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.
Keegan's Christmas
Marcy Playground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I could I'd be a saint, I have this complaint
Why can't Christmas be today?
Three days is much too far away
Dad said go to bed 'cuz that's where I should be
But I can't simply because
Keeps knock, knock, knockin' on the roof
It's really him, dad, it's the truth
Yuletide Christmas, angels carolling
Starlight, snowflakes, drifting, warbling
Past the window frame
Past the places where I dream
Late night, Christmas Eve
I'm finally in bed
And then boom, bam get out of bed
I nearly cracked my head
As I go flyin' down the stairs
To greet my mom and dad on Christmas Day
(I can't wait for Christmas Day)
The opening lines of Marcy Playground's song Keegan's Christmas express a sentiment shared by many children and adults alike - the impatience and eagerness that blooms in the lead-up to Christmas. Keegan, the singer of the song, is eagerly awaiting Christmas Day, but is frustrated by the fact that he must wait three more days until the holiday arrives. He wishes that he could be a saint, able to endure the wait with grace and patience, but he's only human and he wants Christmas to be today.
Keegan is not alone in his desire to have Christmas come sooner - in fact, this is a common feeling for many people during the holiday season. The anticipation and excitement of the holiday can be almost overwhelming, and many people eagerly count down the days until they can celebrate with their loved ones.
Throughout the song, Keegan hears the sounds of Santa Claus on his roof - a magical experience that reinforces the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season. The imagery of yuletide Christmas, angels caroling, starlight, snowflakes drifting, and warbling all evoke the feeling of a classic Christmas scene. Despite his father's insistence that Keegan should be in bed, he is unable to contain his excitement and jumps out of bed on Christmas morning to greet his family and enjoy the festivities.
Overall, Keegan's Christmas captures the magic and excitement of Christmas through the eyes of a child, and the lyrics and imagery evoke the feeling of anticipation and joy that many people experience during this special time of year.
Line by Line Meaning
Three days 'til Christmas, I can't wait that long
The wait until Christmas Day is too long and I am impatient.
If I could I'd be a saint, I have this complaint
I wish I had the patience of a saint but I am complaining about waiting for Christmas Day.
Why can't Christmas be today?
I wish that today could be Christmas Day and the wait would be over.
Three days is much too far away
Three days is too long to wait for Christmas Day.
Dad said go to bed 'cuz that's where I should be
My father told me to go to bed because it is the appropriate thing to do at night.
But I can't simply because
However, I cannot fall asleep because...
That crazy Santa Clause
I am convinced that Santa Claus is crazy...
Keeps knock, knock, knockin' on the roof
...and I keep hearing him knocking on the roof.
It's really him, dad, it's the truth
I believe that I am hearing the real Santa Claus and I am telling my dad the truth.
Yuletide Christmas, angels carolling
I imagine the joyful sounds of Christmas: angels singing carols,
Starlight, snowflakes, drifting, warbling
and the magical sights of starlight and snowflakes drifting in the air.
Past the window frame
I am looking through the window frame and imagining Christmas in my mind.
Past the places where I dream
I am gazing out at the places in the world where I hope to someday travel and dream about Christmases there.
Late night, Christmas Eve
It is very late at night on Christmas Eve.
I'm finally in bed
I am finally in my bed, but still excited for Christmas Day to arrive.
And then boom, bam get out of bed
Suddenly, I am startled awake by a loud noise and I jump out of bed.
I nearly cracked my head
I almost fell and hit my head as I rushed to see what had caused the noise.
As I go flyin' down the stairs
I sprint down the stairs as quickly as I can.
To greet my mom and dad on Christmas Day
I am running to finally greet my parents and celebrate Christmas Day with them.
(I can't wait for Christmas Day)
(I am filled with anticipation and excitement for the arrival of Christmas Day.)
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.