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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Hold on Magnolia
Songs: Ohia Lyrics
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No one has to be that strong
But if you're stubborn like me
I know what you're trying to be
Hold on Magnolia, I hear that station bell ring
You might be holding the last light I see
Before the dark finally gets a hold of me
Hold on Magnolia, I know what a true friend you've been
But tonight I think I've worked it out with all of them
Hold on Magnolia to the thunder and the rain
To the lightning that has just signed my name to the bottom line
Hold on Magnolia, I hear that lonesome whistle whine
Hold on Magnolia
I think its almost time
In "Hold on Magnolia", the songwriter, Jason Molina, is addressing a friend or a confidant, asking them to stay with him through the ups and downs of his life. The song begins with Molina asking his friend to "hold on" to the "great highway moon" as a symbolic way of asking them to stay grounded and steady in the face of life's uncertainties. He reassures them that "no one has to be that strong," but acknowledges his own stubbornness and the pressures that come with it.
Throughout the song, Molina references various metaphors of time and endings, such as the sounding of a station bell and the signing of a name on a dotted line. He's alluding to the idea that life is finite and that there will come a time when everything ends. Molina pleads with his friend to stay with him as long as they can, and to keep holding on to all of life's experiences — the thunder and the rain, the lightning and the lonesome whistle — as they journey together.
The song is a stirring and poignant reflection on friendship and the human condition. Molina's lyrics are melancholic and introspective, but also deeply poetic and resonant. In "Hold on Magnolia," he reminds us that we are all on a journey through the highs and lows of life, and that we can lean on each other for support and strength along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on Magnolia to that great highway moon
Keep following your dreams and aspirations, no matter how far they may seem.
No one has to be that strong
You don't have to tough it out alone, it's okay to lean on others for support and strength.
But if you're stubborn like me
I know what you're trying to be
If you refuse to give up, you're striving to become the person you envision for yourself.
Hold on Magnolia, I hear that station bell ring
You might be holding the last light I see
Before the dark finally gets a hold of me
You may be the one ray of hope that keeps me going during dark times.
Hold on Magnolia, I know what a true friend you've been
In my life I have had my doubts
But tonight I think I've worked it out with all of them
You've been a loyal and trustworthy companion, and despite previous uncertainties, I've now come to understand and appreciate all of my friends.
Hold on Magnolia to the thunder and the rain
To the lightning that has just signed my name to the bottom line
Face the challenges and hurdles head-on, and don't be afraid to take risks that have the potential to change your life.
Hold on Magnolia, I hear that lonesome whistle whine
Don't give up, there's still hope and opportunities waiting for you.
Hold on Magnolia
I think its almost time
Keep pushing forward, your breakthrough could be just around the corner.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Jason Molina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind