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The Ballad of the Witches' Road

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"The Ballad of the Witches' Road" is a song from the Marvel Studios Disney+ television miniseries Agatha All Along, written by composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.[1] Eight versions of the song were used throughout the miniseries. The main version of the song is referred to as the Sacred Chant Version.[2]

"The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Sacred Chant Version)
Single by Kathryn Hahn, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone, Debra Jo Rupp and Agatha All Along cast
ReleasedSeptember 19, 2024 (2024-09-19)
Length3:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Kristen Anderson-Lopez
  • Robert Lopez
Released versions

Background and production

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In January 2023, Kathryn Hahn hinted that the series would include original songs similar to those featured in WandaVision such as "Agatha All Along".[3] In March, Christophe Beck revealed that he would be returning from WandaVision and other MCU media to compose the score for the series.[4] The following month, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez were revealed to have written the series' original songs, also returning from WandaVision. Hahn serves as the lead singer for some songs, with the other witch actors such as Patti LuPone acting as background singers.[5] Jac Schaeffer wanted to work with the composers to find a way to weave whatever songs they came up with into the series' narrative.[6] One of their songs, "The Ballad of the Witches' Road", became an ancient tune in the series that all witches are familiar with.[7] In September 2024, Michael Paraskevas was revealed to have composed the score with Beck, after previously working together in the MCU series Hawkeye (2021).[8]

Release history and versions

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The True Crime Version and the Sacred Chant Version were released on September 19, 2024, as part of Songs from Agatha All Along (Episodes 1 & 2). The Lorna Wu's Version and the Cover Version were released on October 3, 2024, as part of Songs from Agatha All Along (Episode 4). The Score Version along with True Crime, Sacred Chant, Lorna Wu's, and Cover versions were released together on October 11, as part of Agatha All Along: Vol. 1 (Episodes 1–5) (Original Soundtrack).[9] The Pop Version by Japanese Breakfast was released on October 17.[10] The Nicky's Version and the Agatha Through Time Version were released on October 31, as part of Songs from Agatha All Along (Episode 9). Nicky's, Agatha Through Time and Pop versions were released together on November 1, 2024, as part of Agatha All Along: Vol. 2 (Episodes 6–9) (Original Soundtrack).[11] All 8 versions of the song were featured on the side A of the soundtrack vinyl titled Music from Agatha All Along released on October 30, 2024.[12][13]

All tracks are written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Versions of "The Ballad of the Witches' Road"
No.TitleInitially releasedLength
1."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (True Crime Version) (featuring Matthew Mayfield)September 19, 2024 (2024-09-19)1:43
2."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Sacred Chant Version) (featuring Kathryn Hahn, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone and Debra Jo Rupp)September 19, 2024 (2024-09-19)3:18
3."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Lorna Wu's Version) (featuring Seomoon Tak)October 3, 2024 (2024-10-03)4:41
4."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Cover Version) (featuring Kathryn Hahn, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza and Joe Locke)October 3, 2024 (2024-10-03)4:40
5."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Score Version)October 11, 2024 (2024-10-11)1:42
6."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Nicky's Version) (featuring Abel Lysenko)October 31, 2024 (2024-10-31)0:49
7."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Agatha Through Time Version) (featuring Kathryn Hahn, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, and Patti LuPone)October 31, 2024 (2024-10-31)2:36
8."The Ballad of the Witches' Road" (Pop Version) (featuring Japanese Breakfast)October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)4:41
Total length:24:10

True Crime Version

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The True Crime Version was featured in the first episode of Agatha All Along titled "Seekest Thou the Road". It was the theme song for the fictionalized crime noir television series titled Agnes of Westview, in which the witch Agatha Harkness was trapped under a magical spell by Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the town of Westview, New Jersey, at the end of the miniseries WandaVision (2021).[14][15]

Sacred Chant Version

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The Sacred Chant Version was featured in the second episode of Agatha All Along titled "Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate". It was sung by Agatha and her newly recruited coven, during which Billy Maximoff unknowingly created the Witches' Road, accessible via a door in Agatha's basement in her home in Westview.[16]

Lorna Wu's Version

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The Lorna Wu's Version was featured in the fourth episode of Agatha All Along titled "If I Can't Reach You / Let My Song Teach You". It was sung by the character Lorna Wu, mother of Alice Wu-Gulliver, a member of Agatha's coven.[17][18]

Cover Version

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The Cover Version was featured in the fourth episode of Agatha All Along titled "If I Can't Reach You / Let My Song Teach You". It was sung by Agatha's coven, during Alice's trial.[17][19]

Score Version

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The Score Version was featured in the second episode of Agatha All Along titled "Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate" and was composed by Christophe Beck and Michael Paraskevas. The score plays in the final scene as the coven looks onward and walks down the path of the Witches' Road after entering the door and narrowly escaping the Salem Seven.[16][20]

Nicky's Version

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The Nicky's Version was featured in the Finale of Agatha All Along titled "Maiden Mother Crone". It was the initial version of the song developed by Agatha with her son Nicholas Scratch in the 1750s.[21]

Agatha Through Time Version

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The Agatha Through Time Version was featured in the Finale of Agatha All Along titled "Maiden Mother Crone". It was the version of the song continued by Agatha after the death of her son, which she used to con other witches by leading them in singing the song as part of a ritual to open the door to the Witches' Road and proceeding to steal their powers, killing them in the process. Agatha eventually became the only known survivor of the fictional Witches' Road.[21][22]

Pop Version

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The Pop Version performed by Japanese Breakfast was featured in the credits of the finale of Agatha All Along titled "Maiden Mother Crone".[10]

Chart performance

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The Sacred Chant Version debuted at number twenty-two on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart for the week of October 5, 2024.[23]

Chart performance for the Sacred Chant Version
Chart (2024) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[24] 45
US Digital Songs (Billboard)[25] 22

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ortiz, Andi (October 9, 2024). "'Agatha All Along': Yes, More Versions of 'The Ballad of the Witches' Road' Are on the Way". TheWrap. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  2. ^ Gomez, Dessi (October 31, 2024). "'Agatha All Along' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear Along The Witches' Road". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  3. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 14, 2023). "Agatha: Coven of Chaos Marvel Spinoff May Feature 'A Little Song Here or There,' Kathryn Hahn Hints". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  4. ^ "Christophe Beck to Score Marvel Studios' 'Agatha: Coven of Chaos'". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Keegan, Rebecca (April 24, 2023). "Patti LuPone on Her 'Beau Is Afraid' Role, Upcoming Marvel Show and Why She's Done With Broadway". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Carillo, Nick; Carboni, Anthony; Livanos, Mary (August 28, 2024). "Agatha Harkness: A Dark and Twisted History". The Official Marvel Podcast (Podcast). Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved November 1, 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Vary, Adam B.; Moreau, Jordan (August 10, 2024). "'Agatha All Along' Trailer Drops New Spooky Song and Murderous Coven of Evil Witches". Variety. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Ford, Latasha; Davidson, Denton (September 17, 2024). "'Agatha All Along' premiere: Watch red carpet interviews with Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata …". Gold Derby. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  9. ^ "'Agatha All Along' Volume 1 (Episodes 1–5) Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Japanese Breakfast's Pop Version of 'The Ballad of the Witches' Road' from 'Agatha All Along' Released". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "'Agatha All Along' Volume 2 (Episodes 6–9) Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Agatha All Along". Disney Music Emporium. Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  13. ^ Music from Agatha All Along (Liner notes). Hollywood Records. 2024. B0DGDC4ZKB.
  14. ^ "Seekest Thou the Road". Agatha All Along. Season 1. Episode 1. September 18, 2024. Disney+.
  15. ^ "The Series Finale". WandaVision. Season 1. Episode 9. March 5, 2021. Disney+.
  16. ^ a b "Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate". Agatha All Along. Season 1. Episode 2. September 18, 2024. Disney+.
  17. ^ a b "If I Can't Reach You / Let My Song Teach You". Agatha All Along. Season 1. Episode 4. September 18, 2024. Disney+.
  18. ^ Coggan, Devan (October 4, 2024). "How 'Agatha All Along' Embraced '70s Rock with 'The Ballad of the Witches' Road'". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  19. ^ Vary, Adam B.; Bechara, Diego Ramos (October 3, 2024). "'Agatha All Along' Team on Reprising 'The Witches Road' as a Rock Ballad and Singing With Patti LuPone: 'It Was So Intimidating'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  20. ^ "Christophe Beck's & Michael Paraskevas' 'Agatha's Theme' from Marvel's 'Agatha All Along' Released". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Maiden Mother Crone". Agatha All Along. Season 1. Episode 9. October 30, 2024. Disney+.
  22. ^ "Familiar by Thy Side". Agatha All Along. Season 1. Episode 6. October 16, 2024. Disney+.
  23. ^ Trust, Gary (October 2, 2024). "'Agatha All Along' Cast Brews Up Billboard Chart Hit With 'The Ballad of the Witches' Road'". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart on 27/9/2024". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  25. ^ "Digital Song Sales Week of October 5, 2024". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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