Ben Bridwell is a musician from Irmo, South Carolina who now lives in an ar… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Bridwell is a musician from Irmo, South Carolina who now lives in an area outside of Charleston, South Carolina. He plays guitar and sings in the indie rock group Band of Horses. Their debut album on Sub Pop records, Everything All the Time, was released in 2006. Before Band of Horses Ben was also a member of Carissa's Wierd.

Magnolia
Ben Bridwell Lyrics

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Whippoorwill's singing
Soft summer breeze
Makes me think of my baby
I left down in New Orleans
I left down in New Orleans

Magnolia, you sweet thing
You're driving me mad

Got to get back to you, babe
You're the best I ever had
You're the best I ever had

You whisper "good morning"
So gently in my ear
I'm coming home to you, babe

I'll soon be there
I'll soon be there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ben Bridwell's song "Magnolia" speak of a man missing his lover left behind in New Orleans as he travels away from her. He reminisces of the sweet summer breeze and the sound of a whippoorwill singing that reminds him of his baby. The reference to the magnolia flower suggests the deep love and passion he has for his lover, driving him mad and yearning to return to her, as she is the best he has ever had. The lyrics suggest that the two are separated by distance, and he is hastening his return to her as he hears her voice in his ear and awaits their reunion. The song evokes feelings of nostalgia, love, and a longing to be with someone special.

Line by Line Meaning

Whippoorwill's singing
The sound of the whippoorwill's singing reminds me of a time when I was with my loved one.

Soft summer breeze
The gentle summer breeze carries memories of my past and my loved one.

Makes me think of my baby
The sensations I'm feeling reminds me of the times I spent with my loved one.

I left down in New Orleans
My loved one is far away from me and I miss them.

Magnolia, you sweet thing
Magnolia, my loved one, you are very dear to me.

You're driving me mad
My intense longing for my loved one is affecting me in a strong way.

Got to get back to you, babe
I must travel back to where my loved one is, I need to see them.

You're the best I ever had
My loved one is the best thing that ever happened to me.

You whisper "good morning"
My loved one greets me every morning with soft-spoken words.

So gently in my ear
Their gentle voice is comforting and soothing to me.

I'm coming home to you, babe
I'm making a promise to come home to my loved one, to be near them soon.

I'll soon be there
I want to reassure my loved one that I will soon be there to be with them.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John J Cale

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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