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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A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Intelligable and cute as Cupid
Knowledgable but not always right
Salvageable and free for the night
Well, my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
Poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up
Woah, nelly!
My wife doesn't understand me
Many dozens hope to land me
I'm for free love and I'm in free fall
This could be love or nothing at all
But my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
The poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up
Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?
We don't have to be stars exploding in the night, or electric eels under the covers
We don't have to be anything quite so unreal, let's just be lovers
Well, my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
The poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up
Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?
It ain't pretty
The lyrics to The Magnetic Fields' song A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off describe a person who is looking for love but seems to be going about it in an unconventional and frantic way. The person describes themselves as eligible, intelligent, cute, and knowledgeable but also acknowledges that they are not always right and may need some salvaging. Additionally, they declare themselves to be free for the night, indicating that they are not necessarily looking for a long-term commitment.
The chorus of the song compares the person's heart to a chicken with its head cut off, running around the barnyard and falling in and out of love. The metaphor emphasizes the person's confusion and lack of direction in their search for love. The line "Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?" also suggests that the person may feel insecure about their prospects for finding a meaningful connection.
The third verse of the song takes a different direction, with the person declaring that they don't need to be stars or anything unreal to be lovers with someone. This sentiment suggests that the person is willing to be vulnerable and open to the possibility of love, even if it doesn't fit a traditional mold.
Line by Line Meaning
Eligible, not too stupid
I am single and capable enough to not make foolish decisions.
Intelligable and cute as Cupid
I can articulate well and I am charming like the god of love.
Knowledgable but not always right
I have knowledge, but I am not always correct.
Salvageable and free for the night
I can be rescued or saved, and I am available for a casual encounter.
Well, my heart's running 'round like a chicken with its head cut off
My feelings are erratic and frenzied.
All around the barnyard, falling in and out of love
My emotions are all over the place, going from loving to breaking up.
Poor thing's blind as a bat, getting up, falling down, getting up
My heart is ignorant and clumsy, falling in and out of love again and again.
Who'd fall in love with a chicken with its head cut off?
Who could love someone so lost and unsteady in their emotions?
Woah, nelly!
Exclamation of surprise or excitement.
My wife doesn't understand me
My spouse is not capable of comprehending my true self.
Many dozens hope to land me
There are many potential partners interested in being with me.
I'm for free love and I'm in free fall
I believe in love without obligations and I am falling deeply for someone.
This could be love or nothing at all
My feelings could be true love or nothing significant.
We don't have to be stars exploding in the night, or electric eels under the covers
We do not need to be anything too intense or exotic to be in love.
We don't have to be anything quite so unreal, let's just be lovers
We do not need to be fake or dramatic, let's just enjoy a romantic relationship.
It ain't pretty
The reality of my fickle feelings is not nice to look at or deal with.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHIN RAYMOND MERRITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind