The Lovin' Spoonful released Do You Believe in Magic in 1965 as their debut single, written by frontman John Sebastian, and it quickly became one of the defining sounds of mid-1960s American folk rock. Its hopeful title and catchy chorus helped it endure long after its first chart run, finding new life in films, commercials and nostalgic playlists. Online, short excerpts circulate as shorthand for optimism and wonder, making the song easy to recognise even when only a few seconds are heard.