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 Think I Need A New Heart
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
All I can feel is the time standing still
As you put down the keys
And say, "don't call me please"
While the radio plays
I think I need a new heart, oh oh
I think I need a new heart, oh oh
You've lied, too
But it's a sin that I
Can't tell the truth
'Cause it all comes out wrong
Unless I put it in a song
So the radio plays
I think I need a new heart
Just for you
I think I need a new heart
'Cause I always say, "I love you"
When I mean, "turn out the light"
And I say, "let's run away"
When I just mean, "stay the night"
But the words you want to hear
You will never hear from me
I'll never say "happy anniversary"
Never stay to say "happy anniversary"
So I think I need a new heart, oh oh
I think I need a new heart, oh oh
I think I need a new heart, oh oh
I think I need a new heart, oh oh
Give me time
to catch my breath as I try to make sense of the lyrics to The Magnetic Fields' song "I Think I Need a New Heart". At first glance, the lyrics seem to be about failed communication in a relationship. The singer of the song talks about how they always say "I love you" when they really mean "turn out the light" and "let's run away" when they just mean "stay the night". It's clear that the singer is struggling to express themselves honestly to their partner and they feel that they need a new heart in order to do so. The references to the radio playing throughout the song suggest that the singer finds solace and comfort in music and uses it as a way to express their emotions.
However, the most poignant moment of the song comes when the partner puts down their keys and says "don't call me please". This moment of finality is indeed heartbreaking and the fact that the singer still thinks that they need a new heart suggests that they may not have learned from their mistakes in communication. The song itself is a beautiful and melancholic ballad that speaks to anyone who has ever struggled to express themselves in a relationship. The lyrics are simple yet emotionally powerful, and the melody is haunting and beautiful.
In conclusion, "I Think I Need a New Heart" is a song about failed communication and the need for a fresh start in a relationship. The singer struggles to express themselves honestly to their partner and feels that they need a new heart in order to do so. The song is a beautiful and melancholic ballad that speaks to anyone who has ever struggled to communicate their emotions in a relationship.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind