Title Track (Indie Pop): “Season of the Witch” by Lana Del Rey
Ethereal, cinematic, and melancholic, Del Rey’s whispery vocals complement a slow tempo for a hypnotic, spooky, atmosphere. Embodying the witch herself, this cover of Donovan’s original version embraces seductive eeriness.
Alternative Country: “Far From Any Road” by The Handsome Family
Shifting between deep baritone and floating soprano vocals, this track tells an haunting Americana ghost-town tale. Grounded by a repetitive rattlesnake percussion and guitar twang, the harmonies are hauntingly intimate, braiding beauty and decay
Alternative Blues: “I Put a Spell on You” by Sylvia Black
Black’s 2000s rendition of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ original provides a unique air of witchy suspense. Sultry vocals wane and wax across a baseline guitar beat and chimes of jingling mystique as she puts a dark, obsessive curse on her love.
Psychedelic Rock: “My Girlfriend is a Witch” by October Country
A spooky, kooky, classic Halloween song , October Country turns witchcraft into a playful teenage rock track. A quick drum tempo under electric bass & guitar provides the resounding base melody. Moreover, staccato lyrics evoke bubblegum energy and whimsical suspense.
Alternative Indie: “Spiderhead” by Cage the Elephant
Frantic and distorted, “Spiderhead” captures a chaotic tug-of-war between control and collapse. Gritty vocals and an erratic tempo mirror feelings of self-conflict reflected in the lyrics, reinforced by fuzzy guitar and rhythmic percussion.
(Art) Pop: “Yellow Flicker Beat” by Lorde
Lorde’s voice flickers between control and rage as the song swells with defiance, channeling a phoenix’s rebirth. The track begins with Lorde’s raw humming, as if casting an enchanting spell, building into a pulsing production: tonally brooding and empowering.
Glam Rock: “Killer Queen” by Queen
Rich layered harmonies, reverb, and overdubbing define this pop-cabaret-rock fusion into a theatre of sinister mystique. Freddie Mercury’s intricate vocals soar as Brian May’s iconic guitar solo — raspy and percussive from his use of the British six-pence coin as a pick — forms a striking interlude. The lyrics mythologize the “Killer Queen” — an alluring, poised assassin draped in diamonds and dark femininity.
Soft Rock: “Rhinannon” by Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks’ enchanting voice, supported by echoing backing vocals, haunt the tracks’ swirling instrumentals. The lyrics evocatively depict a mysterious feminine figure from Welsh mythology: “Rhiannon’”, goddess of horses, birds, fertility, and magic, known as the quintessential ‘witch’.
Classical: “Danse Macabre” by Camille Saint-Saëns
This symphonic poem tells the story of the “Dance of Death”, celebrating the eerie beauty of the macabre. Tempo swinging between haunting and mischievous, the xylophone mimics rattling bones as the solo violin represents the figurative “Death” leading the dance.
