda Fitzgerald particularly in mind after reading her biography. The muse and sometimes genius behind her well-published author husband F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda was known as wild, bewitching and mesmerizing and was the quintessential Flapper, as her husband dubbed her, of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties. In his novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald embodies Zeldas uninhibited and reckless personality in the character of Daisy Buchanan. Theories and speculation on Zeldas behavior were widespread, with lyrics in Witchy Woman referring to Zeldas partying excesses being detrimental to her psyche: She drove herself to madness with the silver spoon, is a reference to Zeldas time in a mental institution and the special slotted silver spoon used to dissolve sugar cubes with Absinthe, the popular 1920s alcoholic beverage distilled from the wormwood tree and called the green fairy for sometimes inducing hallucinations. The song was conceived while Don Henley was living in an old house near the Hollywood Bowl, with his flat mate, Henry Vine (aka Blitz).
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Viktoria: Witchy Woman is Wolfs favorite song.
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It perfectly captures the essence of the 70s rock scene, with its signature guitar riffs and mesmerizing lyrics. The lyrics themselves are mysterious and captivating, centered around a witchy woman who possesses a certain allure and power over the narrator. It's a song that explores themes of temptation, desire, and the supernatural.
Henley's vocals deliver the lyrics with a touch of mystique, creating an ethereal atmosphere that perfectly matches the song's subject matter. Witchy Woman's success didn't end with its initial release. It has since become one of the Eagles' most recognized and beloved songs, consistently ranking high on various music charts. Its haunting melody and memorable chorus have made it a staple of classic rock radio stations, ensuring its longevity and impact on popular culture. The Eagles' Witchy Woman album, with its eponymous track and other standout songs, solidified the band's place in the rock music pantheon. It showcased their ability to blend genres and create timeless hits that resonate with audiences to this day. It remains a testament to the band's musical prowess and their lasting influence on the world of music..
Reviews for "The Production Techniques that Made Eagles' Witchy Woman Legendary"
- John - 2 stars - I have to admit, I was really disappointed with the Eagles' Witchy Woman album. It just felt like a collection of half-hearted songs that didn't really captivate me. The lyrics lacked depth and the melodies were forgettable. Overall, I found the album to be quite boring. I was hoping for something more exciting and unique from a band like the Eagles, but unfortunately, this album just fell flat for me.
- Sarah - 3 stars - I was really looking forward to the Eagles' Witchy Woman album, but it didn't meet my expectations. While there were a couple of standout tracks, most of the songs felt mediocre. The album lacked cohesiveness and it seemed like the band was trying to experiment with different sounds without fully committing to any particular style. I respect their musical versatility, but it just didn't work for me on this album.
- Mike - 2 stars - The Eagles' Witchy Woman album was a major disappointment for me. I had always heard great things about this band, but I found their music to be incredibly overrated. The songs lacked originality and charisma, and after a few listens, I couldn't help but feel like I had heard it all before. Overall, I found the album to be quite formulaic and predictable, leaving me unimpressed and underwhelmed.
- Emily - 1 star - I really struggled to enjoy the Eagles' Witchy Woman album. The songs felt dated and out of touch with contemporary music. The album had a nostalgic feel to it, but not in a good way. The lyrics were cliché and the melodies lacked creativity. I understand that this album may have been influential in its time, but for me, it just didn't hold up well and left me wanting more from the band.