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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Dreams Anymore
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And his foot through the door
Cause she don't believe in his dreams anymore
No, she don't believe in his dreams anymore
And what's more, she's probably right
So he drives through the night with his foot to the floor
Cause she don't believe in his dreams anymore
And she don't believe in his dreams anymore
No, she don't believe in his dreams anymore
And what for? they just drag you down
If she's stuck in this town she can work in the store
But she won't believe in his dreams anymore
The Magnetic Fields' song "Dreams Anymore" is a poignant portrayal of a couple that has grown apart due to their different aspirations in life. The song's protagonist is struggling to reconcile his dreams with the reality of his current situation. His partner has lost faith in his dreams, causing him to lash out and act impulsively, damaging their home in the process. Despite his anger, he seems to have some level of awareness that his partner is probably right - his dreams may be unrealistic or unobtainable.
His response to his partner's disbelief is to flee in his car, with the gas pedal pushed to the floor. The singer is more determined than ever to see his dreams become a reality, even if it means leaving his partner behind. He concludes that it is better to be alone than to be trapped in a life without dreams, suggesting that his partner's lack of support has pushed him to prioritize his own ambitions over their relationship.
Ultimately, "Dreams Anymore" is a melancholic meditation on the impact that differing aspirations can have on a relationship. While one person's dreams may be a source of inspiration and motivation, they can also be a wedge that drives people apart when they are not shared.
Line by Line Meaning
He put his fist through the window
He lost his temper and punched the window.
And his foot through the door
He kicked the door open during an argument with his partner.
Cause she don't believe in his dreams anymore
His partner has stopped supporting his goals and aspirations.
No, she don't believe in his dreams anymore
His partner has lost faith in him and his aspirations.
And what's more, she's probably right
He is starting to doubt himself and his dreams as well, and wonders if his partner may be correct.
So he drives through the night with his foot to the floor
He escapes his problems by driving recklessly through the night.
Cause she don't believe in his dreams anymore
The lack of support from his partner has made him feel hopeless and lost.
Better hopelessly single than hopelessly poor
He would rather be alone and poor than with someone who doesn't believe in him.
And she don't believe in his dreams anymore
His partner's lack of faith is emasculating and is having a negative impact on his life.
No, she don't believe in his dreams anymore
He is experiencing a sense of betrayal from the lack of support from his partner.
And what for? they just drag you down
He feels that relationships only hold people back and limit their potential.
If she's stuck in this town she can work in the store
He believes his partner has limited ambitions and therefore can only work in a store.
But she won't believe in his dreams anymore
He feels powerless as his partner has lost faith in his aspirations.
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.