Magnolia (Gang of Youths song)

"Magnolia" is a song by Australian alternative rock band Gang of Youths, released on 17 April 2015 as the third and final single from their debut studio album, The Positions. The song recounts the experience of frontman David Le'aupepe on a "week-long bender that precluded sleep and eating" and his subsequent attempt to commit suicide on 3 June 2014.[1] The date, referenced within the lyrics, has since become known by fans as Magnolia Day.[2]

"Magnolia"
Single by Gang of Youths
from the album The Positions
Released17 April 2015 (2015-04-17)
GenreAlternative rock
Length5:11
Lyricist(s)David Le'aupepe
Producer(s)
  • Gang of Youths
  • Chris Collins
Gang of Youths singles chronology
"Radioface"
(2015)		 "Magnolia"
(2015)		 "Strange Diseases"
(2016)

In 2018, the song was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for selling over 70,000 units.[3] "Magnolia" polled at number six in the Triple J Hottest 100 of the Decade.[4] It has been described as the band's breakthrough hit, having over 39 million streams on Spotify as of 2022.[5]

Lyricism

On the song's release day, Gang of Youths frontman David Le'aupepe wrote a lengthy Facebook post discussing the song's purpose.[6] It began:

June 3rd 2014, Mosely Street, Strathfield. In a state of puerile drunken delirium, reeling from having my heart fucked beyond all recognition and knowing my marriage was about to fall apart, I tried to kill myself.

Before the frontman could act, his friends "called the police just in time to intercept" Le'aupepe. He went through rehabilitation and "began a process of healing and self-discovery".[6] In an interview with The Guardian in 2021, Le'aupepe revealed the song was named after the magnolia tree that the police sat him under after rushing to stop him on the night.[7]

Release and promotion

On 17 April 2015, "Magnolia" was released as the third and final single to the band's debut studio album, The Positions. A music video for the song was directed by Le'aupepe and Josh Harris, and was released on 28 January 2016.[8] The frontman said he wanted to convey a "deep freeness, a sense of loss, a sadness" in the video.[6]

Reception

Jessica Dale for The Music wrote "Magnolia" is "anthemic, catchy and brings hordes of people together in unified song; a stark contrast to the song's birth following Le'aupepe's attempted suicide". She further writes the track "launched Gang of Youths into the Australian psyche in a big, big way".[9] Writing for The AU Review, Genevieve Morris called the track a "timeless classic", writing "the passion and liveliness behind the song is addictive and unforgettable".[10]

In 2015, "Magnolia" polled at number 21 on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2015.[11] In the 2020 countdown of the Hottest 100 of the Decade, the track polled at number six.

Personnel

Musicians

  • David Le'aupepe – writing, vocals, guitar, piano, strings
  • Jung Kim – piano
  • Max Dunn – bass guitar
  • Joji Malani – guitar, keyboard, strings
  • Joel van Gastel – drums

Additional personnel

  • Greg Calbi – mastering
  • Peter Holz – engineering
  • Gang of Youths – producing
  • Karl Cashwell – engineering, mixing

Music video

  • David Le'aupepe – director
  • Josh Harris – director

Certifications
Certifications for "Magnolia"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[12] Platinum 70,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Gang of Youths: A Matter of Life and Death". Rolling Stone Australia. 2015-05-26. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  2. "Gang Of Youths' Dave Le'aupepe opens up about mental health struggles". Tone Deaf. 2018-06-04. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  3. "ARIA Accreditations Documents" (PDF). Dropbox. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  4. Matt (2020-03-14). "Gang of Youths Gets 3 Songs in Triple J's Hottest 100 of the Decade; "Magnolia" at No. 6 – Deepest Sighs - Gang of Youths fan site". Deepest Sighs. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  5. Jenke, Tyler (2021-11-01). "The 10 biggest hits from Sydney rock legends Gang Of Youths". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  6. Wilkinson, Matt (2016-01-28). "New Music Of The Day: Gang Of Youths – Magnolia (Video Premiere)". NME. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  7. "'We want to get treated like normies': Gang of Youths on fame, faith and family secrets". the Guardian. 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  8. Apter, Liam. "Watch: Gang Of Youths - Magnolia". PILERATS. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  9. Dale, Jessica (23 August 2017). "Repairing, Becoming More Human And Being Followed By Magnolia Flowers". The Music. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  10. Morris, Genevieve (2018-12-02). "Live Review: Gang of Youths put on a mesmerising show at Enmore Theatre as their huge tour comes to an end". The AU Review. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  11. "Hottest 100 of the Decade By The Numbers: The Stats You Know The Better". triple j. 2020-03-14. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  12. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
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