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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Beach-A-Boop-Boop
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are really outta sight
Frankie's here, so's annette
We're having fun, looking wet
We're at the beach, we're having fun
We're always surfing, dusk 'til dawn
I'm gonna get me a groovy tan
So's I can get me a groovy man!
The Magnetic Fields's song "Beach-A-Boop-Boop" is a playful tribute to the iconic beach movies of the 1960s, particularly those starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. The lyrics evoke the carefree spirit of youth, with the singer relishing in the simple pleasures of a day at the ocean - surfing, tanning, and hanging out with friends. The repetition of the phrase "we're having fun" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest.
However, there is also a certain degree of tongue-in-cheek humor present in the lyrics. The line "We're always surfing, dusk 'til dawn / It's so hard to keep our swimsuits on" hints at the sexual undertones of beach culture, while the final line about getting a "groovy man" suggests that the singer is not entirely immune to the allure of romantic relationships. Overall, "Beach-A-Boop-Boop" is a lighthearted, nostalgic celebration of summer fun and youthful abandon.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day and every night
We're always partying and living it up, 24/7.
We are really outta sight
We're amazing and doing things people can't even imagine.
Frankie's here, so's annette
Our friends are here, and we're ready for a good time.
We're having fun, looking wet
We're having a blast and enjoying the beach atmosphere.
We're at the beach, we're having fun
We're taking advantage of the beach's beauty and having a great time.
We're always surfing, dusk 'til dawn
We spend our time at the beach catching waves and riding them.
It's so hard to keep our swimsuits on
We're carefree and aren't afraid to be a little risque while enjoying the beach.
I'm gonna get me a groovy tan
I want to get a great tan and look amazing in the process.
So's I can get me a groovy man!
By getting a great tan and looking good, I hope to attract an attractive and fun guy.
Contributed by Jonathan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.