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.
Irene
Marcy Playground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes Irene, I'm leavin'
But Irene don't be grievin'
It's just time to get on board
I'm gonna meet Him
Meet my Lord in Heaven
Ain't no time for packin'
When He comes a-callin'
Ain't nothin' you can do
But turn and go
I'm goin' to Heaven
Yes, I'm goin' to Heaven
Like a seven forty seven
Flown by the Lord
When He comes a-callin'
Ain't nothin' you can do
But turn and go
Irene, I'm leavin'
Yes, Irene I'm leavin'
Yes, Irene I'm leavin'
Yes, Irene I'm leavin'
The song "Irene" by Marcy Playground is an upbeat tune with a dark underlying message. The repeated chorus of "I'm leaving, yes, Irene I'm leaving" is actually a reference to death. The singer is not just leaving Irene, but leaving this world to meet their Lord in heaven. The emphasis on the need to "get on board" suggests that it's important to be ready for death at any time. The reference to a seven forty seven flown by the Lord is a clever way of saying that the singer is going to heaven in a heavenly plane.
The song can be seen as a meditation on mortality and the afterlife. The singer is ready to leave this life to meet their maker in heaven. The message is not a sad one, but rather one of hope and optimism. The upbeat tempo and catchy melody reflect the fact that the singer is not afraid of what's to come, but instead embraces it with open arms. This interpretation is reinforced by the repetition of the line "Ain't nothin' you can do but turn and go." Death is simply a part of life, and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
Line by Line Meaning
Irene, I'm leavin'
I have to go now, Irene.
Yes Irene, I'm leavin'
Yes, Irene, I am really leaving.
But Irene don't be grievin'
Please don't be too sad about this, Irene.
It's just time to get on board
It's time for me to move on with my life.
I'm gonna meet Him
I am going to meet God.
Meet my Lord in Heaven
I will meet my savior in the afterlife.
Ain't no time for packin'
I don't have time to pack my things.
When He comes a-callin'
When God calls upon me.
Ain't nothin' you can do
There is nothing anyone can do to change this.
But turn and go
I must leave when God calls me.
I'm goin' to Heaven
I am going to heaven.
Like a seven forty seven
I am going to heaven in the same way a plane flies through the sky.
Flown by the Lord
God will guide me to my destination.
Yes, Irene I'm leavin'
Yes, I am definitely leaving, Irene.
Yes, Irene I'm leavin'
Yes, Irene, I am really leaving.
Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.