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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Infinitely Late at Night
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The stars are still out there
But they're all out of light
Don't worry about me, I'll be all right
It's just infinitely late at night
It's still getting later
And later and later
I'd kill for a drink
But I can't find the waiter
I really believe he's gone home
Oh god I wish I could go home
But it's infinitely late at night
Is this a blackout
Or am I losing my sight?
It should have been noon now,
The sun should be bright
But it's infinitely
The hour on the bar clock,
It isn't finite
It's all black and white
Without the white
It's just infinitely late at night
The Magnetic Fields's song "Infinitely Late at Night" describes the feeling of being lost and stuck in time. The singer is in a place where the night seems to last forever, and everything around him has become so dark and unrecognizable that he feels like he's losing his sight. The stars are still out there, but they're "all out of light," which is a metaphor for the lack of hope and inspiration that the singer is feeling. He's in a state of mind where time has become infinite, and the hour on the bar clock "isn't finite." The singer is struggling to come to terms with his situation, and he's looking for a way out.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses his longing to escape from the place where he's trapped. He wishes he could go home and feels like he's in a falling elevator, which perfectly captures the feeling of being completely out of control. The singer believes that the waiter has gone home, and that he's stuck without a drink, which would help him to forget about where he is. The song's lyrics create a vivid image of a dark and lonely place where the singer is lost, and he doesn't know how to find his way out.
In conclusion, "Infinitely Late at Night" is a powerful and emotional song that perfectly captures the feeling of being lost and alone. It's a cry for help from someone who is struggling to come to terms with their situation and desperately looking for a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
It was infinitely late at night
The time was so late that it seemed infinite and never-ending.
The stars are still out there
Despite the late hour, the stars can still be seen in the sky.
But they're all out of light
The stars have exhausted their light, so they are no longer visible.
Don't worry about me, I'll be all right
Despite the late hour and uncertainty, the artist assures the listener that they will be okay.
It's just infinitely late at night
The artist emphasizes again how late it is, and how it feels like time is standing still.
It's still getting later
Despite feeling like time is standing still, the clock continues to tick and time is still passing by.
And later and later
The lateness continues to increase.
I feel like I'm in a falling elevator
The artist feels disoriented and unsure of their surroundings, like they are falling without control.
I'd kill for a drink
The artist is so stressed that they would do anything for a drink to ease their discomfort.
But I can't find the waiter
Despite wanting a drink, the artist cannot find anyone to serve them.
I really believe he's gone home
The singer thinks that everyone has left and gone home for the night, including the waiter.
Oh god I wish I could go home
The artist is desperate to leave and return home.
Is this a blackout
The singer is questioning if what they are experiencing is a power outage or if they are experiencing something more severe.
Or am I losing my sight?
The singer is expressing concern that something might be wrong with their vision.
It should have been noon now,
The singer is so disoriented that they think it should be daytime already.
The sun should be bright
In accordance with the idea that it should be daytime, the artist thinks that the sun should be shining.
But it's infinitely
The lack of visibility and the late hour make it feel like it will never be daytime again.
The hour on the bar clock, it isn't finite
Time seems to have stopped and the clock on the wall is no longer reliable.
It's all black and white
The lack of light and visibility makes everything appear in shades of black and white.
Without the white
In this state of darkness, the limited white light that is present is essential for visibility.
It's just infinitely late at night
The cycle of lateness, disorientation, and uncertainty continues, making it feel like it will never end.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind