Music
19 Mac DeMarco Lyrics Full of Weird Wisdom
Take these words to heart and you just might reach Mac levels of slacker nirvana.
Mac DeMarco is the dirtbag poet laureate. The Canadian wunderkind got his start putting out low-stakes folk songs in-between stints on a paving crew and as a medical test subject. His candor and natural ambivalence towards celebrity earned him a following of thousands of teenagers. There is just something honest about DeMarco — his songs are easy, his wisdom is pure. In an era where guitar-rock is increasingly aloof and puritanical, you never get the sense that he treats music like a job. DeMarco wears starchy Goodwill button-ups and sports a big split-toothed grin. He is the opposite of a star, and that’s what brings us closer.
DeMarco recently put out his third full-length album, “This Old Dog.” As usual it’s filled with simple, sticky tributes to love, loss and the spaces in between. DeMarco is notably direct in his lyricism, which makes it pretty easy to carve out a miniature self-help book. Here are 19 wise DeMarco lyrics we can all learn from.
1. “This old dog ain’t about to forget, all we’ve had and all that’s next.”
Song: “This Old Dog”
There is something about heartbreak than can absolutely make you feel like an old, tired animal who spends all day glued to the same square-foot of carpet. When you’re sad about someone, remember you’ve got a friend in that ancient family pet.
2. “Watching my life, passing right in front of my eyes. Hell of a story, or is it boring?”
Song: “Passing Out Pieces”
A line written specifically for anyone who’s ever had a moment, on an otherwise ordinary day, where you’re like “man, what am I doing with my life? Existence is finite!”
3. “Viceroy, as it’s getting later, heading for the corner, I’m leaving it for you.”
Song: “Viceroy”
If you live life like Mac DeMarco, there will be the occasional moment where literally the only thing you have that loves you is your favorite brand of cigarettes. Sometimes you have to take solace in your bad habits!
4. “Must be another one, another one she loves”
Song: “Another One”
Sometimes it’s good to be extremely honest with yourself about what you think is going wrong with your relationship. It might hurt at first, but saying it out loud can be weirdly reassuring.
5. “I’d say see you next time, if I thought there were a next time.”
Song: “Moonlight on the River”
One of the saddest truths in life is that sometimes people fade out of your life without closure. This song is about DeMarco’s father, who bobbed in and out of his life and was recently diagnosed with cancer. Saying goodbye under those circumstances is really hard, so Mac wrote this song instead.
6. “You’re no better off living your life than dreaming at night.”
Song: “Brother”
Monotonous careerist lifestyles do absolutely nothing for DeMarco — which to be fair, is a pretty easy thing to say as a rockstar. However, it’s important to always keep your dreams in your head no matter what happens.
7. “Please don’t let my love away, let my baby stay.”
Song: “Let My Baby Stay”
Living a life where you’re on tour and constantly away from home is not easy for those in committed relationships. But sometimes that feeling of loneliness and melancholy can be comforting, because it makes you remember what you’re missing.
8. “Separation is supposed to make the heart grow fond, but it don’t.”
Song: “Let Her Go”
On the other hand, if stuff just isn’t working out, maybe it’s time to throw in the towel.
9. “6802 Bayfield Ave, Arverne, New York, stop on by, I'll make you a cup of coffee. See you later.”
Song: “My House on the Water”
Seriously, go to Mac’s house. I’m sure he has excellent taste in coffee.
10. “Mommy’s in the kitchen, cooking up something good, and daddy’s on the sofa, pride in the neighborhood.”
Song: “Cooking Up Something Good”
There comes a moment in every young man’s life where you might realize that your dad is a bit of a deadbeat. Your best course of action is to write a really sick burn.
11. “Hey guys, this is Mac, thanks for joining me.”
Song: “Jonny’s Odyssey”
Always be polite in your craft!
12. “Gone, gone with my heart, locked inside a cage for you.”
Song: “A Heart Like Hers”
There is no commitment quite like feeling permanently emotionally trapped by someone you admire. Demarco has this all figured out.
13. “And no amount of tears, could roll back all the years, bring back all your dreams from yesterday.”
Song: “Dreams From Yesterday”
This is one of the most brutal lessons in the DeMarco catalog, but it’s also incredibly true. At the end of the day your destiny is in your hands, so don’t blame anyone else.
14. “Uh oh, looks like I’m seeing more of my old man in me.”
Song: “My Old Man”
No matter how much you might try to resist, the apple never falls far from the tree.
15. “Honey I cried too, you better believe it.”
Song: “Still Beating”
Breakups often lead to people doing some pretty nasty things to each other, so it’s good to occasionally reassure each other that it’s mutually difficult.
16. “Really I’m fine, never been better, got no job on the line.”
Song: “Freaking Out The Neighborhood”
A good way to make sure you’re not going to ruin everything is to make sure you don’t have any real responsibilities to begin with.
17. “So don’t go telling me how this boy should be leading his own life.”
Song: “Goodbye Weekend”
Not everyone is going to agree with a listless, slacker lifestyle and sometimes you need to know when to stick to your guns!
18. “Picking me up, just to put me down.”
Song: “Just To Put Me Down”
This is a song about someone playing you hot and cold — it is also a very good mantra to repeat to yourself when you’re working out.
19. “As long as I know she’s happy without me.”
Song: “Without Me”
The most important part of the breakup process is to wish the other person well.
