Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for season 3 of The Witcher.
While most people would attribute The Witcher‘s popularity to Henry Cavill and his portrayal of Geralt of Rivia, fans know it’s not only Cavill’s ripped physique and love of the source material drawing people to the show (though it definitely helps). Aside from the fantastic world-building and characters inspired by the series of novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, the show features some great music from resident bard and Geralt’s bestie, Jaskier, known as Dandelion in the books. Joey Batey as Jaskier crafts some of the catchiest, jauntiest songs out of Geralt’s and his adventures, and the show is better for it.
Beginning with the extremely catchy ear-worm that is “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher,” Jaskier has helped move the story along in a fun, musical manner. Batey’s voice has already graced our ears several times in the first half of season 3, especially with the song “Extraordinary Things” playing a part in Jaskier’s growing romance with Prince Radovid. Given Batey’s demonstrated enthusiasm for this storyline, it’s likely there are even more songs to come when part two of The Witcher season three comes out on July 27. Until then, let’s take a look at every song Jaskier’s performed in the show and how you can listen to them on demand.
“Toss A Coin To Your Witcher”
When I first watched season one of The Witcher, I found myself immediately humming this song after Jaskier performed it for the first time. This is obviously not a unique experience, given the millions of views and listens this song has on every streaming platform. Some fans complain that the song sounds too much like a traditional pop song, but I can’t hear them because I’m too busy listening to “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher” for the millionth time.
You can listen to “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“Her Sweet Kiss”
Appearing in episode six of the first season of The Witcher, “Her Sweet Kiss” sounds like a straight-forward song about a tempting, but ultimately destructive love. Some fans interpret it as Jaskier singing about his own love for Geralt while he watches the Witcher and Yennefer grow closer, given the use of the pronouns “her,” “me,” and “you” in the song. Whatever the subject is, I think we can all agree the song’s use of strings is pretty sick.
You can listen to “Her Sweet Kiss” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“The Fishmonger’s Daughter”
This is a very short, very high-energy song about a woman lusting after Jaskier. With only one verse, most of this song is just Jaskier vibing and engaging the crowd to sing along, but every bard has to have some catchy crowd-pleasers in their repertoire.
You can listen to “The Fishmonger’s Daughter” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“The Golden One”
By the start of season two, Geralt and Jaskier are no longer on speaking terms after Geralt (rather unfairly, in my opinion) yells at Jaskier, blaming him for all the bad things that happen in the Witcher’s life. Not one to sit idly by when he goes through something traumatic, Jaskier turned the whole golden dragon expedition into a bop.
You can listen to “The Golden One” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“Burn Butcher Burn”
If “The Golden One” is a bop, this is a banger; Jaskier and Geralt did not part on good terms, and our bard is big mad. After Jaskier essentially acted as Geralt’s PR department and changed his reputation for the better with “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher,” I really can’t blame him for being so pressed. “Burn Butcher Burn” is a satisfyingly angsty breakup anthem that you can’t help sing along to.
You can listen to “Burn Butcher Burn” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“Whoreson Prison Blues”
Obviously an homage to Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” the lyrics of “Whoreson Prison Blues” can be seen as metaphorical, expressing that Jaskier would rather be locked up than stuck with people who’ve wronged him. While that’s a valid interpretation, it would seem that they’re meant to be taken more literally as Jaskier sings the song while actually locked up in a jail cell, much to the annoyance of his cell guard. While not as popular as “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher” or “Burn Butcher Burn,” this prison bop is no less an earworm.
You can listen to “Whoreson Prison Blues” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“Song of the Seven”
While many viewers couldn’t find much to love in the spin-off The Witcher: Blood Origin, fans praised Batey’s brief appearance and his dedication to turning a poorly written script into something good through sheer charisma. Jaskier performed this song as a call to arms for the seven heroes of the series, and while the show was polarizing, “Song of the Seven” is a win.
You can listen to “Song of the Seven” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“Extraordinary Things”
When Jaskier first meets Radovid in season three, the prince persuades him to play a song and the bard goes with this sensual ballad about pining for someone who hasn’t yet admitted they want you too (those Geralt and Jaskier shippers are living for this). With it’s refrain of “I am enough,” the song carries an undercurrent of self-love and clearly resonated with Radovid, who learns some of the song to later perform for Jaskier. The song acts as a jumping off point for the two to start their own romance, which will likely be expanded upon in the remaining episodes of the season.
You can listen to “Extraordinary Things” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
“The Ride of the Witcher”
Unlike other songs by Jaskier, this song was released ahead of the show’s third season. The song is about Geralt’s quest to find and protect Ciri and is notably a duet with the Polish band Percival Schuttenbach, who are known by Witcher fans for their song “Lazare” from the game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The song sounds a little darker than most we’ve heard from the bard, but it’s a welcome change.
You can listen to “The Ride of the Witcher” on YouTube and most music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
If you want to listen to more Jaskier before part two of The Witcher season three comes out on July 27, check out Batey’s band The Amazing Devil, an indie folk band composed of Batey and collaborator Madeleine Hyland.
Published: Jul 5, 2023 05:55 pm