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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Boa Constrictor
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wrapped around my heart like a boa constrictor, babe My mother
Should have murdered me What jury would convict her, babe for
Love is wrapped around my heart like a boa constrictor, babe
The Magnetic Fields's song Boa Constrictor delves into the feeling of being suffocated by love. The lyrics depict the singer spending evenings alone, talking to a picture of their beloved, showing their intense longing for their partner. They describe love as being wrapped around their heart like a boa constrictor, a metaphor that conveys the idea of feeling constricted and trapped in a suffocating embrace. It's a powerful image that portrays the overwhelming emotions that can come with being deeply in love.
The third line of the verse adds an interesting twist to the song. The singer notes that their mother should have murdered them, implying that the love they feel is so intense that it's almost unbearable, and no one should have to go through it. The line "what jury would convict her, babe" is a dark, humorous addition to the verse, suggesting that even a murder trial would not fully comprehend the magnitude of their love.
In summary, The Magnetic Fields's song Boa Constrictor explores the theme of love as a suffocating, all-consuming force that can make one feel trapped and powerless.
Line by Line Meaning
I spend my evenings alone talking to your picture, babe
In my solitude, I find solace in conversing with your photo, my dear
Love is wrapped around my heart like a boa constrictor, babe
Love has coiled itself tightly around my heart, just like a boa constrictor, my love
My mother should have murdered me
I am burdened by an overwhelming sense of remorse, to the extent that I wish my mother had prevented my existence
What jury would convict her, babe for
No rational group of people would condemn my mother for such an action, my dear
Love is wrapped around my heart like a boa constrictor, babe
Love continues to suffocate me, as it remains coiled around my heart, my love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind