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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God Wants Us to Wait
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we have children let's have 72
Until then we must be resigned to our fate
I love you, baby, but God wants us to wait
I guess it's true I should have told you before
And not have waited 'til we're nude on the floor
Though it would be the perfect end to our date
Now you might like to kiss the dew on my hem
But one male and female created He them
Our Lord intended us forever to mate
I love you, baby, but God wants us to wait
Despite my beauty and the scent of jasmine
Could you be happy in the knowledge of sin?
Although it may not be a crime in our state
I love you, baby, but God wants us to wait
How much more wonderful to anticipate
I love you, baby, but God wants us to wait
The Magnetic Fields's song God Wants Us to Wait appears to be a satirical take on the idea of sexual purity and celibacy before marriage, which is often advocated by certain religious doctrines. The lyrics suggest that the lovers in the song should abstain from sexual activities until they are married and that having multiple children is also part of God's plan. The singer acknowledges the physical attraction between the two but argues that it is important to follow God's plan and wait until they are married to consummate their relationship. The song seems to be making fun of the idea of sexual purity and the notion that God is interested in the sexual activities of people.
The lyrics use humor and irony to subvert the idea of sexual purity and encourage individuals to embrace their desires rather than suppress them. The reference to having 72 children is particularly amusing, as it highlights the absurdity of this idea and the extreme nature of sexual purity. The use of biblical language and references also adds to the satirical tone of the song, as it parodies the idea that sexual activities are inherently sinful or immoral.
Overall, God Wants Us to Wait is a clever and thought-provoking song that challenges traditional notions of sexual morality and encourages individuals to embrace their desires and follow their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I know what you would like us to do
I understand what you desire for us to do.
When we have children let's have 72
When we have a family, let's raise a large one.
Until then we must be resigned to our fate
During this time, we must accept our current circumstances.
I love you, baby, but God wants us to wait
Although I love you dearly, we must abide by God's timing and wait.
I guess it's true I should have told you before
Perhaps I was wrong to not have informed you earlier.
And not have waited 'til we're nude on the floor
I should have spoken up before we became intimate.
Though it would be the perfect end to our date
Although it may seem ideal to give in to our desires, it is not what God intends for us.
Now you might like to kiss the dew on my hem
I know you desire to be physically intimate with me.
But one male and female created He them
God created us as male and female, with the intention of us being together in a certain way.
Our Lord intended us forever to mate
God designed us to be together in a lifelong, committed relationship.
Despite my beauty and the scent of jasmine
Although I may be attractive and alluring,
Could you be happy in the knowledge of sin?
can you be content with engaging in immoral behavior?
Although it may not be a crime in our state
Even if the law does not prohibit it,
I love you, baby, but God wants us to wait
I care for you deeply, but it is important to follow God's plan and wait.
How much more wonderful to anticipate
How much more exciting to look forward to the future.
I love you, baby, but God wants us to wait
Although I love you, it is crucial to follow God's timing and wait.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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