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Leon Russell — Magic Mirror
Album: Carney
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1225









Released: 1972
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
Comments (52)add comment
Posted 4 months ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
Bought this one when it came out ... 
Posted 8 months ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
A story of projection, brilliantly and sensitively depicted, by a sensitive man.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 Matt_Maurer wrote:

Only complaint is the voice comes across as asking, yet the lyrics are a statement. But all lack gumption !!!!

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.
Posted 3 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Didja ever wonder if Tom Petty's vocal style was heavily influenced by Leon? I just did. 
Posted 3 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
It's just so . . . so . . . Leon!
Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Such a great album... so much good stuff on it
Posted 3 years ago by dcdude    [ Reply ]
Only complaint is the voice comes across as asking, yet the lyrics are a statement. But all lack gumption !!!!
Posted 3 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
 cyoungdelmar wrote:

Must be a bad dong!
 

HeHe... Love me some Leon!  Small venue soulful singer, songwriter and musician. rated a 9. 
Posted 3 years ago by deadheadmark    [ Reply ]
 cyoungdelmar wrote:

Must be a bad dong!
 
A bad dong indeed!
Posted 4 years ago by cosmicjoe54    [ Reply ]
 Roach wrote:
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?
Posted 4 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
 Matt_Maurer wrote:
Worst dong I’ve ever heard on RP 1/10 and boring to boot
 
Must be a bad dong!
Posted 4 years ago by cyoungdelmar    [ Reply ]
It now goes back 17 years!

 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!  
 

Posted 4 years ago by cyoungdelmar    [ Reply ]
Spot on musings
Posted 4 years ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
The Union collaboration with Elton John; track four Gone To Shiloh, highly recommended listening (as is the album)!!!
Posted 4 years ago by LoudshirtsBand    [ Reply ]
Worst dong I’ve ever heard on RP 1/10 and boring to boot
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
Tasty bit of Leon here.  Love it!
Posted 4 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
Gotta get me some Leon Russell.
Posted 4 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
 jefferydelmar wrote:
Oh my - this is just the worst. Stop the horror.
 
It's worse than that!
Posted 5 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
I've underrated this song.  I'm not a Leon fan -- his voice -- but these lyrics are really smart and on the mark.  
Posted 5 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Hmm, I'm getting an almost Brubeckian vibe from those tasty piano chords.
Posted 5 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
One of a kind!
Posted 5 years ago by dublanica    [ Reply ]
 rKokon wrote:
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.
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
I wonder if Danny Michel "borrowed" this melody for his tune "Feather, Fur & Fin".
Posted 5 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Highlowsel wrote:
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
 
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!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by gregmu8370    [ Reply ]
 Highlowsel wrote:
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
 
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.
Posted 5 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
 litltrax wrote:
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.

Posted 5 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
 msymmes wrote:
Agreed.  Glad to to see that Leon was a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Member.
 
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. 
Posted 6 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
pleasant to my ears BUT to SAD    5
Posted 6 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
Sad, it is to me, if you didn't know Leon as we did.
Posted 6 years ago by Michael_Dean    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 7 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
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.
Posted 7 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
very pleasant to my ears
Posted 7 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Legendary Style High Quality Artist
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
One of my favorites.
Posted 7 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Wow, BillG, glad you got this track out there, great tune, songwriting, expressive vocals, great stuff. 
Comments go back more than 13 years!  
Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
A lot of similarity to "Tightrope". I like this one better, though.
Posted 7 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 7 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
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 
 
Posted 7 years ago by Cyclehawk    [ Reply ]
Agreed.  Glad to to see that Leon was a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Member.
 
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.

 


Posted 7 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 7 years ago by ozzie1313    [ Reply ]
I always felt that "Carney" was Leon Russell's Sgt Pepper
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 21 years ago by Roach    [ Reply ]
Good to hear Leon's voice after soooo many years. Thanks for the memories RP
Posted 21 years ago by moon_shadow    [ Reply ]
This song just makes me realize how much i loved my generation and their music, also how old i am getting
Posted 21 years ago by litltrax    [ Reply ]
Leon ..... there's something about his voice that I've ALWAYS liked !*!* (Neil and Bob too)
Posted 21 years ago by rolo    [ Reply ]
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....
Posted 21 years ago by gata420    [ Reply ]
Oh my - this is just the worst. Stop the horror.
Posted 21 years ago by jefferydelmar    [ Reply ]
Please . . . I respect his sincere-sounding pain, but his lack of a singing voice causes *me* pain. How did he get a recording contract?
Posted 21 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]