Magic (Ladyhawke song)
Encyclopedia
"Magic" is a song performed by New Zealand recording artist Ladyhawke, released as the fifth and final single from her debut album Ladyhawke
(2008). It was produced by Pascal Gabriel
who co-wrote the song with Ladyhawke herself. The song was inspired to be a fantasy epic and love song. Lyrically, it tells a story about trying to coax someone over to talk to you, where in reality you feel alone.
"Magic" received critical acclaim with most critics giving the song positive reviews. The single peaked at number thirty-one in New Zealand, becoming her second most successful single and third top forty hit there to-date. It was accompanied by a music video, directed by Shelly Love and released on September 30, 2009.
. Ladyhawke wrote the song when she first went to London
and she didn't know anyone. She describes it as a fantasy epic where she has someone and she is trying to coax them over to talk to her, where in reality she felt alone. She also says it is a love song, but also a 'pining' song.
also positively reviewed the song: "The juddering 'Magic' recalls New Order but pulses with an addictive grandeur of its own." While About.com
's Ben Norman felt that it was a mostly understated track with brilliant lyrics and a haunting harmony.
at number thirty-one on 12 October 2009, before slipping seven places to number thirty-eight. It repeated this pattern, before falling off the chart, having spent four weeks in the top forty.
Ladyhawke (album)
Ladyhawke is the eponymous debut album by New Zealand recording artist Ladyhawke, released on 22 September 2008 by Modular Recordings. Produced by Pascal Gabriel, Greg Kurstin, Kid Gloves, Kish Mauve's Jim Eliot, Paul Harris and Van She's Michael Di Francesco, the album incorporates...
(2008). It was produced by Pascal Gabriel
Pascal Gabriel
Pascal Richard Marcel Gabriel is a Belgian-born musician based in London. His musical career began in 1977 in the punk rock band The Razors...
who co-wrote the song with Ladyhawke herself. The song was inspired to be a fantasy epic and love song. Lyrically, it tells a story about trying to coax someone over to talk to you, where in reality you feel alone.
"Magic" received critical acclaim with most critics giving the song positive reviews. The single peaked at number thirty-one in New Zealand, becoming her second most successful single and third top forty hit there to-date. It was accompanied by a music video, directed by Shelly Love and released on September 30, 2009.
Background and writing
The song was written by Ladyhawke and Pascal GabrielPascal Gabriel
Pascal Richard Marcel Gabriel is a Belgian-born musician based in London. His musical career began in 1977 in the punk rock band The Razors...
. Ladyhawke wrote the song when she first went to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and she didn't know anyone. She describes it as a fantasy epic where she has someone and she is trying to coax them over to talk to her, where in reality she felt alone. She also says it is a love song, but also a 'pining' song.
Critical reception
"Magic" received positive reviews from contemporary critics. Jude Rogers of The Guardian called the song a widescreen electronic epic, feeling that it may be the best opening track on any album for 2008. Nadine O'Began from SpinSpin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
also positively reviewed the song: "The juddering 'Magic' recalls New Order but pulses with an addictive grandeur of its own." While About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
's Ben Norman felt that it was a mostly understated track with brilliant lyrics and a haunting harmony.
Chart performance
"Magic" debuted on the New Zealand Singles ChartRecording Industry Association of New Zealand
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...
at number thirty-one on 12 October 2009, before slipping seven places to number thirty-eight. It repeated this pattern, before falling off the chart, having spent four weeks in the top forty.
External links
- Ladyhawke - Magic: Behind the Scenes on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....