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.
Sex
Marcy Playground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had so much time to sit and think about myself
And then there she was, like double cherry pie
Yeah, there she was
Like disco super-fly
I smell sex and candy here, mmm
Who's that lounging in my chair? Mmm
Mama, this surely is a dream, yeah
Yeah, mama, this surely is a dream, dig it
Hangin' 'round downtown by myself
And I've had too much caffeine, and I was thinkin' 'bout myself
And then there she was, in platform double suede
Yeah, there she was
Like disco lemonade
I smell sex and candy here, mmm
Who's that lounging in my chair? Mmm
Who's that casting devious stares in my direction?
Mama, this surely is a dream, yeah
Yeah, mama, this surely is a dream, dig it
Yeah, mama, this surely is a dream, yeah
I smell sex and candy here, mmm
Who's that lounging in my chair? Mmm
Who's that casting devious stares in my direction?
Mama, this surely is a dream, yeah
Yeah, mama, this surely is a dream, dig it
Yeah, mama, this surely is a dream, yeah
Yeah, mama, this must be my dream
The lyrics to Marcy Playground's song "Sex" are a portrayal of an individual in a state of confusion and introspection. The first stanza outlines the singer's isolation while hanging around downtown, with ample time to think about themselves. This existential condition is disrupted by the sudden appearance of a lady, who makes a grand impression on the singer with her attractiveness and magnanimity. She is described in the second stanza as a double cherry pie and a disco superfly, signifying her sensuality and energy.
The chorus's hook "I smell sex and candy here" is a clever and astute observation of the atmosphere around the singer at the moment. There is someone who is lounging in their seat and casting devious stares in their direction. The singer is intrigued by the seductive presence and symbolism of the woman, and this fascination is reflected in the chorus's repetition of the phrase "mama, this must be my dream." The song finishes as it begins, with the singer still bewildered and questioning their state of consciousness.
Line by Line Meaning
Hangin' round downtown by myself
I was alone and aimlessly walking in the city
And I had so much time
I had a lot of free time to ponder
To sit and think about myself
I spent my free time thinking about my personal life
And then there she was
Suddenly, a woman appeared in front of me
Like double cherry pie
She was attractive and seductive
Yeah there she was
The woman was striking and noticeable
Like disco superfly
She was stylish and flashy like a disco diva
I smell sex and candy here
The atmosphere had a seductive and desirable quality
Who's that lounging in my chair
Someone unknown was sitting in my seat
Who's that casting devious stares
Someone was looking suspicious and observant in my direction
In my direction
Their focus was on me
Mama this surely is a dream
I can hardly believe what's happening, it feels like a dream
Yeah mama this surely is a dream
I say again, this is like an unreal experience to me
Hangin' round downtown by myself
I'm back in the same setting, alone
And I had too much caffeine
I admit that I consumed too much, it's affecting me
And I was thinkin' 'bout myself
I was once again lost in my own thoughts
In platform double suede
The woman I saw earlier had on stylish, elevated platform shoes
Like disco lemonade
She was attractive and refreshing to my senses
Yeah mama this surely is a dream
I cannot deny the surreal nature of these situations I find myself in
I smell sex and candy here
My surroundings are still alluring and provocative
Who's that lounging in my chair
I see someone in my seat again
Who's that casting devious stares
Someone is still observing me sneakily
Yeah mama this surely is a dream
Like in a dream, these weird things keep happening
Yeah mama this surely is a dream
Even in my head, I can't make sense of what's been happening to me
Yeah mama this must be my dream
It can only be my imagination conjuring up such improbable scenarios
Lyrics Š Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John K. Wozniak
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ba2981
Being a kid in the 90's was a gift from God.
@hamm3rtym382
B A
Hell yea brutha! This was crazy when it came out. I loved it! Big ups to you!
@nadz109
miss the 90's big time
@izabelalu6930
@@nadz109 me toođ
@StuWright
80`s was good too, none of the silly health safety and political correctness crap!
@jimettamarna417
No man, being a young adult then was awesome.... : )
@mariau2538
There's something about all these 90's songs, they can really take you to a whole other place and help you escape. They're deep. It was an honor to grow up in the 90's
@pureluck8767
Man I love the 90s
@henrysmart6854
90s was the greatest decade ever.PS1,Super Nintendo,Sega,Mortal Kombat,Street fighter.Cartoons Batman,Spiderman Great tv shows great Music greatest decade everđ
@owenhunt
@@henrysmart6854 Absolutely but I think MArvel released those tv series in the 80s.