Witchcraft
Frank Sinatra / Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That sly come-hither stare
That strips my conscience bare
It's witchcraft
And I've got no defense for it
The heat is too intense for it
What good would common sense for it do?
'Cause it's witchcraft
Wicked witchcraft
And although, I know, it's strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says yes indeed in me
Proceed with what you're leading me to
It's such an ancient pitch
But one I wouldn't switch
'Cause there's no nicer witch than you
'Cause it's witchcraft
That crazy witchcraft
And although, I know, it's strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says yes indeed in me
Proceed with what you're leading me to
It's such an ancient pitch
But one that I'd never switch
'Cause there's no nicer witch than you
The song "Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. is a classic ballad about being under the spell of love. Sinatra sings about a woman who casts a spell on him with the way she looks at him and touches his hair, leaving him with no defense against her. He acknowledges that their love is taboo, and yet feels compelled to give into it anyway. The lyrics describe the feeling of being completely powerless to resist the pull of this mysterious, alluring force.
One interesting aspect of the song is the collaboration between these three legendary crooners. The trio, often referred to as the "Rat Pack," was known for their stylish performances and friendships. This song is a perfect example of the chemistry they had together, with each singer taking a turn at the microphone to add their own unique flavor to the song.
Another interesting fact about "Witchcraft" is that it was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, two of the most successful songwriters of the time. Leigh was also the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Original Score for her work on "Little Me." The song was first released by Sinatra on his album "Sinatra and Swingin' Brass," but was later recorded by Martin and Davis Jr. as well.
The chords for "Witchcraft" are as follows:
Intro: Bbm7, Ab7
Verse 1:
Bbm7 Ab7 Bbm7 Ab7
Those fingers in my hair
Bbm7 Ab7 Bbm7 Ab7
That sly come-hither stare
Bbm7 Ab7 Bbm7 Ab7
That strips my conscience bare
Gbmaj7 F7 Bbm7
It's witchcraft
Chorus:
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
And I've got no defense for it
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
The heat is too intense for it
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
What good would common sense for it do?
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
'Cause it's witchcraft
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
Wicked witchcraft
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
And although, I know, it's strictly taboo
Verse 2:
Bbm7 Ab7 Bbm7 Ab7
When you arouse the need in me
Bbm7 Ab7 Bbm7 Ab7
My heart says yes indeed in me
Bbm7 Ab7 Bbm7 Ab7
Proceed with what you're leading me to
Gbmaj7 F7 Bbm7
It's such an ancient pitch
Chorus:
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
And I've got no defense for it
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
The heat is too intense for it
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
What good would common sense for it do?
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
'Cause it's witchcraft
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
Wicked witchcraft
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7
And although, I know, it's strictly taboo
Outro:
Bbm7 Ab7 Gbmaj7 F7 Bbm7
'Cause there's no nicer witch than you.
Line by Line Meaning
Those fingers in my hair
The way you touch me is irresistible
That sly come-hither stare
The way you look at me is seductive
That strips my conscience bare
You make me lose my inhibitions
It's witchcraft
It's a powerful attraction that feels out of my control
And I've got no defense for it
I'm defenseless against your charms
The heat is too intense for it
The passion is too strong for me to resist
What good would common sense for it do?
Even if I know it's not logical, I can't help how I feel
'Cause it's witchcraft
This powerful desire is like magic
Wicked witchcraft
This attraction seems sinful or not accepted by society
And although, I know, it's strictly taboo
Even though I know this attraction is considered wrong, I can't help but feel it
When you arouse the need in me
When you ignite my desire
My heart says yes indeed in me
My heart feels compelled to follow this desire
Proceed with what you're leading me to
I'm willing to follow where this attraction takes me
It's such an ancient pitch
This kind of attraction has been around for a long time
But one I wouldn't switch
But it's one that I wouldn't want to change
'Cause there's no nicer witch than you
You are the one I want to be with, even if our attraction is forbidden
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Devito
This is one of the Capitol singles that I played drums on. It sounds as wonderful as it did the night we recorded it! Frank and Nelson made so much golden music that will live forever Bless them!1 Frank DeVito www.frankdevitodrummer.com
dylenickelwood
+Frank Devito Nelson with Frank were an amazing pairing. Listening to what they recorded back in the late 50s early 60s it's like WOW what a sound! So cool to see someone post with memories from that time.
Frank Devito
+Jack, No, I did not play on I've got you under my skin, It was the great Alvin Stoller . See 'the 'capitol singles 4 cd ] for allplayers on Sinatra Capitol singles. Ciao, Frank De Vito
jack freeman
Wow thanks for your response and please don't take my remark as uncomplimentary to yourself. I would give my eye teeth to have been good enough to play guitar on any of the stuff you did. I'm just particularly impressed with that track - it had everything even though my experience is rock and roll.
Frank Devito
+jack freeman Jack, thanks , Idid play on :Sinatra 57 " live album containing I;ve got you under my skin" but as I said, not on the Capitol Single of "Skin" Ciao, Frank DeVito
Hamilton Carvalho
They started a perfect musical marriage. For almost two decades.
Marcio Resende
Fabulous Music...Heaven!
Kevin Saunt
Bring back this type music
Scott Weaver
Sinatra! What else needs to be said?
Not Sure
Roadhouse!