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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Desert Island
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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.
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
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! 🤣