Hunting For Witches

Album: A Weekend in the City (2007)
Charted: 22
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song refers to the media's reactions to terrorist attacks. It was controversially released as a single in the UK on July 9, 2007, two days after the second anniversary of the London bombings, which killed 52 commuters.
  • Bloc Party's frontman Kele Okereke told Billboard magazine May 2, 2006: "The 30 bus in Hackney, which is just around the corner from where I live, was blown up. [That song was] written when I was just observing the reactions of the mainstream press in [the UK] and I was just amazed at how easy it'd been to whip them up into a fury. I guess the point about the song for me is post-September 11th, the media has really traded on fear and the use of fear in controlling people."
  • The title is a reference to the Salem Witch Trials, which took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Women accused of practicing witchcraft were put to death, and the event continues to serve as a metaphor for overreaction and mindless judgment.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.