Black Magic
A high-energy 120 BPM late 80s/early 90s hair metal anthem featuring a 5-octave lyrical spinto mezzo-soprano female lead, capable of warm, velvety lows and gritty, expressive wails. Guitar 1: 1992 Ibanez RBM-1 BU through digital compressor, stereo chorus, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail distortion, digital sustainer into a Marshall 1959 80s reissue 100w. Guitar 2: 1992 Fender HM Strat through digital compressor, Danelectro Back Talk Reverse Delay, BOSS RT-2 Rotary Ensemble, BOSS OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion into a Marshall DSL 100w. Bass: B.C. Rich Gunslinger into Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head. Drums: Simmons SDS-7 with Sabian cymbals. Structure: intro – verse – chorus – verse – chorus – bridge – guitar solo 1 – final chorus – guitar solo 2 – outro. Steady, driving riff that is a hummable earworm, catchy singalong chorus, polished Billboard/MTV Top Ten rock production.
Black Magic
A high-energy 120 BPM late 80s/early 90s hair metal anthem featuring a 5-octave lyrical spinto mezzo-soprano female lead, capable of warm, velvety lows and gritty, expressive wails. Guitar 1: 1992 Ibanez RBM-1 BU through digital compressor, stereo chorus, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail distortion, digital sustainer into a Marshall 1959 80s reissue 100w. Guitar 2: 1992 Fender HM Strat through digital compressor, Danelectro Back Talk Reverse Delay, BOSS RT-2 Rotary Ensemble, BOSS OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion into a Marshall DSL 100w. Bass: B.C. Rich Gunslinger into Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 Hybrid Bass Head. Drums: Simmons SDS-7 with Sabian cymbals. Structure: intro – verse – chorus – verse – chorus – bridge – guitar solo 1 – final chorus – guitar solo 2 – outro. Steady, driving riff that is a hummable earworm, catchy singalong chorus, polished Billboard/MTV Top Ten rock production.
Lyrics
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Instrumental Intro: Energetic electric guitar riffs with pulsating power chords and a driving drum beat create anticipation. Lead guitar delivers intricate, soaring licks. Synths add a futuristic touch, contrasting with the raw guitar intensity, reminiscent of Def Leppard's sound.
Breathy spoken ad-lib, slight growl on “magic”
(Ohhh… black magic… it’s in your eyes…)
Verse 1 warm, low range with grit at phrase ends
You walked in like a shadow in the neon light
Every heartbeat was fallin’ to your spell that night
Silver smile, and the danger in your whispered tone
I should’ve run, but your fire pulled me deeper home
Chorus: Big belt, stacked harmonies, gang vocals on “Black Magic”
Black magic — burnin’ in my soul tonight
Black magic — can’t escape your wicked light
Every touch is a spark I can’t undo
Black magic — I’m a prisoner to you
Verse 2 adds more grit, Guitar 2 reverse delay between lines
Every move is a promise that you never keep
Every kiss is the secret that you make me keep
I’m addicted to the danger of your hungry game
And I’m dancin’ in the fire every time you say my name
Chorus: Even bigger, more harmonies
Black magic — burnin’ in my soul tonight
Black magic — can’t escape your wicked light
Every touch is a spark I can’t undo
Black magic — I’m a prisoner to you
Bridge: Drop to bass, drums, sustained guitar chords — sultry delivery
Your eyes… they pull me under
Your voice… it steals my name
And I’m lost… in the thunder
Of this never-ending flame
Guitar Solo 1. in the style of Reb Beach: a rapid, electrifying flurry of arpeggios and whammy bar dives. Begin with a swift, ascending scale, accentuate with pinch harmonics. Weave through sweeping legato runs and seamlessly transition into tapping sections. Conclude with a powerful bend leading into a cascading descent of notes, enhancing the dramatic tension before the final note rings with vibrato.
vocal ad-libs behind first bars: “ohhh,” “mmm-hmmm,” belt small melismas on “black magic”
Final Chorus: Key lift, ad-libs soaring above melody
Black magic — burnin’ in my soul tonight
Black magic — can’t escape your wicked light
Every touch is a spark I can’t undo
Black magic — I’m a prisoner to you
Guitar Solo 2. Channel Kee Marcello’s flair with a seamless blend of speed and melodicism. Begin with a compelling minor pentatonic motif, flavoured with wide vibrato and slide accents. Transition into nimble alternate picking patterns, interspersing with graceful bends to evoke emotion. Weave in harmonic squeals and cascading arpeggios, integrating clever phrasing that dances on the edge of anticipation. Conclude with a soaring melodic line that climbs to a full, sustaining bend, echoing the haunting allure of black magic.
vocal ad-libs between phrases: “take me higher,” “set me free,” “black magic”
Outro: Drums burst with energy as guitars drive a powerful riff. The lead guitar soars, weaving complex melodies. Band locks into a rhythmic groove, echoing Def Leppard's sound. The finale is a sonic explosion, with harmonised guitar and synth, climaxing in a triumphant power chord.
Black… ma-a-a-agic… (Black… ma-a-a-agic…)
Black… ma-a-a-agic… (Black… ma-a-a-agic…)
Soft, breathy] Black… ma-a-a-agic… [slow fade, vibrato on “magic”
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