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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Abigail
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And do you understand why I can't stay
Abigail an evil wind is blowing
Through the land and they need every man to drive it away
When I come home if I come home you'll be a grown woman
When I come home if I come home don't be alone, Abigial, belle of Kilronan
In a world of love
Abigail I'm off to the war but you can be sure
I will know you're what I'm fighting for
In The Magnetic Fields' song "Abigail," the singer speaks to a woman named Abigail. He asks if she can feel his heart in the palm of her hand, and if she understands why he can't stay. The lyrics suggest a sense of urgency, a feeling that he needs to leave and go to war. The singer feels that he is fighting an evil wind that is blowing through the land, and that he needs to be a part of the effort to drive it away.
As the song continues, the singer expresses concern for Abigail's safety while he is away. He hopes that she will not be alone when he returns, and tells her that she will be a grown woman by the time he comes home. The song suggests the idea of time passing quickly and the inevitability of change. Despite this, the singer sees hope and beauty in Abigail. He tells her that she will be the "belle of Kilronan," and that she will always live in a world of love.
The song "Abigail" is a poignant exploration of the themes of love, loss, and time. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time, while also acknowledging the difficult realities of war and the passage of time. The lyrics suggest that the singer is fighting for something greater than himself, and that he sees Abigail as a symbol of hope and beauty in a world that can sometimes feel dark and uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Abigail can you feel my heart in the palm of your hand
The singer asks if Abigail understands the depth of his love for her.
And do you understand why I can't stay
The singer has to leave Abigail despite his love for her.
Abigail an evil wind is blowing
The world is afflicted by trouble and chaos.
Through the land and they need every man to drive it away
The society needs every capable person to help remedy its problems.
When I come home if I come home you'll be a grown woman
The artist will be gone for a long time and Abigail will have matured by the time he returns.
When I come home if I come home don't be alone, Abigial, belle of Kilronan
The singer hopes Abigail will have found love by the time he gets back.
Abigail 's gonna be the beauty of County Galway and she will live always
Abigail will remain beautiful and beloved by her community in County Galway forever.
In a world of love
Abigial will have surrounded herself with love and happiness.
Abigail I'm off to the war but you can be sure
The artist is leaving to fight in a war to make the world better.
I will know you're what I'm fighting for
The artist is motivated by the thought of Abigail and the people he loves to fight against evil.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind