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/
Luckiest guy on lower east
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And John would buy the gown for you to wear to the prom
With Tom the astronomer who'd name a star for you
But I'm the luckiest guy on the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels and you wanna go for a ride
Harry is the one I think you'll marry
Well, I'm a fool, there's no doubt
But when the sun comes out
And only when the sun comes out
I'm the luckiest guy on the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels and you wanna go for a ride
The day is beautiful and so are you
My car is ugly but then I'm ugly, too
I know you'd never give me a second glance
But when the weather's nice
All the other guys don't stand a chance
I know Professor Blumen makes you feel like a woman
But when the wind is in your hair you laugh like a little girl
So you share secrets with Lou, but we've got secrets, too
Well, one: I only keep this heap for you
'Cause I'm the ugliest guy on the Lower East Side
But I've got wheels and you want to go for a ride
Wanna go for a ride?
Wanna go for a ride?
Wanna go for a ride?
In The Magnetic Fields' song "The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side," the singer compares himself to other potential suitors for the person he desires. He recognizes that Andy, John, and Tom have all done things for her, such as biking in the rain to bring her candy, buying her a gown for prom, and naming a star after her. He also acknowledges that Harry is the one she will probably marry and that she kissed Chris after school. However, he believes that he is the luckiest guy on the Lower East Side because he has a car and she wants to go for a ride with him. He knows that he may not be the most physically attractive or have the best qualities, but he has something that the other guys don't, which is a mode of transportation that she desires.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer has deeper feelings for the person he desires but may not have expressed them. He confesses that he is a fool for not acting on his feelings and may have missed his chance. However, when the sun comes out, he is hopeful that the person he desires will choose to spend time with him because he has a way to take her somewhere. Despite knowing that she may not give him a second glance under normal circumstances, he believes that when the weather is nice, the other guys don't stand a chance because he has what she wants. In the end, he reveals that he keeps his car only for her, suggesting that his love for her is real and that he is willing to make sacrifices for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Andy would bicycle across town in the rain to bring you candy
Andy is very dedicated and will go to great lengths to please you.
And John would buy the gown for you to wear to the prom
John is a generous guy and wants to make sure you feel special.
With Tom the astronomer who'd name a star for you
Tom is a thoughtful guy and wants to make sure you are recognized for your worth.
But I'm the luckiest guy on the Lower East Side
Despite not having the qualities that the other guys have listed, I feel lucky to have your interest.
'Cause I've got wheels and you wanna go for a ride
I understand that you are attracted to me because I have transportation, and I am more than happy to take you wherever you'd like.
Harry is the one I think you'll marry
Harry seems like a promising romantic partner for you.
But it's Chris that you kissed after school
You may have had a fling with Chris, but I still hold hope.
Well, I'm a fool, there's no doubt
I recognize that I may seem foolish to you or society as a whole for believing in our potential relationship.
But when the sun comes out
And only when the sun comes out
I can only feel confident in my pursuit when conditions are favorable.
The day is beautiful and so are you
I think you are beautiful and that the world is shining down on us today.
My car is ugly but then I'm ugly, too
I am not physically attractive, so it makes sense that my car is not visually appealing either.
I know you'd never give me a second glance
I understand that I may not seem like a viable option for you without my car.
But when the weather's nice
All the other guys don't stand a chance
I believe I can compete with other guys when the weather is nice and my car factor is in play.
I know Professor Blumen makes you feel like a woman
I am aware that you may feel a strong attraction to Professor Blumen.
But when the wind is in your hair you laugh like a little girl
I recognize that you have a playful and joyful side that comes out in certain conditions.
So you share secrets with Lou, but we've got secrets, too
I understand that you have close friendships and share intimate details about your life with others, but I also believe that we can build a rapport that is just as strong.
Well, one: I only keep this heap for you
The only reason I still have this car is because I want to be able to take you on rides.
'Cause I'm the ugliest guy on the Lower East Side
I am aware that I may not be considered physically attractive compared to other men in this area.
But I've got wheels and you want to go for a ride
Despite my perceived lack of attractiveness, I have something that you desire and that gives me confidence in our potential relationship.
Wanna go for a ride?
Would you like to take a ride with me now?
Wanna go for a ride?
Would you like to take another ride with me soon?
Wanna go for a ride?
Would you like to continue taking rides with me in the future?
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ne_Pas Pillon#2
Andy would bicycle across town
In the rain to bring you candy
And John would buy the gown
For you to wear to the prom
With Tom the astronomer, who'd name a star for you
But I'm the luckiest guy
On the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels
And you want to go for a ride
Harry is the one I think you'll marry
But it's Chris that you kissed after school
Well, I'm a fool, there's no doubt
But when the sun comes out
And only when the sun comes out
I'm the luckiest guy
On the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels
And you want to go for a ride
The day is beautiful and so are you
My car is ugly but then I'm ugly too
I know you'd never give me a second glance
But when the weather's nice all the other guys don't stand a
chance
I know Professor Blumen makes you feel like a woman
But when the wind is in your hair you laugh like a little
girl
So you share secrets with Lou, but we've got secrets too
Well, one: I only keep this heap for you
'Cause I'm the ugliest guy
On the Lower East Side
But I've got wheels
And you want to go for a ride
Want to go for a ride?
Want to go for a ride?
Want to go for a ride?
ronan
Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world- Auggie Pullman
17Snowmen
:)
Tonia Atherley
That's how I got to know this song, from the book
EyeOfEld
I came here from listening to this song in the car as a child many times in the early 2000s, on CDs my dad burned for my mom to listen to. I think it might be one of the most weirdly romantic songs I have ever heard. It really brings me back
MrAngrybrian
My ex-girlfriend (who has since passed away) made me a mix cd of bicycle related songs like 10 years ago and this was one of my favorites. It's absolutely a super romantic song imo
lil' death bear
Wow that makes me feel old lol.
My ex-husband introduced me to these guys around the same time, in the early 2000s. Best thing about that dude was his taste in music.
That ending sustained note is fkn legendary
Ne_Pas Pillon#2
Andy would bicycle across town
In the rain to bring you candy
And John would buy the gown
For you to wear to the prom
With Tom the astronomer, who'd name a star for you
But I'm the luckiest guy
On the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels
And you want to go for a ride
Harry is the one I think you'll marry
But it's Chris that you kissed after school
Well, I'm a fool, there's no doubt
But when the sun comes out
And only when the sun comes out
I'm the luckiest guy
On the Lower East Side
'Cause I've got wheels
And you want to go for a ride
The day is beautiful and so are you
My car is ugly but then I'm ugly too
I know you'd never give me a second glance
But when the weather's nice all the other guys don't stand a
chance
I know Professor Blumen makes you feel like a woman
But when the wind is in your hair you laugh like a little
girl
So you share secrets with Lou, but we've got secrets too
Well, one: I only keep this heap for you
'Cause I'm the ugliest guy
On the Lower East Side
But I've got wheels
And you want to go for a ride
Want to go for a ride?
Want to go for a ride?
Want to go for a ride?
RobotGuy09
Wow
maxx🫥
this song is so nostalgic i remember when i would get picked up from preschool my dad would play this and we would sing it together 💗
Ashley Bender
I just finished the book Wonder and Auggie brought me here. I freaking loved that book. May the force be with you.