Album: Magic (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In Rolling Stone magazine, Springsteen explained: "The song 'Magic' is about living in a time when anything that is true can be made to seem like a lie, and anything that is a lie can be made to seem true. There are people that have taken that as their credo. The classic quote was from one of the Bushies in The New York Times: 'We make our own reality. You guys report it, we make it.' I may loathe that statement -the unbelievable stupidity and arrogance of it - more than I loathe 'Bring it on' and 'Mission accomplished.' That song, it's all about illusion. That's the heart of my record right there."
  • Magic won for Best Rock Album at the 2008 Grammy Awards. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 7

  • Ohsteve from MissouriIntroducing this song said it was more about tricks than magic. Basically said, be weary of the information you’re getting from politicians.
  • Bt from AlabamaIt's a damn good song no matter what your interpretation of its meaning is.
  • Tom from Washington, DcHeine - He has several songs in which he never mentions the title, in fact one on nearly all his studio albums - Reno and The Hitter (from Devils and Dust), Incident on 57th Street, New York Serende, and Wild Billy's Circus Story (from The Wild ...), Meeting across the river (from Born to Run), The Last Carnival (from Working on a dream), Open all Night and Highway Patrolman (from Nebraska), Does this bus stop ... (from Greetings from Asbury Park), Valentine's Day (from Tunnel of Love).
  • Heine from Sarpsborg, NorwayI believe this is one of two Springsteen songs in which he never mentions the title og the song. the other is Goin' Cali.
  • Sarah from Kennewick, WaBrilliant. Just listen to the lyrics; hauntingly poetic, forget the war stuff when you listen to it & apply it to your own personal past.
  • Gene from San Diego, CaPeople like the previous person claims that it is against the War in Iraq. While it was possibly inspired by such times, it is actually a song about how war is formed and how it happens. Honestly, this song makes me shiver because of it's truthfulness. It maintains that cold, evil (can I say "evil"), shady feel that is real. It can apply to the current war, but it is mostly about all wars that occur.
  • 13scarecrows from Sallisaw, OkIts juz a protest song about the Bush Administration. C'mon bruce get over it! :)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.