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/
Love in the Shadows
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know where she goes
The old guy with the gold eye
We go back, he & I
Don't smile
We don't do that here baby
Love in the Shadows
Sometimes the moonglow
Plays tricks on your mind
Love in The Shadows is the only kind
The whispers you hear
Are not sweet nothings
Let's have one more beer
And I'll tell you something
Don't laugh
I think you're beautiful
Love In the Shadows
Was never hard to find
Sometimes the moonglow
Plays tricks on your mind
Love in the Shadows is the only kind
The Magnetic Fields' Love in the Shadows is a haunting song that touches upon themes of love, loneliness, and the human need for companionship. The lyrics paint a picture of a surreal and shadowy world, where people with idiosyncrasies like a woman with no nose or an old man with a golden eye, find acceptance, and solace in each other's company. The song captures the essence of the search for love and connection, with its opening line, "The woman with no nose, I know where she goes," speaking volumes about the longing for companionship.
The chorus of Love in the Shadows emphasizes that love can be found even in dark corners and obscure places. The lyrics suggest that people often fool themselves into believing that love can only be found in the light, but love can also be found in the shadows. Nick Cave once commented that "behind every beautiful thing, there's been some kind of pain," and this sentiment is echoed in Love in the Shadows. The song seems to say that in the shadows of the world, where pain and suffering reside, love can be the light that illuminates the darkness.
Love in the Shadows stands out for being a timeless song that speaks to the human experience of love and relationships. It's a testament to the enduring quality of The Magnetic Fields' music that Love in the Shadows still resonates with fans despite being over three decades old. For those looking for love and companionship in unusual and unlikely places, the song offers hope and reassurance that even in the shadows, love can be found.
Line by Line Meaning
The woman with no nose
I am familiar with a woman who has no nose
I know where she goes
I am aware of where she typically travels to
The old guy with the gold eye
I am acquainted with an elderly man who has a golden eye
We go back, he & I
We have a history and know each other well
Don't smile
It's not customary to express happiness or joy in this place
We don't do that here baby
In this setting, demonstrating happiness is frowned upon
Love in the Shadows
Hidden or secret love
Was never hard to find
It's easy to find love in secret places
Sometimes the moonglow
At times, the moon's light can be deceiving
Plays tricks on your mind
It can cause you to see things that aren't really there
Love in The Shadows is the only kind
Love that is hidden or kept secret is the type that can be found here
The whispers you hear
The things you overhear others saying
Are not sweet nothings
They are not endearing or thoughtful remarks
Let's have one more beer
Let's share another drink
And I'll tell you something
And I will share something important with you
Don't laugh
This is serious, do not make light of it
I think you're beautiful
I believe you are attractive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind