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/
Irma
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind