Witchy Woman - Eagles (1972) 9/3/21

From 1969 to 1971, guitarist Bernie Leadon was a member of the seminal country-rock band The Flying Burrito Brothers.

At some point during that time, he started writing a song based on a Native American rhythm...but didn't get very far with it--until he left the "Burritos" and became a founding member of the Eagles.

When Eagles co-founder Don Henley heard what Bernie had "so far," he was inspired to write lyrics that not only finished the tune...but helped make it a "Great Song of 1972!"

Believe it or not, Don's creative juices starting flowing after he was stuck in bed with a bad case of the flu.

He started reading a book about Zelda Fitzgerald (wife of F. Scott), who was known to be mesmerizing, bewitching and mentally ill. That got him thinking about all the crazy girls he had met in nightclubs like the Troubador and Whiskey-a-Go-Go,as well as his girlfriend's roommate who dabbled in white witchcraft and paranormal activities. (Are you following this?)

Somehow, all of that...plus a high fever (and possibly a combination of prescription and recreational drugs), led Don to finish "Witchy Woman," which then appeared on the Eagles' 1972 debut album, and became the follow-up to their excellent debut single, "Take it Easy," which we highlighted back on: 4/24/20: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/171430844330371

Both Don and Bernie claim they meant "witchy" in the sense of being "seductive," as opposed to "witchcraft," but Don has also said he found witchcraft to be seductive, and he later dated rock & roll's most famous "white witch:" Stevie Nicks.

Okay, Don...whatever you say. :-)

The song was a solid follow-up to "Take It Easy," and a "Great Song" in it's own right, reaching the Top 10 in Canada (#8) and the US (#9)

"Witchy Woman" by the Eagles: no matter "which witch is which," it's a "Great Song of 1972!"