Deconstructing the role of the witch in contemporary music lyrics.

"Witch Image" is a song performed by Swedish rock band Ghost, released in 2018 on their album "Prequelle." The lyrics of this song explore themes of temptation, seduction, and the allure of the occult. The song opens with the line "You feel your heart's getting harder," suggesting a transformation or change taking place within the protagonist. The lyrics go on to describe a figure known as the "witch image," who seems to embody danger and tantalizing power. The witch image is described as having "crying eyes of amber," a visual reminiscent of a mesmerizing and mysterious gaze. As the song progresses, the protagonist appears to be both fascinated and fearful of the witch image.

Someone's flesh is rotting tonight / Like no other to you / What you've done you cannot undo / While you sleep in earthly delight / Still, your soul will suffer this plight / Like your father in hell / What you've sold you cannot unsell /

While you sleep in earthly delight Someone s flesh is rotting tonight Like no other to you What you ve done you cannot undo While you sleep in earthly delight Still, your soul will suffer this plight But like a mother would save Her own child from digging a grave. Someone s flesh is rotting tonight Like no other to you What you ve done you cannot undo While you sleep in earthly delight Still, your soul will suffer this plight Like your father in hell What you ve sold you cannot unsell.

As the song progresses, the protagonist appears to be both fascinated and fearful of the witch image. They acknowledge the magic and attraction this figure possesses, stating "I can feel you enchanting, I feel you, I feel you too close." The lyrics explore the notion of being under the spell of the witch image, highlighting the intoxicating grip it has on the protagonist's psyche.

Ghost – Witch Image lyrics

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[Verse 1: Cardinal Copia]
You (you. )
Have never stood this close to where you want to be
You (you. )
Have always waded in the shallows
Between me and the deep blue sea

[Pre-Chorus: Cardinal Copia]
You'd never want me to appear
You never want this to be over
You never want it to reach out to the edge of time

[Chorus: Cardinal Copia]
While you sleep in earthly delight
Someone's flesh is rotting tonight
Like no other to you.
What you've done you cannot undo

[Verse 2: Cardinal Copia]
I (I. )
Have always kept you closer than you've known
I (I. )
I am riding in the shadows
Behind you on a pale white horse

[Pre-Chorus: Cardinal Copia]
You'd never want me to appear
You never want this to be over

[Chorus: Cardinal Copia]
Someone's flesh is rotting tonight
Like no other to you.
What you've done you cannot undo
While you sleep in earthly delight
Still, your soul will suffer this plight
Like your father in hell.
What you've sold you cannot unsell

[Solo: Nameless Ghouls (Fire & Aether)]

[Chorus: Cardinal Copia]
While you sleep in earthly delight
Someone's flesh is rotting tonight
Like no other to you.
What you've done you cannot undo
While you sleep in earthly delight
Still, your soul will suffer this plight
But like a mother would save.
Her own child from digging a grave

[Verse 2: Cardinal Copia]
I (I. )
Have always kept you closer than you've known
I (I. )
I am riding in the shadows
Behind you on a pale white horse

The chorus of the song repeats the line "You're the witch that I've been longing for," emphasizing the longing and desire the protagonist feels towards the witch image. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist is willingly succumbing to the seductive power of the witch, even though they are aware of the potential dangers involved. Throughout the song, the lyrics carry a dark and mystical undertone, fitting with the theme of witchcraft and its associated mystery. The metaphorical use of the witch image represents the internal struggle between desire and caution. In summary, "Witch Image" by Ghost explores the allure and danger of a mysterious figure known as the witch image. The lyrics depict a protagonist who is both enticed and afraid of the power and temptations associated with this image. The song conveys a sense of fascination and longing for something forbidden, showcasing Ghost's ability to create captivating and atmospheric rock music. So despite the cautionary elements in the song, the protagonist ultimately finds themselves drawn to the witch image, symbolizing the allure of darkness and the blurred boundaries between temptation and self-control..

Reviews for "Witch imagery as a tool for self-expression in lyrics."

1. Alex - 2/5 - The lyrics in "Witch Image" are extremely repetitive and lack depth. It feels like the songwriter didn't put much effort into crafting meaningful words. The repetitive nature of the lyrics becomes monotonous and fails to engage the listener. Overall, I found the lack of substance in the lyrics to be disappointing and detracted from my enjoyment of the song.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found the lyrics in "Witch Image" to be quite cliché and generic. There was nothing original or interesting about them. The rhymes were predictable and lacked any cleverness. In addition, the lyrics seemed out of place in the context of the song, and it felt like they were included just for the sake of having lyrics. Overall, I was thoroughly unimpressed by the lackluster and unimaginative lyrics in this track.

3. Jack - 3/5 - While the music in "Witch Image" is catchy and enjoyable, I couldn't help but feel let down by the simplistic and superficial lyrics. The repetition of certain phrases became tiresome after a while, and I was expecting more complexity and depth from the band. The lyrics in this song felt like they were written hastily, without much thought put into them. Despite the shortcomings in the lyrics department, the overall instrumentation and production quality of the song saved it from being a complete disappointment.

4. Lisa - 2/5 - "Witch Image" has a great instrumental composition, but I couldn't help but cringe at the lyrics. They felt extremely cheesy and forced, with clichés thrown in left and right. It's a shame because musically the song has a lot of potential, but the weak lyrics really detract from the overall quality. I found myself skipping this track after a couple of listens to avoid the cringeworthy lyrics.

The witch archetype as a symbol of otherness in lyrics.