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.
Josephine
Magnolia Electric Co. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking always over my shoulder; exactly what I wanted to find was already mine.
Josephine, Josephine
But I saw the horizon and I had to know where it all ends.
I lived so long with the shadows, Lord, I became one of them.
Oh what a fool I've been.
Oh what a fool I've been. Josephine, Josephine
Now I take the hand I took for granted and I set it free.
Oh what a fool I've been. Josephine, Josephine
Some folks see the horizon and never need to know how it all ends
Leave the shadows behind; don't go chasing after 'em.
You lock the door and put them old records on. I hear you crying along.
Oh what a fool I've been
Oh what a fool I've been.
No more will the final words be the tears in your eyes.
Oh how I tried.
Oh how I tried.
Oh Josephine, you are free.
Oh Josephine, Josephine.
The song "Josephine" by Magnolia Electric Co. is a melancholic reflection on a relationship that has caused a significant amount of pain to the singer. The entire song is addressed to Josephine, the significant other who made the singer's life turn upside down. He wonders why she stayed and put up with him even though he made her life difficult. He admits to being obsessed with her, always looking over his shoulder to find what he wanted, but realizing that what he truly desired was already his - Josephine. The horizon in the song symbolizes a new beginning, and the singer mentions that he wanted to know where it all ends.
The second stanza of the song talks about the singer becoming like the shadows he's mentioned so much - he's always been there but has never been seen. He recognizes the foolishness of his actions and the mistakes he's made, leading to regrets. Now, he's taking the hand he once took for granted and setting it free, not wanting to make the same mistake again. In contrast, some people see the horizon and don't need to know how it all ends, and they leave their past behind. The singer urges Josephine to do the same, stop chasing the shadows and to move on. He acknowledges that he hears her crying from time to time, but he wants her to be free and to no longer have her final words to him be the tears in her eyes.
Overall, the song is an emotional and poignant message to the singer's lover about learning from his mistakes, moving on, and finally letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
I turned your life so upside down. I don't know how you stayed or why.
I completely disrupted your life and I am amazed that you stayed with me despite my actions.
Looking always over my shoulder; exactly what I wanted to find was already mine.
I was constantly searching for something, but I eventually realized that it was by my side all along.
Josephine, Josephine
Repetition for emphasis and to address the person directly.
But I saw the horizon and I had to know where it all ends.
I had to explore beyond what was right in front of me and discover the future for myself.
I lived so long with the shadows, Lord, I became one of them.
I spent so much time in darkness that I became part of it, losing myself in the process.
Oh what a fool I've been.
I now realize how foolish I was to not appreciate what I had while I had it.
Now I take the hand I took for granted and I set it free.
I acknowledge that I didn't value what I had, and now I am letting it go for its own good.
Some folks see the horizon and never need to know how it all ends.
Some people are content with not knowing what the future holds, and they are happy to live in the present.
Leave the shadows behind; don't go chasing after 'em.
It's important to move beyond the darkness and not dwell on it, for the sake of one's own well-being.
You lock the door and put them old records on. I hear you crying along.
You find comfort in old music, but it also brings up emotions that you have been holding back.
No more will the final words be the tears in your eyes.
You won't have to cry anymore, and you won't have to say goodbye again.
Oh how I tried.
I made an effort to do what I thought was right, but it wasn't enough to make things work.
Oh Josephine, you are free.
Finally, Josephine is free from the pain and hardships that we both endured.
Oh Josephine, Josephine.
Repetition for emphasis and to address the person directly.
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shaw Horton Music
One of the greatest records of all time as far as I’m concerned. So beautiful and melancholic. Jason Molina was a true talent, gone way too soon.
Tyler Kazokas
Damn, what a beautiful album. The absolute apex of a tragic musician and songwriter. Every song just drips with beauty and melancholy and heartache.
Sean Doherty
I'm embarrassed to say I'm just now discovering Jason's music. I absolutely love O! Grace. I think that song is beautiful in every way. I'm looking for more songs from him that I can fall in love with.
Socio Logie
@einar hodneland daae Have you discovered Kanawha song on The Black Ram album?
Tyler Kazokas
Dude you are about to go down the best rabbit hole if you haven’t already
Sean Doherty
@einar hodneland daae Thank You! I'll check those out.
einar hodneland daae
We all start somewhere brother
If you aren’t familiar with his music, then you should check out Songs: Ohia, an earlier band
Every album is amazing, but I would especially recommend “The Lioness” “Didn’t it rain” “Impala” and the album called “Magnolia eklectric co.”
Kevin Diehl
I had a chance to see jason play at the meow meow club a while before he went to the other side. My ride flaked and I never got to see him play. I dont know why but his music has stayed with me for all these years. I feel like we're brothers or drinking buddies. I'm not a sad or depressed guy but I see the things that happen in life and it humbles me just how real everything is. This shit is very real. Thank you Jason, and thanks to every single person who ever gave you a chance. We wont ever forget, though we are few. GO BILLS
April Moon
Not sure why they chose to put a picture of Queen Louisa of Prussia on the album cover but it sure looks pretty. The whole album is magnificent.
Husker Dumb
@Johnny BushHogg just read Jason Molinas biography and the woman is apparently supposed represent his wife, Darcie, who also had red hair.