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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Mr. Mistletoe
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to walk with you
I watch the lonely snow come down
Down Seventh Avenue
Now dreadful decorations deck the air
And mistletoe is hanging everywhere
But you no longer care
Hanging above
Please go away
I've got no one to love
Oh Mr. Mistletoe
Wither and die
You useless weed
For no one have I
Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
How very rude
Couldn't you tell
I'm not in the mood?
Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
Go find your tree
Didn't you know?
There's no Christmas for me
Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
Go find your tree
Didn't you know?
There's no Christmas for me
The Magnetic Fields's song Mr. Mistletoe is a melancholic take on the holiday season. The song is lamenting the loss of a loved one during the holiday season. The opening lines, "I walk alone around the town, I used to walk with you," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is wandering around the city on their own, and they are reminded of their former lover who they used to walk with. They watch the snow falling, and it only emphasizes their loneliness.
The chorus of the song is directed towards the titular character, "Mr. Mistletoe." The mistletoe is a traditional symbol of Christmas and love, but for the singer, it only serves as a reminder of their loneliness. They implore Mr. Mistletoe to go away because they have no one to love. The lyrics become increasingly bitter towards Mr. Mistletoe as the song progresses. The singer calls the plant a "useless weed" and tells it to wither and die.
Overall, Mr. Mistletoe is a poignant reflection on the darker side of the holiday season. While the song does not directly mention the reason for the singer's loneliness, it is clear that they are mourning the absence of someone special in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk alone around the town
I am wandering around aimlessly without anyone by my side.
I used to walk with you
In the past, I had company and walked around this town with someone I cherished.
I watch the lonely snow come down
As the snow falls from the sky, I feel alone and helpless.
Down Seventh Avenue
The specific street name adds to the feeling of loneliness and despair.
Now dreadful decorations deck the air
The festive decorations currently displayed feel oppressive and depressing to me.
And mistletoe is hanging everywhere
The particular decoration most associated with love and affection is all around me, highlighting my loneliness.
But you no longer care
The person I walked with and loved in the past has moved on and does not care about me anymore.
Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
Sarcastic greeting to the decoration that emphasizes my sadness.
Hanging above
Just like love and relationships, the mistletoe hangs above me, unattainable and out of reach.
Please go away
I wish this feeling of despair and loneliness would go away with the holiday decor.
I've got no one to love
Without a significant other or a loved one, the mistletoe serves as a cruel reminder of what I am missing.
Wither and die
I wish the mistletoe would rot and disappear so I wouldn't have to see it anymore.
You useless weed
The sarcastic name calling emphasizes my frustration towards the unattainable feelings represented by the mistletoe.
For no one have I
I have no one to share the holiday cheer with, making the decorations and mistletoe feel extra painful.
How very rude
The mistletoe is reminding me of what I don't have, which makes me feel negative emotions like disappointment and rejection.
Couldn't you tell
The mistletoe serves as a metaphor for the holiday season and the wishes it carries when it comes to relationships, despite my clear lack of such.
I'm not in the mood?
My sour mood and lack of joy for the holiday season is accentuated by the mistletoe's reminder of what I have lost or never had.
Go find your tree
Leave me alone to my misery, and take your decorations with you - I'm not interested in any of it.
There's no Christmas for me
The holiday season has lost all its meaning since it is empty without love and relationships.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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