The 80s were a decade of vibrant and diverse music styles, and one notable song from this era was "Magic Man" by the American rock band Heart. Released in 1976 as a single from their debut album "Dreamboat Annie," the song gained significant popularity throughout the 80s and became one of the band's signature hits. "Magic Man" is a captivating rock ballad that showcases the powerful vocals of lead singer Ann Wilson and the skilled guitar playing of her sister Nancy Wilson. The song features a rich blend of melodic verses, dynamic choruses, and well-crafted instrumentals, making it an instant classic. Lyrically, the song describes a young woman's infatuation and whirlwind romance with a mysterious man who possesses an irresistible charisma. It tells the story of their intense relationship, with the catchy refrain "Come on home, girl" emphasizing the magic man's spell over the protagonist.

Into the Popvoid

It tells the story of their intense relationship, with the catchy refrain "Come on home, girl" emphasizing the magic man's spell over the protagonist. The song's unique composition and impactful vocals contributed to its success in the 80s. "Magic Man" reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and solidified Heart as a prominent force in rock music.

Uncharted territory: the smash hits that never were

Heart – Magic Man

As we’ve previously discussed in this column, while the US and UK singles charts of today look remarkably similar, back in the pre-digital age there were huge discrepancies between songs that became hits in the US and in the UK. These chart discrepancies also created huge career discrepancies for some of the biggest artists of the time. For some acts, this meant being superstars on one side of the Atlantic while remaining one-hit wonders on the other (see Take That). For others, it meant having completely different runs of hits in the US and the UK (ABBA, anyone?). And for at least one superstar group, it meant having a whole career of hit making in the US – almost ten years of hits, in fact – before denting the British charts. That group? Everyone’s favorite sister act, Heart.

Often erroneously considered a Canadian band, Heart was actually first formed in the late 1960s in the Seattle area and its original line-up was all male. The band went through several iterations (and several name changes, including “Hocus Pocus” and “White Heart”), but the addition of its eventual secret weapon, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, came about in an interesting way. In 1972, band member Mike Fisher fled to British Columbia to avoid the Vietnam draft. Ann Wilson met him in Vancouver at one of the band’s shows, promptly fell in love with him, and decided to stay in Canada. Her sister Nancy Wilson followed and then became romantically involved with Mike’s brother Roger. The four of them, along with bassist Steve Fossen (who had also moved to BC), formed what became the 1970s core of the band, now re-christened simply Heart. (Given the romantic entanglements, “Rain City ABBA” might have been a more appropriate name.)

The band recorded its first album, Dreamboat Annie, in Vancouver in 1975, and it sold fairly well in Canada. It was then released in the US, where it became a bona fide smash, reaching no.7 on the Billboard album charts and selling over a million copies. The album’s first single, Crazy on You, only reached no.35 on the US singles chart but became an FM radio airplay smash. Part of the reason for its success was the uncanny similarity of the Wilson sisters’ vocals to those of Grace Slick of Jefferson Starship/Airplane (and many listeners mistook the single for a new song by Starship). But on the album’s second single, Magic Man, the sisters and the band forged their own musical identity and created a smash.

Magic Man tells the heartwarming story of a girl who is seduced by an older man against her mother’s wishes. To no one’s surprise, Ann Wilson divulged in an interview that the song was about her relationship with Mike Fisher. The song, which features the supremely enjoyable and classically 1970s sound of the Minimoog synthesizer, reached the US top 10 and became one of the defining rock anthems of the 1970s there. It also launched the band’s first American imperial phase, which included nine additional top 40 hits between 1976 and 1981, including the classics Barracuda, Heartless, Straight On, Dog and Butterfly and the band’s amazing cover of Tell it Like it Is. None of these US smashes, however, even dented the UK singles chart.

Fast forward to 1986. A “new” group appears on the UK charts, fronted by two sisters with large hair and even larger voices. These Dreams initially peaked at no.62, but the following year Alone entered the British top 5 and signaled the start of a five-year run of 8 UK top 40 hits for Heart. Some of these – including These Dreams, Never and What About Love – came from 1985’s eponymous album, which had kick-started the band’s second American imperial phase. However, the previous ten years of US hit-making still remained relatively unknown. Even Simon Cowell was not immune to this Heart chart ignorance – when a contestant performed Magic Man on American Idol, Cowell’s response was “your vocal was good but why did you choose this song that NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD OF?” Of course, US fans knew better.

Entered chart: did not chart

Who could sing this today and have a hit? Little Mix might be able to do something cool with this, although I’d love to see America’s sweetheart Gwen Stefani pop-punk this up.

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Magic Man by Heart.

This song was the inspiration for the prompt words of the Haiku Challenge this week. Getting here was a roundabout way, from watching magic/syfy on Netflix, to thinking through during my quiet time about my current book idea, and ultimately having the words he’s a magic man come to mind. Well, being a child of the 80s means I also listened to a lot of music in the 70s. And thus, here we are.

Imagine my surprise when I began my research of this song and finding a Marine’s daughter who chased after this older man who left for Canada to avoid the draft and Vietnam. Yes, a whole lot of that song is autobiographical.

Ann Wilson was that girl, still living at home and going to art college, and meeting future band mate and manager (and older man) Mike Fisher. Ann stated in a Rolling Stone’s interview that during one of those phone conversations with her mother she was even asked if she were taking birth control. The early 70s was beyond the Marine wife’s comprehension.

Now you have a bit introduction into how Ann ended up being a rock goddess and member of the hall of fame, along with her sister Nancy. The sisters even dated brothers who were both in the band. Both couples broke up in 1979. Ann is married with children and Nancy, is now married again after divorcing director Cameron Crowe ending their 24 year marriage.

Ann was the lead singer, dark-haired beauty with a voice to wake the devil and warn him she was coming. She was told by industry people that she was the face while her younger sister Nancy was the body. Ann used drugs and starved herself trying to stay thin.

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MAGIC MAN

Jackson Wang, the Chinese singer/rapper formerly of the immensely popular K-pop boy band GOT7, has leaned into an alter ego. On his first solo physical album, his voice has never sounded so pop-rock cool. From the palm-muted power chords of “Blow” and the slick guitar riffs and huge drum fills of “Cruel” to the Machine Gun Kelly-esque emo performance of “Go Ghost” and retro ’80s synth-pop of “Drive It Like You Stole It,” this is a high-octane, rock ’n’ roll Wang like we’ve never heard before. Recorded entirely in English, MAGIC MAN is explosive in its pleasures, a surprising evolution for a veteran performer.

September 9, 2022 10 Songs, 27 minutes ℗ 2022 TEAM WANG records, exclusively distributed by 88rising Records/Warner Records Inc.

The track received widespread airplay on radio stations across the country and became a staple of their live performances. The success of "Magic Man" reflects the 80s' appetite for emotionally charged and catchy rock ballads. It remains a beloved song of the era, often featured on 80s-themed playlists and classic rock radio stations. Overall, "Magic Man" exemplifies the musical prowess and enduring appeal of Heart during the 80s. The song's captivating storytelling, dynamic instrumentation, and powerful vocals have secured its place in the annals of 80s rock history..

Reviews for "Songwriting Secrets: Decoding the Composition of 'Magic Man"

1. John Doe - ★★☆☆☆

I must admit, "Magic Man Song 80s" didn't live up to the hype for me. The song starts off promising, with its catchy beats and synth-filled melody, but as it progresses, it loses its charm. The repetitive lyrics became grating after a while, and the overall composition felt uninspired. It lacked the innovation and depth that I usually look for in music from the 80s. Overall, it felt like a forgettable track that failed to captivate me.

2. Sarah Smith - ★☆☆☆☆

I couldn't help but feel disappointed by "Magic Man Song 80s". The song fell flat for me in every aspect. The dated production and cheesy lyrics made it feel more like a parody of the 80s music scene rather than a genuine nostalgic throwback. The vocal performance was lackluster, lacking the power and range that many iconic 80s songs possess. In the end, it was just another forgettable track in a sea of much better music from that era.

3. Michael Johnson - ★★☆☆☆

While "Magic Man Song 80s" attempted to capture the essence of the 80s music scene, it ultimately failed to deliver. The song lacked the infectious energy and memorable hooks that define the best tracks from that era. The instrumentation felt generic and lacked the distinctive sound of the 80s synth-pop genre. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to recreate the magic of the 80s and left me underwhelmed.

4. Emily Thompson - ★☆☆☆☆

"Magic Man Song 80s" was a cringe-inducing attempt to emulate the 80s sound. The cheesy lyrics and lackluster vocals made it hard to take seriously. It felt like a poor imitation of the iconic artists and songs that defined the 80s era. The production was lackluster, and the song failed to evoke any sense of nostalgia or excitement. Overall, it missed the mark and left me longing for the authentic and innovative music that the 80s had to offer.

5. David Brown - ★★☆☆☆

I found "Magic Man Song 80s" to be a forgettable and unremarkable track. It lacked the standout elements that defined the best songs of the 80s. The lyrics were generic and unoriginal, and the vocal performance failed to leave a lasting impression. The overall composition felt flat and lacked the energy and catchiness that makes 80s music so beloved. It was a disappointing attempt at recreating the magic of the 80s and failed to capture my attention.

The Synth-Pop Influence: 'Magic Man' and the Sound of the 80s