Eagles, Witchy Woman | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 142nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Witchy Woman” by the Eagles.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 142^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Witchy Woman” performed by the Eagles.

“Raven hair and ruby lips / Sparks fly from her fingertips.” Oh, snap, Don Henley! Those lyrics hail from the Eagles’ minor-key single, “Witchy Woman”. “Witchy Woman” appeared on the legendary band’s self-titled, 1972 debut album.  It marks one of 10 top 10 hits by the Eagles. It peaked at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Henley not only sings lead but penned the song alongside Bernie Leadon. Glyn Johns produced.

Given the title, Henley, singing expressively paints this woman as all things witch-related.  In the second verse, he asserts, “She had me spellbound in the night /… Crazy laughter in another room.” A cackling witch? Later, he sings, “She can rock you in the nighttime ‘til your skin turns red.” Devilish! The chorus is the centerpiece, sung by the collective: “Woo hoo, witch woman / See how high she flies / Woo hoo, witch woman / She got the moon in her eye.”  Not only are Henley and the Eagles referencing a witch riding a broom, but they could be referencing drugs.  The second verse delivers an interesting lyric: “And she drove herself to madness with a silver spoon.” Is this silver spoon a reference to drugs (heroin specifically) or privilege? “Witchy Woman” was inspired by several women including Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald who was born into wealth.  Their marriage was turbulent.  A classic, “Witchy Woman” thrives thanks to the ‘witchy’ songwriting, fabulous lead vocals by Henley, harmonized vocals by the Eagles, and a sweet, minor-key accompanying instrumental.

Eagles // Eagles // Asylum // 1972

Eagles, Witchy Woman: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 142 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Asylum; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]