The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. R… Read Full Bio ↴The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. Recent albums released under the name "The Magnetic Fields" usually consist of synth-pop music in a 1980s style underlying clever lyrics which are often heavily ironic. While synth-pop often forms the foundation of their music, The Magnetic Fields' music borrows from many other styles, notably country, folk and indie pop.

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/

Promise Of Eternity
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics

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What if the show couldn't go on
What if we all got jobs
And got to bed before dawn

What if Old Joe had to retire
What if all the stage hands were let go or fired
That's just like what the world would be

If you fell out of love with me
I can't let this happen to you
Don't you let it happen to me

What would our friends and family say
If they could only see
If you let this happen to us

Don't think you'd be setting me free
Wasn't it you and I who made
Promises of eternity

What if the lights didn't go on
What if the velvet curtain had to be taken down
What if the clowns couldn't be clowns

And all those painted smiles gave in to plaintive frowns
What if no show ever happened again

No Seven, no 8 1/2, no Nine, and no "10"
All numbers and no mystery No promise of eternity

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Promise of Eternity" explore the idea of a relationship disintegrating and what that means for the future. The song begins with the hypothetical situation of the show not going on, symbolizing the end of their relationship. The second verse delves into the reality of what would happen if Old Joe had to retire, signifying the end of an era in the relationship. The chorus then expresses the fear of what others would say if they broke up and that they made promises of eternity. Finally, the last verse paints a bleak picture of a world without the show, without mystery, just empty numbers.

The song is a commentary on the fragility of relationships and how easily they can crumble. The metaphor of a stage production brings home the idea of a relationship being a performance, with roles to play and scripts to follow. By alluding to famous theater productions such as "Seven," "8 1/2," and "Nine," the songwriter Stephen Merritt draws on the idea of how the magic of the stage can transform and transport us.

Promise Of EternityThe Magnetic Fields Lyrics

Promise Of Eternity
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics