Magic Dirt have released 8 albums and 3 EPs during their career, balancing a fine line between improvisational noise and alternative rock, and remaining a staple of influential radio station Triple J.
Dean Turner's death both shocked and united the entire Australian music industry. Following Turner's death Magic Dirt performed a final tour in honour of his memory. They also released a six-track EP, White Boy, as a tribute. As from 2011, the band is on hiatus with no immediate plans to tour or record. In March 2011, Adalita spoke about Magic Dirt when promoting her solo album, "No, no we've not retired. There's none of that at the moment. We're just taking some time off the road, but we do have some plans. We've got a lot of work to do, and a big legacy to fulfill".
Srsen has since embarked on a successful solo career and guitarist Raul Sánchez formed a new band, River of Snakes..
Now or Never
Magic Dirt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We won't fight again
I'll look into your eyes and see that
You don't wanna fight
Is it the stranger
Is it the danger
Behind your door
Is it stronger when you keep your love back
When you hold it back
Can't believe we're together, again
All you're lovin' babe
Forget you locked it in the
Strangest pocket
Is it a sign or is it a time to blame me
For all your sorrow
Countin' to a hundred
Never thought I'd be hunted
For my idea
That you and you're fear
We're the only thing keeping you back from having me
Once and for all
The song Now or Never by Magic Dirt starts with the disbelief of the singer that they are once again together with their lover. They express that they do not want to fight again and convey their desire to look into their lover's eyes and see that they do not want to fight either. The lyrics then delve into the possible cause of their fights; the stranger or danger behind their lover's door – hinting towards some sort of external factor that may have created tension in their relationship.
The lyrics then take a self-reflective turn, with the singer questioning if it's stronger when their lover keeps their love back, holding it in and not expressing it. They then express their love and talk about how their lover has locked it away in the strangest pocket - possibly implying that their love is hard to find or difficult to access. The singer questions if it's a sign or time to blame them for all their sorrow and then goes on to express their frustration with being hunted for their ideas and the belief that it's only their lover's fear that's keeping them from being together.
Overall, the song seems to be inspired by a tumultuous relationship that seems to have gone through several ups and downs. While the lyrics are open to interpretation, they seem to convey a sense of longing for a love that's been elusive, with multiple factors like external dangers, fear and self-doubt affecting it.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't believe we're together, again
Expressing surprise at being back together with the other person.
We won't fight again
Promising not to argue anymore.
I'll look into your eyes and see that
Saying that the person's eyes reflect their emotional state.
You don't wanna fight
Noticing that the other person wants peace, not conflict.
Is it the stranger
Wondering if there's another person involved in the situation.
Is it the danger
Musing if there's a sense of peril or risk involved.
Behind your door
Imagining the other person closing themselves off or being secretive.
Is it stronger when you keep your love back
Asking if the other person feels more powerful by withholding or suppressing their feelings.
When you take it back
Referring to the other person withdrawing their love or affection.
When you hold it back
Describing the other person restraining their emotions or refraining from expressing how they feel.
All you're lovin' babe
Referring to the other person's love.
Forget you locked it in the
Suggesting that the other person has kept their love hidden or concealed.
Strangest pocket
Metaphorically describing the other person's heart or feelings as something mysterious or unknown.
Is it a sign or is it a time to blame me
Questioning whether the situation is a warning sign or if the other person is at fault.
For all your sorrow
Acknowledging that the other person may be experiencing emotional pain or sadness.
Countin' to a hundred
Visualizing the other person needing time and space to sort out their thoughts and feelings.
Never thought I'd be hunted
Feeling as though the other person is pursuing them or trying to trap them in a certain way of thinking or behaving.
For my idea
Referring to one's own perspective or belief about the situation.
That you and you're fear
Suggesting that the other person's fear is causing them to act a certain way.
We're the only thing keeping you back from having me
Saying that the other person's internal struggles are preventing them from fully committing to the relationship.
Once and for all
Expressing a desire to resolve the situation permanently and decisively.
Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.