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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Famous
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you've cried
I know you're died
A little inside but
(C): Baby you could be famous
You could see your marble face all around
Baby you could be famous
If you could just get out of this town
Baby you could be famous
You could sell the world a new look and sound
Baby you could be famous
If you could just get out of this town
Just get out of this town now
You sold your soul
To rock'n'roll
Gave up control
But here's your loophole:
(C)
You are the queen
Of every scene
You are the king
Of everything.
(C)
The Magnetic Fields' song "Famous" appears to be about a person who is feeling trapped and unfulfilled in their current situation, and dreams of making it big, hence the chorus repeated twice, "Baby you could be famous, If you could just get out of this town, Just get out of this town now." The singer acknowledges that the person they are speaking to has tried and cried and perhaps feels like they are dying little by little inside, but they still have hope, the hope of becoming famous. The lyrics suggest that the person may have already sold their soul to rock n' roll and given up control, but there's a loophole that will make them a king or a queen of everything. For this person, becoming famous is seen as a way of escaping their current situation, a way to gain control over their life and become somebody important, somebody who matters.
The song's lyrics are straightforward, but the repeated chorus and catchy, upbeat rhythm give the song a sense of hope and urgency. It's a song that could inspire someone who is stuck in a small town or a dead-end job to dream big and take a chance on themselves. The lyrics remind us that fame is not guaranteed, but it is worth striving for, as it can bring power, prestige, and the opportunity to shape the world in one's image. The song's message is both empowering and cautionary; it suggests that fame can be a way out, but it can also be a trap.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you've tried
I am aware of the effort you have put into achieving something
I know you've cried
I know that you have shed tears over something
I know you're died
I know that a part of you has died or is struggling
A little inside but
Even though a part of you has died, it is only slightly and there is hope for you
Baby you could be famous
You have the potential to be well-known and recognized
You could see your marble face all around
Your face could be seen on magazines, billboards, and other forms of media
If you could just get out of this town
In order to achieve fame, you need to leave this current place behind and explore other opportunities
Just get out of this town now
The sooner you leave, the sooner you can start pursuing your dreams
You could sell the world a new look and sound
You have the potential to introduce a unique style and sound that people all over the world would want to emulate
You sold your soul
You have made a significant sacrifice for your passion
To rock'n'roll
Your sacrifice involves the world of music
Gave up control
You have surrendered some level of power or influence for the sake of your passion
But here's your loophole:
There is a way for you to still have some level of control and influence
You are the queen
You are the most important and influential person in your world
Of every scene
Your influence extends to every corner of your passion
You are the king
You have achieved the highest level of success in your field
Of everything.
Your influence and success is all-encompassing
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind