Witchcraft (Book of Love song)

"Witchcraft" is the seventh single released by the American synthpop band Book of Love. The song was the third, and final single from the band's second album Lullaby, and was released on July 15, 1989.

"Witchcraft"
Single by Book of Love
from the album Lullaby
B-side"Enchantra"
Released15 July 1989
Recorded1987–1988
GenreSynthpop, new wave
Length3:41 (album version)
3:16 (7" version)
LabelSire Records
Songwriter(s)Theodore Ottaviano
Producer(s)Flood and Ted Ottaviano
Book of Love singles chronology
"Lullaby"
(1989)		 "Witchcraft"
(1989)		 "Alice Everyday"
(1991)

"Witchcraft" was the only single from the album Lullaby that failed to make the Billboard charts.[1] The track samples the classic 60s TV series Bewitched,[1] and also chants the names of the witches/characters from the show..."Enchantra, Endora, Tabitha, Esmerelda, Clara, Hagatha". The song features quirky deadpan rap-style vocals from Susan Ottaviano, Jade Lee, and Lauren Roselli, with a Shakespeare-inspired incanting of ingredients for brewing a love potion.[1] Remixes on the 12" single include samples from the track "Let's All Chant" by Michael Zager Band.

The B-side "Enchantra" is a completely different composition, aside from the fact that it uses the chant of Bewitched character names from "Witchcraft".

The cover art of the 12" was done by band members Lauren Roselli and Jade Lee. It consists of a picture of a Play-Doh "queen" (done by Lauren Roselli), with refrigerator magnet lettering of the band's name and song title. Female names included as part of the back cover artwork (Enchantra, Hagatha, Clara, Endora, and Esmeralda) come from the song's chorus. The witches named in the song's chorus are all named as a part of the back cover art except Tabitha. The cover sleeve was featured in the 2011 book Put The Needle On The Record by Matthew Chojnacki, which celebrated the vinyl sleeves of records from the 1980s.

During the band's Lullaby Tour in 1989, when performing "Witchcraft", the band donned witches' hats, making it a fan favorite of the band's live shows.[1]

"Enchantra" has been used as the intro track while the band takes to the stage during Book of Love's 2013 shows.

Track listings

1989 12" maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0)

Side A:

  1. "Witchcraft" (Extended Mix) – 5:15
  2. "Witchcraft" (7" Mix) – 3:16
  3. "Enchantra" – 2:44

Side B:

  1. "Witchcraft" (Enchantra Chanting) – 6:23
  2. "Witchcraft" (Dub) – 5:20
  3. "Witch's Honor" – 0:05 (not listed on the sleeve)

Personnel

"Witchcraft" written by Theodore Ottaviano. "Enchantra" written by Jade Lee and Ted Ottaviano. All instruments arranged, programmed, and performed by Book of Love.

  • Susan Ottaviano – lead vocals
  • Ted Ottaviano – keyboards
  • Lauren Roselli – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Jade Lee – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals

12" sleeve credits

  • Produced by Flood and Ted Ottaviano
  • Remix and additional production by Book of Love
  • Engineered by Doc Dougherty
  • Edited by Roger Pauletta
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound
  • Play-Doh queen by Lauren Roselli
  • Art direction by Jade Lee

Side A dead wax says: "Miss Lucy’s in Heaven 4-26-89"

Charts
Year Song Chart peak positions
US Club Play[2]
1989 "Witchcraft" —

"—" denotes that song failed to chart

Official versions
Year Version Length Mixed/Remixed by Comment
1988 Album version 3:41 Alan Meyerson Found on all formats of the album Lullaby.*
1989 7" Mix 3:16 Book of Love Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0), and the Warner Bros. promotional CD compilation Follow Our Trax Volume II (1989).
1989 Extended Mix 5:15 Book of Love Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0), the CD compilation Retro:Active3 - Rare & Remixed, and the 2009 reissue CD of Lullaby (Noble Rot).
1989 "Enchantra" 2:44 Book of Love Completely different track that utilizes the "Witchcraft" chorus. Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0) and the 2009 reissue CD of Lullaby (Noble Rot).
1989 Enchantra Chanting 6:23 Book of Love Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0).
1989 Dub 5:20 Book of Love Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0).
1989 "Witch's Honor" 0:05 Book of Love Not listed on outer sleeve. Spoken vocal of "I am a witch and a queen". Found on the 12" vinyl maxi-single (Sire Records 9 21251-0).
1989 The Warlock Edit 6:16 Jim "Hip-Hop" Hopkins DJ only edit found only on the 1989 promo 2 x 12" vinyl compilation Rhythm Stick 1-8 (Rhythm Stick – RS1-8).
2010 Henner & Green Extended Mix 8:37 Henner & Green Remix found only on Henner & Green's Remix Weekend (May 2010).*

" * " denotes that version is available as digital download

References
  1. Paoletta, Michael (2009). Lullaby (CD sleeve notes). Book Of Love. Noble Rot. p. 2. 2009 reissue.
  2. Billboard Music Charts - Search Results - Book of Love, Billboard, retrieved 2013-07-02
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