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 Pretty Girl Is Like
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It makes you cry You go It just isn't the same on radio
It's all about the makeup and the dancing and the Oh,
a pretty girl is like a violent crime If you do it wrong
you could do time but if you do it right it is sublime
I'm so in love with you, girl, It's like I'm on the moon
I can't really breathe, but I feel lighter A melody is like
a pretty girl Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world
a pretty girl
The lyrics to The Magnetic Fields's song A Pretty Girl Is Like… paint a vivid picture about how society views pretty girls. The song suggests that a pretty girl is nothing more than a spectacle, a display of beauty for all to see. Just like a minstrel show, a pretty girl can make you feel emotions, but those emotions are shallow and fleeting, like laughter and tears. The song is saying that a pretty girl is not enough on its own, it needs makeup and dancing to be entertaining. It's not enough to just hear about a pretty girl on the radio, you need to see her and experience her in person.
The lyrics also suggest that a pretty girl is a dangerous thing, almost like committing a violent crime. If you don't approach her in the right way, you could do time, but if you do everything right, it can be a sublime experience. The song then shifts to a personal note where the singer confesses his love for a particular girl. He feels like he's on the moon but also like he can't breathe. The song ends by comparing a melody to a pretty girl, suggesting that it doesn't matter if the melody is dumb, what's important is the way it unfurls. It's a clever way of suggesting that it's the journey, not the destination, that's important—a theme that's relevant not just to music but to life in general.
Line by Line Meaning
A pretty girl is like a minstrel show
Comparing a pretty girl to a minstrel show because both can evoke different emotions, both positive and negative.
It makes you laugh
A pretty girl can make you happy and bring joy to your life.
It makes you cry You go
A pretty girl can also make you sad or emotional, and often takes your mind on a journey.
It just isn't the same on radio
Seeing a pretty girl in person is much more impactful and impressive than seeing or hearing about them through media platforms.
It's all about the makeup and the dancing and the
The beauty of a pretty girl is often attributed to the things they do to enhance their looks and the way they carry themselves.
Oh, a pretty girl is like a violent crime
Comparing a pretty girl to a violent crime because both can be dangerous, and can lead to negative consequences if done wrong.
If you do it wrong you could do time
When pursuing or interacting with a pretty girl, one must take care not to cross any boundaries, or face negative consequences.
But if you do it right it is sublime
If you approach a pretty girl in the correct manner, it can be an incredibly positive and fulfilling experience.
I'm so in love with you, girl, It's like I'm on the moon
When in love with a pretty girl, one can feel incredibly happy and excited, like they're on top of the world.
I can't really breathe, but I feel lighter
The presence of a pretty girl can evoke strong emotions and leave one breathless, but also create a sense of euphoria and levity.
A melody is like a pretty girl
Comparing a melody to a pretty girl because both can be beautiful and enchanting, and can evoke different emotions based on their composition.
Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world
The beauty of a melody or a pretty girl isn't necessarily in their intelligence, but rather their ability to evoke emotion and pleasure.
It's all about the way that it unfurls
The way that a melody or a pretty girl reveals itself over time can be just as important as the initial impression.
A pretty girl is like a pretty girl
The previous lines all serve to illustrate that a pretty girl is a unique and complex entity, and often can't be compared to anything else.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind