On his Instagram live performance of this song on July 17, 2020, Lou Barlow said this song is about Eric Gaffney and his departure from the band.
I've gotta find a way to loosen up
I'm wound tighter than a magnet's coil
The longer I try to keep my mouth shut
The sooner little brain is gonna boil
And if you turn back just to fuck me up
I'll cut you loose and watch you fall
It feels good just to bitch about it
Scratch that itch until it bleeds
But I don't really want to lose you
But I can't play the silent game
'Cause when I talk the silence follows
You never say what's on your mind
If you laugh to see me so defensive
I'll know I've made another enemy
Nobody wants another mirror on their fears
I guess that's all you are to me
But I don't really want to lose this
Does it all depend on me?
It's always personal between us
You won't say what's on your mind
What's on your mind
What's on your mind
Magnet’s Coil was written by Lou Barlow.
Magnet’s Coil was produced by Tim O’Heir.
Sebadoh released Magnet’s Coil on Tue Aug 23 1994.