Dirty Magic

Its about conflicting perspectives of a relationship. Its about when you think you have a good thing going with a girl (in my personal case), but she only calls you at night for the hook-up ("she says come over right away"). Sure, you keep telling yourself that its special and you mean something to her, but youre just being used and you know it ("but shes just not that way"). You never would have thought such a cute and apparently innocent girl would have such messed up ideas ("her little soul is stolen").

now, allow me to make it personal on the chorus. this girl i was with would tell me about how she used to have this depression/cutting problem. when i realized i was just being used like this and that she would rather spend her saturday nights with other guys, i honestly stopped seeing her as a victim of her depression and self-deprecating manner. i thought she was just feeling sorry for herself. i think theres some sarcasm in what dex is saying here in the chorus. "pull the shades, razor blades, youre so tragic" is like saying 'yeah, you would get all sad when you tell me im not good enough'.

the second part of the chorus is about the guy being overwhelmed and then apathetic to the reality of the problem. like missneurotic said, a love/hate thing.

the second verse is just bitter. the guy tries to level with the girl on an emotional level, and she laughs in his face. from that point on, whenever he thinks of her, he just gets embarassed and tries not to think about how much of a sucker he was.

WOW! thanks for letting me vent right there!

This is, I believe, my all time fave Offspring song, and me being the hardcore fan I am, that says a lot. I'm determined that once I actually have the time and determination to learn guitar, I will definately learn this song. It's SO AWESOME!!! Ignition is, in my opinion, their best album.

Great song, clearly a fave of everone here(^^) Hmm but is it about a messed up girl or a messed up guy, kind of a mix of shes got issues and self esteem. If anybody wants to know how to play this or other offspring, drop me a line (^^)

Noodles, if you even bother coming to this website anymore, I'd like to know. The intro is easy, but when like the lead-rythm kicks in i can't find any accurate chords anywhere, nor accurately transcribe them by ear.

Isn't this song about a female SM master?

I have a more specific meaning for this song then what I have been reading.

To me this is about a very short lived but deep infatuation a guy has with an exotic dancer. The first verse describes him seeing her and their interaction. She does what all dancers do, make you feel like a king (for a price). There is something about her though and he feels something for her unexpectedly. Something simple yet powerful for reasons unknown to him. He wants to know why he feels this, but he quickly realizes she is just out there for the money. She will do the same very act for the next guy (But she's just not that way, Her little soul is stolen, See her put on her brand new face)

The chorus describes a club and him being in it. Shades are pulled, razor blades for the dancers with a coke problem in the back, etc. I can vision the guy just watching her and loving what he sees yet hating he feels like that. He should have more sense than that, but there is something about her he can't put his finger on that draws him to her. But, in the end it's all a game for money and nothing more.

The final verse describes further the realization that his infatuation will amount to nothing and he should have more sense to even consider anything would happen between them. This realization occurs when he attempts to take money out of the equation and connect personally. With no money though in a club, you get no attention and become the creep, wierdo, or cheap skate. (She's not so sweet today She mocks me, I'm no fighter). It is unfortunate to him because what he is feeling is real and significant, yet there is nothing more that can be done. (It all just seems like such a waste)

The final "It's oversimplified" bit outlines the whole song for me. You go to a club and you know what you are getting when you go there. A very simple concept. When some thing unexpected happens though, it can be more than that.

I've always thought this song was about a drug addiction, specifically to cocaine.

The verse is talking about the actual addiction, "She said," Come over right away."" referring to the addiction and using "She" as a metaphor for the drug. The other lines in the verse could be possible delusions like the line "But she's just not that way"

The chorus, to me, screams drug addiction..

Pull the shades - Not wanting anyone to know about the addiction Razor blades - Chopping lines of coke You're so tragic - Not sure about this one I hate you so but love you more - Hating the addiction (of himself) but loving the feeling I'm so elastic - same as above

The second verse is similar to the first. "She mocks me, I'm no fighter" sounds like he tries to fight the urge but doesn't have the power.

I'm sure I'm wrong because Dexter doesn't write about drugs or addictions very often and he has never had an addiction to cocaine (that I know of). It is probably about a relationship but who knows.

It's all about the drugs man. No guy can compete with heroin.

Wow! The chords on this are so cool! They may be the coolest of almost ne song eva! Only beaten by Self Esteem!

Yeah, this song is the best on the album. this and forever and a day. But seriously, the chords rock, so good they used them AGAIN in have you ever, on americana. listen closely...