Magnolia

Album: Fight Or Flight (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This vibrant uptempo song with a tender core was inspired by singer Doug Robb's baby girl, who was born during the writing for Fight or Flight. "That is a very literal song," he explained. "Magnolia is my daughter's name. The first line is, 'I watch and wonder as you discover' - it's me looking at my child as an infant discovering the world, and hoping that I find something in her that reminds me of myself. More generally, it's a father looking at his daughter and realizing how fleeting and precious these moments are."
  • The rhythmic whooshing sound heard at the beginning of the song and repeated in the bridge is an ultrasound recording of Magnolia's prenatal heartbeat. "It wasn't altered tempo-wise to fit the song," Robb pointed out "It just fit. It's one of the songs I play for Maggie, and the second she hears the guitar in the beginning, she starts dancing. Maybe it subconsciously reminds her of being in the womb."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Tom Waits Lyrics Quiz

Tom Waits Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.