The song "Incinerate the Witch" is a controversial and thought-provoking composition that has raised many discussions and debates over the years. This song, written and performed by a popular rock band, explores themes of fear, condemnation, and the dangers of mob mentality. At its core, "Incinerate the Witch" is a critique of societal prejudice and the tendency of humans to direct their fear and anger towards individuals who are perceived as different or outside of the norm. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a woman accused of witchcraft, facing a hostile and unforgiving crowd that is willing to resort to violence in order to eliminate what they perceive as a threat. The main idea conveyed in the song is the destructive power of collective fear and the dangers of dehumanizing others based on their differences. The band uses the imagery of burning the witch as a metaphor for the violent and irrational actions that can emerge from a society driven by fear and prejudice.
The band uses the imagery of burning the witch as a metaphor for the violent and irrational actions that can emerge from a society driven by fear and prejudice. Moreover, "Incinerate the Witch" serves as a reminder of the historical persecution and oppression faced by women who were accused of witchcraft throughout various periods in history. It draws parallels between these historical events and contemporary issues surrounding discrimination and scapegoating.
‘Burn the Witch’: Radiohead’s Gorgeous and Scary Comeback Song
A claymation video with a grim plot line accompanies a blessedly straightforward if nerve-wracking tune.
XL Recordings May 3, 2016 ShareRadiohead’s music often works like a puzzle, and it’s not clear whether many people ever solved the one posed by their 2011 album, The King of Limbs, whose funereal swirl only fleetingly provided the beauty and pop payoff that defined the band’s previous work.
Today’s new Radiohead song, “Burn the Witch,” blessedly does not hide its power. Sonically novel yet viscerally moving, gorgeous yet terrifying, it is the sound of Radiohead returning to do what it exists to do. The video is a claymation retelling of The Wicker Man, in which a police officer arrives at a town that is—spoiler alert!—secretly preparing to burn him in a ritual sacrifice. Thom Yorke’s lyrics speak of the kind of mass action and complacency that allows such a crime and, the logic probably goes, many other cruelties committed by societies.
It’s an orchestral pop song, but the orchestra is taking cues from heavy metal, chugga-chugga-chugga-ing the entire time. No wonder: A room full instruments acting frenetically, insistently, and not quite in unison is as fitting an approximation for a bustling murderous mob as any music might provide. Radiohead’s post-Bends interest in fusing acoustic and electronic elements continues with a drum machine and big, dubby low end creating menace and groove. The multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood’s solo and soundtrack work has often sounded like this, but without the girding of a verse/chorus/verse/chorus or Thom Yorke’s spindly melodic sensibility. Perhaps the closest thing in the band’s catalogue to this song would be the similarly roiling and poignant chamber pop “Weird Fishes / Arpeggi” and “Reckoner,” off of 2007’s In Rainbows.
The magic of the song is in large part from how it starts intense but still finds ways to intensify. The anxiety-making central sonic engine keeps thrumming along as the dynamics shift dramatically—higher, lower, quieter, louder. In the second verse, string melodies swoop in to play beautiful counterpoint to Yorke, who’s as mushy-mouthed but strangely catchy as ever. Everything froths together for a nightmarish crescendo at the end, where the video portrays the attempted human sacrifice. Mercifully, a coda in the clip shows the cop surviving. The relief he feels surely is shared by Radiohead fans, glad to have the band back with such an enjoyable and forward-thinking song.
It’s an orchestral pop song, but the orchestra is taking cues from heavy metal, chugga-chugga-chugga-ing the entire time. No wonder: A room full instruments acting frenetically, insistently, and not quite in unison is as fitting an approximation for a bustling murderous mob as any music might provide. Radiohead’s post-Bends interest in fusing acoustic and electronic elements continues with a drum machine and big, dubby low end creating menace and groove. The multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood’s solo and soundtrack work has often sounded like this, but without the girding of a verse/chorus/verse/chorus or Thom Yorke’s spindly melodic sensibility. Perhaps the closest thing in the band’s catalogue to this song would be the similarly roiling and poignant chamber pop “Weird Fishes / Arpeggi” and “Reckoner,” off of 2007’s In Rainbows.
The song's lyrics highlight the lack of empathy and compassion often found in mob mentality, as the crowd is depicted as blindly following the collective anger without questioning the validity of the accusations. This emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and questioning societal narratives in order to resist participating in harmful actions driven by fear and prejudice. Ultimately, "Incinerate the Witch" challenges the listener to reflect on their own biases and the potential harm that can arise from groupthink. The song encourages empathy, understanding, and a refusal to participate in the scapegoating of others. It reminds us of the importance of embracing diversity and fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society..
Reviews for "The Musical Language of Witches: Symbolism in 'Incinerate"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I found "Incinerate the witch song" to be incredibly offensive and distasteful. The lyrics promote violence and hatred towards a specific group of people, which I strongly disagree with. The melody is also repetitive and lacks any creativity. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this song and can't understand how anyone could enjoy it.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the musical arrangement and the vocalist's talent, I couldn't get past the problematic message of "Incinerate the witch song". The lyrics seemed to glorify violence against a certain group, which made me uncomfortable. I believe that music should be used to bring people together, not divide them. Unfortunately, this song missed the mark for me.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "Incinerate the witch song" to be offensive and disturbing. The lyrics promote witch-hunting and violence, which are not values I can support. The melody is forgettable, and the overall composition lacks originality. I would not recommend this song to anyone, especially those who appreciate inclusive and uplifting music.
4. Mike - 2/5 stars - As someone who appreciates music with positive messages, I was disappointed with "Incinerate the witch song". The lyrics seemed to promote discrimination and violence, which goes against the values I hold. While the production and vocals were decent, the questionable message ruined the listening experience for me. I would urge others to consider the impact of the lyrics before supporting this song.
5. Kelly - 1/5 stars - "Incinerate the witch song" left a sour taste in my mouth. The lyrics were offensive and dehumanizing, with an unnecessary focus on violence. Artistic expression shouldn't involve promoting hatred towards a specific group. Additionally, the music itself lacked innovation and creativity, making it even harder for me to appreciate. I cannot recommend this song to anyone.