Marcel

On the surface, "Marcel" appears to be a standard, albeit dreamy, indie love song about a faltering relationship and the desperate desire to rekindle a spark. The lyrics speak of longing, the confusion of separation ("Why did you have to say goodnight?"), and the persistent memory of a lover ("I love you, but there's still a taste").

However, the true meaning is rooted in a fascinating and somewhat macabre real-life anecdote. The song is not about a romantic partner, but rather a stranger named Marcel Müller. The band members found a wallet in a vintage shop containing an ID card of a man with a mustache. They affectionately named him "Marcel" and felt a strange kinship with him. Upon searching for him online to return the wallet, they discovered that Marcel had passed away. Consequently, the song became a tribute to this stranger.

This context transforms the lyrics from a simple romance into a metaphysical "bromance" or a conversation with a ghost. The line "I wanna ride your wave again" shifts from a sexual or romantic metaphor to a wish to share in the life force or spirit of this unknown man. The "love" expressed is an ironic, yet sincere, projection of affection onto an object (the wallet) and the memory of a man they never met. It explores themes of sonder—the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—and the strange intimacy we can feel with the artifacts left behind by the dead.

The narrative unfolds as a monologue directed at a figure named Marcel, characterized by a deep, yearning desire to reconnect with a feeling or a moment that has passed. The narrator begins by expressing a wish to "ride your wave again," a metaphor suggesting a desire to return to a specific rhythm or high point shared with this person. There is a plea against pretense, indicating that the emotions involved are genuine and difficult to fake.

Throughout the verses, the narrator wrestles with a lingering sensation—a "taste"—that remains despite the separation. There is an undercurrent of uncertainty about the future of this bond, questioning if the other person will "always be amazed" or if the magic will fade. The chorus intensifies this longing, with the narrator declaring a wish to "love you tonight," emphasizing a need for immediate connection in the face of ambiguity.

As the song progresses, the tone shifts to confusion regarding why the relationship had to pause or end with a "goodnight." The narrator admits that while the love persists, it "don't feel right," hinting at an internal conflict or a realization that the dynamic has shifted. The lyrics describe a feeling that is "getting overgrown," suggesting an emotion that has become unmanageable or neglected. Ultimately, the song resolves into a cyclical plea to slow down and recapture that moment of intimacy, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved affection for someone who may no longer be within reach.

"Marcel" was originally released as a single on October 13, 2016, and later included on the band's compilation album, Songs of Her's (2017). The track was written and produced by the Liverpool-based duo, Stephen Fitzpatrick (vocals, guitar) and Audun Laading (bass, backing vocals).

The song's inception is a piece of indie folklore. The duo was originally working on a track with the working title "David Seaman" (named after the famous English goalkeeper). However, the direction changed entirely after a trip to a thrift store/vintage shop. While digging through a basket of old items, they found a wallet containing the ID of a man named Marcel Müller. Intrigued by his photo—specifically his mustache, which they joked looked like a "porn star 'tache"—they decided to try and locate him. When their internet search revealed that Marcel had sadly passed away, they felt compelled to dedicate the song to him as a tribute.

Musically, the song was recorded in a DIY fashion, consistent with their "bedroom pop" aesthetic. They utilized a drum machine (which they humorously treated as a third member of the band) to create the steady, relaxed beat that underpins the track, layering it with Fitzpatrick's chorus-laden guitar and Laading's melodic bass lines.

Rhyme Scheme: The song largely follows an AABB or AAAA rhyme scheme in the verses, which gives it a simple, nursery-rhyme-like quality that enhances its catchiness. For example:

• again / pretend (Slant rhyme)
• taste / amazed (Slant rhyme)
• goodnight / right (Perfect rhyme)
• know / overgrown (Slant rhyme)

Rhythm and Meter: The song is in 4/4 time with a moderate, relaxed tempo (approx. 90-100 BPM). The rhythm is laid-back and "behind the beat," contributing to the slacker rock vibe. The vocal phrasing is syncopated, often starting lines on the off-beat, which creates a swaying, wave-like sensation that mirrors the lyrical theme of "riding a wave." The interplay between the steady, mechanical drum machine and the fluid, loose guitar strumming creates a "push and pull" dynamic that feels like the ebb and flow of a tide.

Musical Techniques:

• Jangle Pop Guitar: Stephen Fitzpatrick employs a clean, treble-heavy electric guitar tone drenched in chorus and reverb effects. This creates the signature "watery" or "shimmering" sound characteristic of 80s indie and dream pop (reminiscent of Mac DeMarco or The Smiths).
• Melodic Bass: Audun Laading's bassline is not just a rhythmic foundation but a counter-melody. It is high in the mix and drives the song's tropical, upbeat feel, contrasting with the melancholic vocals.
• Drum Machine: The use of a simple, programmed drum beat gives the song a lo-fi, rigid backbone that emphasizes the "bedroom pop" aesthetic.
• Crooning Vocals: Fitzpatrick's vocal delivery is deep, resonant, and slightly slurred, adopting a classic crooner style mixed with modern indie nonchalance.

Literary Techniques:

• Irony/Persona: The entire song is an exercise in dramatic irony. The listener hears a love song, but the singer is addressing a stranger/object.
• Ambiguity: The lyrics are intentionally vague ("Nobody seems to really know"), allowing the song to function as both a specific tribute and a universal love song.

"Marcel" stands as one of the definitive tracks of the bedroom pop and lo-fi indie explosion of the late 2010s. It helped establish Her's as a cult favorite, praised for their unique blend of Liverpool wit and dream-pop aesthetics.

• Legacy of the Band: The song's poignancy was tragically amplified following the death of both band members and their tour manager in a car accident in Arizona in March 2019. In the wake of this tragedy, "Marcel" (along with "What Once Was") became a memorial anthem for fans, symbolizing the joy and potential the duo held.
• Streaming Success: The song has garnered tens of millions of streams on platforms like Spotify, remaining a staple on indie/alternative playlists.
• Critical Reception: Upon release, it was praised by outlets like The Line of Best Fit and DIY for its "tropical" sound and infectious melody, cementing the band's reputation before their untimely end.

The lyrics of "Marcel" rely heavily on oceanic and sensory imagery to convey longing.

• The Wave: The central metaphor, "I wanna ride your wave again," represents a desire to be in sync with someone's energy or spirit. In the context of the true story, it symbolizes a wish to join the deceased Marcel in his journey or to keep his memory alive through the motion of the music.
• The Taste: The line "I love you, but there's still a taste" suggests a sensory memory that lingers after the person is gone. It implies that the experience of this person (or the discovery of the wallet) has left an indelible mark on the narrator's psyche, indistinguishable from the aftertaste of a romance.
• Overgrown Feelings: The phrase "This feeling's getting overgrown" uses nature imagery to describe an emotion that is becoming unmanageable or wild. It suggests that their obsession with this stranger (Marcel) has grown beyond a simple curiosity into something complex and emotional.
• Night and Day: The contrast between "say goodnight" and "love you tonight" plays with the boundary between presence and absence, life and death. Night often symbolizes the unknown or the realm of dreams where they can connect with the subject.

"I wanna ride your wave again"
This is the central hook of the song. Its repetition reinforces the yearning for connection and establishes the nautical/tropical atmosphere of the track.

"I wanna love you tonight"
Repeated in the chorus, this phrase acts as an anchor. It shifts the song from introspection to a direct declaration of intent. The repetition emphasizes urgency and the fleeting nature of the moment.

"Slow down"
This bridge phrase serves as a command to both the listener and the narrator's own racing thoughts. Musically, it often precedes a shift in intensity, allowing the song to breathe.