The band was originally formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1990 by friends Merritt and (percussionist/pianist/vocalist) Claudia Gonson. While 1991's Distant Plastic Trees and 1992's The Wayward Bus (now most easily available together as a compilation, The Wayward Bus / Distant Plastic Trees) are sung by Susan Anway (b. 1951 - d. 2021), all subsequent albums are principally sung by Merritt himself.
Longtime members include: Gonson, (cellist) Sam Davol, and (banjo player/guitarist) John Woo. Contributors include (but are not limited to) the singers Susan Anway, Dudley Klute, Shirley Simms, and LD Beghtol, and the accordionist/writer Daniel Handler (famous for writing the childrens' books A Series of Unfortunate Events under the alias Lemony Snicket).
Their most popular and best-selling album to date is 69 Love Songs issued on Merge Records as a triple album filled with many fairly short songs that are reminiscent of early Beatles productions.
The album is notable for its employment of many unorthodox musical arrangements and downright impressive quantity of material presented. Instruments used on this album include the ukulele, banjo, accordion, cello, mandolin, piano, flute, xylophone guitars, various percussion instruments, and a standard setup of synths and effects. It features several guest vocalists on several different tracks. The album is a three CD set, released in the US as three separate albums (also available as a boxed set) and in the UK as a triple album.
The album i (2004, Nonesuch Records) continues Merritt's fixation on the concept album, with each of the 14 songs beginning with the letter (and often the pronoun) "I".
The album Distortion, was released through Nonesuch on the 15th January 2008 and introduced noise pop to the array of styles utilized in their music. The album's release was followed by a sold-out U.S. tour starting in February. Additional albums followed in 2010, 2012, 2017, and 2020.
Stephin Merritt is involved in several other musical projects: The 6ths (featuring different guest performers on every track), The Gothic Archies (songs dealing humorously with dark themes) and Future Bible Heroes (with music written by Chris Ewen)
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"Heroes"
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, for ever and ever
What d'you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
The Magnetic Fields' "Heroes" presents a narrative of an unconventional love story that is almost doomed to fail, yet triumphs for a fleeting moment. The song opens with a declaration from the singer to their lover; they will become king and queen, and they will be heroes, if only for a day. The singer acknowledges that there are challenges ahead, but they believe that they are strong enough to overcome them, if only for a brief moment. The song paints a picture of two lovers who are at their happiest when they are in each other's arms and can disregard the rest of the world's expectations.
Throughout the song, it is clear that the relationship itself is a challenge. The singer alludes to the fact that the other person can be "mean" and that they themselves drink too much, but despite this, they are still "lovers." The song appears to be about two people who are trying to make their relationship work, against all odds. The chorus serves as a fantastical escape from reality, a brief moment where they can be "heroes" and forget their troubles.
The song ends with a nostalgic memory of a time when the two lovers kissed in the face of adversity. The line "we can beat them" is repeated, illustrating that, although the love story may be brief and doomed from the start, in that moment, they triumphed. The song is bittersweet, a celebration of love and its ability to overcome adversity, even if only for a short time.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I will be king
I want to have power and authority
And you, you will be queen
You will be my partner in this, with equal power and status
Though nothing will drive them away
Despite the obstacles we'll face, we won't back down
We can beat them, just for one day
We can overcome the difficulties for a short period of time
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can accomplish great things if we work together and make the most of our time
And you, you can be mean
You may have a tough exterior, but I know who you really are
And I, I'll drink all the time
I may have my own issues, but we have each other to lean on
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Our relationship is real and we care for each other deeply
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Our love is an undeniable truth
Though nothing, will keep us together
We acknowledge that challenges will arise, but we won't let them tear us apart
We could steal time, just for one day
We can make the most of the moments we have together
We can be heroes, for ever and ever
Our legacy of teamwork and perseverance can last for generations
What d'you say?
Are you with me?
I, I wish you could swim
I admire your physical abilities and wish I could be like you
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Metaphorically comparing the fluidity and grace of dolphins to your own abilities
I, I can remember (I remember)
Reflecting on a past memory
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
Recalling a specific moment in time and space
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
Describing a situation filled with danger and threat
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
Finding comfort in each other during a moment of danger
And the shame, was on the other side
Feeling that the shame and guilt is not ours to bear
We can be heroes, just for one day
The reminder that we can do great things in short periods of time
We can be heroes
Reaffirming the strength and resilience of their partnership
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Acknowledging their lack of resources or external support
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
Admitting that they may not have all the answers and that it may be safer to walk away from the situation
But we could be safer, just for one day
Holding onto hope and the possibility of momentary safety
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BOWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind