Case moved around often as a child, spending the largest part of her youth in Tacoma, Washington. She left her parents at age 15 and three years later she started playing drums for several bands around the Northwest's punk rock scene. In 1994, she moved to Vancouver, BC to enter art school, and simultaneously joined the punk group Maow, who released a record on the Mint label. She also played with roots rockers the Weasles, and eventually formed her own backing band, the Boyfriends, which initially featured alumni of the Softies, Zumpano, and Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.
Case released her solo debut, The Virginian, in 1997, delving wholeheartedly into traditional country via a mix of covers and originals. She went on to perform with Carolyn Mark in the old-timey side project the Corn Sisters, and recorded with the Vancouver indie supergroup the New Pornographers, which she continues to be a member of. In 1998, Case completed her studies and, with her student visa expired, returned to Washington and began work on her second solo album. The lovely, melancholy Furnace Room Lullaby was released on Bloodshot Records in 2000 and won high praise from most critics.
Case subsequently relocated to Chicago, home of a thriving alt-country scene, and released the home-recorded Canadian Amp EP in 2001. Its moody, late-night ambiance carried over to 2002's Blacklisted, a darker yet more eclectic affair; it garnered Case her strongest reviews up to that point, making many year-end critics' polls, and landed her a tour slot opening for Nick Cave. Blacklisted was recorded at Wavelab Studio in Tuscon AZ, where Case had moved to in 2002.
In 2004, Case signed with Anti Records in the United States, and that year she released a live album, The Tigers Have Spoken, recorded during several dates with Canadian surf-country band the Sadies.
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, hailed by critics as an instant classic and Case's most realized work yet, followed in 2006. Calexico's Joey Burns and John Convertino contributed guitar, cello, bass, and drums to the album.
On March 3, 2009, Case released Middle Cyclone. It was her first album to reach the top ten's on the Billboard charts in the US.
Middle Cyclone was followed by "The worse things get, the harder I fight, the harder I fight, the more I love you" which came out September 4th 2013.
Case now lives on her farm in Vermont.
Margaret vs. Pauline
Neko Case Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything's so easy for Pauline
Ancient strings set feet a light to speed to her such mild grace
No monument of tacky gold
They smoothed her hair with cinnamon waves
And they placed an ingot in her breast to burn cool and collected
Fate holds her firm in its cradle and then rolls her for a tender pause to savor
Everything's so easy for Pauline
Girl with the parking lot eyes
Margaret is the fragments of a name
Her bravery is mistaken for the thrashing in the lake
Of the make-believe monster whose picture was faked
Margaret is the fragments of a name
Her love pours like a fountain
Her love steams like rage
Her jaw aches from wanting and she's sick from chlorine
But she'll never be as clean
As the cool side of satin, Pauline
Two girls ride the blue line
Two girls walk down the same street
One left her sweater sittin' on the train
The other lost three fingers at the cannery
Everything's so easy for Pauline
The song "Margaret vs. Pauline" by Neko Case is a beautifully crafted story about the vastly different paths of two women who share similar circumstances. The first verse introduces us to Pauline, who seems to have everything in life come easily to her. She is graceful, admired, and has been made into something almost angelic with "cinnamon waves" in her hair and an "ingot" in her breast. Fate holds her softly, allowing her to savor every moment. In contrast, the second verse tells us about Margaret, who is the fragments of a name. Her life is difficult, and her bravery is misunderstood as aimless thrashing in a lake that is full of make-believe monsters. Margaret's life is one of yearning, and her love is intense and powerful, but it is also marred by pain and frustration. The song ends with the two girls, both traveling the same path, but one seemingly marked for glory, while the other will have to fight for everything she wants.
The song's title and lyrics reference the idea of comparing oneself to others, envy, and the unfairness of life. It is a commentary on the way society values certain attributes and rewards certain people over others, regardless of effort or skill. Besides, the song's lyrics also touch on the theme of beauty, love, and resilience. While Pauline seems to have everything, she has also been limited by the expectations that come along with her beauty and grace. Margaret, on the other hand, has been made to feel small and insignificant by a society that values only those who are pretty.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything's so easy for Pauline
Pauline has a privileged and effortless life
Everything's so easy for Pauline
People admire Pauline's grace and beauty
Ancient strings set feet a light to speed to her such mild grace
Pauline moves elegantly and swiftly to the sound of traditional music
No monument of tacky gold
Pauline doesn't need flashy things to show her worth
They smoothed her hair with cinnamon waves
Pauline has enviable hair that is styled naturally and beautifully
And they placed an ingot in her breast to burn cool and collected
Pauline has a valuable treasure in her heart, which she keeps calm and controlled
Fate holds her firm in its cradle and then rolls her for a tender pause to savor
Pauline is fortunate and blessed, and occasionally, life gives her a moment to cherish
Everything's so easy for Pauline
Pauline has an effortless and privileged life
Girl with the parking lot eyes
Margaret has dark and weary eyes
Margaret is the fragments of a name
Margaret's identity is incomplete or unclear
Her bravery is mistaken for the thrashing in the lake
Margaret's boldness is misunderstood or seen as foolishness
Of the make-believe monster whose picture was faked
Margaret is associated with a fake or imaginary monster
Margaret is the fragments of a name
Margaret's identity is fragmented or indistinct
Her love pours like a fountain
Margaret loves passionately and abundantly
Her love steams like rage
Margaret's love can be intense and overwhelming like anger
Her jaw aches from wanting and she's sick from chlorine
Margaret desires something strongly but feels physically unwell and overwhelmed
But she'll never be as clean
Margaret's past or life experiences make her less pure
As the cool side of satin, Pauline
Pauline is pure and pristine like the smooth side of satin
Two girls ride the blue line
Two girls travel on the same train line
Two girls walk down the same street
Two girls take the same path or route
One left her sweater sittin' on the train
One girl forgot her sweater on the train
The other lost three fingers at the cannery
The other girl lost three fingers at her job in a cannery
Everything's so easy for Pauline
Pauline has an effortless and privileged life
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Neko Case
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tedchips8671
I've only spent 10 years crying to this song.
@donniebobb74
you win!
@MorganTaliaferro-le2iq
I forgot that Neko is one of my favorite singer songwriters! I saw her in Louisville Ky a million years ago. She still got it!!!
@rainarue394
I can't believe there's not more comments here. She is a fucking genius songwriter.
@kevinkerpe5719
Maybe it's managed by somebody or those wiser than me & you. I mean I see that right now you have 43 'thumbs up' likes, but mine now is the only comment reply. All is good.
@SKIADK
I saw Neko during this tour in Ithaca. She was amazing and brilliant as this album is live. 💯
@philipkane9393
Neko Case is a treasure: as a lyricist, a performer, and oh Lord, that glorious voice!----for my ears her voice just send one into the most magical places of heart and memory: she's just great.
@Bestevus
Such a tacitly beautiful song. Good writers are hard to come by.
@MrIndustrial2023
This is the most recent song that i listen to while drinking tea and smoking handrolled cigarettes. Unfortunately, because i no longer live at high altitude, the cigarettes don't do anything.
@aaronwimberleymbamsf5776
I love strong female voices, Neko is such a true music artist!!