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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Heroes
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, for ever and ever
What d'you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
The Magnetic Fields' "Heroes" is a melancholic tribute to the feeling of being in love and all the ways in which it inspires people to be extraordinary versions of themselves. In the song, the two lovers who are speaking have an understanding that their relationship may not be able to withstand the troubles that the world presents, but they refuse to allow anything to come between them. Life may be uncertain and brief, but in their intense connection, they can be heroes - at least for a day. They imagine themselves as monarchs ruling over the world, like Bowie in his similarly titled song. They see themselves through the lens of a fairy tale, where they are stronger together than they are apart, and nothing can divide them.
The lyrics also explore the theme of the transience of life, which is captured in the chorus: "We can be heroes, just for one day." Time is fleeting, and the lovers are fully aware that their intense bond will not save them, but still choose to cherish every moment they have together. They recognize that their love and connection, though temporary, can make them special to each other and help them overcome their fears and doubts. The song is a bittersweet meditation on the enigma of love and how it can transform people into their best and most heroic selves, if only for a moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I will be king
The singer desires to be in control and hold power.
And you, you will be queen
The singer's partner will hold a higher stature or position just like a queen.
Though nothing will drive them away
There are forces or individuals who may be opposed to their status or position but they will remain steadfast.
We can beat them, just for one day
They can temporarily overcome their challenges, adversaries or problems by working together.
We can be heroes, just for one day
The artist and partner can do great things for a short time period, being viewed as heroes.
And you, you can be mean
The singer's partner can be ruthless or unkind if they must.
And I, I'll drink all the time
The singer will use alcohol as a form of escapism.
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
The artist and their partner share a romantic and intimate relationship that is not in question.
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
The artist will not deny or hide their love to anyone else.
Though nothing, will keep us together
There may be challenges and issues that put their relationship in jeopardy but their connection remains strong.
We could steal time, just for one day
They can spend time together despite time constraints.
We can be heroes, for ever and ever
The artist and partner may also leave a lasting legacy through their actions, being seen as heroes even after their time has passed.
What d'you say?
The singer is asking for their partner's agreement to be together.
I, I wish you could swim
The singer has a desire for their partner to have a certain ability or talent, like the dolphins can swim.
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
The singer tries to relate their desire to the actual talent of the dolphins.
Oh we can be heroes, just for one day
The artist and partner can make a difference and do something great in just one day.
And you, you can be mean
The artist's partner has the option to show a different side of their personality if needed.
And I, I'll drink all the time
The singer may use alcohol as a form of coping mechanism.
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
There may be external factors that can separate them physically but their love remains strong.
We can beat them, for ever and ever
The artist and partner can always overcome their challenges and adversaries no matter how long it takes.
I, I can remember (I remember)
The artist recalls a past event or memory.
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
The artist and partner were in a certain place or situation, by the wall.
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
The singer and partner were in a dangerous or risky situation, where firearms were being used.
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
Despite the danger around them, the artist and partner shared a moment of intimacy and connection.
And the shame, was on the other side
The shame, guilt or blame was placed on someone else, not them.
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
They can always win or overcome their challenges and adversaries.
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
Their past experience together can be seen as heroic, even if it only lasted for a short time.
We can be heroes
The artist and partner can make a difference and do something great.
We can be heroes
They can always be seen as heroes, no matter the situation or circumstance.
We can be heroes
The singer and partner can do something remarkable and significant.
Just for one day
For a short and limited time period.
We can be heroes
Their actions and efforts can be seen as heroic.
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
The artist and partner may be seen as insignificant or powerless by others.
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
If they are pretending to be something or someone they're not, it's best to not be in their presence.
But we could be safer, just for one day
Despite the risks, they can still have a sense of security and peace for a short time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Actual Music, S.L.
Written by: Brian Peter George Eno, David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind