Magic | 5 Gems

Magic: 5 Gems No. 7 (2026) features songs by Dua Lipa, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Lil’ Kim, and Santana.

 

 

Those magical 🪄 lyrics hail from Academy and Grammy-winning musician Lady Gaga. In another magic-fueled song, another Grammy-winning musician, Dua Lipa, sings, “I’m not here for long / Catch me, or I go Houdini.” For rappers Lil’ Kim and 50 Cent, they assert, “I got the magic stick [clit] / I know if I can hit once, I can hit twice.” The common thread is magic, which fuels the fire on Magic: 5 Gems No. 7 (2026). The word can be featured in the song title, or magic can be referenced with related words, such as abracadabra and Houdini. Magic: 5 Gems No. 7 (2026) features songs by Dua Lipa, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Lil’ Kim, and Santana. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this bite-sized, magic-driven playlist!

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1. Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra”	2. Eminem, “Houdini”	3. Dua Lipa, “Houdini”
4. Lil’ Kim, “Magic Stick” (Ft. 50 Cent)	5.Santana, “Black Magic Woman”	5 Gems (2026)

 

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1. Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra”

MAYHEM » Interscope » 2025

Well, that’s fascinating, Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta)! The award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress put her dancing shoes on in “Abracadabra”, the ‘magical’ third single from her seventh studio album, MAYHEM.  Lady Gaga, watt (Andrew Watt), Cirkut (Henry Walter), John McGeoch, Pete Edward Clarke, Steven Severin, and Siouxsie (Susan Janet Ballion) penned “Abracadabra.” “Abracadabra” interpolates “Spellbound” by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Gaga, watt, and Cirkut produced it.

“Abracadabra” features some sickening dance music cues. An electrifying groove helps “Abracadabra” cook.  Also, the darker tilt of the song, alongside the minor key, makes it compelling.  As always, Lady Gaga brings her ‘A game,’ delivering a personality-laden performance, showing off her powerful pipes. The songwriting is intriguing. “Pay the toll to the angels / Drawin’ circles in the clouds,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “Keep your mind on the distance / When the devil turns around.” Word. In the refrain, she asks to “Save me from this empty flight / In the game of life.” Life is a key component of “Abracadabra.” Melodically, the song is colorful, particularly with accidentals that give it a Dorian flavor. The section to be is the Infectious, tuneful chorus with some nonsensical syllables in the mix:

“Abracadabra, amor-oo-na-na

Abracadabra, morta-oo-ga-ga

Abracadabra, abra-oo-na-na”

In her tongue she said, ‘Death or love tonight’.”

In “Abracadabra”, Lady Gaga remains true to herself and the artist we’ve come to know and love.

Appears in:

21 Randomly Curated, Amazing A Songs (2025) Bops That Pop: Jan, Feb & March 2025 Bops from 2025 That Make You Beam with Pride 60 Best Songs of 2025

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2. Eminem, “Houdini”

The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) » Shady / Aftermath / Interscope » 2024

Eminem hasn’t changed, has he? On “Houdini”, a single from his Grammy-nominated, 2024 album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), he proves he’s still a big-time provocateur.  You know that “Houdini” is going to be a trip when that Paul Rosenberg skit kicks things off (“Hey Em, it’s Paul / Uh, I was listening to the album / Good fucking luck, you’re on your own”). The song’s intro and playful sound recall the Eminem of the past (“Guess who’s back, back again? / Shady’s back, tell a friend”). “Houdini” was produced by Eminem and Louis Resto. Notably, it samples “Abracadabra” by Steve Miller Band, which Miller praised.  So, how does “Houdini” stack up? It has its moments, but it’s also POLARIZING.

Many of the Eminem-isms are firmly intact. His flow is agile.  Also, he serves up his signature melodic vocals.  The instrumental is interesting, but the draw – both praise and ire – is the bars.  Em’s rhymes are bold and unapologetic. Among the shadiest moments references Megan Thee Stallion unfavorably: “If I was to ask for Megan Thee / Stallion if she would collab with me / Would I really have a shot at a feat?” Damn, Eminem! In the second verse, he asserts, “My shit may not be age appropri- / Ate but I will hit an eight-year-old in the face with a participation trophy.” The Houdini references arrive during the chorus: “Abra-abracadabra / (And for my last trick) I’m ‘bout to reach in my bag, bruh / Abra-abracadabra / (And for my last trick) (poof) Just like that and I’m back, bro.” He’s back, alright, and controversial as ever.  His far-reaching controversies continue on the bridge, where he spits, “Sometimes I wonder what the old me’d say / … He’d probably say that everything is gay.” In the third and final verse, he references R. Kelly, the LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈 (“My transgender cat’s Siamese”), and, fittingly, Houdini, again (“Like Sherri Papini, Harry Houdini, I vanish into thin air as I’m leaving”). “Houdini” by Eminem is something else.

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3. Dua Lipa, “Houdini”

Radical Optimism » Warner UK » 2024

Grammy-winning pop superstar, Dua Lipa brings some serious magic on “Houdini”, the second track from her third album, Radical Optimism. She penned “Houdini” alongside Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Kevin Parker (of Tame Impala fame), and Tobias Jesso Jr..  Harle and Parker also produced the record, characterized by a sick, danceable groove.  In addition to the beat, “Houdini” features a colorful palette of sounds – the keys and synths rock (in a 1980s sort of way, of course).  Beyond the backdrop, she brings the heat vocally.  Her performance is solid, yet non troppo, if you will.  It’s cool how the songwriting incorporates Harry Houdini into matters of the heart.  In this case, it’s singledom! The centerpiece, the chorus, arrives early, with Dua Lipa revealing the deck of cards:

“I come and I go

Tell me all the ways you need me

I’m not here for long

Catch me or I go Houdini

I come and I go

Prove you got the right to please me

Everybody knows

Catch me or I go Houdini.”

Ooh, wee! The melodies are tuneful in the verses as well, and beyond the chorus, the post-chorus is rad too: “If you’re good enough, you’ll find the way / Maybe you could cause a girl to change her ways / Do you think about it night and day? / Maybe you could be the one to make me stay.” “Houdini” = SUREFIRE BOP!

Appears in:

Awesome Songs: November 2023 51 Best Songs of 2023 15 Songs That Feature Names, Vol. 4 (2024) A Heaping Dose of H Songs (2025)

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4. Lil’ Kim, “Magic Stick” (Ft. 50 Cent)

La Bella Mafia » Atlantic Recording Corporation » 2003

Oh, shyt 👀! Grammy-winning rapper Lil’ Kim (Kimberly Jones, b. 1974) conjured up some sexually driven magic on her hit single, “Magic Stick”. Kim doesn’t get down and dirty by herself, however. She’s assisted by fellow Grammy winner, 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson, b. 1975).  It’s 50 Cent who spits the ultra-memorable line, excerpted above. “Magic Stick” is the 12^th track from Lil’ Kim’s 2003 platinum-certified album, La Bella Mafia. Hella successful, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Unsurprisingly, the record was nominated for a Grammy at the 46^th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Fantom Of The Beat and Sha Money XL produced the track, which samples the epic Joe Simon (1936 – 2021) song, “It Be’s That Way Sometimes”.

Lil’ Kim and 50 Cent keep it nasty on “Magic Stick.” It all begins with Fiddy, who touts his D in a chorus for the ages. Beyond that, in the first verse, he informs her, “I’m a freak to the core /… My tongue touch ya girl, ya toes bound to curl / This exclusive stick I don’t share with the world.” Additional striking moments from the first include, “I’ll rock the boat, I’ll work the middle,” and, “I pop a lot of shit cause I can back it up / My left stroke’s the death stroke.” Lil’ Kim makes her first appearance in the second chorus, where she asserts, “I got the magic clit / I know if I get licked once, I can get licked twice.” Gah-day-um! Don’t get shyt twisted, though. Per the second verse, “Lil’ Kim not a whore / But I sex a nigga so good, he gotta tell his boys.” Woo! Kim adds the likes of “‘Cause my head game have you head over heels / Give a nigga the chills, have him pay my bills,” and “Couple of humps, give a nigga goosebumps.” 👀 In the third chorus, 50 and Kim join forces, combining stick and clit action, before collaborating in the third verse, involving magic stick and magic box.  Notably, there is also a sexed-up skit between Kim and an inmate to conclude the song. It’s somethin’ else, too!  Ultimately, “Magic Stick” is a trip, sure to get your hormones going something fierce! Two decades later, this sexed-up rap song remains potent.

Appears in:

Lil’ Kim, Magic Stick: Midnight Heat No. 99 (2025)

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5. Santana, “Black Magic Woman”

Abraxas » Columbia » 1970

Gregg Rolie (keyboards and lead vocals, b. 1947) sings on the Santana classic, “Black Magic Woman”.  Rolie adds in the first verse, “Got me so blind I can’t see / That she’s my black magic woman / She’s tryin’ to make a devil out of me.” Oh, snap! The beloved, popular Santana cut is a cover 🤯. Peter Green (1946 – 2020) wrote “Black Magic Woman”… for Fleetwood Mac, who originally recorded it.  That said, Carlos Santana (1947 – ) and company made the song, the second track from their 1970 album, Abraxas, into a hit. How big of a hit? “Black Magic Woman” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.  Also, it should be noted that their version incorporates the 1966 song, “Gypsy Queen”, by Hungarian jazz guitarist Gábor Szabó (1936 – 1982).  The song on the album is fully titled “Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen”. Fred Catero and Carlos Santana are credited as producers.

“Black Magic Woman” is a vibe from the get-go.  It is set in the dark, foreboding key of D minor.  The intro is enigmatic, setting the tone with the organ, guitar, and rhythmic percussion. The robust bass line provides a great anchor. Gregg Rolie shines with a nuanced, solid, and well-rounded vocal performance.  “Don’t turn your back on me, baby,” Rolie sings in the second verse, and adds, “Stop messin’ ‘round with your tricks.” Ooh-wee! In the third, he acknowledges, “Got your spell on me baby /… Turnin’ my heart into stone / Need you so bad, magi woman / I can’t leave you alone.” Word! Another member of Santana deserves recognition: Carlos Santana, of course.  He impresses with his consummate guitar playing and soloing, which matches the memorable lyrics and tuneful melodies.  Approaching 60 years later, “Black Magic Woman” remains a big-time bop.

Appears in:

Santana, Black Magic Woman: Throwback Vibez No. 142 (2025)  13 Exciting Pitch BLACK Songs (2025)

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5 Gems (2026)
Almost: 5 Gems No. 1	Alone: 5 Gems No. 2	Am: 5 Gems No. 3
Big: 5 Gems No. 4	Break, Breaking, or Broken: 5 Gems No. 5	Can’t!: 5 Gems No. 6
Magic : 5 Gems No. 7

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Magic: 5 Gems No. 7 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Aftermath, Atlantic Recording Corporation, Columbia, Interscope, Shady, Warner UK; Vinícius Vieira ft from Pexels; Gordon Johnson, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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