It is not entirely clear when Songs: Ohia became Magnolia Electric Co. In interviews, Jason Molina has claimed that he considered the tenure of Songs: Ohia over after Didn't It Rain, which would make Magnolia Electric Co. the eponymous debut album of the new band. In fact the name Songs: Ohia appears nowhere on the artwork of the album and only a promotional sticker on the cellophane wrapping connects it with the prior band name. Nevertheless, Secretly Canadian still promotes the album under the Songs: Ohia moniker. On the other hand, the Magnolia Electric Co. live album Trials and Errors was recorded on April 16, 2003 at the Ancienne Belgique club in Brussels, at a time when the band was still touring under the Songs: Ohia name. Pitchfork Media later reported that name change would be made official after the Spain tour in October 2003, although by now it seems the label espouses a name change around July 2003.
On January 13, 2006, Molina told a Chicago newspaper that he had recorded three records which were to be released within a few months. A solo record, titled Let Me Go, was recorded February 2005 in Indiana and features a return to the voice/piano/guitar style that Pyramid Electric Co. was recorded in. A Magnolia Electric Co. album, Nashville Moon, was recorded during July 2005 with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. Molina stated that there was a heavy atmosphere in the studio, due to the fact that three of Albini's close friends had died in a car crash. The third record to be released is a full length collaboration with Camper Van Beethoven front man David Lowery, tentatively named The Black Ram. During the sessions for the album, Molina's mother suffered a stroke, went into a coma and has been on life support since then.
In the article, Molina also commented on his determined work ethic: "Every New Year I throw out songs. I just threw out probably 20 tapes full of demos and I didn't even listen to them... Getting rid of all that old stuff really forces you to write new material."
Though officially Songs: Ohia no longer records or performs, and projects have been either marketed as Magnolia Electric Co. or Jason Molina's solo work, most fans still use the name Songs: Ohia to refer to all projects collectively.
Jason Molina stopped touring and recording in 2009 in order to enter rehab and fight his alcoholism. An EP called Autumn Bird Songs was released in 2012 under Molina's own name, although it consisted of songs recorded before Molina had entered rehab. He died on March 16th, 2013 of organ failure.
Heartbreak at Ten Paces
Magnolia Electric Co. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why lord always the valley
Why lord always the dawn
Is it so goodbye and I love you will echo on
When the light’s getting dim
But one step less in love will always be fair,
If heartache don’t care.
The lyrics of "Heartbreak at Ten Paces" by Magnolia Electric Co. explores the theme of heartbreak and the inevitability of it in life. The opening line, "Heartbreak at ten paces", sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer reflects on the cyclical nature of heartbreak and how it always seems to come in the valley and the dawn. This may allude to the idea that heartbreak is a natural part of life and is always present in the highs and lows.
The line "Is it so goodbye and I love you will echo on" highlights the lingering effect of heartbreak. Even when a relationship ends, the love and memories still remain and continue to affect the singer. The following line "When the light's getting dim" suggests that the singer is in a dark place emotionally, possibly reflecting on the aftermath of a recent heartbreak.
The final lines of the song bring some hope, as the singer suggests that "one step less in love will always be fair". This may suggest a willingness to let go of the pain and heartache and move forward in life. However, the final line "If heartache don't care" is a bittersweet reminder that heartbreak is not something that can be controlled or avoided.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartbreak at ten paces
The pain of heartbreak can be felt from a distance.
Why lord always the valley
Why does heartbreak always seem to happen in the low points of life.
Why lord always the dawn
Why does heartbreak always seem to happen at the beginning of a new day.
Is it so goodbye and I love you will echo on
Even though goodbye has been said, love still lingers on in memories and echoes.
When the light’s getting dim
During times of sadness and loss, hope and brightness seem to fade away.
But one step less in love will always be fair,
It's better to take a step back from a relationship that is causing pain and heartache. It's fair to yourself and the other person involved.
If heartache don’t care.
Heartache doesn't discriminate and can affect anyone, regardless of their situation or circumstances.
Contributed by Caroline I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.