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/
Meaningless
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You mean it's all been meaningless?
Every whisper and caress?
Yes yes yes it was totally meaningless
Meaningless
Like when two fireflies flouresce
Just like everything I guess
Even less
A little glimpse of nothingness
Sucking meaning from the
Rest of this mess
Yes yes yes it was thoroughly meaningless
And if some dim bulb should say
We were in love in some way
Kick all his teeth in for me
And if you feel like keeping on kicking,
Feel free
Meaningless
Who dare say it wasn't meaningless?
Shout from the rooftops
And address the press
Ha ha ha, it was totally meaningless
Meaningless
Meaning less than a game of chess
Just like your mother said
And mother knows best
I knew it all the time but now I confess
Yes yes yes how deliciously meaningless
Yes yes yes effervescently meaningless
Yes yes yes it was beautifully meaningless
Yes yes yes it was profoundly meaningless
Yes yes yes definitively meaningless
Yes yes yes comprehensively meaningless
Yes yes yes magnificently meaningless
Yes yes yes how incredibly meaningless
Yes yes yes unprecedentedly meaningless
Yes yes yes how mind-blowingly meaningless
Yes yes yes how unbelievably meaningless
Yes yes yes how infinitely meaningless
The lyrics to The Magnetic Fields' song "Meaningless" are a satirical take on the concept of love and relationships. The singer of the song is responding sarcastically to the idea that their past relationship had any deeper meaning. In each verse, they elaborate on different forms of meaninglessness, from fireflies that flash and disappear to a game of chess. The singer finds the concept of meaninglessness both amusing and freeing.
The chorus repeats the word "meaningless" with increasing enthusiasm and intensity, almost as if the singer is trying to convince themselves of its truth. Near the end of the song, the singer even suggests physical violence towards anyone who disagrees with their point of view. The final lines express a sense of liberation through the acknowledgment of meaninglessness; it is something to be celebrated rather than feared.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on societal pressures to find meaning in romantic relationships, or as a personal reflection on the futility of searching for deeper significance in such connections. The playful tone and repetition of the chorus give the lyrics a sense of absurdity and humor, making it difficult to take the message too seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
Meaningless?
Are you really saying that everything was without significance?
You mean it's all been meaningless?
You're saying that every moment we shared was void of value?
Every whisper and caress?
Were all the times we spoke softly and touched tenderly for nothing?
Yes yes yes it was totally meaningless
Yes, indeed, it was completely without purpose
Meaningless
Devoid of meaning or significance
Like when two fireflies flouresce
Similar to the insignificant luminosity of two fireflies
Just like everything I guess
Every aspect of life seems to lack true meaning
Less less yes, it was utterly meaningless
It was even more meaningless than we initially thought
Even less
Even more insignificant
A little glimpse of nothingness
An insignificant glimpse of emptiness
Sucking meaning from the
Draining the purpose from the rest of this mess
Rest of this mess
The other confusing and meaningless parts of life
And if some dim bulb should say
And if some foolish person were to suggest
We were in love in some way
That there was any love in our relationship
Kick all his teeth in for me
Please violently retaliate on my behalf
And if you feel like keeping on kicking,
If you want to continue your aggressive behavior
Feel free
Go ahead
Who dare say it wasn't meaningless?
Who would have the audacity to claim that anything was meaningful?
Shout from the rooftops
Announce with great vigor
And address the press
Speak to the media about it
Ha ha ha, it was totally meaningless
Laughing at how very meaningless it all was
Meaning less than a game of chess
Even less significant than a game of chess
Just like your mother said
As your mother may have always told you
And mother knows best
Because your mother is always correct
I knew it all the time but now I confess
I had always known, but I am now admitting
Yes yes yes how deliciously meaningless
Expressing joy at the complete lack of purpose
Yes yes yes effervescently meaningless
Joyfully fizzing with meaninglessness
Yes yes yes it was beautifully meaningless
Experiencing beauty in the meaningless
Yes yes yes it was profoundly meaningless
Profound in its lack of significance
Yes yes yes definitively meaningless
Without a doubt, absolutely meaningless
Yes yes yes comprehensively meaningless
Fully and thoroughly without meaning
Yes yes yes magnificently meaningless
Grandly and magnificently lacking purpose
Yes yes yes how incredibly meaningless
Astoundingly and awesomely without significance
Yes yes yes unprecedentedly meaningless
Never before seen or experienced in its lack of meaning
Yes yes yes how mind-blowingly meaningless
Completely mind-boggling and impressive in its lack of purpose
Yes yes yes how unbelievably meaningless
Almost impossible to comprehend in its lack of significance
Yes yes yes how infinitely meaningless
Endlessly and immeasurably lacking in purpose
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind