The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. R… Read Full Bio ↴The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. Recent albums released under the name "The Magnetic Fields" usually consist of synth-pop music in a 1980s style underlying clever lyrics which are often heavily ironic. While synth-pop often forms the foundation of their music, The Magnetic Fields' music borrows from many other styles, notably country, folk and indie pop.

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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07. Love in the Shadows
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics

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The woman with no nose
I know where she goes
The old guy with the gold eye
We go back, he & I
Don't smile
We don't do that here baby

Love in the Shadows

Was never hard to find
Sometimes the moonglow
Plays tricks on your mind
Love in The Shadows is the only kind

The whispers you hear
Are not sweet nothings
Let's have one more beer
And I'll tell you something
Don't laugh
I think you're beautiful

Love In the Shadows
Was never hard to find
Sometimes the moonglow

Plays tricks on your mind
Love in the Shadows is the only kind

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields's "Love in the Shadows" touches upon the theme of romance found in unlikely places. In the first verse, the singer observes the woman with no nose and the old guy with the gold eye, suggesting that these individuals are outcasts in society due to their physical features. However, the singer knows where the woman with no nose goes and has a history with the old guy, revealing that there is a deeper connection between them. The line, "Don't smile, we don't do that here baby" suggests that this relationship is not conventional, and perhaps these characters have faced rejection and judgment from society, leading them to keep their love in the shadows.

The chorus emphasizes the idea that love can be found in unexpected places and circumstances, even in the darkness. The moonglow, which can create an eerie and mysterious ambiance, is the only source of light in the shadows. The whispering that the singer hears is not sweet nothings, but there is still an element of beauty in it. The line, "Love in the Shadows is the only kind," could refer to the idea that this love is pure and unadulterated by external factors.

The second verse continues with the notion that the whispering is not a romantic gesture, but rather the two characters are conversing over a beer. The singer admits to finding the other person beautiful, but there is no mention of a romantic connection between them. This could suggest that the singer is open-minded and accepting of people who are different, further emphasizing the theme of finding love in unconventional places.

Overall, "Love in the Shadows" is a beautiful and poignant reminder that love knows no boundaries and can be found in unexpected places. The haunting melody and sparse instrumentation add to the melancholic mood of the song, making it a reflective and introspective piece.

Line by Line Meaning

The woman with no nose
There is a woman who has no nose that I am aware of

I know where she goes
I am knowledgeable about the places that she frequents

The old guy with the gold eye
There is an elderly gentleman who has a golden eye

We go back, he & I
We have a long-standing relationship

Don't smile
It is not customary to smile in this particular setting

We don't do that here baby
It is not common to engage in such behavior in this specific place

Love in the Shadows
Secret and discreet love affairs

Was never hard to find
It was always possible to encounter this kind of love

Sometimes the moonglow
The glow of the moon

Plays tricks on your mind
It can deceive you into thinking things that might not be true

Love in The Shadows is the only kind
This type of love is the only one available in this setting