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 Have the Moon
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we've been burned for many crimes
We have ended many lives
But we never really died
You have the sun, I have the moon
You have to fly around the world all day
I'd like to come and comfort you
But I'd be blinded by the blue
You have the sun, I have the moon
You're bound to die under the sun
And I'll be doomed to carry on
You have become like other men
But let me kiss you once again
You have the sun, I have the moon
The Magnetic Fields’ “I Have the Moon” presents a beautifully simplistic metaphor. The lyrics suggest two different entities, one representing the night and the other the day, coming together in a tragic and ultimately fruitless relationship. The repetition of “you have the sun, I have the moon” emphasizes the stark dichotomy between the two. The first verse describes a history of violence and persecution, but also the persistent survival of the two. This is followed by the second verse where the lovers are separated by their incompatibility. The third and final verse hints at mortality, with one partner fated to perish and the other forced to live on. The closing line, “but let me kiss you once again,” could suggest a longing for comfort even in the face of inevitable tragedy.
Overall, “I Have the Moon” is a love song that highlights the distance and difference between two individuals. The metaphorical contrast between the sun and the moon creates an effective parallel for the relatable theme of two people who are fundamentally incompatible. As the chorus repeats, the words seem to lament the inability of the two entities to share a mutual existence, a poignant sentiment that is complemented by the sparse but evocative melody.
Line by Line Meaning
We have walked in ancient times
We have lived through history, seen things that people today can only imagine.
And we've been burned for many crimes
We've faced a lot of punishment, hate, and anger for things we may or may not have done.
We have ended many lives
We've caused the death of many people.
But we never really died
We may have been hurt, but we've never truly gone away.
You have the sun, I have the moon
I am the opposite of you, the dark to your light, the calm to your intensity.
You have to fly around the world all day
You have to work hard, always moving and doing, never taking a break.
To keep the sun upon your face
To always have the bright, warm light shining on you.
I'd like to come and comfort you
I want to help you through your struggles and provide you with support.
But I'd be blinded by the blue
But if I were to be with you, the light would be too much for me to handle, it would blind me.
You're bound to die under the sun
You are mortal, you will eventually pass away.
And I'll be doomed to carry on
I, on the other hand, will continue to exist beyond your lifetime.
You have become like other men
You are no longer unique or special, you blend in with everyone else.
But let me kiss you once again
But even though you're not extraordinary, I still love you and want to show affection.
You have the sun, I have the moon
I am the opposite of you, the dark to your light, the calm to your intensity.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Giustino Scalise
I just discovered this band a couple of months ago and it was because of this video. I'm in love with this band now. Thank you so much for helping me to discover them.
sktttrbrain
Justin Scalise oh that's so cool!!:) happy to be the one who made you discover them
epicmeade
It's been pointed out to me that this beautiful song is really just the storyline of the movie LadyHawk set to music. while that may be true, that's fine with me. Whatever the inspiration, the result is a wonderful timeless work of art.
didoma73
lyrics like these can only come from great, great minds
Jason Yates
My favorite record about vampires. Thank for the post!
Glider Contreras
i love the moon
Giustino Scalise
I fucking love this song
Mo Linus Johannes
<3
Hypno Toad
Thanks "American Gods"