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/
If You Don
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, stranger things have come to be
But let's agree to disagree
'Cause I don't believe you
I don't believe you
You tell me I'm not not cute
Its truth or falsity is moot
And I don't believe you
I don't believe you
You tell me of what once was
And all about Buck, Butch, and Buzz
How they were not like me because
But I don't believe you
I don't believe you
I had a dream and you were in it
The blue of your eyes was infinite
You seemed to be
In love with me
Which isn't very realistic
You may sing me "They Were You"
And I start crying halfway through
But nothing else you say is true
So I don't believe you
I don't believe you
You may set your charm on stun
And say I'm delightful and fun
But you say that to everyone
Well, I don't believe you
I don't believe you
So you're brilliant gorgeous and
Ampersand after ampersand
You think I just don't understand
But I don't believe you
I don't believe you
I don't believe you
I don't believe you
The Magnetic Fields' song If You Don is about the inability to connect with others and to feel deeply. The opening lines describe the falling of crystals on 17th Street, which represent the fleeting moments of life that come and go without leaving any lasting impact. The image of the crystals dancing and then dying emphasizes the sense of impermanence and fleetingness in life. Similarly, the millions of crystal balls rolling around the feet of the singer suggest a lack of direction and purpose in life.
The lyrics go on to describe the emptiness and loneliness that the singer feels. The line "If you don't cry it isn't love" suggests that in order to truly feel love, one must be willing to experience pain and vulnerability. The idea that "dying all day in thousands of little ways" emphasizes the slow, painful process of losing oneself without connecting to others. The singer spends their time dancing and drinking alone, and haunting cabarets in search of some kind of connection.
The final lines of the song highlight the passage of time and the sense of stagnation that can come with it. The singer has lost five years of their life looking for something they cannot find. The repetition of the line "A year goes by she doesn't" emphasizes the sense of longing and disappointment that the singer feels.
Overall, If You Don is a poignant reflection on the difficulty of connecting with others and the pain that can come from a lack of connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Softly the crystals falling on 17th Street do their dance and die and are gone
The serene sight of crystals falling on the street lasts but for a moment, as they disappear without a trace.
Millions of crystal balls roll around your feet and nothing gets done
Numerous opportunities present themselves, but without any action, they're just mere possibilities.
An hour goes by She doesn't
Time passes by, but the person being referred to still doesn't make a move.
If you don't cry it isn't love If you don't cry then you just don't feel it deep enough
Love is all-consuming, and if it doesn't cause emotional outburst like crying, then it fails to be impactful.
Dying all day in thousands of little ways
The pain is constant and persistent, manifesting itself in numerous small ways.
Dancing alone and drinking a lot
Trying to cope with the struggles by indulging in isolation and alcohol abuse.
Closing the clubs and haunting the cabarets looking for what
Desperately searching for something or someone that could provide solace amidst chaos.
Another five years off your life...
The prolonged suffering takes a heavy toll on health and wellbeing.
A year goes by She doesn't...
Another year elapses, but the same inaction and lack of progress prevails.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHIN MERRITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cromwellian13
Even more beautiful live than an the album. One of the best bands of the all time.
Hashimoto
Beautiful. I wish they would have put out a concert DVD. I travelled from Montreal to see their 2004 Boston show.
themange59
I saw them on the same tour in Seattle, he didn't seem in a good mood there, but being a MF fan i know it kinda goes with the territory.
darklyroaring
around the time 69 Love Songs came out, Claudia switched from drums to piano. before then however, they were a traditional "indie" band live, with drums, guitar, cello and ukulele (!)
youclavicle
"Distortion" is such a good album!
thevoid99
I love this song. "69 Love Songs" is my favorite album.
countingcrow76
fantastico e commovente uno dei piu' grandi autori di tutti i tempi
James Holloway
I was at this show! That's not really that interesting, but I thought I'd say so.
Michael Marshall
saw em in boston once at berklee school of music. best concert ive ever seen.
Douglas Bleggi
minfan28, do you have a recording of your chorus doing this song. i'd love to hear it.