The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. R… Read Full Bio ↴The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. Recent albums released under the name "The Magnetic Fields" usually consist of synth-pop music in a 1980s style underlying clever lyrics which are often heavily ironic. While synth-pop often forms the foundation of their music, The Magnetic Fields' music borrows from many other styles, notably country, folk and indie pop.

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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Don't Look Away
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't look away
I don't think I could stand it
So don't look away
'cause my heart couldn't handle it
There's a fire in your eyes
And it's melting the ice
In my heart
So don't blink an eye

They're so beautiful open
Just let them cry
Or the spell will be broken
The moments in your gaze
Have been turning to days
In my heart
We've never met
And yet
We're in love
Never forget
One look is enough
Just as long as you
Don't look away
We can never be lovers
There's one chance to take
There won't be any others
I'll be spending my life

With your eyes like a knife
In my heart

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Field’s song “Don’t Look Away” is a love song whose lyrics revolve around the fear of disconnection in a potential romantic relationship. The singer of the song implores their potential lover not to look away from them as they would find it unbearable. The singer confesses that the fire in their potential lover's eyes is melting the ice in their heart, and the moments they share in each other's gaze have turned into days. The fear of losing these moments is expressed when the singer urges their lover not to break the spell by blinking an eye or looking away.

The lyrics of “Don’t Look Away” paint a picture of the deep connection and love that the singer feels for their potential partner, even though they have not met in person. The song draws attention to the significant role that eye contact has in building intimacy and connection between people. The singer's fear of losing their potential lover is palpable, and the plea to not look away can be seen as a reassurance of commitment to build and sustain the relationship. The emotional depth of the singer's plea is built through a very simple yet effective structure of the lyrics, which seems to be a Magnetic Fields’ hallmark.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't look away
Do not avert your gaze from me

I don't think I could stand it
It would be emotionally painful for me if you looked away

So don't look away
I want you to keep looking at me

'cause my heart couldn't handle it
I am emotionally vulnerable and cannot bear the thought of you looking away

There's a fire in your eyes
I see passion and intensity in your gaze

And it's melting the ice
This passion is breaking down my emotional barriers

In my heart
Refers to my emotional state

So don't blink an eye
Please do not even momentarily divert your gaze

They're so beautiful open
Your eyes are stunning and captivating when they are open

Just let them cry
It's okay if you shed tears while looking at me

Or the spell will be broken
Any interruption or distraction could ruin this moment