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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Lovers From the Moon
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say we're too young I think we're too old
Ugly as sin, pale, and thing
They've been wrong before
They say you're a frog prince swollen with pride
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride
Getting confused in Santa Cruz
Touching across the room like lovers from the moon
Dancing all night to the tune of lovers from the moon
I'm not afraid to walk hand in hand
I think we were made to lie in the sand
Decadently by the sea, under the sun
Touching across the room like lovers from the moon
Dancing all night to the tune of lovers from the moon
The Magnetic Fields' song "Lovers From the Moon" presents a captivating tale about a romantic pair shunned by others. The opening lyrics, "They say everyone you touch turns to gold; They say we're too young, I think we're too old," speak to the couple's outsider status. Despite being seen as ugly and pale, they are drawn to each other like moths to flame. The singer resists societal pressure to conform, saying "I'm not afraid to walk hand in hand; I think we were made to lie in the sand; Decadently by the sea, under the sun." This kind of unabashed, unyielding loyalty makes "Lovers From the Moon" a song about the defiant power of true love.
The song's chorus, "Touching across the room like lovers from the moon; Dancing all night to the tune of lovers from the moon," captures the sense of otherworldliness that accompanies the couple's connection. The image of lovers from the moon is poignant and romantic, as if their love exists in another world beyond the judgement and criticism of those around them. The line "Getting confused in Santa Cruz; Living in a dream" suggests that the couple may be outsiders living in a subculture apart from mainstream society. This is further embodied by the setting of the sea and the moon, both of which connote mystery and otherness.
Line by Line Meaning
They say everyone you touch turns to gold
According to people's gossips, anything or anyone you touch turns to something valuable and precious.
They say we're too young I think we're too old
Although people think we're too young to experience such feelings, I believe we are mature enough to explore our love.
Ugly as sin, pale, and thin
People might perceive us as unattractive, having a sickly complexion and being skinny.
They've been wrong before
However, people's judgements have been proven wrong in the past, so they might be mistaken again this time.
They say you're a frog prince swollen with pride
Rumours are spreading that you act like a conceited person who thinks they're above others, just like the character of the Frog Prince.
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride
People might believe that you have always been the support system for others in love but never experienced the bliss of being a bride yourself.
Getting confused in Santa Cruz
You might be getting lost or bewildered among the chaos of the city of Santa Cruz.
Living in a dream
Your current state of mind might be like living in a fantasy or an utopian world.
I'm not afraid to walk hand in hand
I'm willing to hold your hand and show affection in public without being ashamed or scared of judgement.
I think we were made to lie in the sand
I believe that our purpose is to enjoy simple pleasures like lying down on the sand, embracing each other under the sun.
Decadently by the sea, under the sun
We can revel in the luxury of spending time by the seaside, enjoying the sun and the view.
Touching across the room like lovers from the moon
Our connection is so strong that we can feel each other's touch even if we're far away, like two lovers from a different realm.
Dancing all night to the tune of lovers from the moon
We can dance the night away to the sweet melody of our love, which is as enchanting as the music of two otherworldly beings.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind