Songs: Ohia, "Lioness"

This song took fifteen tries and one listen to hook me.


A technologically handicapped friend told me that they had a song I, "had to hear," unfortunately it took at least three hours for her to send this song over gmail.

(it's called compose message/attach file/email address/ click send... not that hard)

For all the effort associated with this musical transfer, I really wasn't expecting much in the way of rewards, I mean, honestly, best case scenario..

thought i'd be getting some early brand new or dashboard..
(we have been on a 90's angst kick lately)

but instead, I ended up with one of the most passionate and powerful love songs that i've heard in quite awhile.

Jason Molina of Magnolia Electric Company's side project, Songs:Ohia and the gem of "Lioness."


The song takes a while to get going, but when Molina starts whispering, you're not going to care how long you've been waiting. It reminds me of Cat Power/Velvet Underground's "i found a reason," with the wistful, haunting and simple lyrics. The vocals are so soft and strong that by the time he starts crying, you can't get here fast enough, you can't get here fast enough, you don't want to be sitting in front of a computer.

you want to run.

The song doesn't have to indulge in over indulgent drumming, pornographic distortion or cheap metaphors to communicate this longing desire-the story and simple rhythm carries the song itself. It's about all the times that that the woman has looked at you across the room, across the table, across the floor- she’s not frowning, she’s not smiling, but there’s something so incredibly powerful in her eyes that you're almost scared.


it is for me the eventual truth/of that look of the lioness to her man across the Nile

You're looking at her, and she turns those deep eyes into yours and you know in that moment that you don’t want your heart in anyone else’s hands.

wanna feel my heart break if it must break in your jaws/ want you to lick my blood off your paws

That’s the thing about finding a love like that, it’s not exactly safe, it’s not exactly perfect. It’s a little awkward, and you just might end up sitting alone in your bed, but even if it all goes to hell, you’re going to do whatever it takes to be with that girl for as long as possible. You’re going to be vulnerable, you’re going to be open, and even if she completely tears you to pieces, you’ll put yourself out there, because the promise of her heaven is just too strong to resist.

you can’t get here fast enough/I will swim to you
whether you save you me/whether you savage me
want my last look to be the moon in your eyes

Molina may have a market on melancholy, but he’s got some insight into beauty as well.
Just go listen to it.