MAGAZINE
Casey Foubert Lyrics

The song Magazine is a profound criticism of our society's obsession with perfection and the superficial nature of our world. David Bazan starts the song by saying that "This line is metaphysical," implying that he's exploring a greater philosophical idea. He then contrasts the bad half of society, who live in wickedness, with the good half, who live in arrogance. The phrase "And there's a steep slope with a short rope" could refer to the fact that it's easy to fall into the "bad half" of society, and once you do, there's little chance of redemption.

Bazan then alludes to the notion that our society encourages us to strive for perfection, but at the cost of hiding our true selves. The line "Wouldn't you love to be on the cover of a magazine? Healthy skin and perfect teeth designed to hide what lies beneath" encapsulates this idea. The image of the perfect person on the cover of a magazine is a representation of the unattainable ideal that our society sets for us, and the lyrics suggest that it's difficult to resist the allure of this ideal.

The song then takes a more personal turn, as Bazan expresses his fear of being judged and scrutinized by others. The line "Oh look, you earned your wings. Are you an angel now or a vulture? Constantly hovering over waiting for a big mistake" suggests that Bazan is wary of those who are eager to point out his flaws and imperfections. He then expresses regret and guilt with the line "Oh my God, what have I done?" which adds a sense of vulnerability and personal confession to the song.

Overall, Magazine is a powerful song that speaks to the insecurities, fears, and pressures that we all face in our daily lives, but that are often magnified by our culture.