Magic

Album: From The Album Of The Same Name (1974)
Charted: 11 5
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Songfacts®:

  • This ode to reverie is powered by an irresistible chorus where lead singer David Paton stretches out some "o"s to show some serious vocal range, starting the stanza with "Oh, oh, oh" and ending each line with something that rhymes with it:

    Oh, oh, oh, it's magic you know
    Never believe it's not so
    It's magic you know
    Never believe it's not so


    This chorus shows up four times in the song, including at the beginning. There are only two verses, and remarkably, they don't mention a girl; they're about waking up on a sunny day.
  • This was the first of three "Magic"-al hits over a 10-year span. Olivia Newton-John cast a spell with her "Magic" in 1980, going to #1. The Cars released their "Magic" in 1984, taking it to #12.
  • This was the first single for the Scottish pop band Pilot, which reached #1 in the UK with "January" from their next album. "Magic" was written by the band's keyboardist, Billy Lyall along with frontman David Paton. Produced by Alan Parsons, it was their only Top 40 hit in the US.
  • This song was used in the movies Herbie Fully Loaded (2005), Doogal (2006) and Magicians (2007). It is also heard in the 2005 independent film Eve and the Fire Horse, which takes place in the 1970s. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ekristheh - Halath
  • In 2009 actress Selena Gomez recorded a cover for the soundtrack CD of the Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place series. The song was released as the lead single for the soundtrack, reaching #61 and renewing interest in Pilot's original version.
  • In 2007, this song was used in a Pillsbury commercial. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above
  • In 2019, this was used in commercials for the pharmaceutical Ozempic. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Rob - Bethesda, MD, USA
  • The band's guitarist, David Paton, performed this song (along with Pilot's other hit, "January") as a soloist in the Countdown Spectacular 2 concert series in Australia, which ran from August to September of 2007.

Comments: 17

  • Randy from Hampton, VaOh oh oh Ozempic. Why are all the advertisers using 70s music these days?
  • AnonymousHow much is pilot getting paid for the use of the magic melody in ozempic commercials?
  • Smitty from EarthOne small correction: David Paton didn't play guitar on this song. Ian Bairnson did.
  • Steve from ArizonaSteve
    The writer David Paton never got up early. He would stay awake at night playing and writing music, then sleeping late in the mornings. One day, he had to go somewhere early and told his wife to wake him. She said "you've never seen a daybreak". If you ever get up early it would be “magic”.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenThis song was produced by Alan Parsons, who took group members Parsons David Paton and Ian Bairnson with him when he formed The Alan Parsons Project the following year.
  • Martin from Fresno, CaThis song is sentimental to me. I remember hearing it one day on the bus in High school and I reconnected with someone from High School that rode on the bus with me that day.
  • Ellen from Chicago, Ilcompletely forgot about this song until hearing it recently on a Chase ad, made me smile, and of course it's now been downloaded! :-)
  • Jeff from Boston, MaWith its simplistic lyrics and pleasant tune but hard-edged instrumentation, this song was exactly the sort of thing teenagers in the 70s would listen to in their basements while getting high to the light of a lava lamp. If you ever see a clip of Pilot performing this song it's clear they were no strangers to psychedelic phenomena. It's very much a period piece.
  • Claire from Miller's, MdMy younger sister likes Selena Gomez's version.
  • Michelle from Grays, United Kingdomi used to live next door to ian from this band and i never knew this was one of there songs till i came on this site !! i think this song just has a happy sound to it and lets be honest in todays world thats gota be good
  • Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesFrank - I didn't say this sounded -like- 65 Love Affair, I said that it was "simple and clear". It's the line I'm quoting, is all. I remember this was a splash of cold lime water precisely when I needed it.
  • Frank from Granchester Meadows, GreenlandEkristheh---Magic sounds NOTHING like 65 loathe affair...what in the world are you smoking these days? c'mon, have some respect will ya?
  • Arthur from Sayville, NyThis song is awesome. I have heard it alot on the radio lately.
  • Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesI adore this song. It's like the rock and roll that was "simple and clear" in "65 Love Affair".
  • Pearl from Mayer, Azthis song is also in the movie 'happy gillmore'
  • Joe from Chicago, IlIt is amazing this one wasn't higher than #5!
  • Jennifer from Los Angeles, CaI was a kid when this song was popular. I disliked it for years as an adult, considering it an example of seventies schlock. Oddly, I've come to really like it in recent years. What had seemed corny before now seems fun and optimistic.
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