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 Looked All Over Town
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
till we had nothing left to lose.
Nobody wants you when you're a circus clown.
I should know.
I looked all over town.
I guess folks just don't like my face.
They make out like I'm some disgrace.
And I know.
I looked all over town.
Maybe somewhere I could be free.
Somewhere they won't throw rocks at me.
Somewhere this crazy hair could be my crown.
But all my life,
I've looked all over town.
So whistling this circus tune,
I inflated one more balloon.
And as I floated up I looked straight down.
And I looked all over town.
One last time.
I looked all over town
The Magnetic Fields' "I Looked All Over Town" is a song about a circus clown who feels like an outcast and has been rejected by society. The clown has wandered around town in their big blue shoes until they had nothing left to lose. The lyrics "Nobody wants you when you're a circus clown. I should know. I looked all over town" show the feeling of being unwanted and alone. The clown feels like society shuns them because of their profession and the way they look. The line "They make out like I'm some disgrace" portrays the sadness of feeling like an unwanted member of society.
The song gives a glimpse into the clown's pain that they have experienced all their life. The clown wonders if somewhere they could be free and somewhere they wouldn't be mocked or get stones thrown at them. The clown wants to be accepted for who they are, but evidently doesn't find it in society. The final line "And as I floated up I looked straight down. And I looked all over town. One last time. I looked all over town." portrays the clown's final goodbye and the realization that they have searched all over town and can't find any acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
I wandered in these big blue shoes,
I roamed around wearing my clown shoes.
till we had nothing left to lose.
I roamed until we had no more belongings left.
Nobody wants you when you're a circus clown.
No one wants a performer who dresses like a clown.
I should know.
Since I am a clown, I know this to be true.
I looked all over town.
I searched the entire town for a chance to perform.
I guess folks just don't like my face.
I assume people don't like my appearance.
They make out like I'm some disgrace.
People treat me like I'm shameful or dishonorable.
But nothing's gonna change this painted frown.
However, I can't change this fake smile on my face.
And I know.
I am aware of this fact.
I looked all over town.
Again, I searched the entire town.
Maybe somewhere I could be free.
Perhaps somewhere else, I could have freedom.
Somewhere they won't throw rocks at me.
Somewhere they won't cause me physical harm.
Somewhere this crazy hair could be my crown.
Somewhere people will see my hair as a symbol of courage and honor.
But all my life,
For my entire lifespan,
I've looked all over town.
I searched everywhere but couldn't find a place where I am accepted.
So whistling this circus tune,
So I hummed this carnival melody,
I inflated one more balloon.
I blew up one more balloon to entertain.
And as I floated up I looked straight down.
As I ascended, I gazed down at the world below me.
And I looked all over town.
Once again, I searched this entire area.
One last time.
For the last time.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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