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"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. The date, referenced within the lyrics, has since become known by fans as Magnolia Day.

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

Background

On 3 June 2014, Gang of Youths frontman David Le'aupepe, at the end of a week-long bender consisting of "plenty of drinking, smoking and vomiting up blood", was walking drunk with a bottle of Southern Comfort in his band through Strathfield, New South Wales. He later admitted he tried to commit suicide that night, but his friends called the police who intercepted him. They sat him by the magnolia tree outside his father's house, of which the song is named after.

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.

— David Le'aupepe

Afterwards, Le'aupepe was entered into rehabilitation and "began a process of healing and self-discovery". In 2018, on the fourth anniversary of the incident, he shared a lengthy post on social media thanking his friends for saving his life and further opening up about his mental health struggles.

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. The frontman said he wanted to convey a "deep freeness, a sense of loss, a sadness" in the video.

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". 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".

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

Personnel

Credits adapted from The Positions liner notes.

• David Le'aupepe – writing, lead vocals, string arrangement, guitars, piano, keyboards, engineering
• Jung Kim – keyboards, engineering
• Joji Malani – guitars, keyboards, string arrangement, engineering
• Max Dunn – bass guitar
• Joel van Gastel – drums
• Nora Wever – engineering
• Peter Holz – additional engineering
• Karl Cashwell – mixing, additional engineering
• Gang of Youths – producer

Certifications

References

1. ^ Jenke, Tyler (4 June 2018). "Gang of Youths' Dave Le'aupepe opens up about mental health struggles". Tone Deaf. The Brag. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
2. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
3. Martin, Josh (14 March 2020). "Tame Impala tops triple j's Hottest 100 of the Decade countdown". NME. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
4. Jenke, Tyler (1 November 2021). "The 10 biggest hits from Sydney rock legends Gang of Youths". Tone Deaf. The Brag. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
5. Yates, Rod (26 May 2015). "Gang of Youths: A Matter of Life and Death". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
6. Cain, Sian (18 November 2021). "'We want to get treated like normies': Gang of Youths on fame, faith and family secrets". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
7. ^ Wilkinson, Matt (28 January 2016). "New Music of the Day: Gang of Youths – Magnolia (Video Premiere)". NME. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
8. Apter, Liam. "Watch: Gang of Youths - Magnolia". Pilerats. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
9. Dale, Jessica (23 August 2017). "Repairing, Becoming More Human And Being Followed By Magnolia Flowers". The Music. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
10. Morris, Genevieve (2 December 2018). "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 15 October 2022.
11. "Hottest 100 of the Decade By The Numbers: The Stats You Know The Better". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2022.

• 2015 singles
• 2015 songs
• Gang of Youths songs
• Songs written by David Le'aupepe