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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In My Secret Place
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Youth fades as quickly as a hit parade
But as the days go by in the gray world outside
Days grow on colorful trees
In my secret place, in my secret place.
They'll sell you tickets for their carousel don't pay
You can go up and go down you can go round and round
But there's a better fairground
In my secret place, in my secret place.
The lyrics of The Magnetic Fields's song, "In My Secret Place", offer a glimpse into the artist's introspective thoughts on life and finding comfort in solitude. The first verse speaks about the passage of time and how youth fades away rapidly, leaving one with memories that evoke a sense of longing. The imagery of time swinging like a wrecking ball into things is a powerful metaphor for how things can change suddenly and irreversibly. However, in the midst of the grayness of the outside world, there is a glimmer of hope. The days may seem mundane and ordinary at first, but they gradually grow on colorful trees - a symbol of the artist's inner world where things are more vibrant and meaningful.
The chorus of "In My Secret Place" offers a contrast to the outside world. It warns against the superficialities that exist everywhere - the tickets to a carousel that don't offer much in return. The idea is that life is often a cycle of going up and down or going round and round, but there is a better fairground to be discovered. This fairground exists within oneself, in the artist's secret place. It's a place where one can find respite from the chaos and cruelty of the outside world and forge a deeper connection with oneself.
To sum it up, The Magnetic Field's song "In My Secret Place" is an introspective reflection on life and the human experience. It urges the listener to look inwards for comfort and meaning, rather than seeking external validation or temporary pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Time swings like a wrecking ball into things
Time has a destructive force that impacts everything it encounters.
Youth fades as quickly as a hit parade
Youthful energy and enthusiasm disappear as quickly and suddenly as a hit song's popularity.
But as the days go by in the gray world outside
The daily routine of the world outside can feel monotonous and dull.
Days grow on colorful trees
In contrast, the artist finds vibrancy and beauty in their own secret place of imagination.
They'll sell you tickets for their carousel don't pay
People may try to lure the artist into their own way of life, but the artist urges not to be fooled by them.
They'll get your money either way
The world outside will find a way to extract something from the singer, be it time, energy, or money.
You can go up and go down you can go round and round
The life offered by the world outside can feel repetitive and unfulfilling.
But there's a better fairground
The artist finds a better place for themselves.
In my secret place, in my secret place.
The artist finds sanctuary and joy in their own imaginary world.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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