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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Born for Love
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was born for love
Can't count the chains I have worn for love
Killed three men and one unicorn for love
But I won't mind if you just take me home
Hey little darling
I was made for love
Crawled from Tamworth to Adelaide for love
But I won't mind if you just take me home
I know you've been lonely and misunderstood
But I'm yours for the asking
For now or for good
If you want me to leave you just give a shove
But you won't
Because I was born love
Hey little cutie
I was born for love
Can't count the chains I have worn for love
Killed three men and one (een!) unicorn for love
But I won't mind if you just take me home
The lyrics to The Magnetic Fields "Born for Love" are about a person who has been through a lot in the name of love but is still hoping to find it. The singer of the song addresses a potential love interest, calling them "little cutie" and "little darling." They go on to state that they were "born for love" and have worn chains and killed for it in the past. Despite these extreme actions, the singer is willing to go home with their love interest.
The line "killed three men and one unicorn for love" is intentionally absurd and hyperbolic. It suggests that the singer is willing to go to great lengths and commit fantastical acts in pursuit of love. The lyrics also touch on the idea of loneliness and the search for understanding. The singer acknowledges that their love interest may have felt misunderstood, but offers themselves as a potential solution to that problem.
The repetition of the term "born for love" throughout the lyrics is significant. It can be interpreted in a few ways. One possibility is that the singer truly believes they were put on this earth to love and be loved. Another interpretation is that "born for love" is a coping mechanism or justification for their extreme actions in the name of love. Either way, the phrase serves as a central theme in the song.
Overall, "Born for Love" tells a story of extreme devotion and the desire for connection. The lyrics paint a portrait of a person who has been through a lot in the name of love, but is still searching for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey little cutie
Addressing the listener in a flirty way
I was born for love
Believes that love is their reason for existence
Can't count the chains I have worn for love
Has endured difficult situations in the name of love
Killed three men and one unicorn for love
Exaggerating to show the lengths they would go for love
But I won't mind if you just take me home
Willing to be swept off their feet by the listener
Hey little darling
Addressing the listener affectionately
I was made for love
Believes that their purpose in life is to love and be loved
Got down on my knees and I prayed for love
Demonstrating their desperation for love in their past
Crawled from Tamworth to Adelaide for love
Showing that they are willing to go to great lengths for love
I know you've been lonely and misunderstood
Acknowledging the listener's emotional struggles
But I'm yours for the asking
Offering themselves to the listener
For now or for good
Willing to be with the listener either temporarily or permanently
If you want me to leave you just give a shove
Giving the listener an easy out if they're not interested
But you won't
Believes that the listener won't reject them
Because I was born love
Asserting that their identity is inextricably tied to love
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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