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 Don’t Really Love You Anymore
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep you safe from harm
And true, for you, I'd move to Ecuador
And I'd keep a little farm
Chop wood to keep you warm
But I don't really love you anymore
I don't have to love you now if I don't wish to
Because I am a gentleman
Think of me as just your fan
Who remembers every dress you ever wore.
Just the bad comedian
Your new boyfriend's better than
'Cos I don't really love you anymore.
There'll be someday when your eyes do not enthrall me,
I'll be numb but realize you'll never call me.
'Cause I've read your horoscope
And now I've given up all hope
So I don't really love you anymore
'Cause I've read your horoscope
And now I've given up all hope
So I don't really love you anymore
The Magnetic Fields’ “I Don’t Really Love You Anymore” is a song about falling out of love with someone. The opening lines show how the singer is willing to go to great lengths to keep their significant other safe and happy. They would even move to Ecuador and live on a farm just to make their partner comfortable. However, despite these grand gestures, the singer admits that they do not love their partner anymore.
The second verse is an acknowledgment that the singer has moved on and has no obligation to continue loving their ex-partner. They will not see them again, and the singer will no longer be a significant part of the ex-partner’s life. Instead, the singer remembers their ex-partner from afar as a fan, who is familiar with their fashion sense and appreciates it. The singer even admits that the ex-partner’s new boyfriend is better than they ever was.
The third verse shows a sense of finality to the singer's feelings. The singer understands that there will be a day where their ex-partner no longer has any affect on them. The singer accepts this and notes how they have given up all hope of things ever working out between them. The singer has even consulted the ex-partner’s horoscope to see if they are still a good match, only to find out that they are not. Therefore, the singer concludes that they do not love the ex-partner anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
True, I'd give my right arm
I am willing to sacrifice a lot for you.
To keep you safe from harm
I want to protect you from any danger.
And true, for you, I'd move to Ecuador
I am willing to move to any place for you.
And I'd keep a little farm
I want to make sure you have everything you need.
Chop wood to keep you warm
I am willing to do any physical work for you.
But I don't really love you anymore
Despite my willingness to do anything for you, my love for you has ended.
I don't have to love you now if I don't wish to
I am not obligated to love you anymore.
I won't see you anyhow if that's an issue
I can avoid seeing you if that's what you want.
Because I am a gentleman
I will still treat you with respect.
Think of me as just your fan
My admiration for you is now purely platonic.
Who remembers every dress you ever wore.
I have fond memories of our time together, but they are in the past.
Just the bad comedian
I know I wasn't the best partner for you.
Your new boyfriend's better than
You may have found someone who is a better fit for you.
'Cos I've read your horoscope
I have let astrology influence my decision to move on from our relationship.
And now I've given up all hope
I have accepted that we are not meant to be together.
So I don't really love you anymore
My feelings for you have gone away completely.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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