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
Just a Spark
Songs: Ohia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You lower your head in reply
Here it is white and full like a pale ghost across the sky
And here it is crescent like a dagger from your heart into mine
Here it is just a spark to shine
Here it is just a spark to shine
The lyrics from "Just a Spark" by Songs: Ohia is a haunting and poetic exploration of the complexities of relationships, particularly the struggle to communicate emotions and feelings. The opening line "Will that look be your only reply" suggests a lack of communication and an inability to express oneself, perhaps due to fear, shame, or insecurity. The following line "You lower your head in reply" reinforces this idea and creates a sense of sadness and frustration.
The next lines describe the moon in different stages, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the ups and downs of a relationship. The moon is first described as "white and full like a pale ghost across the sky," which could represent a moment of brightness and clarity. However, the next line "And here it is crescent like a dagger from your heart into mine" suggests pain and conflict. Despite the difficulties, the chorus asserts that "Here it is just a spark to shine," suggesting that even small moments of connection or understanding can be meaningful and powerful.
Overall, "Just a Spark" is a beautifully crafted song that captures the enduring struggles of human relationships, and the importance of finding light in moments of darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Will that look be your only reply
Is that all you have to say to me?
You lower your head in reply
You can't even face me to say it.
Here it is white and full like a pale ghost across the sky
Love can be beautiful and bright like the full moon, but also distant and haunting like a ghost.
And here it is crescent like a dagger from your heart into mine
Love can also be sharp and painful like a dagger pointed from one person's heart into another's.
Here it is just a spark to shine
Despite the pain and distance, there is still a glimmer of hope and possibility for love.
Here it is just a spark to shine
A small spark of love can still illuminate our hearts and lives, even amidst darkness and pain.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Molina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
R B
Jason and I were pen pals. He sent me this song on a cassette and asked me, “what do you think?” This is my favorite S:O song. I told him please put it on the album. He did. ❤️
Socio Logie
god bless man.
Dallas Merasty
.....my heart is broken.....I remember the first time I met him, we played fooseball and shared a pitcher of beer.....he was a good man and a great musician.....
Marcelo Roger
Thanks for the upload, this is one of my favorite songs of all time.
ealing456
Beautiful reprise to The Black Crow. :'(
Nurullah Tutkal
çok yorgun bir ses.
R Wine
so sad to hear the news today..
R B
Jason and I were pen pals. He sent me this song on a cassette and asked me, “what do you think?” This is my favorite S:O song. I told him please put it on the album. He did. ❤️