Black History Month

Today marks the beginning of Black History month, 28 days of celebrating black culture and accomplishments. This is a month where we remember black pioneers such as Harriet Tubman¹, Rosa Parks², and Martin Luther King Jr³. This is also a month where we take a look around at the accomplished black men and women of today. Sports fans around America are aware of by now, that the two head coaches in this year's Super Bowl, Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy, are the first African-American coaches to reach the championship game. It is an accomplishment to be commended, admired, and written about. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be writing about this accomplishment. Because for black history month, I'm going to analyze and interpret the song, "Black Magic Woman".

This song, to my knowledge, doesn't refer to a black woman who does magic. I wish it did, but that's not the case. In fact, I don't believe this song has anything to do with black people. However, as part of black history month, I think we shouldn't just honor black people, I believe we should honor all things black. Blackjack, the black market, blackmail, and of course, the song "Black Magic Woman". It's only fair. I'm talking about equal representation here. The song "Black Magic Woman" is just as important to the world as Martin Luther King Jr⁴.

Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe it actually is about a black woman who does magic, like Beyonce⁵. So in that case, an analysis of this song is a perfect way to celebrate black people.

Contrary to popular belief, Carlos Santana is not the original singer of "Black Magic Woman". It was originally a Fleetwood Mac single. That's nice, but no one gives a shit about that version, so I'm going to use the Carlos Santana version.

Got a Black Magic Woman.
Got a Black Magic Woman.
I've got a Black Magic Woman,
She's got me so blind I can't see;
But she's a Black Magic Woman and
she's trying to make a devil out of me.

The first verse is about some guy who apparently owns a woman who does black magic. Evidently, she did a magic spell that deprived him of his sight. And now she's trying to turn him into the devil. This lady is evil.

Dont turn your back on me baby
Dont turn your back on me baby
Yes, dont turn your back on me baby
Stop messin around with your tricks
Dont turn your back on me baby
You might just pick up my magic sticks

The second verse is the man telling the woman, who apparently is not a woman, but rather, an infant, not to turn around. He wants her to keep facing him. She keeps trying to do magic spells on him, and now she's trying to take his wand. This lady is a thief!

You got your spell on me baby
You got your spell on me baby
Yes, you got your spell on me baby
Youre turning my heart into stone
I need you so bad, magic woman, I cant leave you alone

The third verse is confirming the fact, that yes, this woman/baby has cast a spell on the man. Not only that, she is slowly transforming his heart from an instrument that pumps blood, to a rock. Yet, he doesn't want the woman/baby to be by herself.

Reerh raarrrh rarrrhhh, boom boom, reaarh rahhahh rreaerahhh, boom boom, reaarrrahhrahrrrr.

Guitar and drum instrumentals ends the song. There is no analysis here. This is just Carlos Santana rocking out as only he can.

What a good song. Happy Black History Month!

¹ She lead runaway slaves through the Underground Railroad.
² She was all "Uh, no. Make that white motherfucker sit in the back"
³ He had a dream.
⁴ Not really.
⁵ She could have another you in a minute, matter of fact he'll be here in a minute (baby).