Magic Man Carl is a song by the American indie rock band, A Great Big World. The song was released in 2021 and quickly gained popularity among fans and music enthusiasts. The lyrics of Magic Man Carl are quite evocative and open to interpretation. The song is filled with metaphors and symbolism, allowing listeners to derive their own meaning from it. One interpretation of Magic Man Carl is that it represents a person who possesses a magical quality or power to transform the lives of others. It could be seen as a nod to the transformative nature of human connections and relationships.
Magic man carl version meaning
Jun 16, 2023 By Kat Ramkumar Photography by Vijat Mohindra
Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee and famed country music star, Dolly Parton, has just released two new songs, “Magic Man (Carl Version) (feat. Ann Wilson)” with special guest Howard Leese and “Bygones (feat. Rob Halford) with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5. These are the latest songs to be released off of her upcoming rock album, Rockstar, which is due out November 17 via Butterfly and Big Machine. Listen to the two songs below.
Of “Bygones (feat. Rob Halford),” Parton says in a press release: “Bygones’ is an original song of mine featuring Rob Halford from Judas Priest with Nikki Sixx and John 5. It is one of my very favorites on the whole album. The song fits with so many couples and coupling my voice with Rob, one of my all-time favorites, made it even more special.”
Of “Magic Man (Carl Version) (feat. Ann Wilson),” Partson says: “I’ve always wanted a reason to sing ‘Magic Man’ by Heart and it was one of my first choices for the album. I was so happy that Ann Wilson agreed to sing it with me. Nobody can out sing Ann, but I gave it my darndest, and we added a few lines that were not in the original. We wanted to have a few things that made it seem like ours. Thank you, Nancy, for letting me fill in for you on this. Hope I’ve made you both proud. I think it’s magic!”
Parton previously released the single “World On Fire,” which is also a part of Rockstar.
Dolly Parton Shares Blistering “Magic Man” Remake ft. Ann Wilson & “Bygones” ft. Rob Halford/Nikki Sixx; ‘Rockstar’ Out 11/17
Rockstar, the new album from Dolly Parton due out on Nov. 17, is packed to the gills with superstar guest appearances — and two more have been debuted to preview the full album.
Here’s “Bygones,” a collaboration with Rob Halford of Judas Priest, with Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx on bass and John 5 on guitar:
Said Dolly of “Bygones”:
“’Bygones’ is an original song of mine featuring Rob Halford from Judas Priest with Nikki Sixx and John 5. It is one of my very favorites on the whole album. The song fits with so many couples and coupling my voice with Rob, one of my all-time favorites, made it even more special.”
“Magic Man (Carl Version),” meanwhile, finds Dolly teaming up with Ann Wilson for a blistering remake of the Heart classic:
Said Dolly of “Magic Man”:
“I’ve always wanted a reason to sing ‘Magic Man’ by Heart and it was one of my first choices for the album. I was so happy that Ann Wilson agreed to sing it with me. Nobody can out sing Ann, but I gave it my darndest, and we added a few lines that were not in the original. We wanted to have a few things that made it seem like ours. Hope I’ve made you proud. I think it’s magic!”
The album’s first preview, “World on Fire,” is an original composition with some seriously focused lyrical intent from the legendary Dolly:
Now I ain’t one for speaking out much
But that don’t mean I don’t stay in touch
Everybody’s trippin’ over this or that
What we gonna do when we all fall flat
Liar, liar the world’s on fire
What we gonna do when it all burns down
I don’t know what to think about us
When did we lose in God we trust
God Almighty, what we gonna do
If God ain’t listenin’ and we’re deaf too
Liar, liar the world’s on fire
Whatcha gonna do when it all burns down
Fire, fire burning higher
Still got time to turn it all around
Don’t get me started on politics
Now how are we to live in a world like this
Greedy politicians, present and past
They wouldn’t know the truth if it bit ‘em in the ass
Along for the fun on Rockstar is a host of Dolly’s legendary friends, including Sting, Elton John, Blondie’s Debbie Harry, longtime Journey singer Steve Perry, Michael McDonald, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon and more. “More” also includes both remaining Beatles, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, who show up on a cover of “Let It Be” (also featuring Mick Fleetwood and Peter Frampton).
A cover of “Freebird,” meanwhile, features posthumous vocals from Ronnie Van Zant and guitar work from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington, who passed away in March.
Said Dolly in statement about this record, her first “rock” album:
“I’m so excited to finally present my first rock and roll album Rockstar! I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”
And the full track listing, so you can fully appreciate the scope of this thing:
The album’s track listing is a real doozy:
1. ‘Rockstar’ (special guest Richie Sambora)
2. ‘World on Fire’
3. ‘Every Breath You Take’ (feat. Sting)
4. ‘Open Arms’ (feat. Steve Perry)
5. ‘Magic Man’ (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
6. ‘Long As I Can See The Light’ (feat. John Fogerty)
7. ‘Either Or’ (feat. Kid Rock)
8. ‘I Want You Back’ (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
9. ‘What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You’ (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
10. ‘Purple Rain’
11. ‘Baby, I Love Your Way’ (feat. Peter Frampton)
12. ‘I Hate Myself For Loving You’ (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
13. ‘Night Moves’ (feat. Chris Stapleton)
14. ‘Wrecking Ball’ (feat. Miley Cyrus)
15. ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
16. ‘Keep On Loving You’ (feat. Kevin Cronin)
17. ‘Heart Of Glass’ (feat. Debbie Harry)
18. ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ (feat. Elton John)
19. ‘Tried To Rock And Roll Me’ (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
20. ‘Stairway To Heaven’ (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
21. ‘We Are The Champions’
22. ‘Bygones’ (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
23. ‘My Blue Tears’ (feat. Simon Le Bon)
24. ‘What’s Up?’ (feat. Linda Perry)
25. ‘You’re No Good’ (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
26. ‘Heartbreaker’ (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
27. ‘Bittersweet’ (feat. Michael McDonald)
28. ‘I Dreamed’ About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
29. ‘Let It Be’ (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
30. ‘Free Bird’ (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)
DOLLY PARTON RELEASES TWO NEW TRACKS FROM HER HOTLY-ANTICIPATED ROCKSTAR ALBUM
Global superstar and recent Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Dolly Parton, today releases two new tracks from her forthcoming Rockstar album, arriving November 17. The original song “Bygones (feat. Rob Halford)” with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5 and a personalized cover of the Rock classic “Magic Man (Carl Version) (feat. Ann Wilson)” with special guest Howard Leese are available now. The second and third tracks follow the release of Parton’s self-penned lead single “World On Fire,” which became a No. 1 song on the Billboard Rock Digital Songs chart upon release last month.
“’Bygones’ is an original song of mine featuring Rob Halford from Judas Priest with Nikki Sixx and John 5. It is one of my very favorites on the whole album. The song fits with so many couples and coupling my voice with Rob, one of my all-time favorites, made it even more special.” – Dolly Parton
“I’ve always wanted a reason to sing ‘Magic Man’ by Heart and it was one of my first choices for the album. I was so happy that Ann Wilson agreed to sing it with me. Nobody can out sing Ann, but I gave it my darndest, and we added a few lines that were not in the original. We wanted to have a few things that made it seem like ours. Thank you, Nancy, for letting me fill in for you on this. Hope I’ve made you both proud. I think it’s magic!”– Dolly Parton
Parton’s album is one of the year’s most-anticipated projects. To celebrate the forthcoming release, Parton is offering an array of Rockstar vinyl and CD box sets via her webstore. Additionally, fans can access album purchase options in their territories here.
Photo Credit: Vijat Mohindra
About Dolly Parton:
Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female Country singer-songwriter of all time and was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Achieving 27 RIAA-certified GOLD, PLATINUM, and multi-PLATINUM awards, she has had 26 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton is the first artist to have topped the Billboard’s Adult Contemporary, Christian AC Songs, Hot Country Songs, Christian Airplay, Country Airplay and Dance/Mix Show Airplay radio charts. Parton became the first Country artist honored as GRAMMY MusiCares Person of the Year given out by NARAS. She has 48 career Top 10 Country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charted singles over the past 50+ years.
In 2014 the RIAA recognized her impact on recorded music with a plaque commemorating more than 100 million units sold worldwide. She has garnered eleven Grammy Awards® and 51 nominations, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, 10 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year; five Academy of Country Music Awards, also including a nod for Entertainer of the Year; four People’s Choice Awards; and three American Music Awards. In 1999, Parton was inducted as a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2020, she released the Christmas album A Holly Dolly Christmas which went No. 1 on the Billboard Country and Holiday charts, as well released the bestselling coffee table book “Songteller: My Life in Lyrics.” In 2021, she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie for the film “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square” and in December 2022, she released on NBC an all-new original holiday movie called “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas” with her starring as well as producing; it was the most watched film of that year and the two years prior.
To date, Parton has donated over 205 million books to children around the world with her Imagination Library. Her children’s book, “Coat of Many Colors,” was dedicated to the Library of Congress to honor the Imagination Library’s 100 millionth book donation. In March of 2022, Parton released the book “Run Rose Run” which she co-authored with James Patterson which sat at No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller’s List for five weeks, a record for this decade. She also released an accompanying album of the same name with original songs inspired by the book which reached No. 1 on three charts simultaneously— Country, Americana/Folk and Bluegrass Albums. From her “Coat of Many Colors” while working “9 to 5,” no dream is too and no mountain too high for the country girl who turned the world into her stage.
It could be seen as a nod to the transformative nature of human connections and relationships. The lyrics express a sense of awe and admiration for this individual, highlighting their ability to bring joy, inspiration, and hope to those they encounter. Another interpretation could be that Magic Man Carl refers to an inner strength or resilience that exists within all of us.
The lyrics may serve as a reminder that we all have the power to overcome challenges and create a positive impact in our own lives and the lives of others. It encourages listeners to tap into their own magic to embrace their unique abilities and make a difference in the world. Overall, the meaning of Magic Man Carl is subjective and may vary from person to person. The song's beauty lies in its ability to resonate with listeners on a personal level, allowing them to interpret its meaning in a way that resonates with their own experiences and beliefs..
Reviews for "The Cultural Impact of Magic Man Carl Version: A Comparative Study"
1. John - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with the "Magic Man Carl" version of this song. It completely ruined the meaning of the original song and turned it into a shallow and cringeworthy pop tune. The lyrics were changed to fit the new sound, but they lacked depth and substance. Overall, it felt like a desperate attempt to make the song more mainstream, and it failed miserably in my opinion.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - The "Magic Man Carl" version of this song just didn't sit well with me. I loved the original version for its emotional and powerful lyrics, but this version stripped all of that away. It felt like a cheap cash grab, trying to ride the wave of popularity without really understanding the essence of the original song. The production felt shallow and uninspired, and the changes to the lyrics only detracted from the original meaning. I was really hoping for something more, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed.
3. Michael - 1/5 - I couldn't stand the "Magic Man Carl" version of this song. It completely butchered the original meaning and turned it into a generic and forgettable pop track. The soulful and heartfelt lyrics of the original were replaced with cliché, shallow lines that did nothing to evoke any emotion. The production was overly polished and lacked any originality or creativity. It's a shame that such a beautiful and meaningful song was turned into something so mundane and unremarkable. I would highly recommend sticking to the original version and avoiding this disappointing rendition.