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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For We Are the King of the Boudoir
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
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It would be quite hard to overrate
For we are the king of the boudoir old thing and the king doesn't like to wait.
One tryst with me and you'll be spinning like a gyroscope
One tryst with me and you'll be Pope
Should modesty allow us to describe our prowess less-ness-less-ness
'Twould be hard to overstate,
One kiss from me and you'll be overjoyed and overawed.
One kiss from me and you'll see God.
For we are the king of the boudoir we are and the king doesn't like to wait.
The Magnetic Fields's song For We Are the King of the Boudoir is a satirical and humorous take on the theme of male sexual prowess. The lyrics explore the idea that if given the chance, the male protagonist would boast about his sexual ability, which he claims is unmatched by anyone else. He addresses his lover, who is referred to as "old thing", and states that if time allowed, he would describe his prowess, but it would be hard to overrate it. The use of the word "old thing" is significant because it speaks to the idea that the lover is an object, and the male protagonist is the one with the power and control in the situation.
The male protagonist continues to reinforce this idea throughout the song, stating that he is the king of the boudoir and doesn't like to wait for anyone. He promises that one tryst with him would make his lover "spinning like a gyroscope" and even make her "Pope". The exaggerated claims are meant to be taken tongue-in-cheek as they poke fun at the very idea of male sexual prowess.
The use of the word "we" in the song's title also carries significance since it speaks to the idea that the male protagonist believes he represents all men who have sexual prowess. However, the song can also be interpreted as a critique of toxic masculinity and the idea that men must prove their worth through their sexual abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Should time allow us to describe our prowess
If we were given enough time to boast about our skills in the bedroom
It would be quite hard to overrate
It would be difficult to exaggerate the extent of our abilities
For we are the king of the boudoir old thing and the king doesn't like to wait.
We are masters of lovemaking and we don't like to waste any time
One tryst with me and you'll be spinning like a gyroscope
Just one sexual encounter with me will leave you feeling dizzy with pleasure
One tryst with me and you'll be Pope
One intimate moment with me will make you feel elevated to a position of power and authority
Should modesty allow us to describe our prowess less-ness-less-ness
If we were to be more humble in our description of our sexual skills
'Twould be hard to overstate,
It would still be difficult to fully convey the extent of our abilities
For we are the king of the boudoir it's true and the king doesn't like to wait.
As stated before, we are the true rulers of the bedroom and we don't like to waste any time
One kiss from me and you'll be overjoyed and overawed.
A single kiss from me will leave you feeling ecstatic and overwhelmed with pleasure
One kiss from me and you'll see God.
A passionate kiss from me will make you feel as if you are experiencing a divine, otherworldly sensation
For we are the king of the boudoir we are and the king doesn't like to wait.
Once again, we are the rulers of the bedroom and we don't like to waste any time
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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