When someone says, "You make it look like magic," it is often a compliment to acknowledge the skill and expertise with which they handle a task or situation. It implies that their actions appear effortless, seamless, and enchanting to others. Just as a magician captivates an audience with tricks that seem impossible to the observer, individuals who make something look like magic possess a special talent or ability to execute tasks in a way that impresses and astounds those around them. Making something look like magic requires a combination of various attributes and qualities. Firstly, it requires a high level of skill and mastery over the subject matter or task at hand. Whether it is performing a complex task, solving a difficult problem, or effortlessly executing a physical skill, individuals who make it look like magic have honed their abilities through practice and dedication.

You’ll Hear Everyone from Beyoncé to Frank Sinatra on the Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack

E arlier this week, we shared Ellie Goulding’s sultry new song “Love Me Like You Do,” which the British songstress released from the highly anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey movie, out on Valentine’s Day. A few weeks before that, we shared R&B artist The Weeknd’s “Earned It,” which is also part of the film’s soundtrack.

Aside from those two tracks and Beyoncé’s sensual new version of “Crazy In Love,” details have been slim about the soundtrack. Now, though, we’ve got a full track listing, via Idolator:

1. Annie Lennox – I Put a Spell On You
2. Laura Welsh – Undiscovered
3. The Weeknd – Earned It
4. Jessie Ware – Meet Me In the Middle
5. Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do
6. Beyoncé – Haunted (Michael Diamond Remix)
7. Sia – Salted Wound
8. The Rolling Stones – Beast of Burden
9. AWOLNATION – I’m On Fire
10. Beyoncé – Crazy In Love (2014 Remix)
11. Frank Sinatra – Witchcraft
12. Vaults – One Last Night
13. The Weeknd – Where You Belong
14. Skylar Grey – I Know You
15. Danny Elfman – Anna and Christian
16. Danny Elfman – Did That Hurt?

The soundtrack is due out on Feb. 10. Get ready.

The Most Controversial Films of All Time

The Interview, 2014 The James Franco-Seth Rogen movie hadn’t even been released when it made its greatest impact. The Interview, about two Americans on a mission to kill Kim Jong-un, has sparked conversations about the tastefulness -- or not -- of depicting the killing of a foreign head of state. But it also is widely seen as having sparked the Sony hacking scandal, as the hackers, known as the Guardians of Peace, have urged Sony not to release the film. The ripple effect of the email hack saw off-color remarks about Angelina Jolie, Aaron Sorkin, and President Obama between Sony executives go public. Columbia

Birth of a Nation, 1915 Birth of a Nation is held in high esteem as one of the most ambitious and innovative early films. It has also, in the near-century since its release, been derided for its use of blackface to depict black men as sexually rapacious and its characterization of the KKK as heroes. Is it possible to admire a film’s technical excellence while acknowledging that its content is deeply offensive? Many film scholars, who point to Birth of a Nation as part of the foundation of modern film, believe so. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Great Dictator, 1940 Charlie Chaplin’s lampooning of Hitler came before the U.S. was necessarily ready to hear it -- the country hadn’t yet entered World War II yet. The Great Dictator was controversial both for its advancement of anti-Hitler rhetoric and, at the same time, its turning Hitler into a figure of comedy. United Artists/Getty Images

The Lost Weekend, 1945 Billy Wilder’s frank depiction of alcoholism, anchored with a tragic performance from Ray Milland, was startling for its time. Though it won several Oscars and the Palme d’Or, it had been, before its release, far from a sure thing. The success of The Lost Weekend allowed for fuller depictions of social issues on film, even though it could be uncomfortable. Paramount/Getty Images

Lolita, 1962 This film was perhaps the first of director Stanley Kubrick’s to directly court controversy; the poster famously asked “How did they ever make a movie of Lolita?” and the question was very much worth asking. Lolita, the novel, is a strange and surreal look at an older man’s obsession with “nymphets,” or young girls; the film manages to carry across the same subject matter, though Lolita herself was aged up to avoid outright banning. MGM/Getty Images

Bonnie and Clyde, 1967 Arthur Penn’s depiction of the short, glamorous lives of two bank robbers kicked off the New Hollywood era and scandalized audiences with its over-the-top violence. Bonnie and Clyde made its subjects look like, well, movie stars -- and then killed them in a brutal, seemingly endless hail of gunfire. Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

A Clockwork Orange, 1971 Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s dystopian drama features shocking sex and violence, to the degree that the film was restricted within the U.K. for decades. Its central notion, of behavioral therapy as a force for evil, has also provoked debate since the film’s release. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979 This domestic drama, starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep as a couple whose marriage ends, was upfront about the challenges of raising children and the degree to which married life could be fundamentally unsatisfying. Columbia/Getty Images

Basic Instinct, 1992 This film made Sharon Stone, for a brief time, one of the most compelling movie stars on Earth. Her role as the voracious novelist and serial killer Catherine Tramell outraged gay audiences who viewed her as a homophobic stereotype, and spooked some men who were unaccustomed to Stone’s forthright sexuality. Either way, no one could stop talking about Catherine, or about Stone. TriStar/Getty Images

Eyes Wide Shut, 1999 Stanley Kubrick’s final film was perfectly in keeping with his careerlong interest in provocation. Eyes Wide Shut depicts a seamy New York underworld in which just about everyone is looking for sex, power, or both. Though the film’s graphic sexuality (including a scene at an orgy) was shocking, it was its depiction of the act of love as a transaction that really unsettled audiences. Warner Brothers/Getty Images

Requiem for a Dream, 2000 Darren Aronofsky’s breakthrough film, based on the work of Hubert Selby, Jr., was unabashed in its depiction of drugs’ effects. Each of the four principal characters suffers, brutally, for his or her addiction, culminating in one character’s psychotic break, another’s amputated arm, and a third’s descent into prostitution. The film’s miserabilist outlook, graphic sex, and body-horror imagery are as effective an antidrug campaign as exists. Artisan Entertainment

Fahrenheit 9/11, 2004 The 2004 presidential election was ugly to an unprecedented degree, with attacks on John Kerry’s service from the right’s Swift Boat Veterans for truth and this documentary-length Molotov cocktail tossed at George W. Bush from director Michael Moore. Moore, who’d previously been booed at the 2003 Oscars for an anti-Bush speech, mixed together insinuations about voter fraud in Florida and ties between the Bush and bin Laden families into an antiwar statement. In its sheer provocation and palpable anger, it was the perfect film for its polarized time; the fact that it was received very differently by audiences of different political persuasions seemed somehow apt. Lionsgate

The Passion of the Christ, 2004 This film, depicting the torture and eventual death of Jesus, was one of the biggest hits of all time. But it hadn’t necessarily had a clear path to acclaim; pre-release, the film was pilloried for perceived anti-Semitism. As audiences flocked over the weeks preceding Easter, some criticized director Mel Gibson for an excessively violent and sadistic vision of Jesus’s death. Newmarket

Borat, 2006 Sacha Baron Cohen’s depiction of a Kazakh immigrant interacting with real people stateside showed America in a terrible light; it was hilarious, painful viewing. But for months after the film’s release, questions over just how fair Borat had been to its participants persisted. And Baron Cohen’s career continued to push boundaries of taste, with subsequent movies lampooning gay men (Bruno) and Sub-Saharan African heads of state (The Dictator). 20th Century Fox

Whether it is performing a complex task, solving a difficult problem, or effortlessly executing a physical skill, individuals who make it look like magic have honed their abilities through practice and dedication. Their proficiency allows them to navigate challenges and obstacles seemingly effortlessly, leaving others in awe of their expertise. Secondly, individuals who make it look like magic often possess a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in the task or situation.

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How to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for Beginners

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Flamiano. Madeleine Flamiano is an Editing Fellow at wikiHow based in Berkeley, California, as well as a Team Organizer, Copy Editor, and Movie Critic for Incluvie. Madeleine has 12 years of experience in literacy advocacy and the creative arts that span tutoring, teaching, writing, public relations, and non-profit support. She has penned seven novels under a pseudonym and loves all escapist genres, from cozy fantasies to hard-boiled sci-fi. Her professional path started at NaNoWriMo, where she scripted and hosted a series on worldbuilding. Madeleine graduated from Mills College with a B.A. in English with a concentration in Literature and a Minor in Philosophy.

There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 1,786,591 times.

Many magicians devote their entire lives to mastering the art of illusion, but you don't have to go to such great lengths to impress your friends and family. With the right know-how and a little practice, you can easily learn to perform a number of jaw-dropping tricks that are guaranteed to leave onlookers in awe! Start by perfecting a few simple beginner tricks, like making a pencil float in the palm of your hand or passing a cup through a solid tabletop. Then, work your way up to more difficult tricks, such as making a coin disappear and levitating. Read on to keep your audience spellbound with your repertoire of tricks!

• Start with a simple coin trick to get a “handle” on magic, then work on other simple tricks like bending a spoon or making a pencil float.
• Make clever comments to amuse and distract onlookers. For example, as you rub a coin into your arm, say that your doctor told you to “get more iron.”
• Try a more challenging trick, like pretending to levitate, so you can entertain others and leave them wondering how you did it.

Simple Tricks for Beginners

• You can perform this trick using any type of coin, as long as it's big enough to grip between your fingers and your palm.
• Make a show of pushing or rolling up your shirtsleeves, which provides a visual distraction that makes the “transfer” look less suspicious.

• Try out this trick on your friends and family the next time you go out for dinner.
• Sit or stand facing your audience when performing this trick. If someone is watching from the side, they may be able to see what you're doing. [3] X Research source

You can carry out this trick either from the side or from a top-down perspective, so long as the inside of your hand isn't visible to your audience. [5] X Research source

• Take care not to accidentally cut all the way through the paper, or to tear it while you're picking it up. If you do, you'll end up losing your own bet!
• Though it may seem like genuine magic, this trick has a simple explanation: cutting the strips in such a careful way rearranges the surface area of the paper so that it's essentially one big circle. [7] X Research source

• Play up your “mistake” by saying something like, “Oh no! I think I hit it a little too hard. The cup went right through the table! I guess I used too much magic there.”
• The key to this trick is to let the cup fall quickly and quietly into your lap without your audience noticing it. Make it look like you're reaching all the way down to the floor when you go to retrieve it.

• Keep your hands close to the straw at all times. If they get too far away, the static charge will be too faint to continue moving it.
• If possible, perform the setup for this trick while your audience is absent or distracted (such as when your dining companion excuses themselves to go to the restroom).

Making Yourself Levitate

• To avoid drawing any suspicion, try slowly pacing back and forth while setting up the trick. Then, stop and get into position after your final turn. This will make it seem like you ended up in your stance by chance.
• This trick works best when performed in front of an audience that's standing still so they won't be able to move around and get a better look at your feet.

• If you want, you can go as far as to throw in a couple “failed” attempts to lend an element of realism to the trick.

• For added effect, wave your arms around like you're trying to maintain your center of gravity. [13] X Research source
• If you get good enough at finding exactly the right stance and foot placement, this trick will make even the most skeptical member of your audience question whether they can trust their own eyes.
• Slip into a pair of flat-soled shoes with thick, chunky heels. These will do a better job of hiding the angle of your support foot than more flexible footwear, which may leave your arch visible.

• The longer you “float,” the more of a chance your audience will have to deduce that the trick is just an optical illusion and not a real magic trick.

Making a Coin Disappear into Your Skin

• A line like, “My doctor said my iron levels are a little low,” adds some color and humor to your trick.
• While you can use any type of coin you like, something larger, like a quarter or half dollar, will be easier for your audience to see. [16] X Research source

• Make sure your audience can't actually see the coin inside your hand once you begin rubbing.

• Leave the coin sitting on the table just long enough for your audience to see that it's the same one and that you haven't swapped it out with a trick prop.

• Keep the fingers of your decoy hand open slightly so your audience doesn't suspect that you're holding the coin in that hand. Cling onto the edges of the coin with the sides of your index and pinky fingers.
• It may take quite a bit of practice before you can fake the handoff without being obvious. Keep trying—it’ll eventually start to feel more natural.
• Alternatively, use your rubbing hand to covertly slide the coin off of the table and into your lap while making it look like you're picking it up. [20] X Research source

• Avoid rubbing so vigorously that you risk knocking the coin out of your decoy hand.
• Take your time with the second round of rubbing. The longer you rub, the more you'll sell the idea that you're trying your hardest to make the coin disappear into your skin.

• If you want to add some extra flourish, carefully transfer the coin back into your rubbing hand and “retrieve” it from one of your onlookers' ears, pockets, or shirt collars.

They have a keen eye for detail and are able to spot patterns, connections, and opportunities that others might miss. This ability to perceive the underlying principles and nuances gives them an edge and enables them to find creative and innovative solutions that others might not have considered. Moreover, individuals who make it look like magic often display exceptional levels of focus, concentration, and determination. They have the ability to remain calm and composed even in high-pressure situations, allowing them to think clearly and make sound decisions. This mental fortitude not only enhances their performance but also contributes to the perceived magic surrounding their actions. Additionally, individuals who make it look like magic often possess a natural flair or charisma that captivates and engages others. They have the ability to command attention, inspire confidence, and motivate those around them. Their magnetic personality draws people in and creates an atmosphere of trust and admiration, further enhancing the perception of magic in their actions. In conclusion, individuals who make it look like magic possess a unique combination of skill, mastery, understanding, focus, determination, and charisma. Their ability to execute tasks effortlessly and captivate others with their actions creates an aura of magic around them. Whether it is their expertise in a specific field, their problem-solving abilities, or their physical skills, these individuals leave a lasting impression on those who witness their feats. Being compared to magic is a testament to their exceptional abilities and the impact they have on others..

Reviews for "From Doubt to Delight: Cultivating a Magical Mindset for Success"

1. Rachel - 2 stars: I was really excited to read "You make it look like magic" based on all the positive reviews I had seen. However, I was left disappointed. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were underdeveloped and I had a hard time connecting with any of them. The writing style felt choppy and inconsistent, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, this book just didn't live up to the hype for me.

2. Jason - 1 star: I couldn't finish "You make it look like magic" and ended up putting it down after the first few chapters. The story was slow-moving and I found myself getting bored. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the characters' emotions and actions. Additionally, the plot lacked depth and didn't offer anything new or exciting. I was really disappointed in this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

3. Emily - 2 stars: I was initially drawn to "You make it look like magic" because of the beautiful cover and intriguing title. However, the actual story didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was slow and it took too long for anything of substance to happen. The main character was unrelatable and I found it hard to sympathize with her struggles. The writing style was also overly flowery and verbose, making it feel pretentious. Overall, I was let down by this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.

4. Mike - 3 stars: While "You make it look like magic" had an interesting premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The world-building was also underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. The main character had potential, but her actions and choices felt unrealistic at times. Overall, this book had potential, but it didn't quite deliver on its promises.

The Power of Belief: How Your Mindset Can Create Magic in Your Life