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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Come Back From San Francisco
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It can't be all that pretty
When all of New York City misses you
Should pretty boys in discos
Distract you from your novel
Remember I'm awful in love with you
You need me like the wind needs the trees
You need me
Come back from San Francisco
And kiss me, I've quit smoking
I miss doing the wild thing with you
Will you stay? I don't think so
But all I do is worry
Pack bags, call cabs, and hurry home to me
You need me like the wind needs the trees
To blow in like the moon needs poetry
You need me
You need me like the wind needs the trees
To blow in like the moon needs poetry
You need me
When you betray me, betray me with a kiss
Damn you, I've never stayed up as late as this
The Magnetic Fields' song "Come Back From San Francisco" is a plea for a lover to return to New York City. The singer is longing for their partner, who left for San Francisco, but the singer feels that the city can't be all that pretty if it's keeping their lover away from them. The singer acknowledges that there may be pretty boys and discos in San Francisco that distract their lover, but reminds them that they are awful in love with them.
In the chorus, the singer emphasizes how much their lover needs them, using poetic imagery: like the wind needs the trees, and the moon needs poetry. The second verse consists of the singer asking their lover to return and kiss them, now that they have quit smoking. They miss being intimate with them, and even though they don't think their lover will stay, they worry and hope that they will come back to them. The song ends with the singer wishing that if their lover were to betray them, it would be with a kiss.
Overall, the song is a melancholic, understated love song that explores the complexities of relationships and the desperation of longing for someone who has left. It showcases The Magnetic Fields' signature dry, witty lyricism and distinctive musical style.
Line by Line Meaning
Come back from San Francisco
Please return from your trip to San Francisco
It can't be all that pretty
I doubt San Francisco is actually that great
When all of New York City misses you
I'm not the only one who wishes you were here
Should pretty boys in discos
If you're distracted by attractive men at clubs
Distract you from your novel
And that stops you from working on your writing
Remember I'm awful in love with you
Just remember how much I love you
You need me like the wind needs the trees
You require my presence as much as nature needs essential elements
To blow in like the moon needs poetry
Like the moon needs creative expression
Come back from San Francisco
Please come back
And kiss me, I've quit smoking
Kiss me and notice that I stopped smoking
I miss doing the wild thing with you
I miss having intimate experiences with you
Will you stay? I don't think so
I don't believe you will stay long
But all I do is worry
But I can't help but be anxious
Pack bags, call cabs, and hurry home to me
Please pack your things, arrange transportation, and come back to me quickly
When you betray me, betray me with a kiss
If you betray me, at least do it with affection
Damn you, I've never stayed up as late as this
You've kept me up later than ever before
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind