Leon Russell — Magic Mirror
Album: CarneyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1227
Length: 4:51
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I'm standing by the highway
Suitcase by my side
There's no place I want to go
I just thought I'd catch a ride
Many people look my way
And many pass me by
In moments of reflection
I wonder why
To the thieves I am a bandit
The mothers think I'm a son
To the preachers I'm a sinner
Lord I'm not the only one
To the sad ones I'm unhappy
To the losers I'm a fool
To the students I'm a teacher
With the teachers I'm in school
To the hobos I'm imprisoned by everything I own
To the soldier I'm just someone else who's dying to go home
The general sees a number, a politician's tool
To my friends I'm just an equal in this whirlpool
Magic mirror won't you tell me please
Do I find myself in anyone I see?
Magic mirror if we only could
Try to see ourselves as others would
To policeman I'm suspicious it's in the way I look
I'm just another character to fingerprint and book
To the censors I'm pornography with no redeeming grace
To the hooker I'm a customer without a face
The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song
The left ones think I'm right,
The right ones think I'm wrong
And many people look my way
And many pass me by
And in my quiet reflection I wonder why
Magic mirror won't you tell me please
Do I see myself in anyone I meet?
Magic mirror if we only could
Try to see ourselves as others would
Suitcase by my side
There's no place I want to go
I just thought I'd catch a ride
Many people look my way
And many pass me by
In moments of reflection
I wonder why
To the thieves I am a bandit
The mothers think I'm a son
To the preachers I'm a sinner
Lord I'm not the only one
To the sad ones I'm unhappy
To the losers I'm a fool
To the students I'm a teacher
With the teachers I'm in school
To the hobos I'm imprisoned by everything I own
To the soldier I'm just someone else who's dying to go home
The general sees a number, a politician's tool
To my friends I'm just an equal in this whirlpool
Magic mirror won't you tell me please
Do I find myself in anyone I see?
Magic mirror if we only could
Try to see ourselves as others would
To policeman I'm suspicious it's in the way I look
I'm just another character to fingerprint and book
To the censors I'm pornography with no redeeming grace
To the hooker I'm a customer without a face
The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song
The left ones think I'm right,
The right ones think I'm wrong
And many people look my way
And many pass me by
And in my quiet reflection I wonder why
Magic mirror won't you tell me please
Do I see myself in anyone I meet?
Magic mirror if we only could
Try to see ourselves as others would
Comments (53)add comment
Bought this one when it came out ...
Nice!
A story of projection, brilliantly and sensitively depicted, by a sensitive man.
Matt_Maurer wrote:
Statement? The lyrics have several questions - he's asking the mirror for answers. And gumption? It's a lament, not a pep rally.
c.
edit: every time I hear this song I like it more. The thoughtful lyrics, the delicate piano work - his usual strong attack (EJ modeled his on LR) tempered by introspection. Just an amazing piece of art.
Only complaint is the voice comes across as asking, yet the lyrics are a statement. But all lack gumption !!!!
c.
edit: every time I hear this song I like it more. The thoughtful lyrics, the delicate piano work - his usual strong attack (EJ modeled his on LR) tempered by introspection. Just an amazing piece of art.
Didja ever wonder if Tom Petty's vocal style was heavily influenced by Leon? I just did.
It's just so . . . so . . . Leon!
Such a great album... so much good stuff on it
Only complaint is the voice comes across as asking, yet the lyrics are a statement.
But all lack gumption !!!!
cyoungdelmar wrote:
Must be a bad dong!
HeHe... Love me some Leon! Small venue soulful singer, songwriter and musician. rated a 9.
Must be a bad dong!
HeHe... Love me some Leon! Small venue soulful singer, songwriter and musician. rated a 9.
cyoungdelmar wrote:
Must be a bad dong!
A bad dong indeed!
Must be a bad dong!
A bad dong indeed!
Roach wrote:
But is it wrong to write to those that are left even if you know you're right?
jefferydelmar wrote:
Oh my - this is just the worst. Stop the horror.
"The left ones think I'm right. The right ones think I'm wrong"... If I think you're wrong, does that make me right?
But is it wrong to write to those that are left even if you know you're right?
Matt_Maurer wrote:
Must be a bad dong!
Worst dong I’ve ever heard on RP 1/10 and boring to boot
Must be a bad dong!
It now goes back 17 years!
lizardking wrote:
lizardking wrote:
Wow, BillG, glad you got this track out there, great tune, songwriting, expressive vocals, great stuff.
Comments go back more than 13 years!
Comments go back more than 13 years!
Spot on musings
The Union collaboration with Elton John; track four Gone To Shiloh, highly recommended listening (as is the album)!!!
Worst dong I’ve ever heard on RP 1/10 and boring to boot
Tasty bit of Leon here. Love it!
Gotta get me some Leon Russell.
jefferydelmar wrote:
It's worse than that!
Oh my - this is just the worst. Stop the horror.
It's worse than that!
I've underrated this song. I'm not a Leon fan -- his voice -- but these lyrics are really smart and on the mark.
Hmm, I'm getting an almost Brubeckian vibe from those tasty piano chords.
One of a kind!
rKokon wrote:
The same way Bob Dylan and Neil Young did apparently.
But LR is considerably better.
Please . . . I respect his sincere-sounding pain, but his lack of a singing voice causes *me* pain. How did he get a recording contract?
The same way Bob Dylan and Neil Young did apparently.
But LR is considerably better.
I wonder if Danny Michel "borrowed" this melody for his tune "Feather, Fur & Fin".
Highlowsel wrote:
So true, Highlow...so true....and part of why my ears perk up upon hearing the first note of a LR tune....Long Live RP!! I went 8 to 9 on this one today....ya!
Hmmmm.....
"The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song."
Look around at our world today. Look at the business models used by the likes of the Googles, the Facebooks, et.al.. Look at 'em and tell me they don't see you as exactly that? Merchandise, and they have you for less than a song. A cheap phone with an app. I'm not being critical it's just a fact. The man was prescient (or maybe clear eyed) in this, wasn't he?
So it goes.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
"The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song."
Look around at our world today. Look at the business models used by the likes of the Googles, the Facebooks, et.al.. Look at 'em and tell me they don't see you as exactly that? Merchandise, and they have you for less than a song. A cheap phone with an app. I'm not being critical it's just a fact. The man was prescient (or maybe clear eyed) in this, wasn't he?
So it goes.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
So true, Highlow...so true....and part of why my ears perk up upon hearing the first note of a LR tune....Long Live RP!! I went 8 to 9 on this one today....ya!
Highlowsel wrote:
Still a personal choice. Don't participate. Live in the moment in the actual world.
Smart phone = personal tracking device, both your location and your habits. Addictive and ultimately destructive.
Hmmmm.....
"The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song."
Look around at our world today. Look at the business models used by the likes of the Googles, the Facebooks, et.al.. Look at 'em and tell me they don't see you as exactly that? Merchandise, and they have you for less than a song. A cheap phone with an app. I'm not being critical it's just a fact. The man was prescient (or maybe clear eyed) in this, wasn't he?
So it goes.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
"The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song."
Look around at our world today. Look at the business models used by the likes of the Googles, the Facebooks, et.al.. Look at 'em and tell me they don't see you as exactly that? Merchandise, and they have you for less than a song. A cheap phone with an app. I'm not being critical it's just a fact. The man was prescient (or maybe clear eyed) in this, wasn't he?
So it goes.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Still a personal choice. Don't participate. Live in the moment in the actual world.
Smart phone = personal tracking device, both your location and your habits. Addictive and ultimately destructive.
litltrax wrote:
15 years later. We're older still.
This song just makes me realize how much i loved my generation and their music, also how old i am getting
15 years later. We're older still.
msymmes wrote:
I concur heartily.
Agreed. Glad to to see that Leon was a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Member.
ozzie1313 wrote:
ozzie1313 wrote:
Leonard Cohen and Leon Russell both passing within days; two gentleman that were inimitable, one-of-a-kind musicians. Sad, especially for us aging baby boomers.
I concur heartily.
pleasant to my ears BUT to SAD 5
Sad, it is to me, if you didn't know Leon as we did.
Hmmmm.....
"The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song."
Look around at our world today. Look at the business models used by the likes of the Googles, the Facebooks, et.al.. Look at 'em and tell me they don't see you as exactly that? Merchandise, and they have you for less than a song. A cheap phone with an app. I'm not being critical it's just a fact. The man was prescient (or maybe clear eyed) in this, wasn't he?
So it goes.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
"The sellers think I'm merchandise, they'll have me for a song."
Look around at our world today. Look at the business models used by the likes of the Googles, the Facebooks, et.al.. Look at 'em and tell me they don't see you as exactly that? Merchandise, and they have you for less than a song. A cheap phone with an app. I'm not being critical it's just a fact. The man was prescient (or maybe clear eyed) in this, wasn't he?
So it goes.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Skydog wrote:
I count his Carney tour in 1974 as one the top ten concerts I have been to. Maybe in the top five.
I always felt that "Carney" was Leon Russell's Sgt Pepper
I count his Carney tour in 1974 as one the top ten concerts I have been to. Maybe in the top five.
very pleasant to my ears
Legendary Style High Quality Artist
One of my favorites.
Wow, BillG, glad you got this track out there, great tune, songwriting, expressive vocals, great stuff.
Comments go back more than 13 years!
Comments go back more than 13 years!
A lot of similarity to "Tightrope". I like this one better, though.
Whether one is a fan of ol' Leon or not,(I am) I don't see how anyone could deny that this is one hell of a fine bit of songwriting. Near perfection.
I didn't realize that Leon collaborated and played with some many other big names. Really a quite a talent. He played here 2 or 3 years ago, wish I'd seen that show.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/14/arts/music/leon-russell-hit-maker-and-musicians-musician-dies-at-74.html?_r=0
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/14/arts/music/leon-russell-hit-maker-and-musicians-musician-dies-at-74.html?_r=0
Agreed. Glad to to see that Leon was a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Member.
ozzie1313 wrote:
ozzie1313 wrote:
Leonard Cohen and Leon Russell both passing within days; two gentleman that were inimitable, one-of-a-kind musicians. Sad, especially for us aging baby boomers.
Leonard Cohen and Leon Russell both passing within days; two gentleman that were inimitable, one-of-a-kind musicians. Sad, especially for us aging baby boomers.
I always felt that "Carney" was Leon Russell's Sgt Pepper
jefferydelmar wrote:
Oh my - this is just the worst. Stop the horror.
"The left ones think I'm right. The right ones think I'm wrong"... If I think you're wrong, does that make me right?
Good to hear Leon's voice after soooo many years. Thanks for the memories RP 
This song just makes me realize how much i loved my generation and their music, also how old i am getting
Leon ..... there's something about his voice that I've ALWAYS liked !*!* 
(Neil and Bob too)
(Neil and Bob too)Originally Posted by jefferydelmar:
Oh my - this is just the worst. Stop the horror.
tell me about it!!! I live in Tulsa and he is worshipped here....don't know why....
Oh my - this is just the worst. Stop the horror.
Please . . . I respect his sincere-sounding pain, but his lack of a singing voice causes *me* pain. How did he get a recording contract?
Bought this one when it came out ...
Me, too!