In 1996, after attending the Evergreen State College for two years, Wozniak moved east to New York, where Marcy Playground began to coalesce around the songs that would become the self-titled album. Bassist Dylan Keefe and drummer Dan Rieser filled out the band's sound, and complemented Wozniak's songwriting. The self-titled album was released in 1997, and Marcy Playground emerged into the mainstream with the success of the single "Sex and Candy." Marcy Playground is quiet and minimalist in tone. Wozniak's songs run in many different styles: some are modern folk music; many have undertones reminiscent of children's songs; the blurred sound of psychedelia makes appearances; and then there are the songs with a clear rock sound. The only band member who contributed to all of the album was Wozniak himself; several others filled in for Rieser and Keefe on some of the songs, notably Jared Kotler (bass and drums).
Marcy Playground's next outing was 1999's Shapeshifter, not as much of a success commercially as the self-titled album.
A minor controversy came to light when Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers revealed on Marcy Playground's website forum that the cover art for Shapeshifter had originally been conceptualized and commissioned by Leary for his band's aborted After the Astronaut album. He admitted to being a fan of Marcy Playground, but accused the band of an apparent lack of imagination and originality. Leary's outrage was eased once he learned that Capitol Records, former home of the Butthole Surfers and then-current home of Marcy Playground, had pitched the artwork to Wozniak as original work from their own art department and that Marcy Playground had no knowledge of the work's origins. Upon learning the truth, Wozniak proclaimed that he was "honored" to have an album cover designed by Paul Leary. There were apparently no bad feelings between the bands once the controversy had been cleared up.
After Shapeshifter, drummer Dan Rieser left the band to pursue other interests. The position was eventually filled on his recommendation by Gonzalo Martinez De La Cotera, a friend whose previous band Lincoln had opened for Marcy Playground.
After a considerable hiatus and at least one failed attempt to record a follow-up to Shapeshifter, Marcy Playground's third album, MP3, was finally released in 2004 with even less commercial success than the two preceding albums.
Marcy Playground did little if any touring in support of MP3. Despite releasing many singles, the band never matched the success of their single "Sex and Candy".
As of July 12'th 2008, John Wozniak posted a blog on MySpace stating his unreleased solo effort is now officially going to be a Marcy Playground record and is going to be released within the next few months along with a separate "Rarities and B-Sides" album. They are still performing live although to their many fans dismay, venues are sporadic. Meanwhile, Keefe has held the job of WNYC radio program On the Media's technical director, a position he left in December 2007.
Devil Woman
Marcy Playground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I love a dangerous girl
We can shake it all night, yeah
Yeah, I'll make you feel alright
Sultry lady walk on by
She may have some other guy
But I don't care I'm on my train
I, I love a devil woman
And I, I love a dangerous girl
Our bodies moving in time, yeah
Yeah, I'll make you move all night
Lots of people say she's crazy
Man I must be crazy too
I don't care, I'll tell you one thing
Yeah mama, I'm coming home to you
And you and I together
We're a match and gasoline burning
And you and I together
Like we're only seventeen learning
And you're the only woman
Who has ever truly been my baby
And you're the only woman
Who has ever truly been my favorite
You're my favorite little girl
I, I love a devil woman
I, I love a dangerous girl
In the song Devil Woman by Marcy Playground, the lead singer expresses his deep love and attraction towards a dangerous or devilish woman. He enjoys her company and is willing to overlook her flaws or past relationships. He describes their physical chemistry as he promises to make her feel good and move all night. Despite people's doubts about her, he knows that he wants to be with her and he is willing to embrace any risks or consequences that come with it.
In the second half of the song, the singer continues to express his devotion and admiration towards his devil woman. He describes their relationship as a match and gasoline burning, highlighting the intensity of their connection. He reminisces about their past experiences together and states that she is the only woman who has ever been his favorite or truly his baby. The repetition of "I, I love a devil woman" and "I, I love a dangerous girl" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's unwavering love and attraction towards his love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I love a devil woman
I am deeply attracted to women who are rebellious, wild and unpredictable.
I, I love a dangerous girl
I am infatuated with females who have a sense of danger and risk-taking that makes them all the more exciting to be around.
We can shake it all night, yeah
We can dance all night long without worrying about tomorrow as we enjoy each other’s company.
Yeah, I'll make you feel alright
I am the one who can give you comfort and happiness when you are with me.
Sultry lady walk on by
A seductive and alluring woman walks by, tempting me with her charms and sensuality.
She may have some other guy
It's possible that she's already in a relationship with someone else.
But I don't care I'm on my train
I'm not concerned about her having another partner since I'm on my own path, doing what I want.
Yes and mama, I'm coming home
Regardless of what happens, I'm always going back to my preferred woman who is my safe haven.
Our bodies moving in time, yeah
We are in sync as we continue to dance and enjoy each other's company.
Yeah, I'll make you move all night
I can keep you engaged and active throughout the night with my enthusiasm and energy.
Lots of people say she's crazy
There are others who feel that the woman I'm interested in is mentally unstable or irrational.
Man I must be crazy too
I, too, must be crazy for wanting to be with her despite what others say.
I don't care, I'll tell you one thing
I don't care what anyone else thinks or says; I'm going to do what I want because I'm convinced of my feelings.
And you and I together
We, as a couple, are extremely compatible and have a passion that ignites quickly.
We're a match and gasoline burning
We're like two fuels coming together and creating a powerful, explosive reaction that is both thrilling and intense.
Like we're only seventeen learning
Our love is still fresh and devotional like that of teenagers who are discovering love for the first time.
And you're the only woman
You are the exclusively the only woman in my life who captures my heart.
Who has ever truly been my baby
Out of all the women I've been with, you are the one who truly knows me and makes me feel comfortable enough to act like a baby with you.
Who has ever truly been my favorite
You are my overall favorite female companion and nobody else can replace you in my heart.
You're my favorite little girl
I cherish you more than anyone else and you are the girl of my dreams who fulfills my deepest desires.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN K. WOZNIAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind