Music has always been intertwined with superstition, from ancient rituals to modern recording studio beliefs that continue to influence artists today. Throughout history, musicians have created songs inspired by folklore, bad omens, and mystical tales that resonate with listeners worldwide. This exploration of superstitious songs and music myths reveals how deeply these beliefs are embedded in our musical culture, spanning genres from classic rock to contemporary pop hits.
Stevie Wonder – Superstition
Stevie Wonder’s 1972 funk masterpiece “Superstition” stands as one of the most iconic songs about irrational beliefs and supernatural fears. The track was originally written for Jeff Beck but became Wonder’s breakthrough hit, featuring his signature clavinet sound that defined the era. The lyrics warn against believing in things like writing on the wall, broken mirrors bringing seven years of bad luck, and the number thirteen, while the infectious groove makes it impossible not to dance away those fears.
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
The self-titled opening track from Black Sabbath’s debut album practically invented heavy metal while drawing inspiration from dark supernatural themes and occult imagery. Released in 1970, the song describes a terrifying vision of a black figure appearing to the narrator, creating an atmosphere of genuine dread through Tony Iommi’s tritone riff. The band took their name from a 1963 horror film, and this song established their reputation for exploring the darker aspects of mysticism and superstition that would influence countless metal bands for decades.
The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil
This 1968 masterpiece presents Lucifer as the narrator, recounting his presence throughout major historical tragedies while demanding sympathy and understanding from listeners. The song’s samba-influenced rhythm and Mick Jagger’s menacing vocals created controversy upon release, with some religious groups claiming it promoted Satanism. The track has been surrounded by its own myths, including claims that its recording was cursed after a fire destroyed much of the original material.
Fleetwood Mac – Rhiannon
Stevie Nicks wrote “Rhiannon” after reading about a Welsh witch goddess in a novel, creating a mystical character that became one of Fleetwood Mac’s most beloved songs. The 1975 track describes a woman who “rules her life like a bird in flight,” embodying supernatural feminine power and enchantment. Nicks later discovered the actual Welsh mythology of Rhiannon differed from the novel’s portrayal, but the song had already taken on its own magical life in popular culture.
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
Perhaps no song in rock history has generated more myths and conspiracy theories than Led Zeppelin’s 1971 epic about spiritual ascension and materialism. Urban legends claimed that playing the song backward revealed satanic messages, though the band always denied deliberately including any such content. The song’s mystical lyrics reference a lady buying a stairway to heaven, a piper leading us to reason, and paths through forests where spirits dwell, creating an atmosphere thick with supernatural imagery.
Eagles – Witchy Woman
The Eagles’ 1972 hit describes a mysterious, supernatural woman with raven hair and ruby lips who casts spells on unsuspecting men. Don Henley wrote the song after experiencing fever dreams, and Bernie Leadon contributed the haunting guitar riff that gives the track its mystical quality. The song tapped into the counterculture’s fascination with witchcraft and alternative spirituality that was prevalent during the early 1970s.
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You
Originally recorded in 1956, this song became famous for Hawkins’ wild performance style that included emerging from a coffin onstage surrounded by smoke and voodoo props. The track deals explicitly with using magical spells and supernatural powers to control a romantic interest, delivered with Hawkins’ signature growling vocals. His theatrical performances influenced countless rock and shock artists, from Alice Cooper to Marilyn Manson, establishing a template for incorporating superstitious elements into live shows.
Santana – Black Magic Woman
Carlos Santana’s 1970 cover of Fleetwood Mac’s original transformed this song about a dangerous enchantress into a Latin rock classic with hypnotic guitar work. The lyrics warn of a woman who practices dark arts and has the narrator “so blind he can’t see,” mixing romantic obsession with supernatural danger. Santana’s version became so definitive that many listeners don’t realize it was originally written and recorded by Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac in 1968.
Blue Öyster Cult – (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
This 1976 classic addresses mortality and the inevitability of death through metaphor and supernatural imagery, suggesting that Romeo and Juliet are together in eternity. The song sparked controversy over whether it promoted suicide, though songwriter Donald Roeser insisted it was about eternal love transcending death. The famous “more cowbell” Saturday Night Live sketch gave the song a second life in popular culture, though the myth of excessive cowbell in the original recording is greatly exaggerated.
The Doors – People Are Strange
Jim Morrison’s 1967 meditation on alienation uses supernatural and gothic imagery to describe feeling like an outsider in society. The song was written when Morrison was staying at a house in Laurel Canyon and felt disconnected from the world around him. The track’s circus-like keyboard melody and Morrison’s haunting vocals create an unsettling atmosphere that perfectly captures the paranoia and strangeness the lyrics describe.
Billie Eilish – bury a friend
This 2019 release showcases how superstitious themes continue to evolve in contemporary music, with Eilish adopting the perspective of the monster under her bed. The song explores sleep paralysis, nightmares, and the psychological horror of being haunted by one’s own demons in the modern age. Eilish’s whispered vocals and minimalist production by brother Finneas create an atmosphere of dread that resonates with younger audiences experiencing anxiety and fear in new ways.
Sam Smith & Kim Petras – Unholy
Released in 2022, “Unholy” became a massive hit while exploring themes of secret sins and moral transgressions with religious undertones. The song’s church organ sounds mixed with modern pop production create an atmosphere that plays with sacred and profane imagery. While not explicitly supernatural, the track’s exploration of forbidden behavior and moral judgment taps into age-old superstitions about sin, punishment, and divine observation.
Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
This 2021 controversial hit deliberately incorporated religious and supernatural imagery, with its music video depicting the artist sliding down to hell and confronting Satan. Lil Nas X faced significant backlash from religious groups but defended the work as reclaiming narrative power over his own identity and experiences. The song demonstrates how modern artists continue to use supernatural and superstitious themes to make bold statements about sexuality, religion, and personal freedom.
Johnny Cash – The Man Comes Around
Cash’s 2002 apocalyptic masterpiece draws heavily from the Book of Revelation, describing Judgment Day with vivid supernatural imagery and biblical references. The song features Cash’s weathered voice delivering prophecies of divine reckoning over sparse acoustic instrumentation that grows increasingly ominous. Recorded late in his life, the track takes on additional mythological weight as Cash seemed to be confronting his own mortality and spiritual beliefs.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising
John Fogerty’s 1969 hit uses astronomical superstition as a metaphor for impending doom and social upheaval during turbulent times. Despite its upbeat, catchy melody, the lyrics warn of hurricanes, earthquakes, lightning, and death, reflecting the anxiety of the Vietnam War era. The “bad moon” reference draws from traditional beliefs that lunar phases influence human behavior and predict disasters.
Radiohead – Karma Police
This 1997 alternative rock anthem explores the concept of karma and cosmic justice, with the narrator calling upon mystical forces to punish wrongdoers. The song’s title refers to an imaginary enforcement agency that delivers karmic retribution, playing with superstitious beliefs about universal balance. Thom Yorke’s haunting vocals and the song’s build from quiet verses to chaotic climax mirror the idea of inevitable supernatural consequences catching up with people.
Lady Gaga – Judas
Released in 2011, this controversial track uses biblical betrayal as a metaphor for toxic relationships while incorporating religious imagery and symbolism throughout. Gaga positions herself between Jesus and Judas, exploring themes of temptation, loyalty, and choosing between good and evil forces. The song sparked debate about blasphemy and the appropriateness of using sacred figures in pop music, continuing a long tradition of artists drawing on religious superstition.
Cardi B – Money
While primarily about wealth and success, Cardi B’s 2018 track includes references to spiritual practices and superstitious beliefs common in her Afro-Caribbean heritage. The song and particularly its music video incorporated imagery suggesting supernatural power and protection rituals that contribute to success. This reflects how many contemporary artists maintain connections to cultural superstitions even while working in mainstream pop and hip-hop genres, which you can explore further through various earbuds for the optimal listening experience.
Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast
This 1982 heavy metal classic explicitly deals with biblical prophecy and the mark of the beast from the Book of Revelation. The song caused significant controversy among religious groups who accused Iron Maiden of promoting Satanism, leading to record burnings and protests. Bassist Steve Harris has explained the song was inspired by a nightmare and the film “Damien: Omen II,” and was meant to be from the perspective of someone having a horrific vision rather than an endorsement of evil.
Doja Cat – Woman
This 2021 hit celebrates feminine power with imagery that evokes ancient goddess worship and supernatural feminine energy. The song’s Afrobeat-influenced production and Doja Cat’s confident delivery create a modern anthem that draws on age-old beliefs about women possessing mystical and transformative powers. The music video incorporates African spiritual imagery and natural elements, connecting contemporary feminism with traditional beliefs about feminine divinity and magic.
Music Myths: The Cursed Songs and Studio Superstitions
Beyond individual songs about superstition, the music industry itself is riddled with myths and beliefs that influence how artists create and perform. The “27 Club” myth suggests that musicians face supernatural danger at age 27, following the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain at that age. Recording studios have their own superstitions, with some engineers refusing to work on Fridays or avoiding certain equipment believed to be cursed after being used on ill-fated sessions.
The Crossroads Legend and Blues Mythology
Robert Johnson’s legendary deal with the devil at a Mississippi crossroads has become one of music’s most enduring supernatural myths. According to legend, Johnson sold his soul to Satan in exchange for mastery of the guitar, explaining his sudden improvement in skill between 1936 and 1937. This myth has influenced countless blues and rock musicians who reference the crossroads deal in their own work, perpetuating the connection between musical talent and supernatural bargaining that continues to fascinate audiences.
The Paul McCartney Death Hoax and Conspiracy Theories
One of music’s strangest myths claimed Paul McCartney died in 1966 and was replaced by a look-alike, with The Beatles leaving clues in their album covers and song lyrics. Fans analyzed everything from the Abbey Road cover to supposed backward messages in songs, creating an elaborate conspiracy theory. Though completely false, this myth demonstrates how deeply superstitious thinking can penetrate music culture, with some believers maintaining the theory even today despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Modern Studio Superstitions and Rituals
Contemporary musicians maintain various superstitious practices in recording studios, from specific headphones they believe bring good luck to refusing to record certain songs on particular days. Some artists perform cleansing rituals before sessions or insist on specific room arrangements based on feng shui principles or other mystical beliefs. These practices show that despite technological advances, musicians remain connected to ancient superstitious thinking about creativity, inspiration, and the mysterious process of making music.
The Role of Superstition in Music Creation
Superstitious beliefs and supernatural themes continue to inspire musicians because they tap into universal human fears, hopes, and questions about existence beyond the material world. Songs exploring these themes allow artists to address mortality, morality, and mystery in ways that resonate emotionally with listeners. Whether rooted in actual belief or used as powerful metaphor, superstitious content in music serves as a bridge between ancient wisdom traditions and contemporary artistic expression, ensuring these themes remain relevant across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a song superstitious?
A superstitious song typically incorporates themes of supernatural beliefs, magical thinking, occult imagery, or folkloric elements in its lyrics, themes, or presentation. These songs may reference specific superstitions like black cats, broken mirrors, or Friday the 13th, or they may explore broader themes of magic, curses, divine intervention, and mystical forces. The classification depends less on the artist’s actual beliefs and more on the content and imagery presented in the work itself.
Are there any recent songs about superstition?
Yes, contemporary artists continue exploring superstitious themes with songs like Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend,” Sam Smith and Kim Petras’s “Unholy,” and Lil Nas X’s “MONTERO,” all released between 2019 and 2022. These modern tracks adapt traditional supernatural themes to address contemporary anxieties, religious tensions, and psychological fears in ways that resonate with current audiences. The enduring appeal of superstitious content demonstrates that these themes remain powerful tools for artistic expression regardless of era or genre.
Why do musicians write songs about supernatural themes?
Musicians explore supernatural and superstitious themes because they provide rich metaphorical language for discussing abstract concepts like mortality, morality, power, and the unknown. These themes allow artists to create atmospheric, emotionally resonant work that connects with listeners on a primal level beyond literal interpretation. Additionally, controversial or mysterious content often generates publicity and cultural conversation, helping songs achieve greater commercial success and cultural impact.
Do any musicians actually believe in the superstitions they sing about?
Some musicians genuinely hold superstitious beliefs that influence their work, while others use supernatural themes purely as artistic metaphor and storytelling devices. Stevie Nicks has spoken about her interest in mysticism and Welsh mythology, while bands like Black Sabbath deliberately cultivated occult imagery for theatrical effect without necessarily holding those beliefs. The relationship between personal belief and artistic expression varies greatly between artists, and many maintain some ambiguity about their true convictions.
What is the most famous superstitious song of all time?
Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” is arguably the most famous, having topped charts worldwide, won Grammy Awards, and remained a cultural touchstone for over 50 years. However, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” might compete for this title given its massive cultural impact and the numerous conspiracy theories and supernatural myths that have surrounded it. Both songs have transcended their original context to become synonymous with discussions of superstition in popular music.