"Who sang Witchy Woman first" The song "Witchy Woman" was first recorded and released by the American rock band Eagles in 1972. It was written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, both members of the band. The song was included in their debut album, titled "Eagles." "Witchy Woman" became one of the Eagles' early hits and is often considered as a classic rock anthem. The song's lyrics depict a mysterious and alluring woman with supernatural powers, which fits with the overall theme of the song. Don Henley's haunting vocals and the band's signature harmonies contribute to the atmospheric and ethereal feel of the track.

“Witchy Woman” by Eagles

The lady at the center of The Eagles’ “Witchy Woman” is in fact presented as having some characteristics popularly associated with witches. For example, she’s able the ‘fly high’, with the insinuation being that she is doing so magically.

Also, as noted in the second verse, she has the ability to cast spells, particularly on the likes of the singer. But of course these are metaphors, and it is that latter notion which this song is particularly centered on.

In other words, the idea is not to present the subject of this song as being an actual witch. Rather she is a seductress. Thus the spell she had cast on the vocalist was actually akin to seducing him.

But with this lady indeed being a “witchy woman”, he is not celebrating falling victim to her. Rather he is warning the addressee, who is a “brother” of his, to stay strong against her charms. This is due to this woman for instance having ‘slept in the devil’s bed’.

While the exact meaning of that simile is not abundantly clear, it can easily be interpreted as something which is not favorable. Indeed the singer seems to acknowledge her sensual prowess along with the fact that sleeping with her has dire consequences.

“Withcy Woman” was a real person

This song is indeed based on real-life women, though not necessarily anyone in particular. However, when composing the lyrics, Don Henley was reading the biography of Zelda Fitzgerald (1900-1948), who could be classified as a wild girl back in her day. In fact there is a certain line in the song, in which he references the witchy woman ‘driving herself mad with a silver spoon’, which some feel actually alludes to Zelda’s affinity for a liquor called absinthe.

However, others also say this phrase may actually be a reference to an even harder drug. But either way you cut it, the idea is the same. And it is that the “witchy woman” is indeed the reckless, even dangerous type. Moreover Henley also derived partial inspiration for the witchy lady from a girl he knew who dabbled in the occult.

Conclusion

So basically what we have here is a situation where the singer uses the character of a witch to rather point to the idea of a temptress. That is this “witchy” lady does indeed have enchants. But those powers are used to basically get men in bed and leave them in an unfavorable state afterwards.

“Woo hoo, witchy woman
See how high she flies
Woo hoo, witchy woman
She got the moon in her eye”

Facts about “Witchy Woman”

Asylum Records released this song on 1 August 1972 as the second single from the Eagles eponymous debut album. Two other singles, were birthed by this album, including the hit song “Take It Easy“.

“Witchy Woman” was written by two members of the Eagles, Bernie Leadon and Don Henley. In fact this was one of the first songs which Henley wrote that actually went on to be commercially successful.

“Witchy Woman” charted in Canada, the Netherlands and the US and in the latter case peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The producer of this track is Glyn Johns.

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Witchy Woman

Lol, why do people think that mostly all great songs written are about drugs? It really makes me laugh. As for me, I think that this song is about a very "witchy" woman (no pun intended). Because in some cultures, women are described as witches because of their beauty, seductiveness. I think this song is very much about such a seductive, sexy woman. A succubus probably.

Lets be honest most of the greatest songs were written whilst the writer was high

They think that because back in the sixties and seventies this type of hippy code language was in all the great songs almost. I know, I was there and flyin high baby. Dig it? Lucy In the sky with diamonds was about LSD, strawberry fields was a pot thing, and don't even get me started on the Doors. I am not bragging about my drug use, it was stupid and I paid the long term consequences. But you kids now days simply don't get it, and you never will. You had to be there in the moment, part of that rising tide of change. We thought anything was possible, and it was.

@mydoglucky I agree. because if it's about drugs at all, it's funny they never mention it in ANY interview regarding this song.

@mydoglucky interesting take that is heroin. I was thinking the exact same song meaning except I was thinking cocaine due to the fact that people often use a little silver coke spoon to snort coke. That is why Stevie Nicks referred to it in the song Gold dust woman. She has openly admitted she was referring to cocaine. But since you use a silver spoon to heat up heroin that is also a good explanation.

@mydoglucky I agrer with you..
Hhe Blue Oyster Cult song Sinful Love has a similar theme

its about a seductive woman who sleeps around, has apparently killed one of her boy toys, and is addicted to heroine. and it IS about heroine, what other meaning could the line "and she drove herself to madness with a silver spoon" mean? and, "see how high she flies" meaning, see how high she gets. anyway, its got great lyrics, and the song itself is incredible for setting a mood - eerie and sleazy. its energizing but very smooth sounding at the same time. i think the lyrics should actually read "I know you want to love her" not "I know you want a lover".

@AndreAndre it's called absinthe, which traditionally, You use a silver slotted spoon, with an sugar cube resting on it, pour water over the sugar cube through the slotted spoon to drink it.
Absinthe these days is different to how it used to be, which had a lot more wormwood in it when brewed originally, wormwood contains thujone which is known to make you hallucinate, in witchcraft it's a potent dream herb and also known as a nerve tonic. It can be toxic if drank too often.
Furthermore, this is actually the reference the song writer is making, not heroine at all.
The Song writer has actually stated that too.

i dont know if you guys have read Wikipedia,it says this song has something to do with Zelda Fitzgerald. idk if that's right but i do think the idea that this song is about herion is really funny and absured. maybe the line "madness with a silver spoon " is about drugs or something like that,but this is not the main idea of this song.

My interpretation is that the woman is wealthy "drove herself to madness with a silver spoon" not only is she incredibly sexy and seductive to every man she meets, she has power in the sense that she's wealthy. she can do anything. she's flying high with power and sex. She's "witchy" in the sense that she's manipulative, cunning. Sleeping in the devil's bed, possibly means that she gets wealth from one or multiple men she sleeps with. A seductive woman with men and their money at her every whim. It would drive anyone insane.

@sleptxdown the silver spoon reference is referring to either a coke spoon or a spoon used to heat up heroin so it can be shot up.

Its about Stevie Nicks. She & Don had a relationship. Gold Dust Woman-take your silver spoon. Rhiannon about a witch.

The inspiration was apparently Indians (native_Americans for the PC-people) and F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife Zelda Fitzgerald were somehow also behind the inspiration.

An absolute CLASSIC and a very underrated Eagles track. Great Bluesy guitar, one of those songs that must be cranked up real LOUD. I think its just about a woman that can take you over (kinda live the chick in livin la vioda loca. )

Don Henley's haunting vocals and the band's signature harmonies contribute to the atmospheric and ethereal feel of the track. The song also features memorable guitar riffs and a melodic piano intro, creating a distinct sound that became synonymous with the Eagles' style. Since its initial release, "Witchy Woman" has become one of the Eagles' most popular songs, receiving significant radio airplay and remaining a favorite among fans.

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Selected Works: 1972-1999
Greatest Hits [Import]
The Very Best of the Eagles [1994]
The Very Best of the Eagles [2001]
The Very Best Of [2003]
Eagles/One of These Nights
Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) [Remastered]
The Complete Greatest Hits [Warner]
The Very Best Of [2007]
Eagles/Desperado
Eagles [Box Set]

The band's performance of the song during live shows is always met with enthusiasm, showcasing its enduring appeal. Although the Eagles were the first to record and release "Witchy Woman," the song has been covered by various artists over the years. However, the Eagles' original version remains the most well-known and widely recognized. Overall, "Witchy Woman" stands as a testament to the Eagles' musical prowess and their ability to craft timeless and captivating songs..

Reviews for "Tracing the Roots: The Original Singer of "Witchy Woman"

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The True Voice: Identifying the First Performer of "Witchy Woman