11 Songs From Hocus Pocus
“Hocus Pocus,” the iconic film released in 1993, has become a Halloween staple over the years. It spins the tale of the Sanderson Sisters, three witches from the 17th century who are accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem by a group of kids. The movie blends comedy, horror, and a bit of magic, creating a cult classic that fans watch year after year.
Fast forward to 2022, and the magic hasn’t faded a bit with the release of “Hocus Pocus 2.” This long-awaited sequel brings back the beloved Sanderson Sisters as they once again find themselves brought back to life, this time by a new generation of Salem teenagers. The sequel aims to recapture the original’s charm, mixing nostalgia with new adventures.
When “Hocus Pocus” first enchanted audiences, it wasn’t just the spellbinding storyline that captured hearts, but also its clever use of music. Notably, Bette Midler’s performance of “I Put a Spell on You” became an instant classic, perfectly capturing the film’s blend of humor and horror.
The sequel introduces new songs that maintain the enchanting atmosphere of the first film, blending seamlessly with the story’s modern setting while nodding to the original’s beloved soundtrack.
Songs in these films range from spooky to silly, perfectly complementing the magical mishaps and comedic chaos the Sanderson Sisters stir up in Salem.
Now, let’s dive into the full list of songs used in the films:
1. “I Put a Spell on You”
Originally a Screamin’ Jay Hawkins number (1956), this song gets a magical twist when Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson) takes center stage. It’s the moment in the movie where the sisters crash the Halloween party and use their bewitching vocal prowess to put everyone under their spell.
“I Put a Spell on You,” is such a hit it’s on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 tunes that rocked the world. Rolling Stone even gave it a shoutout as #313 on their “Greatest Songs of All Time.”
This tune made a cameo not once but twice in the 1993 Disney laugh fest Hocus Pocus, belted out in its original form and then again with a twist by the witchy Sanderson Sisters. Fast forward to 2019, and it’s setting the mood in Ford v Ferrari, with Nina Simone’s rendition taking center stage among other ’50s classics.
Fun Facts.
- Did you know that Bette Midler has said this was one of her favorite scenes to film? She absolutely nailed the performance, and it shows!
- At the Magic Kingdom’s spookiest bash, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the song gets a pop makeover, playing as you say goodbye to the HalloWishes fireworks. And the Sanderson Sisters, along with a crew of Disney bad guys, rock it out during the grand finale of the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. Keeping it PG, they swap “there’s hell to pay” with “there’s heck to pay.”
- Over at Cars Land, “I Put a Spell on You” crashes the party during the Haul-O-Ween sunset neon light show, replacing the usual “Sh-Boom” from Cars with its own glitchy entrance.
- And here’s a fun tidbit: When Winnifred hollers, “Hello, Salem! My name is Winifred! What’s yours?” it’s a cheeky nod to Gypsy: A Musical Fable. Bette Midler, who plays Winnifred, once starred as Mama Rose in the musical’s TV version in 1993, making the line a sly inside joke.
Lyrics.
I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine
You can’t stop the things I do
I ain’t lying…
Full Lyrics
It’s been three hundred years
Right down to the day
Now the witch is back
And there’s hell to pay
I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine!
Hello, Salem!
My name’s Winifred. What’s yours?
I put a spell on you
And now you’re gone
Gone, gone, gone so long
My whammy fell on you
And it was strong
So strong, so strong, so strong!
Your wretched little lives
Have all been cursed
‘Cause of all the witches working
I’m the worst
I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine
Watch out, watch out, watch out, watch out!
She ain’t lying
If you don’t believe
You’d better get superstitious
Ask my sisters
She’s vicious!
I put a spell on you
A wicked spell
I put a spell on you
Sisters!
Ah-say-into-pie
Oppa-maybe-uppen-die
Ah-say-into-pie
Oppa-maybe-uppen-die
In-kama-koray-ah-ma
In-kama-koray-ah-ma
Hey, high
Say, bye-bye!
Bye, bye, bye
2. “Come Little Children (Sarah’s Theme)”
“Come Little Children,” also rocking the names “Sarah’s Theme” and “Garden of Magic,” is basically Sarah Sanderson’s magic lullaby from the movie Hocus Pocus. As Sarah Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker delivers this beautiful lullaby that beckons all the children of Salem to the witches’ abode. It’s ethereal, eerie, and showcases Parker’s impressive vocals.
James Horner cooked up the tune, and Brock Walsh whipped up the words, along with some spooky “Chants and Incantations” for the movie vibe.
Who Really Wrote It?
Now, there’s a bit of a mystery about where the lyrics came from. Some folks and the Hal Leonard Corporation are spreading the rumor that Edgar Allan Poe penned the original poem called “Come Little Children.” But Poe experts are calling bluff on that one. They say, “Nope, doesn’t sound like our Poe, and it’s not in his collection.” Brock Walsh steps in and says, “Hey, those words are mine. I was just super into Poe as a kid.”
Cover Versions.
There are a couple of remixes out there, “Garden of Shadows” and “Garden of Mystery,” that some fans cooked up, not the original Hocus Pocus squad. “Garden of Shadows” popped up on a blog in 2002 by someone named Belos and got famous thanks to Kate Covington on her YouTube channel Erutan Music in 2009.
Fun Fact.
Sarah Sanderson gave the song another go in the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. She, Winifred, and Mary were just about to mix up some potion action in their cauldron.
Lyrics.
Come, little children, I’ll take thee away,
Into a land of enchantment.
Come, little children, the time’s come to play,
Here in my garden of magic.
3. “One Way or Another”
“One Way or Another,” that catchy tune from the disco balls era, found its way into Hocus Pocus 2. Originally it was performed by the spellbinding duo Nigel Harrison and Debbie Harry of Blondie in 1978.
Fast forward to 2022, and it’s getting a bewitching update with new lyrics by Scott M. Riesett and Marc Shaiman. The witches needed a new anthem to groove to while plotting their shenanigans.
Fun Fact.
Did you know that the iconic track “One Way or Another” by Blondie was inspired by Debbie Harry’s real-life experience with a stalker? That’s right, the song’s relentless and slightly menacing lyrics were actually born out of Debbie’s encounters with an overzealous fan who was following her around.
Lyrics.
One way or another, I’m gonna find ya
I’m gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya
One way or another I’m gonna win ya
I’m gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya
One way or another I’m gonna see ya
I’m gonna meet ya, meet ya, meet ya, meet ya
One day, maybe real soon, I’m gonna meet ya
I’m gonna meet ya, I’ll meet ya!
Full Lyrics
Pre-Chorus
And when the sun has gone down
We’ll fly our broomsticks downtown
To spy who’s around
Sistahs!
Chorus
One way or another, we’re gonna find ya
We’re gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya
One way or another we’re gonna grab ya!
(I’ll nab ya), I’ll jab ya
One way or another we’re gonna snatch ya
I’m gonna catch ya! Dispatch ya!
One day, (Maybe next week), wе’re gonna grip ya and then I’ll trip ya, I’ll whip ya
Now lead us, Salеm!
Lead us to that Mayor!
Pre-Chorus:
And like a hawk in the night
(Shoopa-shoopa, shoopa-shoopa)
(Shoo-shoo-boom, shakadula, shaka)
We’ll scoop you up for a flight
(Shoopa-shoopa, shoopa-shoopa)
(Shoo-shoo-boom, shakadula, shaka)
And we’ll take a bite
(We’ll take a, we’ll take a bite!)
1, 2, 3, 4!
Bridge:
Ah, say into pi, alpha maybe upendi
(Ah, say into pi, alpha maybe upendi!)
In comma-coriyama
(In comma-coriyama)
Hey! (Hey!)
High! (High!)
Come on maybe upendi!
We’re gonna chew ya
And even witches’ brew ya
We’re acting cruel, ya’ll
And oopa-doopa-doo ya
We’re gonna slay ya
And probably filet ya
It might upset ya
But we’ll get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya
Chorus:
One way or another, we’re gonna find ya
We’re gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya
One way or another, we’re gonna trick ya
I’m gonna stick ya, (I’ll kick ya)
One way, one way or another, we’re gonna meet ya
Yeah, we’re gonna cheat ya, beat ya, then defeat ya
One day, oh, maybe right now, no more debatin’
It’s agravatting, satan’s, waitin’, stayin’
One way or another!
Haha-haha-ha!
4. “The Witches Are Back”
“The Witches Are Back” is basically the Sanderson Sisters’ version of a mic drop in Hocus Pocus 2. After Becca and Izzy, thinking they’re just having a bit of spooky fun, light the Black Flame Candle, they accidentally hit the witchy equivalent of a “power on” button. And just like that, our favorite trio of chaos-causing witches pops back into Salem.
And they don’t just perform this spellbinding song once; they bring it back for the end credits, making sure everyone leaves the cinema with a tune they can’t shake.
Fun fact.
This song is a cheeky nod to Elton John’s “The B*tch is Back,” but with a twist that’s more “Hocus Pocus” than “Rocket Man.”
Lyrics.
Whoo!
Now listen up!
We were running wild
And so reviled
Raising cain until we got exiled
But times are changing
Now we’re on the attack
Yeah, the spell is gonna hit ya
‘Cause the witches are back
(Whoa-oa-oa)
Full Lyrics
Sisters!
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: Yeah, the witches, the witches
The witches are back
Winifred: Stone cold sinners as a matter of fact
Mary: I’m a witch
Sarah: I’m a witch
Winifred: But I’m better than you
Watch the way that we fly
The way that you’ll die
(Whoa-ho-ho)
Hoo!
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: Yeah, the witches, the witches
The witches are back
Winifred: Stone cold meanies as a matter of fact
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: Yeah, the witches
The witches are coming for you
Mary: With the spells that we cast
Winifred: My, this tempo is fast (Sarah: Whoa-oa-oa)
All together now, girls!
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: Witch, witch
The witches are back
Mary: We’re back! (Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo)
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: Witch, witch
Winifred: Sing it to me!
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: The witches are back, back
The witch, witch (Winifred: Which witch?)
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: The witches are back
Winifred: Oooh, we’re killing them (Mary: Woooooooh!)
Winifred, Sarah, and Mary: Witch, witch (Winifred: Ha-ha!)
The witches are back, back
5. “Witchcraft”
“Witchcraft” – the tune that proves music is indeed magical, especially when it ends up being the soundtrack for both a toon-human caper and a witchy reunion.
Crafted by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, this song was so smooth that when Frank Sinatra sang it, even the martini glasses swooned.
Fast forward to 1988, and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” decided that what a movie mixing live-action and animation really needed was a Sinatra classic.
Then, as if by magic, the same track lands in “Hocus Pocus” (1993), a film where a trio of witches find themselves bewildered by the 20th century.
Fun Fact.
Despite its haunting presence in witchy and animated adventures, “Witchcraft” was actually nominated for the 1958 Grammy Awards.
Lyrics.
Those fingers in my hair
That sly come hither stare
That strips my conscience bare
It’s Witchcraft
Full Lyrics
And I’ve got no defense for it
The heat is too intense for it
What good would common sense for it do?
‘Cause it’s Witchcraft
Wicked Witchcraft
And although I know it’s strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says yes indeed in me
Proceed with what you’re leading me to
It’s such an ancient pitch
But one I wouldn’t switch
‘Cause there’s no nicer witch than you
‘Cause it’s Witchcraft
That crazy Witchcraft
And although I know it’s strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says yes indeed in me
Proceed with what you’re leading me to
It’s such an ancient pitch
But one that I would never switch
‘Cause there’s no nicer witch than you
6. “Skeleton Sam”
“Skeleton Sam” by LVCRFT turns out to be the ultimate party anthem for the undead and living alike, especially when it’s about turning a graveyard into the hottest dance floor in town. Released in 2019 on their album “The Sequel,” this track brought Halloween to hip-hop, pop, and dance floors with a bone-rattling beat.
Fast forward to 2022, and what better way to kick off “Hocus Pocus 2” on Disney+ than with a song about a skeleton named Sam who’s all about those spooky vibes? As we wave goodbye to the 17th century and hello to present-day Salem, “Skeleton Sam” sets the tone for a sequel.
Lyrics.
I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine
You can’t stop the things I do
I ain’t lyingWe gather here for this special occasion
One night only in limited engagement
So stomp your feet and clap your hands
For Skeleton Sam and his graveyard band
Full Lyrics
I was just a little ghoul when I heard his name
He’s the graveyard legend of the danging gam
Rumor has it he invented how to knock ’em dead
He’s the reason that we all say “break a leg”
When the sun goes down all the ghosts come out
Zombies rise up from the ground
Monsters come from all the lands
Just to see the bones of Skeleton Sam
Dance, dance, dance
The way he move you in a
Trance, trance, trance
Ooh he make you wanna
Dance, dance, dance
Until you can’t
Shaking every bone
Like Skeleton Sam
Every bone is double-jointed, he can twist ’em all
Spin his head on his finger like a basketball
No one knows where he’s from but I hear he’s the king
Of the Lafayette Cemetary in New Orleans
When the werewolves howl and the witches fly
That’s when you know Sam’s nearby
When you hear the sound of a million scream
They’re probably watching him on ghost TV
Dance, dance, dance
The way he move you in a
Trance, trance, trance
Ooh he make you wanna
Dance, dance, dance
Until you can’t
Shaking every bone
Like Skeleton Sam
Dance, dance, dance
The way he move you in a
Trance, trance, trance
Ooh he make you wanna
Dance, dance, dance
Until you can’t
Shaking every bone
Like Skeleton Sam
Dance, dance, dance
The way he move you in a
Trance, trance, trance
Ooh he make you wanna
Dance, dance, dance
Until you can’t
Shaking every bone
Like Skeleton Sam
7. “Ghosted”
Originally, “Ghosted” was created by the hip-hop maestro DBone, his crew The Remains, and the wizard of production, Brock Walsh. They mixed a potion of rap, pop, and funk.
This track quickly found its way into the haunted heart of “Hocus Pocus 2,” because what’s a sequel to a cult classic without a song about being haunted by an ex?
Lyrics.
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
…..
I got the chills when I met ya
The stars were aligned
Said you’d meet me under the moon
At half past 9
Full Lyrics
Now, I’m here all alone
Staring at my phone
I wish I had a friend
Ghosted again
I got a ghost in my phone book
It didn’t treat me right
I was waiting for the message
I waited all night
‘Till the ghost finally came
Then left out of sight
I got ghosted,
Ghosted
I drove my limousine back home
Sad and quite dreary
Was about to fall asleep
When I heard something eerie
She says hello, it’s me
Barb from last night
My eyes are bulging out
From this gooky, spooky sight
Then tells about the accident
Like that, she disappeared
My heart sank deeper and deeper
It was everything I feared
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
…….
Where did you go?
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Nobody knows
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
……..
Ghosted again
Am I just another friend?
Ghosted
I got a ghost in my phone book
It didn’t treat me right
I was waiting for the message
I waited all night
‘Till the ghost finally came
Then left out of sight
I got ghosted,
Ghosted again
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Where did you go?
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
I got ghosted,
Ghosted again
Where did you go?
Nobody knows
Where did you go?
Nobody knows
Where did you go?
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
Nobody knows
Ghosted
Ghosted
Ghosted
8. “Hocus Pocus Voo Doo”
Released in 1957 by RCA Records, “Hocus Pocus Voo Doo” by Big Bob Kornegay is like a time machine to the days when sax solos ruled and swing was king. With its toe-tapping rhythm and a story about a guy getting more than he bargained for with a voodoo woman, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to dance… cautiously.
Fast forward to 2022, and “Hocus Pocus Voo Doo” finds itself resurrected in “Hocus Pocus 2.” As the Sanderson Sisters make their grand entrance into a magic shop, filled with everything from the mystical to the downright bizarre, Big Bob’s tune sets the scene perfectly.
Lyrics.
I’m gonna use my hocus pocus voo doo on you
I’m gonna use my hocus pocus voo doo on you
Gonna make you love me, you little girl
‘Cause I love you
Ful Lyrics
Hocus pocus one, two, three
You’re the cutest little I ever did see
Hocus pocus three, four, five
You can keep a runnin’ but you can’t hide
I’m gonna use, use my stuff on you
I’m gonna use, use my voo doo on you
Gonna make you love me, you little girl
‘Cause I love you
Hocus pocus five and six
Then, I’ll use my bag of tricks
Baby, when I cast my spell on you
They’re nothing in the world that you can do
I’m gonna use, use my stuff on you
I’m gonna use my hocus pocus voo doo on you
Gonna make you love me, you little girl
‘Cause I love you
When I use my voo doo seven and eight
Then, you’ll ask me for a date
When I use voo doo number nine
You’ll be mine ’till the end of time
Gonna use, use my voo doo on you
I’m gonna use my hocus pocus voo doo on you
Gonna make you love me, you little girl
‘Cause I love you
Hocus pocus on you!
Oh, yeah!
9. “Afraid of the Nigh”
This track, nestled among the spells and laughter of the sequel to the beloved ’93 classic, offers a modern musical twist to the tale of Salem’s most infamous sisterly trio.
As the Sanderson Sisters make their long-awaited return, “Afraid of the Night” plays like a backdrop to their magical chaos. It’s as if DBone and The Remains, along with Earl St. Clair, knew exactly what the witches would need for their 21st-century comeback: a soundtrack that blends the eerie with the electric.
Lyrics.
Stop! Don’t touch that switch!
Nighttime’s the wrong time to play like this
When the lights are out I want to shout
“Who’s that going out?”
It’s not something you can always see
Full Lyrics
I know it’s something that’s surrounding me (Surrounding me)
I can feel the chills
I know it’s real
So it ain’t no mystery
When you turn out the lights
And you know you’re not alone
Something isn’t right
You can feel it in your bones
It’s a creaking in the stairs
The windows blowing closed
Raising up your hairs
And something’s getting close
I’m afraid of the night
(It’s kinda dark in here)
(This is my worst fear)
(I feel something’s near)
Can you turn on the lights?
(It’s kinda dark in here)
(This is my worst fear)
(Get me out of here!)
Ooo, I’m afraid of the night
Ghosts flying between the walls
Frankenstein is way too tall
There’s a thing at the end of the hall
Who now am I supposed to call?
I know that I ain’t crazy
I know I’m not insane
But the moon is full
The moon is out
And zombies want my brain!
When you turn out the lights
And you know you’re not alone
Something isn’t right
You can feel it in your bones
It’s a creaking in the stairs
The windows blowing closed
Raising up your hairs
And something’s getting close
I’m afraid of the night
(I’m afraid of the night)
(I’m afraid of the night)
(I’m afraid of the night)
Can you turn on the lights?
I’m afraid of the night
(I’m afraid of the night)
(I’m afraid of the night)
(I’m afraid of the night)
I’m afraid of the night
Who turned off the lights?
That is not funny
Look, whoever you are, show yourself!
Because I have a very, very large bat
And I will use it, so help me – ah! Get off! Ah!
When you turn out the lights
And you know you’re not alone
Something isn’t right
You can feel it in your bones
It’s a creaking in the stairs
The windows blowing closed
Raising up your hairs
And something’s getting close
I’m afraid of the night
(It’s kinda dark in here)
(This is my worst fear)
(Get me out of here!)
Can you turn on the lights?
I’m afraid of the night
(I’m afraid of the night)
(I’m afraid of the night)
(I’m afraid of the…)
10. “Planet Claire”
“Planet Claire,” that catchy tune by The B-52’s with its groove and out-of-this-world lyrics, finds a perfect home in “Hocus Pocus 2.” Released in the late ’70s as part of their debut album, the song already had everyone imagining a world where the sky blushes pink and the trees dare to defy greenery with their red foliage.
Fast forward to 2022, and it’s setting the mood for a humorous scene in a Walgreens. As the Sanderson Sisters make their grand entrance into the modern world, “Planet Claire” plays in the background.
It’s a musical nod to the fact that, in Salem, even a trip to Walgreens can turn into an adventure of cosmic proportions.
Lyrics.
She came from Planet Claire
I knew she came from there
She drove a Plymouth Satellite
Oh, faster than the speed of light
Full Lyrics
Planet Claire has pink air
All the trees are red
No one ever dies there
No one has a head
Some say she’s from Mars
Or one of the seven stars
That shine after 3:30 in the morning
Well, she isn’t
She came from Planet Claire
She came from Planet Claire
She came from Planet Claire
11. “Somebody’s Watching Me”
“Somebody’s Watching Me,” Rockwell’s iconic hit that perfectly encapsulated the paranoia of the ’80s, gets a fresh coat of paint in “Hocus Pocus 2” with a remix by Urban Renewal Project.
This song, originally laying down the vibes of someone feeling a tad too observed, turns into a delightful backdrop for a witchy resurrection scene in 2022.
As two unsuspecting teenagers light the Black Flame Candle in a magic shop, they unknowingly cue the Sanderson Sisters’ dramatic entrance into the 21st century, and what better soundtrack for this moment than a song about feeling watched?
Lyrics.
I’m just an average man, with an average life
I work from nine to five; hey hell, I pay the price
All I want is to be left alone in my average home
But why do I always feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone
Full Lyrics
I always feel like somebody’s watching me, oh
I always feel like somebody’s watching me
And I have no privacy
When I come home at night I bolt the door real tight
People call me on the phone I’m trying to avoid
Well, can the people really see me or am I just paranoid?
When I’m in the shower I’m afraid to wash my hair
‘Cause when I open my eyes I might find someone standing there
People say I’m crazy just a little touched
But maybe showers remind me of “Psycho” too much
That’s why
I always feel like somebody’s watching me, oh
I always feel like somebody’s watching me
There ain’t no privacy, woh
It’s close to midnight
Something evil lurking in the dark, woh
Somebody’s watching me
Somebody’s watching me
Darkness across, across the land
Are the neighbors watching me?
Well, is the mailman watching me?
And I don’t feel safe anymore, oh, what a mess
I wonder who’s watching me now (who?), is it the IRS? Woh
I always feel like somebody’s watching me, h-e-e-e
I always feel like somebody’s watching me, h-e-e-e
You hear the door slam
And realize there’s nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand
And wonder if you’ll ever see the sun
I always feel like somebody’s watching me, h-e-e-e
I always feel like somebody’s watching me
I always feel like somebody’s watching me, h-e-e-e
I always feel like somebody’s watching me
I always feel like somebody’s watching me, watching me woh
