Magon was born in Israel to Iraqi Jewish immigrants. At the age of 18 he joined the Israeli Army as part of a mandatory military service, which he eventually quit after 2 years by faking a mental illness. He has been living in Paris since 2009.
In 2019, Magon released his first solo album Out In The Dark on the French independent label December Square.
The album received mostly positive reviews. Rolling Stone magazine compared his music to the Pixies and Lou Reed. The album was broadcast on French national radios such as France culture, FIP, and on January 2020 reached position 23 in the top 100 of the Ferarock.
On January 2021, Magon released his second album titled Hour After Hour (December Square / Luik Music).
His single "Aerodynamic" was hailed by the radio show Côté Club on France Inter and announced as a "Rising Artist" by Brain Magazine.
In October 2021, Magon released the single "The Willow" and announced a new album titled "In The Blue" to be released on December 3 via Howlin Banana Records and December Square.
The album received mostly positive reviews. In Le Monde, Stéphane Davet compared Magon to (The Modern Lovers, The Feelies and R.E.M.) In Rock & Folk magazine, the album received 4/4 stars, on which Eric Delsart wrote: "In The Blue" is thus a laid-back record that shines with the quality of songs that stay in the head and invite re-listening.”
On June 3, 2022, Magon released his 4th album titled "A Night In Bethlehem" which he described as a tribute to his origins. Referring to the many influences of the album, in a column for Magic, modern pop magazine Luc Magoutier wrote: "A hell of an inventory of beautiful references. Or too much? Not at all: the touch of a musician bubbling with ideas and capable of implement them without falling into indigestion. A sign of deep intelligence."
His 5th album "Enter By The Narrow Gate" was released on December 2, 2022. According to Rolling Stone, it was the last album Magon recorded in France before moving with his family to Costa Rica. In a chronicle of the Mowno site, Julien Beylac wrote: "When Magon thinks about his condition, she seems to satisfy him: 'That's alright to be me' he assured from the first track. And frankly, he can be satisfied, since we are entitled to consider this record as his best."
Yolanda
Magon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A knife in your hand
You're my girl
I love how you dress
And you know how to dance
You're my girl
You're running away
You're my girl
And if anyone asks
You know you're the best
Yolanda
The day we kissed
I started to bleed
You're my girl
You lie to me
You live in a city
You're my girl
Now before you dismiss
I'm telling you this
You're my girl
And if you resist
I'll slit my wrists
Yolanda
I know that you miss
The earth and the trees
Yolanda
But the truth Is that you have a forest within
Yolanda
Before I will end
I'll say your true name
You're my girl
When I'm on my own
I speak to your ghost
Yolanda
The song Yolanda by Magon is a haunting and volatile love song. The lyrics are a contradiction of emotions where the persona expresses his admiration and love for Yolanda while simultaneously displaying possessiveness, anger, and a willingness to cause harm. The opening lines, "A smile on your face, a knife in your hand, You're my girl" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The seemingly loving sentiments immediately give way to a darker mood.
The chorus is a repeated and emphatic proclamation of Yolanda's name with the persona stating that "if anyone asks, You know you're the best Yolanda." This line indicates a need for Yolanda's validation and approval, which seems to be lacking. There is a possessiveness to the line, which emphasizes the extraordinary lengths the persona would go through to keep Yolanda in his life.
The bridge is arguably the darkest part of the song with the threat of self-harm, "And if you resist, I'll slit my wrists Yolanda." The persona expresses a willingness to cause harm to himself if Yolanda rejects him. The song's final lines talk about speaking to Yolanda's ghost when he is alone. The song's meaning is not immediately clear, but it feels like the persona is urging Yolanda to acknowledge the connection they have, which Yolanda has been quick to dismiss.
Line by Line Meaning
A smile on your face
Despite having a happy appearance, you may have a hidden motive, possibly one that is harmful to me or someone else.
A knife in your hand
You may possess a figurative or literal tool with which you can harm others.
You're my girl
Despite your actions or intentions, I have feelings for you and consider you to be mine.
I love how you dress
I appreciate your fashion sense and style choices.
And you know how to dance
I admire your ability to move gracefully and confidently to music.
When I want you to stay
I desire your presence and company.
You're running away
You are avoiding me or a situation that you find uncomfortable or undesirable.
And if anyone asks
In the event that someone inquires about our relationship or your status, you are aware that you are highly regarded by me.
You know you're the best
You are aware of your own talents, skills, and strengths.
Yolanda
Your name, which carries significance and meaning to me.
The day we kissed
The moment our lips met, a significant change or event occurred.
I started to bleed
This event caused physical or emotional pain and distress for me.
You lie to me
You are not truthful with me, possibly deceiving or misleading me intentionally.
You live in a city
You reside in an urban environment, potentially representing a departure from nature or the natural world.
Now before you dismiss
Before you disregard or reject what I have to say, please pay attention.
I'm telling you this
I have something important to communicate to you.
And if you resist
If you do not comply with my wishes or desires, I may resort to drastic measures such as harming myself.
I'll slit my wrists
I am threatening to harm myself, potentially as a means of manipulating or controlling you.
I know that you miss
I am aware that you long for something that you do not currently have.
The earth and the trees
You feel a sense of nostalgia or longing for the natural world and its components.
But the truth is that you have a forest within
Despite your physical surroundings, you possess an inner world that is vibrant and alive, much like a forest.
Before I will end
Before I conclude or leave this situation.
I'll say your true name
I will address you by your actual and genuine name, signaling respect and authenticity.
When I'm on my own
When I am alone or isolated.
I speak to your ghost
I address you or seek your presence, despite your physical absence.
Writer(s): Alon Magen
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.