I Put a Spell on You#Shane MacGowan and Friends cover

Hawkins had originally intended to record "I Put a Spell on You" as "a refined love song, a blues ballad".{{cite book |title=All Music Guide: The Definitive Guide to Popular Music |editor1=Vladimir Bogdanov |editor2=Chris Woodstra |editor3=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |chapter=Screamin' Jay Hawkins |author=Bill Dahl |page=156 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xR7MdpuSlAEC&pg=PT156 |publisher=Hal Leonard |date=2001 |isbn=9780879306274}} However, the producer Arnold Maxin "brought in ribs and chicken and got everybody drunk, and we came out with this weird version ... I don't even remember making the record. Before, I was just a normal blues singer. I was just Jay Hawkins. It all sort of just fell in place. I found out I could do more destroying a song and screaming it to death."[https://books.google.com/books?id=lw08AQAAIAAJ&q=%22Before,+I+was+just+a+normal+blues+singer.+I+was+just+Jay+Hawkins.+It+all+sort+of+just+fell+in+place.+I+found+out+I+could+do+more+destroying+a+song+and+screaming+it+to+death.%22 Julia Rubiner, Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music, Volume 8, Gale, 1992, p.117] His first wife Anna Mae Vernon later claimed that she wrote the song and let him take the credit.{{Cite book|title=I Put a Spell on You: The Bizarre Life of Screamin' Jay Hawkins|first=Steve|last=Bergsman|page=191|date=July 2, 2019|publisher=Feral House|location=Vancouver, Washington|isbn=9781627310918}}

Hawkins first recorded "I Put a Spell on You" as a ballad during his stint with Grand Records in late 1955. However, that version was not released at the time (it has since been reissued on Hawkins' UK Rev-Ola CD The Whamee 1953–55). The following year, Hawkins re-recorded the song for Columbia's Okeh Records{{--}}the notorious screaming version, which was released in October 1956. However, this version was banned from most radio programming for its outrageous "cannibalistic" style. A truncated version was later released omitting the grunts and moans from the ending of the song, but the ban generally remained.{{Cite book|title=1001 songs you must hear before you die|year=2013|isbn=9781844037360|editor-last=Dimery|editor-first=Robert|edition= Rev. and updated |location=London|pages=81|oclc=855705641}} Despite the restriction, the record still sold over a million copies.{{citation |page=2680 |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |first=Colin |last=Larkin |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-85712-595-8}}

The hit brought Hawkins together with Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed who promptly added him to his "Rock and Roll Revue". Up to this time, Hawkins had been a blues performer; emotional, but not wild. Freed suggested a gimmick to capitalize on the "demented" sound of "I Put a Spell on You": Hawkins wore a long cape, and appeared onstage by rising out of a coffin in the midst of smoke and fog.{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ag4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8 |title=Legendary Screamin' Jay Hawkins Dies At 70|magazine=Billboard |first=Chris|last=Morris| date=February 26, 2000}} The act was a sensation, later bolstered by tusks worn in Hawkins' nose, on-stage snakes and fireworks, a cigarette-smoking skull named "Henry" and, ultimately, Hawkins transforming himself into "the black Vincent Price".{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cxE5CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA106 | title=I Put a Spell on You| isbn=9780099554943| last1=Burnside| first1=John| date=May 7, 2015| publisher=Penguin Random House}} This theatrical act was one of the first shock rock performances.Gillespie, Paula, and Neal Lerner. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring. Boston: Allyn, 2000. Print.

• Vocals – Jalacy Hawkins
• Guitar – Mickey Baker
• Piano – Ernie Hayes
• Tenor saxophone – Sam "The Man" Taylor
• Baritone saxophone – Bud Johnson
• Bass – Al Lucas
• Drums – David "Panama" Francis
• Arrangement – Leroy Kirkland

Nina Simone's version, from her album of the same name, reached No. 120 PopJoel Whitburn's Bubbling Under the Billboard Hot 100 1959-2004 and No. 23 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart in 1965; it also reached No. 49 on the UK singles chart that year, and No. 28 when it was reissued in 1969.Brown, Tony, Jon Kutner & Neil Warwick, The Complete Book of the British Charts: Singles and Albums, Omnibus Press, London, 2002 p. 911

{{Infobox song

| name = I Put a Spell on You

| cover = Alan-price-set-i-put-a-spell-on-you-decca-10.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Belgian single sleeve

| type = single

| artist = Alan Price Set

| album =

| A-side =

| B-side = Iechyd-Da

| released = March 18, 1966

| recorded = January 1–2, 1966

| studio = Kingsway, London

| venue =

| genre = {{hlist|R&B|jazz rock}}

| length = 3:20

| label = Decca

| writer = Hawkins

| producer = {{hlist|Alan Price|Mike Jeffery}}

| chronology =

| prev_title = Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)

| prev_year = 1965

| title = I Put a Spell on You

| year = 1966

| next_title = Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo

| next_year = 1966

| misc = {{External music video|type=single|header=Audio|{{YouTube|--l9TO7rjso|"I Put a Spell on You"}}

}}

}}

In May 1965, shortly after the release of their single "Bring It On Home to Me",{{Cite book |last=Helander |first=Brock |title=The Rockin' 60s: The People Who Made the Music |publisher=Schirmer Trade |year=2001 |isbn=978-08-571-28-119 |pages=246}} keyboardist Alan Price left pop group the Animals. The reason for his departure from the group has been debated; though some sources claim it was a fear of flying stemming from their American tours,{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2010 |title=Alan Price's fear of flying |work=Bournemouth Echo |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8177365.alan-prices-fear-of-flying/ |access-date=December 10, 2022}}{{Cite book |last=Irvin |first=Jim |title=The Mojo Collection |publisher=Canongate Books |year=2007 |isbn=978-18-476-76-436 |edition=4th |pages=46 |author-link=Jim Irvin}} others claim it was a feud between lead singer Eric Burdon and Price regarding royalties over their 1964 single "The House of the Rising Sun", which solely credited Price as an arranger thus leaving the other members without any payments for the song.{{Cite web |last=Deming |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Deming |title=The Animals Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-animals-mn0000751019/biography |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=AllMusic}} Price himself states that he left the day the band embarked on a tour to Sweden.{{Cite journal |last=Eden |first=Dawn |author-link=Dawn Eden Goldstein |date=December 1965 |title=Price on His Head |url=http://www.dawneden.com/price.html |url-status=dead |journal=Goldmine |archive-date=November 24, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124024234/http://www.dawneden.com/price.html }} Price then decided on beginning a solo career while the Animals recruited a new keyboardist, initially Mick Gallagher for a short tour before settling on Dave Rowberry.{{Cite book |last=Jucha |first=Gary J. |title=Jimi Hendrix FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Voodoo Child |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |year=2013 |isbn=978-16-171-35-668 |pages=67}}

Price then started putting together a band of his own, which consisted of baritone saxophonist Clive Burrows, tenor saxophonist Steve Gregory, guitarist Peter Kirtley, bassist Rod Slade, drummer Roy Mills along with trumpeter John Walters, whom he had met during his time in the Animals.{{cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music |publisher=Guinness Publishing |year=1992 |isbn=0-85112-579-4 |editor= |edition= |page=307 |author-link=Colin Larkin}}{{Cite journal |last=Swift |first=Kevin |title=Alan's Faith Paid Off... |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Beat-Instrumental/6605-Beat-Instrumental-1966-05-OCR.pdf |journal=Beat Instrumental |issue=May 1966 |pages=4}} The band quickly garnered a recording contract with Decca Records and subsequently debuted on record with a cover of Burt Bacharach's "Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)" in August 1965. Although this release failed to chart, it "showed great promise".{{Cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-08-57-125-958 |pages=1984}}

Price allegedly came to know about "I Put a Spell on You" through vocalist Chris Farlowe, who had a record collection comprising mostly rhythm and blues along with soul music. It is unclear what version of the song he heard for his version; however, as the Animals were big fans of Nina Simone it is likely Price heard it through her version.{{Cite book |last1=Luhrssen |first1=Daniel |title=Encyclopedia of Classic Rock |last2=Larson |first2=Michael |publisher=ABC-Clio |year=2017 |isbn=978-14-408-351-48 |pages=6}} It was however part of the group's repertoire for a while before being recorded, which occurred during a rather tense moment of Price's life, as his mother died on New Year's Eve 1965, the day prior to recording it, which according to Price meant that "emotions sort of transmuted themselves onto the record". The recording, which took place at Kingsway Recording Studios in London, was produced by Price together with manager Mike Jeffery.I Put A Spell On You: The Decca / Deram Singles A's And B's (liner notes pg. 2). Dopson, Roger. Alan Price Set. Connoisseur Collection. 2000. It was, according to Price, "also the cheapest hit record to produce", allegedly costing only £16. It was recorded rather straightforward in one take with the exception of a re-take involving the horn section.

{{quote box

| quote = I was fed up with people looking around for "commercial" sounds for me month after month, and I decided to do "I Put A Spell On You". We'd been doing it on stage for some time and it had been going down well.

| source = — Alan Price (1966){{Cite web |last=Webmaster |title=Alan Price biography |url=http://alanprice.absoluteelsewhere.net/biography2.html |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=Absoluteelsewhere}}

| align = left

| width = 25%

| style = padding:8px;

}}"I Put a Spell on You" was released through Decca Records on March 18, 1966, in the United Kingdom.{{Cite journal |title=Spencer tries a second Edwards comp |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/60s/66/Record-Mirror-1966-03-12.pdf |journal=Record Mirror |issue=March 12, 1966 |pages=4}} It was backed by "Iechyd-Da", an original instrumental composition written by John Walters. It quickly became a large hit, entering the Record Retailer chart on April 6, 1966, at a position of number 38. It peaked at number 9 on April 27, a position it would hold for two weeks before dropping off the chart on June 8 at a position of number 50. It fared similarly well on the other British charts, reaching number 12 in Melody Maker, New Musical Express and Disc. It also reached number 1 on Fab 40.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiolondon.co.uk/rl/scrap60/fabforty/65fabs/april66/fab170466/fab170466.html|title=Big L Fab Forty 66 – April 17, 1966|publisher=Radio London Ltd|access-date=December 10, 2022}} It became a small hit in the United States, reaching number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of that year.

Upon release, the single garnered generally positive reviews amongst critics. In Record Mirror, Peter Jones and Norman Jopling describe the single as having "sepulchral tones" set to the backing of Price's organ.{{Cite journal |last1=Jopling |first1=Norman |last2=Jones |first2=Peter |title=Rapid reviews |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/60s/66/Record-Mirror-1966-03-19.pdf |journal=Record Mirror |issue=March 19, 1966 |pages=8}} They also state that the build-up with Price's "moody vocals" "builds well" while ending on the notion that it is his best recording "since leaving the Animals". In a blind date for Melody Maker with Barry Fantoni, the record is described as having vocals similar to Eric Burdon.{{Cite journal |last=Fantoni |first=Barry |author-link=Barry Fantoni |title=Blind Date |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Melody-Maker/60s/66/Melody-Maker-1966-03-19.pdf |journal=Melody Maker |issue=March 19, 1966 |pages=10}} Beyond Burdon, Fantoni also believes there are traces of Steve Winwood in Price's voice. He states that the "minor progressions are great" and ends on the notion that it "deserves to do well" due to its "big sound" reminiscent of James Brown. Hawkins' was apparently not keen on Price's version due to the commercial success it had, as it kept him out of the spotlight. He is alleged to have stated "how could this white boy get credit for this black boy's song?" after watching Price perform it.{{Cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Earl |title=Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor |last2=Butler |first2=Jerry |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-02-53-337-962 |pages=233 |author-link2=Jerry Butler}} Additionally, Price was critical of Hawkins' original version of the song, calling it "terrible" compared to Nina Simone's version.{{Cite journal |last=Johnson |first=Derek |title=Alan Price's Faith Pays Off |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/New-Musical-Express/1966/NME-1966-04-01-S-OCR.pdf |journal=New Musical Express |issue=April 1, 1966 |pages=9}}

Derek Johnson believes that "I Put a Spell on You" is one of the "finest rhythm and blues discs ever waxed in this country." Retrospectively, the single has also received praise by critics. Richie Unterberger of AllMusic considered it "brilliant",{{Cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Richie |author-link=Richie Unterberger |title=The Price to Play Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-price-to-play-mw0000057948 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=AllMusic}} while also comparing it to previous material by the Animals, ending on the notion that it is "bluesy".{{Cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Richie |author-link=Richie Unterberger |title=Alan Price Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alan-price-mn0000931804/biography |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=AllMusic}} Unterberger also claims that "I Put a Spell on You" is "his best early performance",{{Cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Richie |author-link=Richie Unterberger |title=Price Is Right Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/price-is-right-mw0000845631 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=AllMusic}} "marvellous",{{Cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Richie |author-link=Richie Unterberger |title=House That Jack Built: The Complete 60's Sessions Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/house-that-jack-built-the-complete-60s-sessions-mw0000713856 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=AllMusic}} while also stating that it was amongst the best British hits not to become big in America.{{Cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Richie |author-link=Richie Unterberger |title=The World of Alan Price Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-world-of-alan-price-mw0001879674 |website=AllMusic}} Though never included on an album upon original release, it has later appeared on many albums by Price, the first being This Price Is Right in 1968.

{{Infobox song

| name = I Put a Spell on You

| cover =

| alt =

| caption =

| type = single

| artist = Creedence Clearwater Revival

| album = Creedence Clearwater Revival

| B-side = Walk on the Water

| released = October 1968

| recorded = February 1968

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = {{flatlist|

• Blues rock{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DY7CEAAAQBAJ&dq=ccr+I+PUt+a+spell+on+you+swamp+rock&pg=RA1-PA1961|title=Listen to Classic Rock!: Exploring a Musical Genre|author=Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn|date=November 22, 2019 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|page=1961|isbn=979-8-216-11193-1 }}
• swamp rock}}

| length = 4:26

| label = Fantasy Records

| writer = J. Hawkins

| producer = Saul Zaentz

| chronology =

| prev_title = Suzie Q

| prev_year = 1968

| title =

| year = 1968

| next_title = Proud Mary

| next_year = 1969

| misc =

}}

In October 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival released a cover of this song, which was also on their eponymous debut album released in July 1968. The cover fit Fogerty's voice, whose own manic vocal delivery had much in common with Hawkins' powerful singing style. It was released in October 1968 with "Walk on the Water" as the B-side. This version peaked on the U.S. charts at #58. The band performed it at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.

• John Fogerty - lead guitar, lead vocals
• Tom Fogerty - rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lyrics
• Stu Cook - bass guitar
• Doug Clifford - drums

{{clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = I Put a Spell on You

| cover = I Put a Spell on You - Annie Lennox.png

| type = single

| artist = Annie Lennox

| album = Nostalgia

| released = September 15, 2014

| recorded = 2013

| studio =

• Sheen Lane Studios (London, UK){{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002738886|accessdate=10 November 2014}}
• State of the Ark Studios (London, UK){{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002738886|accessdate=10 November 2014}}

| genre = {{hlist|Soul|jazz}}

| length = 3:44

| label = Island

| writer = {{hlist|Jay Hawkins|Herb Slotkin}}

| prev_title = The Holly and the Ivy

| prev_year = 2011

| title = I Put a Spell on You

| year = 2014

| next_title = Summertime

| next_year = 2014

}}

Scottish singer Annie Lennox recorded her own version of the song in 2013, and released it on September 15, 2014, as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Nostalgia. The original release failed to make any impact on charts until it was included on the 2015 film Fifty Shades of Grey; after the inclusion, the song did chart in the US, UK and France.

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Annie Lennox |title=I Put a Spell on You|award=Gold|relyear=2019|certyear=2023|note=Original Version|access-date=12 December 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Annie Lennox|title=I Put a Spell on You (Fifty Shades of Grey)|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|note=Fifty Shades of Grey|access-date=September 16, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Annie Lennox|title=I Put a Spell on You|award=Silver|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|id=17594-1532-1|access-date=October 14, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

"I Put a Spell on You" has been covered by other artists extensively; there are several hundred versions. Most of the covers treat the song seriously; few attempt to duplicate Hawkins' bravura performance. Although Hawkins' own version never charted, several later cover versions have.

• In the UK, Bryan Ferry's version, covered on the album Taxi, reached No. 18 in 1993.Brown, Tony, Jon Kutner & Neil Warwick, The Complete Book of the British Charts: Singles and Albums, Omnibus Press, London, 2002 p. 371
• In the UK, the version by Sonique reached No. 36 in 1998 and No. 8 on reissue in 2000.{{cite book| first= Graham| last= Betts| year=2004| title= Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004| edition= 1st|publisher= Collins| location= London| isbn= 0-00-717931-6}}

Other notable versions:

• The Crazy World of Arthur Brown covered the song on their 1968 self-titled album, reaching No. 111 in the US.
• The 1993 Disney Halloween film Hocus Pocus features a performance of the song by Bette Midler.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
• Marilyn Manson recorded a cover of the song for his 1995 EP Smells Like Children.{{Cite web |title=I Put a Spell on You - The Marilyn Manson Wiki |url=https://manson.wiki/I_Put_a_Spell_on_You |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=manson.wiki}}
• Bonnie Tyler covered the song on her 1998 album All in One Voice.{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-in-one-voice-mw0000956439 |title=Bonnie Tyler - All in One Voice |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=14 June 2024}}
• Jeff Beck, with vocals by Joss Stone, covered the song on the album Emotion & Commotion in 2010. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 53rd Grammy Awards.{{cite news|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2010&genre=31|title=Nominees And Winners – GRAMMY.com|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences}}

• List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2000s

{{reflist}}

{{Nina Simone}}

{{Annie Lennox}}

{{Creedence Clearwater Revival}}

{{Sonique (musician)}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1956 songs

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Category:1965 singles

Category:1966 singles

Category:1968 singles

Category:2001 singles

Category:Alan Price songs

Category:Annie Lennox songs

Category:Arthur Brown (musician) songs

Category:Bette Midler songs

Category:Creedence Clearwater Revival songs

Category:Decca Records singles

Category:Eels (band) songs

Category:Eric Burdon songs

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Category:Halloween songs

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Category:Natacha Atlas songs

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Category:Rhythm and blues songs

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