Julia Marcell composed since she was 14 years old, and circa 2007 she learned how to play the piano. In 2007 she released her first album, the extended play Storm EP, which featured piano oriented compositions with string arrangements.
In October 2007, with the help of fans around the world, she obtained a sum of US$ 50,000 (through the website Sellaband) in order to record her first studio album. Titled It Might Like You, it was released in Germany in 2009, and was produced by Moses Schneider, who previously worked with such bands as Beatsteaks, Kreator and Tocotronic.
In 2008, Marcell sang a duet with Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire, named "This Sea". The song appears on his album To the Bottom of the Sea. In this same album, Voltaire makes a cover of her song "Accordion Player".
Since 2010 Marcell is extensively touring Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, Japan and the U.S.A.
On September 30, 2011, she released a second studio album, entitled June, which brought a big change in style and saw Marcell playing with rhythm and expanding her sound with the addition of electronic instruments. June's first single, "Matrioszka", was released on August 7, 2011. The music video for "Matrioszka" was released on August 27, 2011. The second single for June, "CTRL", was released on November 30, 2011. The third single, "I Wanna Get on Fire", was released in June 20, 2012, alongside a music video. For June, Marcell was awarded with the prestigious Paszport Polityki prize in 2011, in the "Popular Music" category, and in 2012 she was nominated to seven Fryderyks, winning one of them.
In 2014, she would collaborate with Voltaire once more, providing additional vocals for the track "The Devil and Mr. Jones", off his album Raised by Bats.
Her third studio album, Sentiments, was released on October 6, 2014. On September 10, 2014, she released a music video for one of the tracks that would appear on the album, "Manners".
Band:
Mandy Ping-Pong - viola, vocals
Thomsen Slowey Merkel - bass
Sebastian Schmidt - drums
Thomas Fietz - drums
Accordion Player
Julia Marcell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who didn't go to war
His mother said I know all you wanna do is play
But can't you see what's going on?
It's not about you anymore
And so he stayed and played at home
Until they burned down
And when those no bench to sit on
And when he held his wounded friend
In his arms and death was all around
He say you see
It's not about you anymore
Oh mother!
I could die a hero and bring glory to our home
Would you do when I ask for a glory if you
Had to live there alone?
So I'd rather
Play this song
I want to die playing
I want to die
The song "Accordion Player" by Julia Marcell is a beautiful and poignant story of a musician who chooses not to go to war despite his mother's wishes. The main character is an accordion player who remains at home, choosing to play music instead of joining the war effort. His mother urges him to reconsider and play his part in the war, as she believes that the war is more important than his music. However, the accordion player stays true to his passion and continues to play his accordion.
Despite the war raging on outside, he plays his music in the safety of his home. When the war reaches his doorstep and his home burns down, he continues to play his music even when he has no bench to sit on. He eventually finds himself holding his wounded friend and witnesses death all around. In this moment, he realizes that it's not about him anymore and he says to his friend, "You see, it's not about you anymore."
The song is a beautiful commentary on the value of one's passions in the face of adversity. Despite the chaos and suffering of war, the accordion player chooses to hold onto his music and continue to play, even in the face of death. It's a reminder that even when the world is falling apart, it's important to hold onto the things that make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
There was once an accordion player
The story starts with an accordion player who is the central figure of the song.
Who didn't go to war
The player didn't join the war that was happening, unlike many people of his age group.
His mother said I know all you wanna do is play
His mother is aware of his passion for music and understands that he wants to play the accordion.
But can't you see what's going on?
She also emphasizes that he should be aware of the current situation.
It's not about you anymore
She further stresses that the time has changed, and the war is not an individual issue anymore.
And so he stayed and played at home
The player hence chooses not to participate in the war and then plays music at home.
Until they burned down
Unfortunately, their home gets destroyed in the war.
And when those no bench to sit on
After losing everything, the player stands with no option but to sit on the ground.
He would just sit on the ground
He accepts his state but doesn't give up on music.
And when he held his wounded friend
During the war, he holds his wounded friend.
In his arms and death was all around
He experiences the horrors of the war while holding his fellow hurting soldier.
He say you see
A thought starts materializing in his mind as he processes the situation.
It's not about you anymore
He finally realizes that the war is not individualistic, but a collective concern now.
Oh mother!
He addresses his mother once again as he questions her decision.
I could die a hero and bring glory to our home
He puts forth the thought that he could have chosen to become a hero in the war and brought fame to their house.
Would you do when I ask for a glory if you
He tries to make his mother understand his point of view by questioning her decision if she had been at his position.
Had to live there alone?
He points out that it's not a simple decision, as the result will directly affect an individual's life.
So I'd rather
He decides to stand by his decision again and rejects the idea of becoming a war hero.
Play this song
He chooses to play his music, his passion, instead of being a hero.
I want to die playing
The song gets even more intense as he expresses his desire to play until the end of his life.
I want to die
He reveals that his passion for playing the accordion is so profound that he would love to die while playing it, rather than becoming a hero in the war.
Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Lair of Voltaire
For the record, her's is the original. I asked her if I could cover it and then of course I asked her to sing a duet with me called This Sea. She's an amazing singer and songwriter!!!
MathCorp. Depression Enterprises
❤
Jenya March 🦋
I literally just came here after listening to 'To The Bottom of the Sea' ♥♥♥
Swift Swalow
beautiful voice. beautiful writing.
but i think i prefer voltaire's for only one thing: his version had an actual accordion in it.
Kate Anxious
I'm just beginning to discover Julia and I must admit she's simply amazing! And so inspiring! It's wonderful to know that here in Poland we have such talented artists.
Djenn
Today is the first time I've heard either version and I think I'm going through overload playing them both back and forth 😄
TheWolfElder
This is hauntingly beautiful. I actually cried at this song, which is rare. I haven't cried in years. :)
Slazinski Ghoulscout
I really like this song sung by you the most, you have an amazing voice
Oh No
I love both versions so much, even if the song makes me want to cry.
gosia4870
...gdy konczy sie dzien, nalewam lampke wina, zbieram mysli i wlaczam ta piosenke...