"Witchcraft" is a

popular Popularity or social status is the quality of being well liked, admired or well known to a particular group. Popular may also refer to: In sociology * Popular culture * Popular fiction * Popular music * Popular science * Populace, the total ...

song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...

from 1957 composed by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh.

Versions

Frank Sinatra recorded "Witchcraft" three times in a studio setting. The first recording was in 1957, for his single release, and was later released on his compilation album ''

All the Way All the Way may refer to: Film and television * ''All the Way'', an Australian film of 1998 directed by Marque Owen * ''All the Way'' (2001 film), a film directed by Shi Runjiu * ''All the Way'' (film), a 2016 adaptation of Robert Schenkkan's p ...

'' (1961). Sinatra re-recorded "Witchcraft" for 1963's ''

Sinatra's Sinatra ''Sinatra's Sinatra'' is an album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released in 1963. Ten of the album's twelve tracks are re-recorded versions of songs that Sinatra had previously released, with "Pocketful of Miracles" and "Call Me Irresponsibl ...

'', and finally recorded it as a duet with

Anita Baker Anita Denise Baker (born January 26, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. She is one of the most popular singers of soulful ballads, especially renowned for her work during the height of the quiet storm period in the 1980s. Starting her career ...

for '' Duets'' (1993).

Chart performance

"Witchcraft" was released in the U.S. in 1957 as a single by Frank Sinatra. At its highest ranking it reached number six on the Hot 100 chart and stayed on the charts for sixteen weeks.

Other recordings

"Witchcraft" has been recorded by many other artists, including Sarah Vaughan, on her 1962 album '' You're Mine You'',

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

, on '' Ella Returns to Berlin'' (1961), and Bill Evans on '' Portrait in Jazz'' (1959). Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1958 for use on his radio show and it was subsequently included in the CD ''Bing Sings the Sinatra Songbook'' (2011). Another version by Joe Malone was featured in the 1993 movie '' Hocus Pocus''.

Siouxsie Sioux Susan Janet Ballion (born 27 May 1957), known professionally as Siouxsie Sioux, is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. She was the lead singer of the rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976–1996). They released 11 ...

performed it in concert with her second band

The Creatures The Creatures were an English band formed in 1981 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie of the group Siouxsie and the Banshees. The Creatures released their first EP '' Wild Things'' in 1981. They recorded four studio albums: '' Feas ...

and a brass section in 1998: it was then included on their live cd, ''Zulu''. Robert Smith of

The Cure The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, West Sussex. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith has remained the only constant member. The band's ...

recorded a version of the song for

Tim Burton Timothy Walter Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for his gothic fantasy and horror films such as '' Beetlejuice'' (1988), '' Edward Scissorhands'' (1990), '' The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (1993 ...

's ''

Frankenweenie Unleashed! ''Frankenweenie: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' is the film score for the Disney film, '' Frankenweenie'' by Danny Elfman, was released September 25, 2012. A separate soundtrack concept album titled, ''Frankenweenie Unleashed!: Music Ins ...

'', a 14-track collection of songs "inspired by" the filmmaker's stop-motion creation '' Frankenweenie'', released on 25 September 2012.

Anthony Strong Anthony Strong (born 29 October 1984) is an English jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter. Early life Strong was born in Croydon, Surrey, England and educated at Whitgift School, the Royal Academy of Music, the Purcell School, and The Guildhal ...

released a version of the song on his 2013 album ''Stepping Out''.

Awards

Grammys

At the

1st Grammy Awards The 1st Annual Grammy Awards were held on May 4, 1959. They recognized musical accomplishments by performers for the year 1959. Two separate ceremonies were held simultaneously on the same day; the first hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and the ...

, Frank Sinatra was nominated for six Grammy awards, with Sinatra's recording of "Witchcraft" being nominated for the

Record of the Year The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without reg ...

, Song of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and Nelson Riddle's arrangement nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement. Sinatra had two albums nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and won the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package. This song was also sung live by Peggy Lee.

Popular culture

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

sang this song in '' The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis''. * A portion of the Frank Sinatra rendition is played during the climax of the film ''

Who Framed Roger Rabbit ''Who Framed Roger Rabbit'' is a 1988 American live-action/animated comedy mystery film directed by Robert Zemeckis, produced by Frank Marshall and Robert Watts, and loosely adapted by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman from Gary K. Wolf's 19 ...

'' and is included in the soundtrack for the film ''

Fifty Shades of Grey ''Fifty Shades of Grey'' is a 2011 erotic romance novel by British author E. L. James. It became the first instalment in the ''Fifty Shades'' novel series that follows the deepening relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, ...

''. * A portion of the Frank Sinatra rendition is sang by Nick Bakay on ''

Sabrina, The Teenage Witch ''Sabrina the Teenage Witch'' is a comic book series published by Archie Comics about the adventures of a fictional American teenager named Sabrina Spellman. Sabrina was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo, and first appeared ...

'' in his voice role as warlock-turned-black cat Salem Saberhagen, before his character hacks up a hairball.

References

{{Authority control Frank Sinatra songs Halloween songs Songs with music by Cy Coleman Songs with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh 1957 songs Elvis Presley songs