Im a Witch

Lyrics

[Intro — Thumping kick, deep floor toms. Distorted bass crawls underneath a dirty blues-rock guitar riff. Distant studio gospel voices hum rhythmically.]
Yeah.
I heard what you called me.
Bass hit.
Say it louder.
Mm-mm.
Go ahead.
Verse 1
Preacher got a sermon,
Judge has got a pen,
Everybody loves deciding
Who a woman should've been.
Smile a little sweeter,
Lower down your voice,
Funny how they call you difficult
The minute you've got a choice.
I tried wearing pretty halos.
Never fit my head.
So if you've got another name for me—
Low
Go ahead.
[Pre-Chorus — Everything strips to bass, floor tom and claps.]
Say it once.
Say it twice.
Roll it off your tongue real nice.
You expected me to flinch?
Baby...
Small laugh.
That's adorable.
[CHORUS — Huge guitars crash in. Gospel voices answer the lead.]
I'M A B—
B—
WITCH, SO WHAT?!
CHOIR
SO WHAT?!
Got a little fire,
Got a little too much.
I'M TOO LOUD—SO WHAT?!
CHOIR
SO WHAT?!
Too sharp, too hard,
Don't soften me up.
Call me wicked,
Call me wild,
Call me anything
That helps you sleep at night.
If that's the worst you've got—
Low
Honey...
I'm a B—
Beat.
Witch.
So what?
Dirty guitar hit.
Verse 2
They like a woman dangerous
Long as she's pretend.
Little leather, little lipstick,
But obedient in the end.
You can love my independence
Till it tells you no.
Then suddenly I'm difficult.
Funny how that goes.
I don't need your permission.
Don't need your defense.
And I sure as hell ain't sanding down
My edges for your comfort again.
Pre-Chorus
Point your finger.
Say my name.
Put another dollar
In the blame game.
You think you've finally figured me out?
Good.
Bass drops.
Now what?
CHORUS
I'M A B—
B—
WITCH, SO WHAT?!
CHOIR
SO WHAT?!
Got a little fire,
Got a little too much.
I DON'T BEND—SO WHAT?!
CHOIR
SO WHAT?!
Got my own damn mind
And I speak it enough.
Call me wicked,
Call me wild,
Call me everything
Your mother warned you about.
If that's the worst you've got—
Honey...
I'm a B—
WITCH.
So what?
[Post-Chorus — Bass groove. Gospel voices pulse behind her.]
Mm-mm.
So what?
Mm-mm.
So what?
Lead, low
Say it like you mean it.
Verse 3 — Swaggering half-time groove.
Maybe I'm sweet.
When I wanna be.
Maybe I'm trouble.
You'll have to see.
Maybe I'm heaven
With a hell of a mouth.
Maybe I'm everything
You were warned about.
Backing voices begin quietly.
Say her name...
Say her name...
Lead
Don't threaten me
With a reputation.
I've already got one.
Beat.
I like it.
[Guitar Solo — Dirty, bluesy and mean. Not flashy; bends, feedback and attitude.]
[Breakdown — Floor tom. Stomp. Clap. Nothing else.]
Too loud.
CHOIR
SO WHAT?
Too much.
CHOIR
SO WHAT?
Bad mouth.
CHOIR
SO WHAT?
Bad attitude.
CHOIR
SO WHAT?!
Lead, low
Bitch?
TOTAL SILENCE.
...
Who said bitch?
Bass note.
I said witch.
Beat.
Pay attention.
Quiet guitar scratch.
Although...
Maybe I know what my Halloween costume
Will be this year...
Since you like it so much.
Tiny laugh.
I'll find a hat.
MASSIVE GUITAR CRASH.
[FINAL CHORUS — Biggest vocal stack of the song.]
I'M A B—
CHUNK
B—
CHUNK
WITCH, SO WHAT?!
CHOIR
SO WHAT?!
Got a little fire,
And I like it hot!
I'M TOO MUCH—SO WHAT?!
CHOIR
SO WHAT?!
I didn't come this far
To become what I'm not!
Call me wicked,
Call me wild,
Call me anything—
Just say it with a smile.
You thought that word
Would put me in my place?
Everything cuts.
Baby...
This is my place.
Full band detonates back in.
[Outro — Stomp. Stomp. Clap. Gospel voices underneath.]
So what?
Lead
Still waiting for me to apologize?
Mm-mm.
You're gonna be here awhile.
Backing voices
B—B—
Lead, almost whispered
Witch.
Final distorted guitar snap.