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.
It's Saturday
Marcy Playground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm dizzy and fryin'
My throat hurts
I think I should stay in bed
Cause I got some kind of disease
And there are no remedies
Think I should stay in bed today
It's Saturday
With Ginseng
And fresh squeezed juice
Of wheat-grass
Oh, and some hot chicken soup
That just might keep me alive
A couple days
But I've got some kind of disease
And there are no remedies
Think I'll join Timothy Leary
In a cryogenic freeze
Next Saturday
Yeah I've got some kind of disease
And there are no remedies
Should a listened when you said beware
Of horny girls with New Jersey hair
Last Saturday
The lyrics to Marcy Playground's song "It's Saturday" describe the singer's physical distress and desire to stay in bed due to an unknown disease. He expresses his sentiment towards the ailment to his mom, noting that he is dizzy and feels like he is frying. He feels that his ailment is beyond remedy, and he believes that he should lay in bed instead of going out to play. The singer then talks about his potential cure, mentioning ginseng, fresh squeezed juice of wheat-grass, and hot chicken soup, which he believes might keep him alive for a few days. Nevertheless, he still thinks that he has an incurable disease, and the following Saturday, he plans to join Timothy Leary in cryogenic freeze.
The lyrics are a relatable portrayal of feeling ill and having to miss out on exciting weekend events, especially if you're young. The metaphorical reference to Timothy Leary, who was a famous American psychologist and writer known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs, adds an interesting philosophical dimension to the song. Marcy Playground tells a tale of bad luck and immaturity by referencing the warning he heard from his mom about "horny girls with New Jersey hair." That line adds a comic quirky element to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Mom I'm dyin'
I'm feeling extremely unwell and in dire need of assistance
I'm dizzy and fryin'
My head is spinning and I'm feeling overheated
My throat hurts
I'm experiencing pain and discomfort in my throat
I think I should stay in bed
In my current state, it's probably best that I don't leave my bed
Cause I got some kind of disease
I'm suffering from an illness or infection
And there are no remedies
There are no known cures or treatments for my condition
Think I should stay in bed today
It's best for me to rest and recover today
Maybe tomorrow go out and play
Perhaps I'll feel better tomorrow and be able to do something fun
It's Saturday
Today happens to be a weekend day
With Ginseng
One way I might try to improve my health is by ingesting the herb Ginseng
And fresh squeezed juice
Freshly extracted juice may also be beneficial for my recovery
Of wheat-grass
Another natural remedy I might try is wheat-grass, which is often associated with health benefits
Oh, and some hot chicken soup
A classic comfort food that might help relieve my symptoms
That just might keep me alive
These remedies might aid in my healing and help me feel better
A couple days
If these remedies work, I might start feeling better in a few days' time
But I've got some kind of disease
Despite my attempts to feel better, I'm still suffering from an illness
Think I'll join Timothy Leary
I might consider an experimental or unconventional approach to treatment
In a cryogenic freeze
Perhaps freezing my body could potentially cure my ailment or preserve my life until a cure is found
Next Saturday
If I decide to try something drastic, I might wait until next weekend to do it
Should a listened when you said beware
If I had heeded warnings or advice from others, I might not be in this predicament
Of horny girls with New Jersey hair
In particular, I might have avoided contracting an illness from a specific person or group of people
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN K. WOZNIAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AJ
Mom I'm dying
I'm dizzy and frying
My throat hurts, I think I should stay in bed
'Cuz I've got some kind of disease
And there are no remedies
Think I should stay in bed today
Maybe tomorrow go out and play
It's Saturday
yodeling
With ginseng and fresh squeezed juice
Of wheat grass oh and some hot chicken soup
It just might keep me alive a couple days
But I've got some kind of disease
And there are no remedies
Think I'll join Timothy Leary
In a cryogenic freeze
Next Saturday
yodeling
Yeah I've got some kind of disease
And there are no remedies
Should've listened when you said beware
Of horny girls with New Jersey hair
Last Saturday
yodeling
duhlike
Most underrated band I've ever heard in my life.
Y4123
Agreed
Felipe
Not the most underrated band but a very cool one for sure
Penelope Eats Your Brain
A-MEN.
Eric Lotz
Been saying that for years.
Cary McCormick
Agree 100% Love this music.
Be Water89
It makes me incredibly happy to see so many people say how underrated these guys are. Every single album they've put out is amazing from beginning to end. Been a huge fan for most of my life. I really feel like sex and candy ruined any chance they had at mainstream recognition. But at least we all know how amazing they are. Kudos to you for having excellent taste in music.
DepartedMurphy
Sex and candy opened the doors 😂 they just failed or didn’t try to take advantage of it
Tyler Spunucious
I don't know. I liked this one more than s/t, but MP3 was not amazing. After that one, I didn't bother.
kattelyn92
Awesome band. I found their first album at a yard sale about a year ago for 25 cents. Best quarter I have ever spent, hands down!