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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Better Things
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"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,
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
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
Storie Grubb
One of my favorite songs of all time.
deepblue153
Beautiful song~ Thank you for sharing. ^^