Witchcraft (Pendulum song)

"Witchcraft" is the second single from Australian drum and bass band Pendulum from their third studio album, Immersion. It was released as a digital single on iTunes on 18 July 2010, with the CD single being released the following day.[1] It debuted at number sixty-two on the UK Singles Chart following high numbers of downloads from the release of the album. The music video was shot on 2 June 2010 and finished on 25 June, as confirmed by Rob Swire's Twitter feed.

"Witchcraft"
Single by Pendulum
from the album Immersion
Released18 July 2010
Recorded2009–2010
Genre
Length
  • 4:12 (album version)
  • 3:52 (video edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Rob Swire
Producer(s)
  • Rob Swire
  • Gareth McGrillen
Pendulum singles chronology
"Watercolour"
(2010)		 "Witchcraft"
(2010)		 "The Island"
(2010)

The single includes a drumstep mix by Rob Swire, remixes by drum and bass DJs and producers John B and Netsky, and a remix by house DJ and producer Chuckie. An exclusive video of "Witchcraft" was placed on the Pendulum members section "The Other Side". The single artwork shares a similarity with the artwork for Pendulum's debut album, Hold Your Colour. The song is used in many sport montages one of which being the end of season review by the BBC for the 2010–11 Formula One season.

Meaning

There was some constant controversy over the meaning of lyrics, primarily due to Pendulum's cryptic style. However, Rob Swire later discussed the meaning of several Pendulum songs at a music festival in Perth. He said that the song speaks out against violence towards women, and compares it to witchcraft, a "highly devastating act that people try to avoid, but it still occurs although we rarely see it".

Chart performance

"Witchcraft" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 30 May 2010 at number 62, following the release of the album, "Immersion", which also reached number-one that week. The single however, fell out of the top 100 on its second week in the chart. On 11 July 2010, the single began to climb its way back up the UK Singles Chart reaching number 113. The single then climbed back into the top 100 at number 67 on 18 July. Upon physical release, the single climbed 38 places to a current peak of number 29, marking the band's third most successful single alongside "Granite" and fifth top 40 single in the UK.

Other media

To help promote the single, Pendulum created a "Witchcraft Experiment" Facebook application. When used, the viewer is taken into an impression of their profiles, with people on their friends list typing various lyrics out while the song played in the background.[2] Pendulum have also released an animated "Witchcraft" screensaver, along with an image to use on Facebook as well.[3] Bullet for My Valentine also played an acoustic version of this song on BBC Radio 1.

Formats and track listings

"Witchcraft" was written and produced by Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen.

Personnel

Charts
Chart (2010) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[4] 56
Scotland (OCC)[5] 27
UK Singles (OCC)[6] 29

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[7] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. 'Witchcraft' pre-order.pendulum.com (1 July 2010). Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  2. Pendulum - Witchcraft Experiment.facebook.com (12 July 2010). Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  3. Pendulum - NEWS - WITCHCRAFT PROFILE PICTURE & SCREENSAVER.pendulum.com (20 July 2010). Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  4. "Issue 1071" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  5. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  6. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  7. "British single certifications – Pendulum – Witchcraft". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
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