Molina was born in Lorain, Ohio and attended Oberlin College. After playing bass guitar in various heavy metal bands in and around Cleveland, Ohio, Molina made the decision to become a solo artist, recruiting other musicians as needed. He made several home recordings under various names, including Songs: Albian, Songs: Radix, and Songs: Unitas, which he distributed himself at live performances. Molina's first release under the Songs: Ohia moniker came in 1996 as a single on Palace Records, Nor Cease Thou Never Now. This was followed by the 1997 full-length album Songs: Ohia (known among fans as the Black Album), released on the Bloomington, Indiana-based label Secretly Canadian, the label on which Molina has remained since. Though the band is still virtually unknown in the mainstream, 2002's Didn't It Rain garnered widespread critical acclaim with the indie community throughout the United States, and is arguably the group's most popular album. He also released Axxess and Ace and The Ghost both in 1999. 2000 saw the release of the "passionate" album The Lioness and the very sparse Ghost Tropic.
The release of Magnolia Electric Co. in 2003 marked a shift in direction for Songs: Ohia. Several major differences set this album apart from previous Songs: Ohia releases. Firstly, the album, recorded with renowned producer/engineer Steve Albini, is the most upbeat and straightforward rock album in the Songs: Ohia catalogue. Every song was recorded live in the studio with a full band. The album's sound draws heavily from the Southern rock and folk-rock of the 1960s and 70s, as well as, to some degree, Molina's heavy metal roots (British metal pioneers Black Sabbath are often cited as one of Jason Molina's biggest influences). For the first time, Magnolia Electric Co. sees Molina relinquishing vocal duties on two of the eight tracks; Lawrence Peters lends his voice to "The Old Black Hen", while fellow Secretly Canadian artist Scout Niblett takes over on "Peoria Lunch Box Blues" (both songs were written by Molina).
From 2003 on Molina buried the moniker Songs: Ohia, to go on under the name Magnolia Electric Co. which he used he for his full band records up until his death. Jason Molina died March 16th 2013 of natural causes at age 39.
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7th Street Wonderland
Songs: Ohia Lyrics
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And each freezing degree made its target that night
And the pulse of the snow was the pulse of twighlight
The pulse of the snow was the pulse of diamonds
And you wear it in your hair like a constellation
And we both swear by the size of that moon that
The sky will sink tonight (x4)
In "7th Street Wonderland" by Songs: Ohia, the lyrics paint a vivid winter scene. The singer describes a sky filled with gray winter light, setting a cold and melancholic atmosphere. The biting cold intensifies as each degree drops, freezing everything in its path. The pulse of the snow resonates with the fading light of twilight, creating a mesmerizing and ethereal ambiance. The snow becomes reminiscent of diamonds, shimmering and sparkling in the night. Symbolically, the snow represents beauty in its transient state, much like the singer's relationship.
The lyrics also refer to a constellation worn in the hair, signifying an individual's unique and unshakable essence. The singer and their partner both share an unwavering belief in the magnitude of the moon's presence, as if it holds the power to determine their fate. The repeated line "The sky will sink tonight" reveals a sense of impending doom or foreboding. It suggests that something significant is about to occur, possibly the end of the relationship or a shift in the singer's reality.
Overall, "7th Street Wonderland" captures the delicate balance between beauty and fragility, and the underlying uncertainty of relationships. The winter imagery emphasizes the coldness and vulnerability associated with love, while the celestial references allude to a larger, cosmic force influencing the characters' lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The sky was full with a gray winter light
The atmosphere was filled with a dim, melancholic light that is characteristic of the winter season.
And each freezing degree made its target that night
The relentless coldness of the weather caused its effect to be felt by everyone on that particular night.
And the pulse of the snow was the pulse of twilight
The gentle rhythm created by the falling snow mirrored the peaceful and serene ambiance of the fading daylight.
The pulse of the snow was the pulse of diamonds
The snow seemed to sparkle and glimmer like precious diamonds, adding a sense of enchantment to the surroundings.
And you wear it in your hair like a constellation
You adorn your hair with the snowflakes, which resemble a constellation, symbolizing the beauty and uniqueness you possess.
And we both swear by the size of that moon that
Both of us firmly believe and trust in the significance and influence of the large moon that we observe.
The sky will sink tonight (x4)
We strongly sense that the heavens will slowly descend or retreat as darkness engulfs the world during the course of this night.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Jason Molina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind