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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Castle Down a Dirt Road
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
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Ways that wouldn't make our parents disown us
All those chemistry degrees just left us ruing things
So we played the numbers fate's dice had thrown us
In a castle down a dirt road
Where the lightning flowed
We were thinking up ways to make things explode
Certain technicals prevented us from leaving there
Such that what our parents thought was rendered moot
Our new set of problems centered on conceiving there
Ah, but worse was how to find the offspring cute
In a castle down a dirt road
Where we dreamed in code
There was mass destruction in every newt and toad
In a castle down a dirt road
In a castle down a dirt road
Where a strange wind blowed
One flash of light and then strange things growed
In a castle down a dirt road
The lyrics of "Castle Down a Dirt Road" by The Magnetic Fields can be interpreted as a whimsical and slightly cynical exploration of unconventional paths and choices in life. The singer of the song reflects on how they have failed to achieve success or fulfillment through traditional means, such as following societal expectations or pursuing academic achievements like obtaining chemistry degrees. This failure is highlighted by the phrase "we failed at all the normal ways of doing things," indicating a sense of disappointment and disillusionment with the usual routes to success.
Instead of conforming to expectations, the singer finds themselves in a peculiar and isolated setting – a castle down a dirt road. Here, they engage in unconventional activities and pursuits, such as contemplating ways to make things explode and dreaming in code. The imagery of lightning flowing and mass destruction hints at a sense of chaos and experimentation that contrasts with the mundanity of everyday life.
The lyrics touch upon themes of rebellion against societal norms and expectations, as well as the challenges of finding one's own path in a world that may not always understand or accept unconventional choices. The singer's struggle to navigate their circumstances is reflected in their attempts to find meaning and purpose in a setting that is both restrictive and liberating. The mention of technical difficulties and concerns about parenthood adds layers of complexity to the narrative, suggesting a sense of uncertainty and unease about the future.
Ultimately, "Castle Down a Dirt Road" presents a surreal and enigmatic portrait of a character who dares to defy conventions and embrace the unknown. The castle symbolizes a place of mystery and transformation, where strange things happen and new possibilities emerge. The song evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity about the unconventional paths we may take in life, urging listeners to embrace the unexpected and find beauty in the unconventional.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHIN RAYMOND MERRITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind