The Rattles performed in Hamburg, and played at the same venues as The Beatles on several occasions in 1962.[1] In 1964, the group recorded "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah", which charted in the UK. In 1968, they recorded their first version of "The Witch", with vocals by Henner Hoier.[1] The band's records sold well in Germany throughout the 1960s.
Their second version of "The Witch" in 1970, this time with vocals by Edna Bejarano, was their only international hit.[1] It reached the Top 10 on the UK Singles Chart, the top 20 in Austria, and the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. It eventually sold over one million copies.[1]
Rosetta Stone released a gothic rock cover of "The Witch" in the 1990s. The Norwegian psychedelic hard rock band, Motorpsycho, covered the song during 1999 and 2000.[2] A recording of this song can be found on their bootleg Live Union Scene from 14 April 1999.[3]
The Witch
The Rattles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am really runnin'
For ma life
Guess from where I'm
Comin'
Guess why I'm runnin'
For my life.
Can't you see the witch
Can't you see the witch by my side.
Can't you see the witch
Can't you see the witch
Can't you see the witch by my side.
Can't you see my death fear
I can hear her voice
Shoutin' everywhere
Who know what I've could done
It must be so bad
That a witch does care.
Can't you see the witch
Can't you see the witch
Can't you see the witch by my side.
Can't you see the witch
Can't you see the witch
Can't you see the witch by my side.
The Rattles' song "The Witch" is a fast-paced, high-energy tune with lyrics that convey a feeling of terror and desperation. The singer of the song is on the run from a witch, whose presence he can feel even though he can't see her. He begs those around him to see the witch by his side and understand the danger he is in.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a chase, with the singer emphasizing his fear of death and the witch's relentless pursuit. He believes that the witch is after him because of something terrible that he has done, and the guilt and shame of those actions are fueling his terror. Despite his panic, he feels alone because no one else can see his pursuer.
The song's raw energy and sense of urgency make it a timeless classic. It's a perfect example of the power of rock music to express intense emotions and convey complex ideas in a simple, visceral way. The lyrics are deceptively straightforward, but they hint at deeper themes, such as the fear of the unknown and the consequences of past mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you see me runnin'
I am frantically trying to escape
I am really runnin'
I am running with all my might
For ma life
I am running to save my life
Guess from where I'm comin'
Can you guess where I am coming from?
Guess why I'm runnin'
Can you guess why I am running?
Can't you see the witch
There is really a witch next to me
Can't you see the witch by my side
I am really terrified because a witch is next to me
Can't you see my death fear
I am so frightened that I feel that I will soon die
I can hear her voice
I can hear the voice of the witch
Shoutin' everywhere
Her voice is heard loudly everywhere
Who know what I've could done
I don't even know what I might have done to deserve this
It must be so bad
Whatever I did must have been really terrible
That a witch does care
To the point that even a witch is bothered by it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN ASTBURY, BILLY DUFFY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diego L Portuguez
Can’t you see me runnin'
I am really runnin'
for ma life
guess from where I’m
comin'
guess why I’m runnin
for my life.
Can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch by my side.
Can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch by my side.
Can’t you see my deathfear
I can hear her voice
Shoutin' everywhere
who know what I’ve could done
it must be so bad
that a witch does care.
Can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch by my side.
Can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch
can’t you see the witch by my side.
tykiedog
This was the first record I bought. Still got it. Brilliant track.
Giulio Grifi
Tim Schulz I had it recorded on a cassette.......a myth !!!
xs4allbeenz
Than you have to play it more often because the #vinyl #45rpm is #different 📷🙄
Mira P.
Hi lads, any suggestion in such sounds ? (Female fronted pls)
Hans-Hermann Meyer
Yes...from singer Henner Hoier
Tubemonks
it was one of the records that bring back memories.
frank goodall
One of those hidden gems that should get more play time.
Tamás Szabó
Utcai árustól vettem 800 ft-ert 1997 Ben. Nagyon jól szól. Original recording.
Luis Fernando Gatica
Excellent original sound. This song was really good for his time. Rattles was an incredible band. Thanks for upload.
Andrew Shore
Very easy to pinpoint when this song was released - the style of filming, composition, and the sound of the artist definitively very early 70’s or very late 60’s - excellent!