Although born in California, frontman Mark Eitzel spent his formative years in Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1980. After a brief stint with the punk band The Naked Skinnies he founded American Music Club in 1983 with guitarist Vudi, bassist Dan Pearson, keyboardist Brad Johnson, and drummer Matt Norelli. This lineup would change over the next several years but Eitzel always remained the core of the band in terms of its vocals, lyrics and thematic focus.
Their 1985 debut, The Restless Stranger, offers a rough outline of their increasingly eclectic sound and firmly established Eitzel's worldview, a harrowing vision of life as seen through the bottom of a shot glass. 1987's Engine honed the formula: the addition of producer Tom Mallon as a full-time member expanded the group's sonic palette.
American Music Club earned a solid cult following on the strength of 1988's California. Their next LP, 1989's United Kingdom, appeared only in the nation which lent the record its name and consisted of leftover material and live tracks.
In 1991 American Music Club emerged with the record that is widely considered their masterpiece, Everclear. Critical acclaim attracted the attention of several major labels. Eventually AMC -- now consisting of Eitzel, Vudi, Pearson, multi-instrumentalist Bruce Kaphan, and drummer Tim Mooney -- signed with Reprise in the U.S. and Virgin throughout the rest of the world.
1993's Mercury followed and, despite positive reviews, Mercury fared poorly on the charts and earned virtually no recognition from radio or MTV. In 1994, AMC issued San Francisco, an erratic collection which balanced confessional tunes like Fearless and The Thorn in My Side Is Gone alongside slick pop constructs. Like Mercury, the record found critical acclaim yet foundered commercially and American Music Club disbanded as result.
Eitzel eventually explored a solo career, and purchased a Pro-Tools set up to record solo material, some released through Reprise and other albums through Matador. Vudi joined Swans for their last album and farewell tour, documented on Swans are Dead (Black Disc)/Swans are Dead (White Disc).
In 2003, American Music Club reunited to record a new album, Love Songs For Patriots, which was described by reviewer Mark Deming as "a stronger and more coherent effort than the group's last set, 1994's San Francisco, and while it's too early to tell if this is a new start or a last hurrah for AMC, it at least shows that their formula still yields potent results. Here's hoping Eitzel and Vudi have more where this came from."
Miracle On 8th Street
American Music Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting around your kitchen table
We'll turn the brandy into beer
Later they'll say, what a miracle
You say all you need is a right position
'Cause nothing in this world helps you to see
You say that you never do it
You say I never listen to you
Well, you're right about that
Ooh, you're right about that
But I thought that I love you
More than that, more than that
I know you're strong enough to live
In a world where are the magic's gone
I watch your hands tremble, you reach for another sip
Now all your luck is gone
Look at the moon, ain't it pretty at night
Don't look away, give it a chance for once
In it's own way it's just alive as any of us
And anyway, anyway, anyway it's where you face
You say I never listen to you
Well, you're right about that
You're right about that
But I thought that I love you
I love you more than that
I love you more than that
I love you more than that
I love you more than that
I love you more than that
I love you more than that
I love you
Miracle On 8th Street is a contemplative song by American Music Club that speaks of the passing of time, the pain of unfulfilled dreams, and the mirage of happiness. The lyrics invite us to experience the present moment while acknowledging the transience of life. The first verse describes a scene of idleness and indulgence, as the singer suggests that time is meaningless, and drinking is an escape from reality. The line "Later they'll say, what a miracle" juxtaposes the meaningless of the present moment with a vague hope of recognition in the future, as if even a trivial act like drinking can someday become legendary.
The second verse introduces the theme of disillusionment and the yearning for a purpose. The lines "You say all you need is a right position/ 'Cause nothing in this world helps you to see" express the idea that our perspective defines our reality, and yet we are often blind to our own limitations. The song then turns to a confession of love, as the singer admits to not listening to their partner, but professes a deeper love that transcends words. The chorus repeats the line "I love you more than that" like a mantra, a declaration of faith that there is something more important than the trivialities of the world.
The final verse renews the call to pay attention to the world, as the moon becomes a symbol of beauty and mystery. The lines "And anyway, anyway, anyway it's where you face" suggest that the meaning of life is not an objective truth, but a subjective experience that depends on our attitude. The song ends on a note of ambiguity, as the repetition of "I love you more than that" seems to hint at both hope and resignation, a recognition that love alone cannot solve all problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, let's waste another thousand years
Let's spend more time together without worrying about the future
Sitting around your kitchen table
In an intimate and comfortable environment
We'll turn the brandy into beer
We'll make something special out of something ordinary
Later they'll say, what a miracle
People will be amazed by what we've created
You say all you need is a right position
You believe that success is determined by one's circumstances
'Cause nothing in this world helps you to see
You feel like you're struggling to find your way in life
You say that you never do it
You claim to abstain from something
Unless someone gives it to you for free
You expect others to provide for you without effort on your part
You say I never listen to you
You believe that I don't pay attention to you
Well, you're right about that
You're correct in your assessment of our communication
Ooh, you're right about that
Your point is valid
But I thought that I love you
Despite my flaws, I care for you deeply
More than that, more than that
My feelings run deeper than just listening to you
I know you're strong enough to live
I believe in your resilience and fortitude
In a world where all the magic's gone
In a society that lacks enchantment and wonder
I watch your hands tremble, you reach for another sip
I see you struggling with addiction
Now all your luck is gone
Your fortune has run out
Look at the moon, ain't it pretty at night
Take a moment to appreciate the beauty around us
Don't look away, give it a chance for once
Don't miss out on life's beauty
In it's own way it's just alive as any of us
It's a reminder that everything has its own inherent value and vitality
And anyway, anyway, anyway it's where you face
The moon's perspective depends on where you look at it
You say I never listen to you
Your belief that I don't listen to you remains the same
Well, you're right about that
You're correct in your previous statement
You're right about that
I acknowledge the validity of your opinion
But I thought that I love you
Despite our misunderstandings, I still care about you
I love you more than that
My affection for you is deeper than just hearing you out
I love you more than that
My feelings for you are beyond just listening
I love you more than that
My love for you extends beyond our disagreements
I love you more than that
I care about you on a deeper level
I love you more than that
My love for you is immeasurable
I love you more than that
My love for you transcends all barriers
Contributed by Victoria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.