Better Things
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

On winter nights the mermaid sings,
"I was made for better things
Better things, dearie,
Better things"

In early spring the ghost princess
Goes haunting in her pretty dress
Pretty dress, your majesty,
Pretty dress

And I have heard
The singing of real birds
Not those absurd
Birds that simply everybody's heard
Real birds

In summer when the moon is full
The wolf boy is adorable
Adorable, you're
Adorable

I have observed
The winging of real birds
Not those reserved




Birds that simply everyone's observed
Real birds

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' song "Better Things" is composed of snapshots of different characters and the things they do in different seasons. The opening lyrics feature a mermaid singing of her dissatisfaction with her current situation, saying that she was made for "better things." The next verse introduces the ghost princess, who is haunting in her pretty dress during early spring. The chorus of the song emphasizes the desire for something more, better than what the characters currently have. The second half of the song introduces a wolf boy who is adorable during the summer, and the final verse highlights that the singer has observed real birds, implying that these characters are fantastical and only exist in stories or imagination. The overall mood of the song is slightly melancholy but also whimsical.


Line by Line Meaning

On winter nights the mermaid sings,
During cold, dark evenings, the mythological sea creature sings that her purpose in life is for something greater


"I was made for better things Better things, dearie, Better things"
The mermaid believes that she was created for a higher calling or purpose, which she repeats with affection


In early spring the ghost princess Goes haunting in her pretty dress
During the first few months of the year, the spirit royalty roams around in her lovely clothing


Pretty dress, your majesty, Pretty dress
The ghost princess's clothing is so lovely that it is worth commenting on repeatedly with a sense of reverence and honor


And I have heard The singing of real birds
The singer has listened to the natural melodies of actual birds in their environment


Not those absurd Birds that simply everybody's heard
These are genuine birds, not the generic chirping that can be heard by anyone anywhere


Real birds
The birds in question are truly authentic and existent


In summer when the moon is full The wolf boy is adorable
During the hottest season of the year, when the moon is completely visible, the werewolf child is irresistibly charming


Adorable, you're Adorable
The wolf boy is seen as so cute that it is worth repeating the same comment twice with awe and affection


I have observed The winging of real birds
Again, the artist has watched the actual flying patterns of bona fide avians in their natural habitats


Not those reserved Birds that simply everyone's observed
These are not the commonplace birds seen by every casual observer, but specific instances that have been personally witnessed


Real birds
The same actual birds as previously described in this song




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHIN RAYMOND MERRITT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Storie Grubb

One of my favorite songs of all time.

deepblue153

Beautiful song~ Thank you for sharing. ^^

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