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' song "I Don't Really Love You Anymore" tells the story of a man who once loved someone deeply but has now fallen out of love. The first two stanzas talk about how the man would do anything for his loved one, from moving to Ecuador to chopping wood for warmth, but despite all that, he admits that he no longer loves her. This juxtaposition between doing everything for someone but not loving them is a common theme in the song. Later on in the song, the man mentions how he won't see her anyway if it's an issue, indicating that the two have likely separated or broken up. The chorus is particularly poignant with the lyrics "Think of me as just your fan / Who remembers every dress you ever wore", highlighting how the two are no longer in love but perhaps still hold on to some form of attachment or nostalgia.
The last stanza of the song talks about how the man has read his ex-partner's horoscope and has given up all hope of getting back together. He talks about how there will come a day when her eyes no longer enthrall him and he'll be numb to her, indicating that he's moving on with his life even though he still holds on to some feelings for her.
Line by Line Meaning
True, I'd give my right arm
Honestly, I would go to great lengths to protect you
To keep you safe from harm
To prevent any danger from coming your way
And true, for you, I'd move to Ecuador
And indeed, I would relocate to another country just for you
And I'd keep a little farm
And I'd even work on a small farm to provide for you
Chop wood to keep you warm
I'd even gather wood to build a fire and keep you warm
But I don't really love you anymore
But now, my love for you has faded away
I don't have to love you now if I don't wish to
I'm not obligated to continue loving you if I don't want to
I won't see you anyhow if that's an issue
If seeing you is causing problems, then I'll just stay away
Because I am a gentleman
As a polite and respectful man
Think of me as just your fan
Consider me a supporter of yours, rather than a lover
Who remembers every dress you ever wore.
Someone who still has vivid memories of everything about you
Just the bad comedian
I may not be good at making you laugh anymore
Your new boyfriend's better than
Your new partner seems to be treating you better
'Cos I've read your horoscope
Because I've predicted that we are not compatible based on astrology
And now I've given up all hope
I have lost all faith that our future together will improve
So I don't really love you anymore
Hence, I can affirm that my feelings for you have diminished
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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