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 Sorry I Love You
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like any rose it's not itself
It is my love in your garden grows
But let's pretend it's just a rose
Well I'm sorry that I love you
It's a phase that I'm going through
There is nothing that I can do
And I'm sorry that I love you
Do not listen to my song
Don't remember it, don't sing along
Let's pretend it's a work of art
Let's pretend it's not my heart
The rose will fade when summer's gone
The song will fade and I'll be gone
Because my heart is dying too
And it's all the same to you
The Magnetic Fields's song "I'm Sorry I Love You" is a melancholic, introspective tune that explores the complexity of unrequited love. The song speaks of the singer's love for someone who does not reciprocate the same feelings, and the pain and guilt that comes with it. The lyrics use metaphors to convey the intensity of the singer's emotions. For instance, the singer likens his love to a rose in the garden, not quite the same as it used to be, but still there nonetheless. The rose is a symbol of the singer's love, but he also understands that it is just a rose, nothing more.
The singer continues to apologize for his love, acknowledging that it is not something he can control. He is going through a phase, and there is nothing he can do to change it. He implores the person he loves not to listen to his song, which he considers a work of art. He does not want them to know that the song is about his unrequited love for them. The singer knows that his love will not be returned and that his heart will eventually die just like the rose in the garden and the song that he sings.
Overall, the song is a poignant testament to the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics capture the intensity of the singer's emotions and his struggle to come to terms with them. The use of metaphors adds depth to the lyrics, making the song all the more powerful.
Line by Line Meaning
A single rose in your garden dwells
There is a single flower in the garden you own.
Like any rose it's not itself
However, it's not just any flower - this rose has a special meaning.
It is my love in your garden grows
As this flower grows, I cannot help but associate it with the affection that I have for you.
But let's pretend it's just a rose
But, for the sake of denial, let's treat this flower as just another form of flora.
Well I'm sorry that I love you
I offer you an apology because I cannot help how I feel about you.
It's a phase that I'm going through
I have tried to explain away my emotions as something temporary and bound to change.
There is nothing that I can do
Nevertheless, there is nothing within my power to alter the sensations I have for you.
And I'm sorry that I love you
Again, I apologize for loving you, regardless of what consequences may result from this.
Do not listen to my song
I would advise you to abstain from hearing this track, as it is a reflection of my feelings for you.
Don't remember it, don't sing along
Forget this melody - don't try to memorize it or sing along, for your own sake.
Let's pretend it's a work of art
Instead, conceive of my music as a beautiful piece of art created for its aesthetic value.
Let's pretend it's not my heart
Act like this song doesn't stem from my sentiments, but from my creativity.
The rose will fade when summer's gone
As summer approaches its end, this flower - and the associated feelings it embodies - will wither away.
The song will fade and I'll be gone
Eventually, this song and its significance will also fade away, and I will be gone as well.
Because my heart is dying too
I'm dying because my heart is broken, knowing that my love for someone who cannot reciprocate will never be fulfilled.
And it's all the same to you
And yet, you remain nonchalant or unaware of the impact that your unawareness or lack of feelings for me is having on me.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephin Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind