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.
The Dark Don't Hide It
Magnolia Electric Co. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I wouldn't tell if the truth forgets about us
Saying it now comes easily
After finding out how you've been using me
At least the dark don't hide it (x4)
You only said you wanted friends
You found the kind you knew would only kill you
So you surrounded yourself with them
At least the dark don't hide it (x4)
Now the world was empty on the day when they made it
But heaven needed someplace to throw all the shit
Human hearts and pain should never be separate
They wouldn't tear themselves apart both trying to fit
At least the dark don't hide it (x4)
Now death is gonna hold us up in the mirror
And say we're so much alike we must be brothers
See I had a job to do but people like you
Been doing it for me to one another
At least I don't hide it (x4)
The song "The Dark Don't Hide It" by Magnolia Electric Co. is a deeply introspective and melancholic track that explores themes of betrayal, isolation, and the unrelenting nature of truth. The opening verse sets the mood for the rest of the song as the singer talks about being held down and forced to make a promise to keep the truth from coming out. The line "Saying it now comes easily after finding out how you've been using me" reveals that the truth that was once hidden has been exposed, and the singer is now able to speak openly about it.
The chorus, "At least the dark don't hide it," is a powerful expression of the idea that no matter how much pain and heartache one might suffer, at least the truth is out in the open and can be dealt with. The second verse takes aim at those who use others for their own gain, claiming that they only want friends long enough to get rid of them and that they seek out like-minded individuals who will ultimately bring about their own downfall.
The final verse is the most poignant of all, as it talks about the importance of human connection and the shared experience of pain and heartbreak. The line "Human hearts and pain should never be separate" is a reminder that we all suffer, and that the pain we feel is what makes us human. The final line, "At least I don't hide it," is a statement of defiance and a vow to always speak the truth, no matter how difficult it might be.
Line by Line Meaning
Something held me down it made me make a promise
I felt constrained to make a promise.
That I wouldn't tell if the truth forgets about us
I promised to keep quiet if you didn't reveal our secrets.
Saying it now comes easily
Now it's effortless for me to speak the truth.
After finding out how you've been using me
It was only after I realized how you were taking advantage of me.
At least the dark don't hide it (x4)
The one consolation is that darkness can't conceal the truth.
You only said you wanted friends
You pretended to want companionship.
For long enough to get rid of them
But once you achieved your objectives, you pushed them away.
You found the kind you knew would only kill you
You chose associates who would bring about your ruin.
So you surrounded yourself with them
Despite knowing that they were a detriment to you, you kept them close.
Now the world was empty on the day when they made it
On the day the world was created, there was nothing in it.
But heaven needed someplace to throw all the shit
Heaven wanted a place to eliminate all the garbage.
Human hearts and pain should never be separate
Our emotions and suffering can't be mutually exclusive.
They wouldn't tear themselves apart both trying to fit
They can't be incompatible since they would destroy one another trying to coexist.
Now death is gonna hold us up in the mirror
Death will force us to see ourselves in a more honest light.
And say we're so much alike we must be brothers
We are similar in profound ways, making us like brothers.
See I had a job to do but people like you
I had an obligation, but people such as you took over my responsibilities.
Been doing it for me to one another
You've been carrying out my job for me, harming each other in the process.
At least I don't hide it (x4)
The one consolation is that I don't attempt to conceal my true nature.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind