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 song "I'm Tongue-Tied" by The Magnetic Fields portrays the feeling of being overwhelmed by love and desire for someone. The singer describes themselves as 'tongue-tied and useless'. These lyrics could imply that the singer is incapable of expressing their feelings to their love interest. The singer seems to be struggling with their words, and their emotions are taking over. This is evident in the lines "My heart pounds, I make sounds, my ears hum" and "You say things, the room swings, I feel faint". The singer is so affected by their beloved that it's causing them to lose control and become weak-kneed, brainless and speechless.
The words "I'm history" could imply that the singer is so swept away by the romantic moment that it feels like it will always be remembered. The repetition of the line "I'm tongue-tied and useless again" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's inability to communicate their feelings effectively. It's as though the singer keeps falling into the same state of tongue-tied speechlessness each time they're with the person they love.
Overall, the song portrays the overwhelming feelings of love and desire that can leave someone feeling helpless, even to the point of being speechless.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tongue tied and useless
I am unable to speak coherently and am of no use
I'm weak-kneed and brainless
I am physically and mentally incapable
And then
Afterwards
I mumble some jumble
I speak nonsense
You kiss me
You express affection towards me
I'm history
I am overcome with emotion
My heart pounds
My heart beats rapidly
I make sounds
I produce noises
My ears hum
I hear a buzzing sound in my ears
My head pops
I become confused and overwhelmed
The shoe drops
The inevitable happens
I'm struck dumb
I become speechless
You say things
You speak
The room swings
Everything suddenly changes
I feel faint
I become lightheaded and weak
I've no doubt
I am certain
I'll black out
I will lose consciousness
Grand, love ain't
Love is not magnificent
I don't die
I do not perish
I say "hi"
I greet you
How clever
sarcastically acknowledging my wit
I turn blue
I am overwhelmed with emotion
I love you
I have strong feelings of affection towards you
Forever
For all eternity
I'm tongue-tied and useless again
I am once again unable to speak properly and am of no use
I'm tongue-tied
I am unable to speak coherently
And useless again
and once again, I am of no use
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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