Mac DeMarco Refuses To Give in to Cynicism on His Shakespearean-Minded “Salad Days”

The title track of Mac DeMarco’s 2014 album Salad Days borrows an old phrase from William Shakespeare. Recorded in his Brooklyn apartment, the Canadian singer-songwriter attempts to overcome life’s doldrums. And rather than wallow in apathy, he delivers a Shakespearean-minded pick-me-up jam.

Rolling Through Life

Many give in to cynicism as they settle into the banality of everyday life. For DeMarco, once his music became popular, he found himself on the endless conveyor belt that is touring and releasing albums. Has he peaked in his 20s? Was he settling now? Even the word settle is a kind of resignation. So he needed a way out of this acquiescence.

DeMarco wrote the song as a self-wellness check. A soft-rock rage against pessimism.

As I’m getting older, chip up on my shoulder,
Rolling through life, to roll over and die.

Now he’s missing old friends and coming to terms with adulthood. The easy days of lazing about are behind him. And DeMarco’s signature wobbly guitar chords give the nostalgia its hazy soundtrack.

Missing Hippie Jon, salad days are gone,
Remembering things just to tell ’em so long.

This is tough love from DeMarco. But he’s still young, and it’s ridiculous to think your life is already over. Grow up and keep going, he sings.

Oh, mama,
Acting like my life’s already over.
Oh, dear,
Act your age and try another year.

Like Vegetables

Comparing the freshness of salad greens to the vigor of youth dates back to William Shakespeare and his romantic tragedy, Antony and Cleopatra. In the play, Cleopatra says of her past praise of Caesar:

“My salad days,
When I was green in judgment, cold in blood,
To say as I said then.”

But instead of using the phrase to describe immaturity, DeMarco said the song is about having perspective and also a reminder to avoid being an “a**hole.”

Still, DeMarco was long ago anointed the king of indie slackerdom. And when he croons his wordless refrain in blissful detachment, it makes me think of Paul McCartney’s lazy-days philosophy in “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”.

Obladi, Oblada, life goes on, bra,
Lala, how their life goes on.

Photo by Frank Hoensch/Redferns