An estimated 92% of us experience earworms. Despite the annoying times we can’t get a chorus or a hook of an overplayed pop song out of our heads, getting a really good earworm stuck can be one of the best things, ever. We here at Nerdist are dead set on bringing you those types of songs—even if only for the weekend. So shove this into your grey matter!
Let’s face it, there’s no way the world won’t be captivated by the new additions to the Harry Potter Cinematic Universe after we get our first taste of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit how excited I am to see it and until that moment comes, my idiot brain did the only thing it’s good at and went on a free-association spree this week getting magic-related songs stuck in my head. Not one to keep such annoyances to myself, I see no better way then to share them here in hopes of breaking the curse I’ve found myself plagued with. So without further adieu, and with no regard to how lame this tie-in is, here are some of the catchiest songs that mention magic in some way.
Steve Miller Band – “Abracadabra”
Setting aside how overtly creepy the lyric “I wanna reach out and grab ya” is, there’s probably no better song used in movies and TV that conveys some sort of corny level of magical use than this one from 1982. Strange how the word “abracadabra” lives on as the stereotypical word for magic when its origins are that of, believe it or not, medicinal use. The word was used during the Roman empire as an incantation to cure the sick. Imagine just how weird it would be if, hundreds of years from now, there was a song that treated modern medicine as we know it in the same manner. Oh man! It’d totally be “Anti-anti-biotics!”
The Police – “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”
The idea of thinking everything someone does is magical is just about the sweetest thing ever, but I always had an issue with the fact whoever The Police were singing about had absolutely terrible rainy day etiquette. Even if “It’s a big enough umbrella/But it’s always me that ends up getting wet” is metaphorical, it’s still not a good quality. Sting, buddy. You’re better than that. I mean, you’re Sting, for chrissakes! Find someone who you think is magical and understands that big enough umbrellas should be shared.
David Bowie – “Magic Dance”
Come on. You’re on Nerdist.com and it’s an article about magical songs. You knew this one would be here. This song, along with the others from Labyrinth, have been drilled into the nerdy minds of people for two decades now and will undoubtedly remain one of most iconic moments for the late, great David Bowie. What occurs to me now is how disappointed I am that there hasn’t been some obscure background easter egg cameo from someone dressed as Jareth in any of the Harry Potter films. Here’s hoping Fantastic Beasts delivers on that in some way. I’m counting on you, Newt!
The Cars – “Magic”
Sure, the song is called “Magic” and that fits this week’s theme and all but what I find truly magical about this song is its music video. I’ve never seen a video in which the band seems so absolutely uninterested in being in it. Ric Ocasek walks around with a mix of energy somewhere between “despondent teen” and “Aunt who half-dances at family gatherings” that makes me wonder if the varied cast of loudly dressed extras were brought in only to try and liven up the frame. It was released in 1984, and I can only assume that the band just wasn’t on board with the vision of this video considering that same year we also got an imaginative one for “You Might Think” that seems like the band was at least aware someone was filming them.
There are, of course, dozens of other magic-related songs I could have chosen for this week’s edition but none as catchy as the ones above. Well, except maybe The Lovin Spoonful’s “Do You Believe in Magic?” but what sort of person would I be to subject anyone to that or even dare link to it? Come on, I’m not a monster.
What are some of your favorite magic-centric tunes? Share them in the comments below!
Image:Â TriStar Pictures
Blake Rodgers writes for Nerdist from Chicago, IL where he lives happily with his Guinness World Record for High Fives. You can be his pal by following him on Twitter (@TheBlakeRodgers)
