#peter green
Classic Monday
Black Magic Woman
Performed by Fleetwood Mac
Written by Peter Green
Originally released by Fleetwood Mac in March of ‘68, and “covered up” by Santana in ‘70, Black Magic Woman was one of the final efforts Peter Green brought to the Mac before he left the band altogether. And it seemed to be the ideal song for Halloween.
Danny Kirwan sings this “unfamiliar” version, and Green’s guitar work doesn’t have Santana’s “sexiness” to it, but that’s the very reason that I chose this version. It’s a bit more “spooky” to hear Green play, which I imagine is my own lack of familiarity with the version. It’s good though…
How does this affect me? Well, for the most part, it doesn’t do much for me. I’ve never been that big on Santana (overrated), and unless you listen to a station that’s dedicated to the blues, you’ll never hear the Mac’s version on the radio (and even then…). But, as a fan of “originals” for the most part, and a fan of the Mac in general, I *do* like this one. One man’s treasure, I suppose.
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 tryin’ to make a devil out of me
Turn your back on me, baby
Turn your back on me, baby
Yes, don’t turn your back on me baby
Stop messin’ ‘round with your tricks
Don’t turn your back on me baby
You just might pick up my magic sticks
Got your spell on me baby
Got your spell on me baby
Yes, you got your spell on me baby
Turning my heart into stone
I need you so bad, magic woman
I can’t leave you alone