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.
http://www.last.fm/music/Magnolia+Electric+Co./+wiki
Back on Top
Songs: Ohia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There ain't nothing beyond hope
I've been thrashed by the hope of your body
I've been thrashed by the hope of your eyes
You looked me square in the eyes
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
When I'm back on the top again
When I'm back on the top again
That is the truth
That is your truth
There ain't nothing beyond truth
I've been thrashed by the truth of your body
I've been thrashed by the truth of your eyes
You looked me square in the eyes
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
When I'm back on the top again
When I'm back on the top again
That is the truth
That is the truth
That is the truth
The song "Back on Top" by Songs: Ohia is a poignant reflection on the idea of hope and truth in the face of adversity. The repeated phrase "There ain't nothing beyond hope / There ain't nothing beyond truth" sets the foundation for the rest of the lyrics. The singer seems to have been beaten down by life, thrashed by the "hope of your body" and the "hope of your eyes," suggesting a loss of trust in someone or something. However, this loss is juxtaposed with the idea that truth still exists, and that it only takes one thing to be true. The singer seems to find solace in the idea that they will be "back on top again" and that this truth will remain constant regardless of their current state.
The repetition of "That is the truth" emphasizes the importance of this idea, perhaps to the point of desperation. The repeated use of the phrase "you looked me square in the eyes" suggests that the truth is not only something that the singer believes in, but also something that has been confirmed by an external source. The ambiguity of the identity of the person being addressed and the cause of the singer's strife leaves room for interpretation, but the overarching message of the song remains clear: that hope and truth are the guiding lights that can lead one out of darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't nothing beyond hope
The singer believes that there is always hope and that nothing is completely hopeless.
I've been thrashed by the hope of your body
The singer has been emotionally battered by the possibility of being with the person's physical form.
I've been thrashed by the hope of your eyes
The singer has been emotionally battered by the possibility of being with the person's look.
You looked me square in the eyes
The person made direct eye contact with the artist and was very serious.
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
The person advised the artist that they only need to focus on one thing to guide them in their life.
When I'm back on the top again
The singer is looking forward to when they are feeling successful and accomplished.
That is the truth
The singer believes that what the person told them is absolutely true.
There ain't nothing beyond truth
The artist believes that absolute truth exists and there is nothing beyond it.
I've been thrashed by the truth of your body
The artist has been emotionally hurt by the reality of not being able to be with the person's physical appearance.
I've been thrashed by the truth of your eyes
The artist has been emotionally hurt by the reality that they cannot be with the person's gaze.
That is the truth
The singer still believes what the person told them is the absolute truth, even after facing the reality of not being with them.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Jason Molina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tough guys don't dance
There ain't nothing beyond hope
There ain't nothing beyond hope
I've been thrashed by the hope of your body
I've been thrashed by the hope of your eyes
You looked me square in the eyes
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
When I'm back on the top again
When I'm back on the top again
That is the truth
That is your truth
There ain't nothing beyond truth
I've been thrashed by the truth of your body
I've been thrashed by the truth of your eyes
You looked me square in the eyes
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
You said don't take but one thing to be your truth
When I'm back on the top again
When I'm back on the top again
That is the truth
That is the truth
That is the truth
Siskel
Jason Molina is one of the most underrated artists EVER.
David Sumtinelse
Everyone would be a lot more healthy if they knew about him
OOUKFunkyOO
Jason's music helped me through a lot of extremely difficult times & i will be forever indebted to him for this... RIP
Yamil Rojas
Same.
theleavinidontmind
Same here. <3
Devin Burch
Been coming here for a good cry for almost 6 years. RIP. A Legend.
Elliot Smith
Right with you dude. Hope you're all good.
biledemonX
This is one of the most emotional songs I've ever heard. It's so honest. You can feel it.
doormanmusic
Jason's music meant and means such a lot to me. I had a beer with him a couple of years ago. Such a nice guy. RIP.
Julius Krebs
I watch this every night before sleeping. I love it so much.