Do you believe in magic? Whether you do or you don’t, you can’t deny that the world is filled with mysterious forces that some might call magic. It could be love, lust, obsession, blinding rage, or just sheer joy – all these emotions can feel magical when you feel them intensely enough.
So for this list, we’ve compiled 15 magical tunes that will surely enchant you.
Angels and Airwaves – Everything’s Magic
Let’s start off with this feel-good track from Angels and Airwaves. Everything’s Magic was released in 2007, and it’s possibly one of the bands most popular tracks. We can see why because it has such happy, uplifting lyrics about seeing the magic in every little thing you experience.
Magical lyrics: So hear this please
And watch as your heart speeds up endlessly
And look for the stars as the sun goes down
Each breath that you take has a thunderous sound
Everything, everything’s magic
Just sit back and hold on, but hold on tight
Prepare for the best and the fastest ride
And reach out your hand, and I’ll make you mine
Everything, everything’s magic
Barry Manilow – Could It Be Magic
This sweet and enchanting tune was Barry Manilow’s tribute to Melissa Manchester, with whom he shares a record label. This love song was originally loathed by its composer, and even Barry Manilow wasn’t surprised when it failed to hit the charts. After a while, though, Barry’s opinion of the song softened somehow, which just shows that a catchy track like this one can take some time before it works its magic.
Magical lyrics: Baby I love you come, come
Come into my arms
Let me know the wonder of all of you
And baby I want you
Now, now, oh now, oh now and hold on fast
Could this be the magic at last
Now could it be magic
Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
Want a party track that will put a spell on everyone on the dance floor? This is the song you want on your playlist! Singing as the man every guy wants to be, he sings as a “dangerous man with some money in my pocket,” which he then uses to go on a pimpwear shopping spree. Of course, he’s also surrounded by so many pretty girls – both the bad bitches and their ugly-ass friends!
Magical lyrics: Players only, come on
Put your pinky rings up to the moon
Girls, what y’all trying to do?
Twenty four karat magic in the air
Head to toe soul player
Uh, look out!
Peter, Paul, and Mary – Puff
Did you know that this song was once rumored to be about drugs? Despite the controversy (or perhaps because of it) this song has become a huge hit with both adults and kids alike. The song follows the childhood of little Jackie Paper and his imaginary dragon, Puff. They go on fantastical adventures together until one day, Jackie grows up and stops visiting Puff. It sends a clear message about the carefree days of one’s youth and how the magic of childhood can fade away once we grow up.
Magical lyrics: Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honahlee
Little Jackie paper loved that rascal puff
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff
Coldplay – Magic
In this song, Chris Martin’s vocals really shine through in the bass-heavy backdrop. The song is about the love, complicated as it is, between two people that he likens to magic. In an interview, he says, “It’s not a question of you either really love someone or you really hate someone, it’s more nuanced than that – especially with the modern world’s complications – like traveling and all the stuff that comes to life, and illness and addiction and all that sort of thing.”
Magical lyrics: Call it magic, call it true
I call it magic when I’m with you
And I just got broken, broken into two
Still I call it magic, when I’m next to you
Katy Perry feat. Juicy J – Dark Horse
This magical mashup of different genres like pop, trap, and hip-hop has become one of Katy Perry’s most seductive and mature songs – leagues away from her usual bubblegum pop songs. In the song, Perry sings as an enchanted seductress who’s warning a man not to fall in love with her. Why? Because she knows she’ll be his last.
Magical lyrics: So you wanna play with magic?
Boy, you should know what you’re falling for
Baby, do you dare to do this?
‘Cause I’m coming at you like a dark horse
Are you ready for, ready for
A perfect storm, perfect storm?
‘Cause once you’re mine, once you’re mine
There’s no going back
MAGIC! – Don’t Kill the Magic
Did you know that the band actually took their name from this song? According to frontman Nasri Atweh, being able to write this song together felt like a magical connection between the members of the band. And if you look at the lyrics, it’s all about not giving up on magic, which in this case is the relationship between two lovers.
Magical lyrics: Just don’t kill, don’t kill the magic
Just don’t kill, don’t kill the magic
I’m not ready to give up just yet
We could stay until we both forget
So baby, don’t kill, don’t kill, don’t kill the magic
The Police – Every Thing She Does is Magic
Have you ever been so in love with someone that you see their every move as an enchanting expression of grace? This song is from the perspective of a man smitten by a woman’s charms, but he’s so intimidated by her that he can’t muster up the guts to tell her how he feels. So what does he do? He just admires every little thing she does from a distance.
Magical lyrics: Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she do just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell On You
In fitting with his unsettling yet interesting persona, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins tried to perform this song with various grunts and groans. It was unsurprisingly banned from the radio. The song itself was written by Hawkins as a soft blues ballad lamenting his breakup with a woman. He’s claiming to have put a spell on her so she’d come back to him. It’s a little creepy, but it’s not exactly surprising coming from a guy who calls himself Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.
Magical lyrics: I put a spell on you because you’re mine
You better stop the things that you do
I ain’t lyin’, no, I ain’t lyin’
I just can’t stand it babe
The way you’re always runnin’ ’round
I just can’t stand it, the way you always put me down
I put a spell on you because you’re mine
Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra
We can all agree that we feel like we’re under some sort of spell when we’re passionately attracted to someone. Abracadabra is the song that makes you wonder if you’re under such a spell. With unabashedly sexual lyrics set to a funk rock tune, Abracadabra can be on your playlist of songs to play when you want to get it on with someone.
Magical lyrics: I feel the magic in your caress
I feel magic when I touch your dress
Silk and satin, leather and lace
Black panties with an angel’s face
Stevie Wonder – Superstition
Superstitious is one of the first tracks that got Stevie Wonder his first number one single, and we can’t deny that it got the whole world under its magic. The song itself is about superstitions, as it mentions some popular ones like falling ladders, broken mirrors, and the number 13. It talks about the negative effects of believing in superstitions too much.
Magical lyrics: Very superstitious, nothin’ more to say
Very superstitious, the devil’s on his way
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin’ glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past
Sublime – Santeria
Sublime’s most popular tune is mostly about revenge, but it does mention some elements of black magic. The protagonist of the song laments how some guy (referred to as Sancho) stole his girlfriend (referred to Haina). He’s out looking for revenge and considers using Santeria to do so despite not being a believer of that faith. So in the end, he considers just shooting the Sancho and slapping Haina around.
Magical lyrics: I don’t practice Santeria
I ain’t got no crystal ball
Well, I had a million dollars but I, I’d spend it all
If I could find that Heina, and that Sancho that she’s found
Well, I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down
The Platters – The Magic Touch
As one of The Platters’ most popular songs, The Magic Touch has certainly touched many audiences. The song is about a protagonist whose lover enchants him with just one touch. It’s a sweet, soulful tune that you might want to play from someone who makes you feel magical.
Magical lyrics: You-oo-‘ve got the magic touch
It makes me glow so much
It casts a spell, it rings a bell
The magic touch
Little Mix – Black Magic
We needed a little bubblegum pop on our list so we’ve chosen this song from Little Mix. In Black Magic, the girls sing about having a secret potion that can make any guy fall in love with them. But in an act of woman empowerment, they opt to give the secret away to any girl who needs help getting the man she wants. The band says the “secret potion” is a metaphor for confidence, which they believe will help anyone looking to attract a guy.
Magical lyrics: Take a sip of my secret potion
I’ll make you fall in love
For a spell that can’t be broken
One drop should be enough
Boy, you belong to me
I got the recipe
And it’s called black magic
Santana – Black Magic Woman
Finally, we end this list with one of the most iconic songs about magic ever written. Black Magic Woman, as is the recurring theme on this list, is about a man who’s blinded to the point of obsession by his love for this mysterious black magic woman. While the lyrics are fairly simple, it’s Santana’s prowess with the guitar that really enchants his audience.
Magical lyrics: Got a black magic woman
Got a black magic woman
I’ve got a black magic woman
Got me so blind I can’t see
That she’s a black magic woman
She’s trying to make a devil out of me
Music in itself is a magical arrangement of sounds and lyrics that make us feel all sorts of emotions. So in a way, we can say that some of these songs are so powerful that they cast a spell on us!
