Magdalena 318

Album: EP2 (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Guitarist Joey Santiago: "This song is so atmospheric. We had these weird Moog pedals that sounded like water. It was a very mood-based, atmospheric sound, not based on any lyrics or anything."
  • The song was inspired by 318 Magdalena, an asteroid belt orbiting The Sun. "Now why the hell would I be writing about an asteroid?" Black Francis said to Pollstar. "The reason is because the producer of our album, Gil Norton, has been going on and on with his own science fiction narrative arch since we began this process of recording a new record or whatever – 'Charles, you've been away in outer space. The Pixies have been away from earth for 20 years. You've been away on the Planet Of Sound, making your Pixies music. No one's heard you for 20 years and now you're back, stepped out of the capsule and this is what our record is about.'"
  • The song's music video was conceived and directed by Judy Jacob, who created some of the films made for Pixies' 2009-2011 Doolittle world tour. The provocative clip stars British dance/theatre/performance artist Nando Messias.
  • Other songs with Magdalena in the title include ones by:

    A Perfect Circle (about a stripper)

    Brandon Flowers (about an annual pilgrimage that takes place in Mexico from Nogales to Magdalena)

    Mars Volta (about Magdalen Asylums, which are Roman Catholic institutions intended for the rehabilitation of "fallen women.")

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

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

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.