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)
http://www.houseoftomorrow.com/
I Don't Like Your Tone
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never be alone
That you are true, you coo, my dove
But I don't like your tone
You were, you murmur, further just a child
But now you're grown
You hiss that this is bliss, God blessed
What's with all this purring?
Are you a cat?
Why are we whispering?
Love's not like that
When near I hear how clear you make
Your so called feelings known
It's queer, my dear, I fear heartbreak
But I don't like your tone
In The Magnetic Fields's song "I Don’t Like Your Tone", the singer is being courted by a lover who professes their love and devotion, but their tone is off-putting to the singer. The lover uses cooing and purring tones and speaks in whispers, which the singer finds suspect. The singer fears that the lover is insincere in their feelings and is only saying what they think the singer wants to hear.
The first stanza sets the stage for the theme of the song. The lover is trying to convince the singer that they will always be there for them and that their love is true. However, the singer is ambivalent and says, "But I don't like your tone". In the second stanza, the lover tries to convince the singer that they have grown and that their feelings are genuine. However, the singer is still wary and says, "But I don't like your tone".
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's unease. They question why the lover is purring like a cat and why they are whispering. To the singer, love is not meant to be whispered about, it should be shouted from the rooftops. They conclude that they fear heartbreak, but they still don't like the lover's tone.
Overall, "I Don’t Like Your Tone" is a cautionary tale about how words can be deceiving, and actions speak louder than words. The singer sees through the lover's displays of affection and realizes that their tone is not genuine or sincere. The song is a warning against falling prey to someone's surface-level charm or words.
Line by Line Meaning
You sigh that I should try your love
You expect me to reciprocate your love.
I'll never be alone
You insist that you will always be by my side.
That you are true, you coo, my dove
You flatter me by saying you are devoted and faithful.
But I don't like your tone
Your manner of speaking disturbs or offends me.
You were, you murmur, further just a child
You whisper that you were once immature, but now you have grown up.
But now you're grown
You emphasize that you are now a mature and responsible adult.
You hiss that this is bliss, God blessed
You say that our relationship is perfect and blessed by God, but in a sharp or angry tone.
What's with all this purring?
You express confusion or irritation at the other person's excessive flattery or affection.
Are you a cat?
You ask sarcastically if the other person is behaving like a cat due to their fawning and affectionate behavior.
Why are we whispering?
You question why the conversation has become so intimate or secretive that it requires a whispering tone.
Love's not like that
You assert that true love is not characterized by exaggerated or insincere displays of affection and emotion.
When near I hear how clear you make
You remark that the other person is very articulate and expressive when they are near you.
Your so called feelings known
You imply that the other person's expressions of love or affection may not be genuine or sincere.
It's queer, my dear, I fear heartbreak
You find it strange that the other person's behavior is so exaggerated, and you worry that you may get hurt in the relationship.
But I don't like your tone
You reiterate your discomfort or displeasure with the other person's manner of speaking or behavior.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHIN MERRITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hakim
This is my favorite off the new record. Just mesmerizing.
Willfelder
Why are the magnetic fields not considered a psychedelic pop band ?
shameful
Because they aren't
pitchblacknight
What's with this Purring? Are you a Cat? haahaa....Makes me laugh every time :)
Hakim
Thanks for uploading btw.
Tomislav Sjekloća
@kimoxxx You're welcome, enjoy :)