Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, “I Put a Spell on You”

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On the 16^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. The records that grace Throwback Vibez are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils

! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 16^th edition of Throwback Vibez

(2022), we recollect and reflect on

“I Put a Spell on You”, performed by

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

Theme & Lyrics

halloween candy “I put a spell on you / Because you’re mine (oh yeah).” I’d argue one of the scariest songs of all time is “I Put a Spell on You.” The thing is, the often covered classic isn’t AS scary in the hands of some of the musicians who’ve covered it. Nina Simone and Annie Lennox both do a fantastic job, but don’t conjure up the maniacal, twisted, and terrifying nature of the original. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ record is spellbinding. Listening to him ‘sing’ this record, it’s amazing this was recorded in 1956. It’s a prime example of a record ‘before its time.’ Even 70 years later, “I Put a Spell on You” is rather shocking yet kicks some serious a$$.

Chugging Beer The blues musician and idiosyncratic personality possessed a ‘robust’ voice – UNDERSTATEMENT. His screams are monstrous! Of this legendary song – the 320^th best per an earlier version of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time – Rolling Stone asserts:

“Former boxer Jalacy J. Hawkins got loaded on muscatel before shrieking out the hoodoo of ‘Spell on You,’ and it took a healthy swig of J&B for him to re-create his studio performance onstage, where he climbed out of a coffin.”

So, let me get this straight. Jay was f#¢ked up while recording “I Put a Spell on You,” and when performing it on stage, climbed out of a coffin? Man, you can’t make this sugar honey iced tea up! When Screamin’ Jay Hawkins sings, “I put a spell on you / Because you’re mine,” there’s truly a creepy factor in play. When he says, “Watch out / I ain’t lyin’,” you take him at his word – don’t mess around with that man! Making things even creepier are the laughs… Holy s#!t! The saxophone solo is unsettling too! Can you say #Creepy Sax!

Final Thoughts

classic Songs like “I Put a Spell on You” only come around once in a lifetime. The moment you hear it, it sticks with you. This is a surefire, timeless classic by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Despite how unsettling it is, it’s an oft-sampled record for good reason. One of my favorite examples of repurposing this terrifying gem is by The Game ( “Standing on Ferraris”).