“Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars? Anyone who has loved has been touched by magic. It is such a simple and such an extraordinary part of the lives we live.” – Nora Roberts
Every once in a while, we need something that momentarily transports us to the realm of fantasy and enchantment. Songs about magic serve as an effective vehicle to get you there.
For today’s post, we’ve rounded up a collection of enchanting songs that refer to magic. In this article, you’ll find songs about magical beings, potions brewed, references to the mythologies of different cultures, witches and wizards, and the mysterious, exhilarating, and enthralling experience of being in the presence of the supernatural and magical.
This collection features at least a couple of songs from animated films, and several others from live-action pictures featuring fantasy themes.
Finally, considering that love is often equated with magic, there are a handful of songs that allude to this comparison.
So, with a flick of our magic wand, here we go!
1. Witches' Song, Marianne Faithfull
“Shall I see you tonight, sister, bathed in magic greet? Shall we meet on the hilltop where the two roads meet? We will form the circle, hold our hands and chant. Let the Great One know what it is we want.”
Let’s start with a song about witches.
Throughout history, witches have been associated with magic. This song from Marianne Faithfull describes a form of moon ritual done within a coven, the beliefs of witches regarding divinity, and the life of someone devoted to magic.
Julianna Hatfield covered this song, which was featured as part of the soundtrack for the 1990s movie The Craft.
2. A Kind of Magic, Queen
via Queen Official
“This flame that burns inside of me, I'm hearing secret harmonies. It's a kind of magic.”
This song was written by Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor and was released as the title track of their 1986 album. Taylor intended it for the movie Highlander, where it appeared as the theme song at the film’s ending.
The magic referred to in the song is the immortality possessed by the protagonist of the film. In one of his previous lives, he hailed from Scotland and was known as the Highlander.
In the film, immortals from all over the world wage a war among themselves, fighting for “The Prize.” The tagline is “There Can Only Be One,” and the Highlander must fight for his place in the present time.
3. Roses Blue, Joni Mitchell
via Joni Mitchell
“She's gotten to mysterious devotions. She's gotten to zodiac and Zen. She's gotten into tarot cards and potions. She's laying her religion on her friends.”
In this song, listeners are introduced to a woman named Rose. She is into mystical practices, including reading people’s fortunes through tarot cards and brewing potions.
Seems like Rose is an interesting person to be friends with, don’t you think?
4. Even Trolls Love Rock and Roll, Tony Joe White
via Tony Joe White
“Well, the wind was howling at the night. And the moon was covered up with clouds. Walking ‘cross a bridge on a dirt road, when I heard a troll growl. He said, ‘Don't you go walking ‘cross my bridge. I am gonna make it rough on you. I will give you swamp fever. And you'll be wondering if you're you. You know you got to pay the toll. ‘Cause even trolls love rock and roll.'”
This song leads us to a crossroad where reality and fantasy intersect. We are introduced to a troll who guards a bridge. What’s interesting is that, in this song, the troll has a penchant for rock and roll.
5. The Faery's Last Song, The Waterboys
“Soon shall our wings be stilled. And our laughter over and done. So let us dance on the ways. Let us dance in the sun.”
The Waterboys is a folk rock band composed of members from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and England. In their album “An Appointment With Mr. Yeats,” the band honors Ireland’s venerated poet William Butler Yeats.
In the album, the band sings the words to poems written by Yeats and uses rock and roll as the musical background.
This track is the lament of the last faery as it bids the world goodbye.
6. The Phoenix, Judee Sill
“On phosphorus wings the phoenix floated. The fires froze and the sea was hushed. And when I tried to speak, the sun imploded. And the war will wage in my guts. ‘Till the devil bites the dust. I never saw him losing a race, but I think he must.”
The phoenix is a creature in Greek mythology that symbolizes regeneration or rebirth. It features in this song, with Judee Sill comparing herself with the creature.
Sill feels like she is always chasing after something that burns her.
This song mentions several other mythical creatures as well, including dragons.
7. You Can Do Magic, America
via AmericaVEVO
“You can do magic. You can have anything that you desire. Magic, and you know you're the one who can put out the fire. You know darn well when you cast your spell, you will get your way. When you hypnotize with your eyes, a heart of stone can turn to clay.”
This song is about how a person’s life is transformed after falling in love with someone.
The experience of being in love and being loved in return has been likened to witnessing or even experiencing magic.
8. The Magician, Kate Bush
“When the fantasy bells of the universe ring, you can fly through the sky on a dragonfly's wing. There is magic within. There is magic without. Follow me and you'll learn just what life's all about.”
This song tells us that magic is everywhere in our world. If only people would look closer, they’d discover wonders that can lift them out of their misery.
In this song, Kate Bush invites listeners to discover these wonders.
9. All the Magic, Natalie Imbruglia
via Fan Winx
“I'm getting a feeling that I wanna explore. My heart to the ceiling and my feet off the floor. You let in all the magic. And it's even better than before. You open your heart and then you open the door. I'm getting all the magic.”
This song is part of the official soundtrack for the animated film Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom. It is a celebration of having found someone to trust and love.
Having this kind of person in one’s life is described as a magical feeling.
10. Zeus in the Architecture, Art vs Science
via ARTVSSCIENCE
“I can see Zeus in the architecture. Nothing sold can ever get old. Nothing brave can stay the same. Nothing slight can ever be light. Statues made will slowly turn gray. Zeus in the architecture.”
This song proclaims that “Zeus is in the architecture.” Although human civilization has evolved in its technology and culture, this song tells us that the remnants of our past are still with us.
11. Isle of the Sirens, The Impressions
via The Impressions
“And as we moved the voices got louder. They sing beautiful things in my ear. I must go to that island of women. I must see these creatures I hear. Love is blind, and desires have no fear.”
This song is a tribute to the enchanting sea creatures of myth and legend. In the song, there is an island inhabited by sirens.
Passing through the island, a sea captain tries, without success, to prevent a member of his crew from becoming enchanted with the sea creatures’ song.
12. Venus, Bananarama
“Goddess on the mountain top, burning like a silver flame. The summit of beauty and love, and Venus was her name.”
In Roman mythology, Venus is the goddess of love and beauty. In this song, one woman who has outstanding attributes compares herself to the goddess.
13. Hercules, Sara Bareilles
via sara bareilles
“Cause I have sent for a warrior. From on my knees, make me a Hercules. I was meant to be a warrior please. Make me a Hercules.”
Hercules was Rome’s equivalent of the Greek hero Herakles. He was famous for his physical strength, which he predominantly used to succeed in the Labors the gods sent him to accomplish.
Sara Bareilles penned this song as a tribute to strength, courage, and fearlessness.
14. Merlin's Time, Al Stewart
“Oh, who will walk the stony roads of Merlin's time? And keep a watch along the border line? And who will hear the legends passed in song and rhyme, upon the shepherd's pipes of Merlin's time?”
The Merlin alluded to in this song isn’t the one that stood at the Round Table with King Arthur’s knights.
Nevertheless, this Merlin also had a touch of the supernatural about him. During his time, he was a bard, a mystic, and a prophet.
15. Rhiannon, Ceredwen
via Ceredwen – Topic
“Dyma hi ei gwisg yn disgleirio yn llawn o aur. Ei golwg mor dlws ei hud yn ymestyn wi afael yn gryf. “Pwy yr wyt? Pwy yr wyt? Paid am gadael aros i mi.” Aros i'm paid mynd ‘mlaen… Rhiannon paid mynd ‘mlaen aros, aros… (Translation: At last she's here, her robe shining with gold. Her looks so pretty, her magic all encompassing. “Who are you? Who are you? Don't go ahead, wait for me.” Wait for me, don't go ahead… Rhiannon, don't go ahead, wait, wait…)”
In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon is a powerful goddess who bestows her generosity to those with whom she is pleased. This song is about a sighting of the goddess, and the one who witnessed the goddess begging her to stay and not disappear.
16. Yemaya, Kele Okereke
via Kele
“In a dream, I hear her laughter. Like waves upon the shore, it pulls me further out than I should go. Underneath the asphalt stirring, the stream of the earth breaks your holy waters over us. Oh, Yemaya, I'm clear. Oh, Yemaya, I'm listening.”
This song is a tribute to Yemaya, the mother goddess in the Yoruban religion. Yemaya presides over bodies of water and is considered the progenitor of all the orisha, or deities.
17. Pardon Me, Incubus
via incubusTV
“So pardon me while I burst into flames. I've had enough of the world and its people's mindless games. So pardon me while I burn and rise above the flame. Pardon me, pardon me. I'll never be the same.”
When the phoenix is about to regenerate, it is consumed by a flame until only ashes remain. Then, out of the ashes, the phoenix rises again, symbolizing rebirth and a new cycle.
This song makes an allusion to the phoenix’s resurrection.
18. Weightless, Wolfgang
via Wolfgang – Topic
“On the wings of Eros I'll stretch them wide. Upon the winds of fortune I'm ready to glide.”
In Greek mythology, a boy named Icarus and his father, Daedalus, attempted to escape the island of Crete on wings crafted from feather and wax.
Icarus’ flight was initially successful, until he dared to fly higher and the sun melted the wax from his wings, causing him to fall to his death in the sea below.
In this song, a person declares he will fare better than Icarus, with the wings of love (Eros) as his instrument for flight.
19. The Unicorn, The Irish Rovers
via The Irish Rovers
“A long time ago, when the earth was still green. And there were more kinds of animals than you've ever seen. They'd run around free while the earth was being born. But the loveliest of all was the unicorn.”
Although unicorns are mentioned in different ancient texts, there isn’t any evidence that these creatures ever existed. This catchy song is a humorous attempt to explain why there aren’t any unicorns today.
20. Seven Turns, The Allman Brothers Band
“Seven turns on the highway. Seven rivers to cross. Sometimes, you feel you could fly away. Sometimes, you get lost.”
Many different myths and folklore have considered seven to be a magical number. In this song, the number seven is used to highlight different paths taken to arrive at either your destiny or the doorway to despair.
21. If I Had Magic, Barbie
via Barbie
“If I had magic… I'd make a chocolate lake, turn cabbage into cake. I'd text without mistake, LOL yeah. I'd dream a pair of wings and I would fly away. I'd zoom across the sky.”
If one day you woke up and found out that you were capable of magic, what would you do?
This song is part of the official soundtrack for Barbie’s animated film Barbie and the Secret Door. In it, Barbie enumerates her plans to use magic to make her life easier.
22. The Family Madrigal (Disney's Encanto OST), Stephanie Beatriz and the Encanto Cast
via DisneyMusicVEVO
“Welcome to the Family Madrigal. The home of the Family Madrigal (We're on our way!) Where all the people are fantastical and magical. I'm part of the Family Madrigal.”
Encanto is one of Disney’s latest animated film releases. It is the story of a Colombian family whose members possess magical gifts.
In this song, Mirabel introduces all of the other family members and lists the magical gifts they have.
23. Fairy Tale Lullaby, John Martyn
via John Martyn
“I will take you through the magic dancing wood. And I will take you where the goblins are all good. I will take you where the elves and pixies do sing. And I will take you 'round the magic fairy ring.”
Finally, here’s an invitation to step into the realm of magic. All you have to do is believe, and you’ll see.
Final Thoughts About Songs About Magic
There you have it—an enchanting collection of songs about magic.
All of these tracks have the power to whisk you away to enchanted realms. Stay there awhile and leave what’s stressing you behind for a moment.
Once you’re ready to return to the “real world,” do so with the knowledge that magic is within you and all around you. All you need to do is look closer to discover the wonders in your life.
We hope you enjoyed this collection as much as we enjoyed gathering the songs. Which one’s your favorite?
If you need more resources about song collections for specific topics, you can check out the following posts:
Finally, if you want to use these songs to make a lasting change to your life, then check out these 100 LIFE GOALS that can help you wake up each morning with a sense of enthusiasm about making progress toward what's important..
