Gypsy Woman
Santana/Carlos Santana Lyrics


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Got a black magic woman
Got a black magic woman

I got a black magic woman
Got me so blind I can't see
That she's a black magic woman
She's tryin' to make a devil out of me
Don't turn your back on me baby
Don't turn your back on me baby

Yes, don't turn your back on me baby
Stop messin' around with your tricks
Don't turn your back on me baby
You just might pick up my magic sticks

Got your spell on me baby
Got your spell on me baby

Yes you got your spell on me baby
Turning my heart into stone




I need you so bad magic woman
I can't leave you alone

Overall Meaning

“Black magic woman” is a song by the renowned Latin rock band Santana, which has roots in blues and rock music. The song builds upon Carlos Santana’s signature guitar riffs prominently. It was penned by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac and has become one of Santana’s signature songs, often covered by other musicians. The song is about a gypsy woman who has exerted magic on the singer and has made him helpless to resist her wiles.


The song begins with the repetition of the phrase “got a black magic woman,” signifying the singer’s overpowering attraction towards the woman. The singer is so enchanted that he is blinded by her spell and cannot see that she might be playing with him. The next line, “she’s tryin’ to make a devil out of me,” indicates that the singer is aware of the woman’s tricks but is powerless to do anything about it. In the second verse, the singer implores the woman not to turn her back on him and play around with him. The phrase “Stop messin' around with your tricks” is a clear indication that the singer is getting fed up with the woman’s games. In the final few lines, the singer accepts that he has been spellbound by the woman and can’t seem to leave her.


Overall, the song is about the intense attraction between a man and a woman, where the woman seems to hold all the power. The guitar-driven instrumental breaks set the tone for the song and showcase Santana’s skillful style of playing. The lyrics, combined with the guitar riffs, make for an excellent song, evoking a sense of tension and desire.


Line by Line Meaning

Got a black magic woman
The singer possesses a mysterious and powerful woman who possesses dark magic.


Got a black magic woman
The singer emphasizes the importance of the woman's mystical powers and their irresistible effect.


I got a black magic woman
The singer again emphasizes possession of the woman but suggests something malevolent.


Got me so blind I can't see
The singer is under the woman's control and unable to recognize her true nature.


That she's a black magic woman
The singer expresses realization that the woman possesses dark powers.


She's tryin' to make a devil out of me
The singer believes that the woman is trying to corrupt him or draw him to evil.


Yes, don't turn your back on me baby
The singer implores the woman to stay engaged with him.


Stop messin' around with your tricks
The singer is aware of the woman's magic and urges her to stop manipulating him.


You just might pick up my magic sticks
The singer warns the woman that he too can wield magic and may turn on her.


Yes you got your spell on me baby
The singer acknowledges that he is under the woman's control due to her magic.


Turning my heart into stone
The singer has lost his emotions and is becoming hardhearted due to the woman's influence.


I need you so bad magic woman
Despite the singer's fear of her, he is still drawn to the woman's magic and her hold on him.


I can't leave you alone
The singer is trapped in his desire for the woman and cannot escape her influence.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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