Irma
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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Irma waits by the window,
Vaguely looking down at her socks
And humming. Possibly her
Father will come home with a box
Of chocolates. Possibly
Not. Father's memory
Was never what it once was.
Shouldn't really drive anymore,

Either. As if in answer,
With a sound like blowing up your
Ears, Father's jeep crashes
Through Irma's wall. She says
Bad words as several hundred
Boxes of her favorite kind




Of chocolate fill her bedroom.
But she doesn't actually mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Magnetic Fields’ song “Irma” depict a moment in the life of a young girl who waits by the window, hoping her father will return home with a box of chocolates. The lyrics suggest that her father’s memory has deteriorated, and he should not be driving anymore. Consequently, as if to confirm this, the father’s jeep crashes through the wall, and Irma exclaims bad words as boxes of chocolate fill her bedroom. Despite the disruption, Irma doesn’t mind, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for her acceptance of the chaos that life can bring.


The song seems to be commenting on the challenges and uncertainties of life in general. The character of Irma, with her childlike innocence and optimism, represents the hopefulness that can exist even in the midst of struggle and chaos. Despite the potential for disappointment, she keeps waiting and hoping, symbolizing the resilience of the human spirit. The lyrics’ tone, on the other hand, seems to suggest that while one might face difficulties in life, it is possible to take them in stride and find a way to keep going.


Line by Line Meaning

Irma waits by the window,
Irma is sitting by the window, waiting for someone or something.


Vaguely looking down at her socks
She is somewhat absent-mindedly gazing down at her socks.


And humming. Possibly her
Irma may be humming a tune or song to herself.


Father will come home with a box
Irma is hoping that her father will soon return home with a box of chocolates for her.


Of chocolates. Possibly
The box of chocolates might not arrive, and Irma knows that.


Not. Father's memory
Irma's father probably forgets many things now.


Was never what it once was.
Her father's memory is not as good as it used to be.


Shouldn't really drive anymore,
Irma's father may not be able to drive safely anymore due to his poor memory.


Either. As if in answer,
As if in reply to her previous thought, something happens.


With a sound like blowing up your
There is a loud noise, comparable to an explosive sound.


Ears, Father's jeep crashes
Irma's father's jeep rams through the wall of her bedroom.


Through Irma's wall. She says
The jeep smashes straight into Irma's wall, and she responds.


Bad words as several hundred
Irma curses as hundreds of boxes of her favorite chocolates fall into her room.


Boxes of her favorite kind
The boxes contain Irma's favorite type of chocolates.


Of chocolate fill her bedroom.
Her room is quickly filled with numerous boxes stacked one on top of another.


But she doesn't actually mind
Despite the chaos, Irma is not really that upset with what just transpired.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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