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..
Rebel
Magic Dirt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I forget what I said
Always think
There's something wrong
Cool number one
Scared of the dark
I can see
Can't plug it in
Don't waste a sin
Thought I was great
Comin' home late
Rushin' around
Head on the ground
Never as before
I'm at the door
Don't wanna go back
Can't go back
One more time
Can't go back
One more time
I'm a rebel
Throwing my wing
I'm a rebel
Comin' in
I'm a rebel
One more time
I'm a rebel
Throwing my wing
I'm a rebel
Comin' in
I'm a rebel
Throwing my wing
Can't plug it in
I'm a rebel
I'm a rebel
The lyrics to Magic Dirt's song "Rebel" depict the struggles and uncertainties of adolescence. The opening lines, "Face goes red, I forget what I said, always think there's something wrong, cool number one," suggest a sense of self-doubt and insecurity, perhaps stemming from social anxiety. The singer of the song is "scared of the dark," which could be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. The darkness could represent the unknown and the fear of the future, as well as the fear of the unknown depths of oneself.
The lyrics also touch on the fear of failure - "Can't plug it in, don't waste a sin, thought I was great comin' home late, rushin' around, head on the ground, never as before." The singer may feel pressure to live up to expectations or to succeed in some way, but is struggling to find their footing.
The repeated refrain of "Can't go back, one more time" emphasizes a sense of longing and nostalgia for a simpler time, perhaps before the pressures of adulthood and responsibility set in. However, the singer also claims the identity of a "rebel," which could be seen as a way of pushing back against societal norms and expectations.
Overall, "Rebel" is a complex portrayal of the inner turmoil and conflicting emotions of adolescence, as well as a celebration of individuality and nonconformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Face goes red
I feel embarrassed and ashamed
I forget what I said
I'm very nervous and forgetful
Always think
I'm always overthinking things
There's something wrong
I have a feeling that something is not right
Cool number one
I try to act cool and confident
Scared of the dark
I'm afraid of unknown and uncertain things
I can see
I'm aware of what's going on around me
Can't plug it in
I'm having trouble connecting and communicating with others
Don't waste a sin
I don't want to make any mistakes or regrets
Thought I was great
I used to feel confident and proud
Comin' home late
I'm returning home after staying out late
Rushin' around
I'm always in a hurry and stressed
Head on the ground
I feel down and defeated
Never as before
Things are never the same as they used to be
I'm at the door
I'm standing at the door of my home or a new opportunity
Don't wanna go back
I don't want to return to my old ways or past mistakes
Can't go back
I can't undo what I've done or change the past
One more time
I'm willing to try again or take another chance
I'm a rebel
I am a nonconformist who challenges the norm
Throwing my wing
I am spreading my wings and taking on new challenges
Comin' in
I am entering a new phase or opportunity
I'm a rebel
I refuse to be defined by others' expectations or limitations
Can't plug it in
I am rejecting conformity and the status quo
I'm a rebel
I am embracing my individuality and freedom
Contributed by Dylan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.