Graphic by kayleigh woltal
“W.I.T.CH.” by Devon Cole might just be the next feminist anthem you’ve been waiting for. That’s right, witch. Like the pointy hats and the broomsticks and all that spooky jazz. But beyond the Halloween-style witches we might think of, there is a more complex story that Devon Cole brings to the surface.
Before its release on July 7, 2022, Cole teased the single on social media with short clips on TikTok and Instagram Reels — even just the first few lines of the song had followers praising the concept. Cole took the historical context of female witches and flipped the story on its head. Focusing on the villainization of female independence, Cole wrote “W.I.T.C.H.” as an acronym for “Woman In Total Control of Herself.” To understand why this is possibly one of the most anti-misogynistic song concepts in recent releases, let’s talk briefly about the history of witchcraft and witch trials.
The misogyny and sexism surrounding early witches are blatantly obvious. During the witch trials, women with fewer men in their lives were more likely to be accused, convicted and executed on account of witchcraft. Looking specifically at data involving accused women without brothers or sons (96 women) and accused women with brothers and sons (62 women), 26% of women without brothers or sons were convicted and nearly 18% were executed. Compared to accused women with brothers and sons, only about 13% were convicted and only about 3% were executed.
These numbers are exactly why “W.I.T.C.H.” is genius. Rather than being seen as powerful, women independent from men during the trials were deemed weak. A woman’s power stemmed directly from her proximity to men, and more specifically, her ability to please them. So, for Devon Cole to take a concept such as witchcraft that has historically been used to demonize independent women and turn it into an anthem for a woman in control of her own life, she is changing the narrative. “W.I.T.C.H.” gives us a version of the witch symbol that is far less harmful to women than the original. Rather than a witch being categorized as a weak woman with a lack of male power to support her, Cole uses the term “witch” to highlight a woman’s own power and control over her body, actions and beliefs.
“Come out and play, it’s fun in the dark. / Tell me why you’re so scared of a woman in charge?”
Cole uses the historical idea of witchcraft to point out how foolish it is to vilify women for being their own person. She mocks men for feeling threatened by women for knowing what they want with clever lyrics such as “Am I bad to the bone, ’cause I get what I want? / Mama said it ain’t no crime” and “She ain’t out to get you but she’s better on your side.” She highlights the idea that an independent woman is not something to be afraid of and that her actions should have no bearing on anyone else’s life.
If the lyrics of this song aren’t enough to convince you of its feminist power, check out the official music video. Unlike what you might expect from the title, the video replaces obvious witchcraft imagery with a group of diverse women just living their best lives. Sure, there are plenty of witchy references like dancing around a fire. However, they end up simply dancing, roasting marshmallows and laughing through it all. With an all-female cast that is so visibly happy, the music video reminds us of what men living during the witch trials failed to understand — women genuinely enjoying a life without men is not something to fear or punish. It should instead be celebrated because what’s better than women living life to the fullest?
All in all, “W.I.T.C.H.” points out that a witch, as a symbol, has been misinterpreted for decades, and it is time to see it for what it really is. A witch is a symbol of female autonomy and power. A witch is a Woman In Total Control of Herself. “W.I.T.C.H.” by Devon Cole will be the perfect addition to any autumn or Halloween playlist, complete with spooky vibes and a bonus of female power.