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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Alien Being
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch t.v. shows about nothing at all
Think a lot about nothing at all
Listen to songs about nothing at all
You have no feelings
I think you are an alien being
You won't let me in
You write the laws about nothing at all
Make 3d films about nothing at all
Stage happenings about nothing at all
Sound and light shows about nothing at all
You complain about nothing at all
Go insane about nothing at all
The Magnetic Field's song "Alien Being" is a commentary on the emptiness of modern society. The lyrics suggest that the subject of the song is consumed by meaningless media and empty experiences, causing them to be disconnected from their human emotions. The repeated refrain, "I think you are an alien being," highlights the sense of alienation and disconnect the artist feels towards their subject.
Throughout the song, The Magnetic Fields describe the ways in which this person is consumed by nothingness, from their TV shows and songs to their own creative pursuits. The statement that this person "writes the laws about nothing at all" suggests that they might be in a position of power or influence, but that this power ultimately means nothing.
The use of the word "alien" in the title and refrain is interesting and adds another layer to the song's message. By suggesting that this person may not even be human, the artist is emphasizing the extent to which they are missing a fundamental connection to humanity.
Overall, "Alien Being" is a poignant commentary on the emptiness of modern life and the dangers of becoming consumed by media and trivial pursuits.
Line by Line Meaning
You talk a lot about nothing at all
You speak frequently but everything you say seems to be meaningless and irrelevant.
Watch t.v. shows about nothing at all
You spend your time watching television shows that are shallow and have no real substance or depth.
Think a lot about nothing at all
Your thoughts are often empty and trivial, they lack any real purpose or deep meaning.
Listen to songs about nothing at all
You enjoy music that has no real message, depth or meaningful lyrics.
You have no feelings
You seem to lack the ability to experience emotions like a normal human being.
I think you are an alien being
I suspect that you are not actually human, but rather an extraterrestrial creature or something otherworldly.
You won't let me in
You seem to be closed off or unwilling to be vulnerable, which is making it difficult for me to connect with you emotionally or personally.
You write the laws about nothing at all
You are responsible for creating rules or regulations that are completely arbitrary or pointless.
Make 3d films about nothing at all
You create movies that have stunning visual effects, but no real substance or meaningful storyline.
Stage happenings about nothing at all
You put on shows or events that are completely absurd or nonsensical, lacking any real purpose or meaning.
Sound and light shows about nothing at all
You create elaborate performances that have impressive special effects, but no real message or deeper significance.
You complain about nothing at all
You find things to be unhappy about, even when there is no real reason for it.
Go insane about nothing at all
You become irrational or delirious over things that have no real importance or relevance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind