| "Willow's Song" | |
|---|---|
| Song byMagnet | |
| from the albumThe Wicker Man | |
| Recorded | 1973 |
| Genre | Psychedelic folk |
"Willow's Song" is a ballad by American composerPaul Giovanni for the1973 filmThe Wicker Man.
It is the best-known song from the film, and it is sometimes referred to as "The Wicker Man Song",[citation needed] although the film contains many other songs. The film tells the story of an upright Christian police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl, the search for whom leads him to a remote Scottish isle inhabited bypagans. While staying at theGreen Man Pub, Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) is roused from prayer by the landlord's daughter Willow, played byBritt Ekland, who sings the erotic ballad through the adjoining wall of their separate bedrooms while completelynaked. The song is an attempt to seduce Howie by accentuating Willow's sensuality. The music is played by the bandMagnet. According to the film's associate musical directorGary Carpenter, the screen version was sung by Rachel Verney[1] (although some have believed that it was sung by the Scottish jazz singerAnnie Ross).[citation needed] There are two different album versions ofsoundtrack. The 1998 version released byTrunk Records features the film version of the song. The 2002 version released by Silva Screen features an alternate recording in whichLesley Mackie (who played Daisy in the film) sang to the same backing tracks.[1][2]
According to Paul Giovanni, "The idea for the song was completely original with me—there was no indication of what it was to be in the script except a couple of lines of absolute filth," sourced by screenwriterAnthony Shaffer from various anthologies of lyrics that would be appropriate to spring pagan festivals.[3] "The main thing is in the rhythm, and we used all of the old twangy instruments in there".[3] One couplet in the song is adapted from a poem byGeorge Peele, part of his playThe Old Wives' Tale (printed 1595).[4] Another may be taken[weasel words] from a verse of the Elizabethan-period drinking song "Martin Said To His Man" (or may[weasel words] since have been added to it).[5]
The song has been covered several times, notably as "How Do", on theSneaker Pimps' 1996 album,Becoming X. This version also appeared in an erotic scene in the 2006 horror filmHostel and the 1997 Spanish filmAbre los Ojos.
Other covers include:
In addition, a sample of the song was also used byBritishindie bandPulp on "Wickerman", from their 2001 albumWe Love Life.
