Speaking with Rolling Stone, Seth Avett said that the difference between their previous album The Carpenter and Magpie and the Dandelion is the former record finds them reflecting and pontificating and speaking on the lessons of life, whereas Magpie feels more like "things are happening and you're reacting in the moment."

This song finds the brothers struggling over their fragile sincerity. Scott Avett explained to Rolling Stone: "'Morning Star' is basically talking about admitting that maybe you just don't really give a s--t after all. These songs are less predictable. It's not that risqué, necessarily, but maybe on a subtle level it's actually darker and more dangerous."