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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I’m Tongue‐Tied
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
And then
I mumble some jumble
You kiss me
I'm history
I'm tongue-tied and useless again
I make sounds
My ears hum
My head pops
The shoe drops
I'm struck dumb
I'm tongue-tied and useless
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
And then
I mumble some jumble
You kiss me
I'm history
I'm tongue-tied
And useless again
You say things
The room swings
I feel faint
I've no doubt
I'll black out
Grand, love ain't
I don't die
I say "hi"
How clever
I turn blue
I love you
Forever
I'm tongue-tied and useless
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
And then
I mumble some jumble
You kiss me
I'm history
I'm tongue-tied
And useless again
I'm tongue-tied
And useless again
The Magnetic Fields’ “I’m Tongue-Tied” captures the feeling of being infatuated with someone to the point of losing control of oneself. The singer describes feeling inadequate, tongue-tied, and useless in the presence of the object of their affection. They struggle with expressing themselves, murmuring “some jumble” when attempting to speak. Despite this, the singer finds themselves in a trance-like state when kissed by their love. The room seems to spin and their heart races as they feel faint. But even in their dazed state, they manage to express their love, saying “I love you forever” just before feeling useless once again.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is so in love that they are completely discombobulated. They can barely string together coherent sentences but feel electrified by their love interest. The song is a window into the overwhelming, yet beautiful, feeling of being in the first throes of love. It captures the intensity of emotions that love can evoke, and the awkwardness and vulnerability that often accompanies it.
Overall, “I’m Tongue-Tied” is a beautiful ode to the vulnerability and dumbstruckness of being head over heels in love. It’s a reminder that sometimes words fail us, but love can shine through all the same.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tongue tied and useless
I am rendered speechless and helpless
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
I am physically unsteady and mentally incapacitated
And then
I mumble some jumble
You kiss me
I'm history
In your presence, my ability to communicate disintegrates and I become overwhelmed by your affection
My heart pounds
I make sounds
My ears hum
My heart rate increases, I stutter and my ears ring
My head pops
The shoe drops
I'm struck dumb
My mind is overwhelmed, something unexpected happens and I am unable to speak
You say things
The room swings
I feel faint
Your words have an intense impact on me, the environment spins and I feel like I might pass out
I've no doubt
I'll black out
Grand, love ain't
I am certain I will lose consciousness, but this is not a grand or admirable expression of love
I don't die
I say "hi"
How clever
I am relieved that I do not actually die, but I am only able to speak a basic greeting
I turn blue
I love you
Forever
I feel so strongly about you that I am overcome with emotion and I declare my love for you permanently
I'm tongue-tied
And useless again
Once more, I am unable to speak and I am powerless
I'm tongue-tied
And useless again
Reiterating that I am incapacitated and unable to articulate my thoughts or feelings
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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