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.
Opium
Marcy Playground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blue like heaven is
All of the time
I'm all right
I'm just gagging on all the all right
I'm so happy
So happy
I'm in heaven
Oh the season+s come for opium
Mom...mom
Mom...mom
I'm so happy
So happy
I'm in heaven
Yeah heaven
Oh the seizures come from opium
The song Opium by Marcy Playground seems to be about the singer's addiction to opium. The lyrics suggest that he is in a state of bliss when under the influence, described as being in "heaven" and "so happy." However, there is a darker side to this addiction, with the singer experiencing seizures and struggling with the feeling of being "gagging on all the all right." The repeating phrase "mom...mom" could suggest a cry for help or a longing for comfort in the midst of addiction.
The use of the color blue in the opening lines could be symbolic of both water and heaven, which are both associated with purity and peacefulness. However, the singer's addiction has tainted this purity and made it difficult for him to feel truly at peace. The juxtaposition of the positive and negative aspects of the addiction creates a complex and emotional message about the struggles of addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue like water
The singer feels calm and peaceful, like the serene color of water.
Blue like heaven is
The singer feels like they're in a blissful state, similar to the way heaven would feel.
All of the time
These feelings of peace and bliss are constant for the singer.
I'm all right
The artist appears to be okay, despite their inner struggles.
I'm just gagging on all the all right
The artist is overwhelmed by their seemingly content state, and feels as if they are choking on it.
I'm so happy
The singer is extremely joyful.
So happy
The singer is emphasizing just how happy they really are.
I'm in heaven
The artist feels as though they're in paradise.
Yeah heaven
Again, the artist is amplifying their feelings of pure joy and contentment.
Oh the season+s come for opium
The artist is anticipating the arrival or resurgence of their drug addiction (opium being a metaphor for whatever substance or behavior they are struggling with).
Mom...mom
The singer is crying out to their mother (either literally or figuratively) for help and support in their struggles with addiction.
I'm so happy
The artist is still experiencing strong feelings of happiness and contentment, despite their ongoing battle with addiction.
So happy
Once again, the singer emphasizes their emotional state.
I'm in heaven
The singer still feels as though they're in paradise, despite their struggles with addiction.
Yeah heaven
The singer emphasizes this even more strongly here.
Oh the seizures come from opium
The artist is acknowledging the negative effects that their addiction is having on their health, including seizures caused by their use of opium (or again, whatever substance or behavior they are struggling with).
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN K. WOZNIAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind