by Radiohead · 2024
“Burn the Witch” by Radiohead is about the dangers of mob mentality, scapegoating, and paranoia in society, warning against the persecution of outsiders and the abandonment of reason.
This song has been Shazamed over 319,301 times. As of this writing, Burn the Witch is ranked 21
‘Burn the Witch’ by Radiohead is a song that feels like a warning and a mystery wrapped up together. We’re going to explore what makes this haunting track so powerful and why its message still matters today. ⬇️
The atmosphere of “Burn the Witch” is tense and unsettling, like wandering through a strange village at dusk with shadows lurking everywhere. The music and lyrics tell a story of suspicion, fear, and silent threats, building a world where conformity is survival and stepping out of line brings danger.
The chorus—“Burn the witch, we know where you live”—hits like a cold shiver down your spine, doesn’t it? It echoes the mob mentality, that terrifying moment when whispers turn into accusations and suddenly everyone’s pointing fingers. We feel the pressure, the panic, the urge to keep our heads down as the song’s refrain loops in our minds, relentless and chilling.
The verses paint the scene: “Cheer at the gallows,” “Red crosses on wooden doors,” “Loose talk around tables”—each phrase conjures images of witch trials and secret judgments, but it’s more than just history; it’s about how easily communities can turn against their own. There’s an eerie sense of surveillance (“We know where you live”), a warning to anyone who dares to be different or speak out, and the chilling advice to “Avoid all eye contact / Do not react” captures the paralyzing fear that keeps people silent.
Digging deeper, we see Radiohead using old symbols—witch hunts, red crosses, gallows—as metaphors for modern paranoia and scapegoating, maybe even reflecting how society sometimes singles out the “other” and rallies around blame instead of understanding. It’s both a cautionary tale and a mirror, asking us if we’re cheering with the crowd or questioning the mob.
Radiohead’s “Burn the Witch” unspools a dark tapestry where the true danger isn’t magic, but the monstrous power of collective fear and silence.
Writer(s) of Burn the Witch: Philip James Selway, Colin Charles Greenwood, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Edward John O’brien, Thomas Edward Yorke
