"Burn the Witch" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead. It was released as the lead single from their ninth studio album, "A Moon Shaped Pool," in May 2016. The track was highly anticipated by fans, as it marked the band's first release in over five years. The song blends elements of baroque pop and orchestral rock, creating a haunting and eerie atmosphere. It opens with a series of orchestral strings, which serve as the backbone of the track. The lyrics, written by Radiohead's lead singer Thom Yorke, touch on themes of paranoia, control, and the dangers of groupthink.
In April 2016, fans who had previously made orders from Radiohead received embossed cards in the post with lyrics from the song:
He cited the song Nude , released on Radiohead s 2007 album In Rainbows but written 12 years prior, as an example of a song that took several years to complete. Teased since the mid- 00s, the song finds Thom Yorke intoning ominous commands like Stay in the shadows Cheer at the gallows and Abandon all reason Avoid all eye contact.
The lyrics, written by Radiohead's lead singer Thom Yorke, touch on themes of paranoia, control, and the dangers of groupthink. Yorke's emotive vocals add to the intensity and tension conveyed in the song. The accompanying music video for "Burn the Witch" also garnered attention for its unique and distinctive style.
Burn The Witch Lyrics
Yeah!
Foul play, the mark of the Devil
You build an empire on the lies that you peddle
You had your staff to run your coven
The ship has sunk, the rights have come (?)
There′s no one left to cast your spell on
Shave her head!
Build the fire and bring the chains
Come on children, bring the match and start the flame
There's gonna be a fire tonight, we′re gonna see a woman burn
Sit down, enjoy the screams
We're gonna burn the witch!
We're gonna burn the witch!
We′re gonna burn the witch!
We′re gonna burn the witch!
Burn, burn, burn!
Dirty woman doin downright dirty deeds
The flames are gonna lick around your wizard sleeve
Ill-gotten gains can't get you out of trouble
The die has cast, the sentence passed
There′s no one left to cast your spell on
Shave herhead!
Build the fire and bring the chains
Come on children, bring the match and start the flame
There's gonna be a fire tonight, we′re gonna see the fucker burn
Sit down, enjoy the screams
We're gonna burn the witch!
We′re gonna burn the witch!
We're gonna burn the witch!
We're gonna burn the witch!
Burn, burn, burn!
Writer(s): Daniel Francis Hawkins, Richard Benjamin Edwards, Edwin James Graham, Tobias Macfarlaine
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
It features stop-motion animation, reminiscent of children's television shows from the 1960s, such as "Trumpton" and "Camberwick Green." The video tells the story of a village that is suspicious of outsiders and ultimately accuses them of being witches, leading to their execution. The visuals provide a satirical commentary on society's tendency to fear and demonize those who are different. "Burn the Witch" received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its dark and unsettling sound. The song's complex instrumentation and layered production showcase Radiohead's musical prowess and ability to push boundaries. It demonstrates their ongoing evolution as a band and their willingness to experiment with different styles and genres. In conclusion, "Burn the Witch" is a captivating and thought-provoking song that delves into themes of paranoia and prejudice. Its fusion of orchestral elements and rock music creates a gripping and immersive musical experience. Radiohead's innovative approach to both the song and its accompanying video solidify their status as one of the most influential and groundbreaking bands of their time..
Reviews for "The Witch as a Symbol: Unpacking the Cultural Meaning of "Burn the Witch"
1. John - 2/5 - The song "Burn the witch" by Radiohead didn't resonate with me at all. The eerie atmosphere and disjointed instrumentation felt forced and pretentious. The vocals were muffled and lacked emotion, making it difficult to connect with the lyrics. Overall, the song felt like a failed attempt at creating a dark and atmospheric sound.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Burn the witch" by Radiohead to be a complete mess. The bizarre combination of strings and electronic elements resulted in a confusing and chaotic sound. The lyrics were cryptic and hard to decipher, further adding to the lack of clarity in the song. It felt like the band was trying too hard to be experimental and edgy but missed the mark completely.
3. Tom - 2/5 - I usually enjoy Radiohead's music, but "Burn the witch" left me disappointed. The repetitive and monotonous melody throughout the song became grating after a while. The lyrics seemed disconnected and failed to create any emotional impact. It felt like the band was trying to be different for the sake of being different, without actually offering anything meaningful or enjoyable for the listeners.
4. Emily - 3/5 - "Burn the witch" by Radiohead didn't quite resonate with me. While I appreciate the band's experimental approach, this song felt disjointed and lacked cohesion. The abrupt changes in tempo and instrumentation were jarring and disrupted the flow of the melody. Although there were some intriguing elements, overall, it fell short of my expectations.
5. Alex - 2/5 - The song "Burn the witch" by Radiohead failed to captivate me. The heavy use of strings felt overbearing and drowned out other elements of the song. The lyrics were vague and didn't offer much substance. Additionally, the melody lacked depth and failed to leave a lasting impression. Overall, it felt like a forgettable track in Radiohead's discography.