Desert Island
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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I'll be the madness that carries you away
I'll be the sadness to light your darkest day
I'll be the desert island where you can be free
I'll be the vulture you can catch and eat

Desert island love is all around
Desert island where you can laugh aloud
Desert island everywhere's a beach
Desert island that's what I wanna be.

We'll develop muscles from cracking coconuts
Let our clothing drop off feel each other's butts
Start a better country where we can get things done
Make a fortune turning sand to silicon

Desert island love is all around
Desert island where you can laugh aloud
Desert island everywhere's a beach
Desert island that's what I wanna be.

While we're still holding on counting days until we're gone
Can we spend some time alone in our free love zone

Desert island love is all around
Desert island where you can laugh aloud




Desert island everywhere's a beach
Desert island that's what I wanna be.

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' "Desert Island" is a song about wanting to escape reality and live on a desert island away from the rest of the world with a lover. The song starts with the singer promising to be everything their lover needs to escape reality, including madness and sadness. The chorus emphasizes the idea of a desert island being where love is all around, where one can laugh aloud and everywhere is a beach, encapsulating the idea of a life of pure happiness and carefree living.


The second verse takes on a more explicit and carnal tone, with the couple shedding their clothes and feeling each other's butts. But it's not just about physical pleasure; the couple plans to make a fortune by turning sand into silicon and starting a new country where they can get things done. The song ends with the couple yearning to spend their last days alone in their "free love zone," relishing their life of pure love and freedom.


Overall, "Desert Island" can be interpreted as a song about escapism and the longing for a simpler life away from the complexities of the modern world. It's a song about wanting to live a life where love is all around and where the only concerns are coconut cracking and beach lounging.


Line by Line Meaning

I'll be the madness that carries you away
I will be the person who will take you away from the craziness of life


I'll be the sadness to light your darkest day
I will be the one to make you feel better when you're going through tough times


I'll be the desert island where you can be free
I will be the sanctuary where you can relax and be yourself without any worries


I'll be the vulture you can catch and eat
I'll be the provider of food for you on the island as you catch and eat the vultures


Desert island love is all around
Love is present all over this place as the island is a symbol of love


Desert island where you can laugh aloud
Everyone is free to laugh without any worries of being judged


Desert island everywhere's a beach
The entire island has a beach-like vibe and feel


Desert island that's what I wanna be.
The island is the ultimate dream destination to be in


We'll develop muscles from cracking coconuts
We'll become stronger by opening coconuts every day


Let our clothing drop off feel each other's butts
Let's be free of clothing and experience intimacy like never before


Start a better country where we can get things done
Let's start a new place where we can do things better and differently


Make a fortune turning sand to silicon
Let's use the resources available to us and create a valuable product


While we're still holding on counting days until we're gone
While we are still alive, let's enjoy every moment and make it worth living


Can we spend some time alone in our free love zone
Can we have some time to ourselves to do things without any restrictions or judgment?




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Jim Ponds

This is my favorite song of all time. I first heard it borrowing my friend's Holiday Cd in 2001. I was 16. I put it on and sat down on my bed and listened to the entire album turned up fairly loud. When Desert Island came on I tingled all over and my soul laughed. It was the greatest thing. During my dark period I couldn't listen to Holiday. It was too powerful. Now I'm doing well and love it just like always. And Desert Island will always be my favorite song of all time.

Lee

What a beautiful Strong comment to such a wonderful song, whose band I have loved for decades. I hope life finds you well today Jim Ponds <3...

Jim Ponds

@Lee thanks Lee! Life is sweet! Much love to you!

ferdywilkerson

This simplicity is simply stunning. It's like the platonic idea of pop music.

Ron Ronron

This album exists independent of time.

Cathode Ray Tube

The summer this came out I listened to it at least ten times a day.  Amazing song. And the "feel each other butts line" is perfect.

scaredypicker

My God, I love this band.

Jessica H

I listened to this song almost everyday when I was driving to my godawful job, it helped somehow.

jm2233

did you quit?

Jessica H

@jm2233 Hell yes! 🤣

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