The band first reached substantial commercial success with its third studio album Fight for the Rock (1986), which peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. Its next four albums—Hall of the Mountain King (1987), Gutter Ballet (1989), Streets: A Rock Opera (1991) and Edge of Thorns (1993)—were also successful but more critically acclaimed than Fight for the Rock. On October 17, 1993, six months after the release of Edge of Thorns, guitarist Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident. Following his death, Jon (along with producer Paul O'Neill) decided to continue Savatage in memory of his brother. The band released four more studio albums, and went through several line-up changes before going on an extended hiatus in 2002. During the years—partly even before the hiatus—members founded various new bands such as Jon Oliva's Pain, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Circle II Circle and Doctor Butcher. On August 2, 2014, Savatage announced that they were reuniting for the 2015 Wacken Open Air; despite having discussed the possibility of more shows and new music, the band went on hiatus once again. Although Savatage technically remains inactive, half of the members of the band claimed in interviews during throughout 2020 and 2021 that they have been working on new material for a possible follow-up to Poets and Madmen (2001).
Studio albums
Sirens (1983)
Power of the Night (1985)
Fight for the Rock (1986)
Hall of the Mountain King (1987)
Gutter Ballet (1989)
Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)
Edge of Thorns (1993)
Handful of Rain (1994)
Dead Winter Dead (1995)
The Wake of Magellan (1997)
Poets and Madmen (2001)
White Witch
Savatage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your blood pumping faster
Hands reach for the blade
Touch her
Feel her
Your body it craves her
She leads you to your grave
No, you know you want her now
Casting a spell
Her power on you
You'd leave but you don't know how
White witch white witch
Poisoning you
White witch white witch
Coming for you
White witch white witch
Taking your souls
White witch white witch
Taking control
Wrapped and enraging
I use to maintain it
Do you want some more?
Give her your money
Sell her your soul
The deadliest of whores
Wicked white demon
Is staring at you
Controlling all that you say and you do
Sweating intensely
The music's much loader
On the glass is a poison powder
White witch white witch
Poisoning you
White witch white witch
Coming for you
White witch white witch
Taking your souls
White witch white witch
Taking control
White witch white witch
Poisoning you
White witch white witch
Coming for you
White witch white witch
Taking your souls
White witch white witch
Taking control
She is now your only master
Your whole life's a complete disaster
Don't you dare
Let her in
As your final chore
White witch white witch
Poisoning you
White witch white witch
Coming for you
White witch white witch
Taking your souls
White witch white witch
Taking control
Taking my soul
Taking control
The song "White Witch" by Savatage is a cautionary tale of the power of temptation and its consequences. The lyrics set a dark and ominous mood, describing the allure of a white witch who casts a spell on her victim, leading him to his ultimate demise. The opening lines describe a rapid heartbeat and the desire to touch and feel the witch, indicating a physical attraction that quickly spirals out of control. The repeated chorus of "White witch, poisoning you, coming for you, taking your souls, taking control" emphasizes the destructive nature of the witch's influence and the helplessness of the victim.
The lyrics also highlight the diabolical nature of the witch herself, described as an "image all dressed all in white" with a power that is "wrapped and enraging." She induces her victim to give her money and sell his soul, making her the deadliest of whores. The music's loud and intense beat also adds to the sense of being trapped and controlled by the witch's spell. The last verse is a warning to others not to let the white witch in, or risk becoming her next victim.
Overall, "White Witch" is a powerful song with lyrics that explore the corrupting influence of temptation and the dangers of giving in to one's darkest desires. The ominous musical backdrop and repeated chorus create an eerie and haunting mood that underscores the song's themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart beat is rapid
The singer's heart is pounding with excitement
Your blood pumping faster
Their body is preparing for an adrenaline rush
Hands reach for the blade
They feel a desire to use a sharp weapon
Touch her
They are drawn to the white witch
Feel her
They are physically attracted to the witch
Your body it craves her
They have an insatiable desire for the witch's touch
She leads you to your grave
The witch is bad news and will cause the singer's downfall
She's an image all dressed all in white
The witch's pure appearance is deceptive
No, you know you want her now
The artist is aware of the danger but can't resist
Casting a spell
The witch is using her magic to manipulate the artist
Her power on you
The witch has complete control over the singer
You'd leave but you don't know how
The artist is trapped in the witch's grasp
White witch white witch
Refrain/chant throughout the song
Wrapped and enraging
The witch's power over the singer is intense and all-consuming
I use to maintain it
The singer must work to keep themselves under control
Do you want some more?
The artist is tempted to indulge in the witch's power
Give her your money
The witch is exploiting the artist for financial gain
Sell her your soul
The witch is using the singer's soul for her own gain
The deadliest of whores
The witch's magic and seduction is a dangerous combination
Wicked white demon
The witch is a demonic force of evil
Is staring at you
The witch's gaze intimidates and controls the artist
Controlling all that you say and you do
The witch has complete control over the artist's actions and words
Sweating intensely
The singer is overcome with fear and anxiety
The music's much loader
The witch's music is hypnotic and overwhelming
On the glass is a poison powder
The witch has drugged the singer with a dangerous substance
She is now your only master
The singer is under the witch's complete control
Your whole life's a complete disaster
The singer's life has been ruined by the witch's influence
Don't you dare
The artist is warned against giving in to the witch's power
Let her in
The artist is being urged to resist the witch's influence
As your final chore
The decision to break free from the witch is the singer's last task
Taking my soul
The witch has taken control of the singer's soul
Taking control
The witch has complete control over the artist
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER M OLIVA, JOHN N OLIVA, JON OLIVA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Mac
Popped in my head today after so many years. Ahh, much better now.
Metal Rap
TAAAAAKING MY SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUL!!!!
William Krajewski
One of the best sounding live bands I've ever seen
ROCKA ROLLA
one of my fave Sava songs!!!
Squirt
Named my first guitar after this song
ROCKA ROLLA
named my first car, 1978 Camaro, after this song...
Andres Paredes
El verdadero heavy metal
Neil Copeland
I love this guitar 🎸
Glenn Goren
1 of my fav. Forever....☠️👍🤓
Veronica Bellucci
so nice. what do you want me to add? seen these guys up close in Chicago