In 1984, Fell From the Sun EP was released and then followed in '85 by another EP, Northern Line. In 1987, the band released their first and last full-length album, Happy Nightmare Baby, on SST. Smith left the group on the Happy Nightmare tour and effectively put an end to the band. David Roback continued with vocalist Hope Sandoval, and in 1989 this band became Mazzy Star. A singles and rarities anthology, Early Recordings, was released that year on Rough Trade.
Magick Power
Opal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
magick power, magick power
jigsaw jenny, motor city,
she's a vampire, so am I
tom cat kelly love in the alley
electric children, over the moon
Marianna on the inside
she's a cactus in the sun
magick power, magick power,
magick power, everyone
magick power, magick power,
magick power, magick power
jigsaw jenny, motor city,
electric children, over the moon
I'm a gypsy, fortune teller
magick power, everyone
The song "Magick Power" by Opal seems to describe a group of people who belong to a counterculture that embraces the idea of magick and supernatural powers. The repetition of the phrase "magick power" throughout the song underscores the theme of the song: the idea that the people in this group have some kind of power that's derived from their connection to the supernatural realm. The mention of jigsaw jenny, motor city, and tom cat kelly gives the sense that these are all streetwise, urban characters who have a certain toughness about them. The lyrics hint that the characters in the song are all outsiders who feel a sense of connection to each other because of their shared experiences of being misunderstood or marginalized by mainstream society.
The mention of a "vampire" in the second line seems to underscore this idea of outsiders or people who are on the fringes of society. The reference to "electric children, over the moon" and "magick power, everyone" suggests that these people have a sense of wonder and are amazed by their own powers and abilities. Lastly, the line "I'm a gypsy, fortune teller" reinforces the idea that the singer of the song is someone who is seen as an outsider, a person who is misunderstood and rejected by mainstream society, and who is able to find a sense of belonging through their connection to the supernatural realm.
Line by Line Meaning
magick power, magick power,
The repeated phrase 'magick power' signifies the strength of something extraordinary and unexplainable that the singer wants to emphasize.
magick power, magick power
The phrase 'magick power' is reiterated to make the listeners feel its persuasive impact.
jigsaw jenny, motor city,
Jenny, likely a name chosen for its simplicity, along with an ambiguous location such as Motor City, serves as a metaphor, with the jigsaw puzzle implying fragmented pieces of excitement.
she's a vampire, so am I
The comparison of two people as vampires suggests their affinity to the mystique and darkness to express their existence as different and exotic.
tom cat kelly love in the alley
Tom is an ordinary male name, while Kelley is a surname. By combining 'Tom Cat' and 'Kelley', it may mean that they enjoy savoring their love in secret places, like felines do with their food.
electric children, over the moon
The term 'electric children' refers to the free-spirited, creative individuals who have boundless energy that can spark like electricity. 'Over the moon' confirms they feel happy and excited.
Marianna on the inside
The usage of the name 'Marianna' suggests a woman who would appear unremarkable to those who do not know her well. 'On the inside' refers to her personality which could be tough and prickly, like a cactus plant exposed to too much sun and winds.
she's a cactus in the sun
The cactus is a desert plant capable of withstanding extremely hot weather, with thorns that could hurt those who come too close. By comparing someone to the cactus, it implies they are strong and adaptable.
magick power, magick power,
The repeat of the phrase 'magick power' shows it is a central theme in the song, embodied by those characters mentioned.
magick power, magick power,
The identical phrase is sung again to reinforce its meaning and importance.
jigsaw jenny, motor city,
This line is repeated, confirming that the jigsaw-sparked excitement is still present in the song's atmosphere.
electric children, over the moon
The 'electric children' are mentioned again before the sentence concludes with 'over the moon' to maintain the ecstatic vibe it produces.
I'm a gypsy, fortune teller
The reference to the singer as a 'gypsy' implies they identify with a free-spirited lifestyle, often associated with young people who wander with no particular destination. 'Fortune teller' adds to the exotic image of someone who claims to see the future.
magick power, everyone
The phrase 'magick power' is directed to the audience, encouraging them to also experience the extraordinary sensation being sung about.
Contributed by Colin F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Blöödfart
Awesome yet underrated band! Great song. Thanks!
BrainCandy
They were in the middle of it, everyone involved, down to the coffee and sandwiches. The sound, the Vibe, the groove, the drugs.. .
Rafyc2000
brilliant album.
Carlos Meza
Fabulosa cancion y el album completo en general, tengo un vinil de aquella epoca
Beandip Cartography
A masterpiece.
Saw them open for JAMC in 1987.
Fucking glorious.
Magick power.
marcomino70
Montezuma hall, SDSU, San Diego State University. I saw them open up for JAMC as well. Amazing performance. The crowd was memorized, almost trance-like. I am blessed to have seen them perform as I was a fan of theirs at the time . I believe Kendra departed a short time after. I hope you got to see them with Kendra, as her voice is incredible. Hope took over after she left...
Beandip Cartography
@marcomino70 yep, Kendra.
I'd just gotten into "Happy Nightmare Baby" and yeah, people were just kinda mesmerized. Hate to say it, but JAMC were underwhelming, and I couldn't get Opal outta my head.
Roberto Riva
Psichedelia allo stato puro! 🖤 Roberto from Italy 🇮🇹
Γιάννης Καραβίτης
WHAT A TRACK!
fuzzy c.
right?