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/
Papa Was a Rodeo
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like your questioning eyebrows
You've made it pretty clear what you like
It's only fair to tell you now
that I leave early in the morning
and I won't be back till next year
I see that kiss-me pucker forming
Papa was a rodeo, Mama was a rock'n'roll band
I could play guitar and rope a steer before I learned to stand
Home was anywhere with diesel gas, Love was a trucker's hand
Never stuck around long enough for a one night stand
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo
The light reflecting off the mirror ball
looks like a thousand swirling eyes
They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
You know, every minute someone dies
What are we doing in this dive bar
How can you live in a place like this
Why don't you just get into my car
and I'll take you away I'll take that kiss now, but
(Boy) Papa was a rodeo
And now it's 55 years later
We've had the romance of the century
After all these years wrestling gators
I still feel like crying when I think of what you said to me
Papa was a rodeo
Before you kiss me you should know, Papa was a rodeo
What a coincidence, your Papa was a rodeo too
The Magnetic Fields's song "Papa Was a Rodeo" speaks about an unusual love story between two individuals who seem to have nothing in common. The song starts with the female protagonist complimenting the male protagonist named Mike on his unique perspective and outlook. She further mentions that she is leaving early the next day and will not return until next year. Although the male protagonist seems interested in a romantic gesture, she informs him that she comes from a background of rodeos, and her father was one, making her apprehensive about getting into a relationship.
Her home was never in one place, and she was often on the road with her trucker father. She lived in trucks and motel rooms, and love was the trucker's hand. The female protagonist learned to play the guitar and rope a steer before she could even stand.
The song then moves forward to the present day, where both the characters are much older. They have had the "romance of the century" and have gone through several ups and downs. Despite all of it, she still thinks of her father and his rodeo lifestyle. She says, "Papa was a rodeo," as a reminder to Mike that their worlds and upbringings are vastly different.
The song is an ode to finding love in unconventional places and how two people can connect despite differing backgrounds. It speaks of the transitory nature of life and love, and how certain memories linger for years.
Line by Line Meaning
I like your twisted point of view, Mike
I appreciate your unconventional perspective, Mike
I like your questioning eyebrows
Your inquisitive facial expression intrigues me
You've made it pretty clear what you like
You have been explicit about your preferences
It's only fair to tell you now
It is appropriate to inform you at this time
that I leave early in the morning
I depart at the crack of dawn
and I won't be back till next year
I will not return until the following year
I see that kiss-me pucker forming
I observe your lips protruding in anticipation of a kiss
but maybe you should plug it with a beer, cause
Perhaps you should soothe your longing with a drink, because
Papa was a rodeo, Mama was a rock'n'roll band
My father was a rodeo performer, my mother was a rock musician
I could play guitar and rope a steer before I learned to stand
I became skilled at playing guitar and lassoing cattle before I could even walk
Home was anywhere with diesel gas, Love was a trucker's hand
My home was anywhere that had diesel fuel, and I associated love with the rough hands of truck drivers
Never stuck around long enough for a one night stand
I never stayed in one place long enough for a brief sexual encounter
Before you kiss me you should know
You should be aware before we kiss
The light reflecting off the mirror ball
The gleam emanating from the disco ball
looks like a thousand swirling eyes
Resembles a multitude of spinning staring orbs
They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
These images cause me to question my presence in this place
You know, every minute someone dies
It is a sobering reality that someone passes away every moment
What are we doing in this dive bar
What is our purpose for being in this seedy establishment
How can you live in a place like this
I am curious how you are able to tolerate residing here
Why don't you just get into my car
Why don't you come with me in my vehicle
and I'll take you away I'll take that kiss now, but
I will whisk you away and kiss you now, however
(Boy) Papa was a rodeo
Again, my father was a rodeo performer
And now it's 55 years later
Now, 55 years have elapsed
We've had the romance of the century
We have experienced the most intense romance of our lives
After all these years wrestling gators
Despite all these years of grappling with alligators
I still feel like crying when I think of what you said to me
I continue to feel melancholic when recalling your words to me
Papa was a rodeo
One more time, my father was involved in rodeo performances
Before you kiss me you should know, Papa was a rodeo
Once again, I am reminding you that my father was a rodeo performer
What a coincidence, your Papa was a rodeo too
How coincidental, your father was also a rodeo performer
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@omixochitl7391
Chills every time esp when “Mike” starts singing
@mannybliss541
He’s gay lol
@darkenlight22
I just pushed first empty bottle of whiskey and cracked my second and this song still is good.... With love from Vegas.
@calumstephens9000
Honestly one of the all time great love songs.
@kglamsch
Beautiful song, and really nice film. Makes me homesick for the U.S. Nothing better than roadtripping the American West. Thank you.
@EloisaAndAbelard
this is a great song. His deep voice, the slow, relaxed tempo.
@travisclarke3513
I used to have that same MC5 shirt. I miss it. Perfect song, of course. Happy 20 years!
@stanusher5225
For some reason this song makes me cry my heart out......
@nanceadler1017
Every single time - right when “Mike” comes in...greatest love song -
@jpwriter
This fantastic! The shaky movie, the planned "randomness" - everything! just works. I especially love the opening with the sunspot on the windshield. Great work. Very pleased to come across it - especially since it is one of my favorite love songs. I am also a bit envious. Thanks for sharing it.