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/
Quick!
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quick, before I walk out that door
Quick, before it all ends in jeers
What a waste of all those beers
You better think of something quick because my suitcase is packed
Quick, because I'm through being attacked
Are you really prepared to lose
We're on the brink of something
Get me a drink of something quick between your outrageous remarks
Like the mating calls of sarcastic sharks
Quick, before you can't take that back
Just before it all goes black
You better think of something quick before the midnight bell chimes
You're living in dangerous times
Torture me for your amusement
About who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
In "Quick!" by The Magnetic Fields, the singer warns their partner that they need to think of something quickly before the singer falls out of love with them. The song highlights the tensions and uncertainties in a relationship that is on the brink of falling apart. The urgency in the singer's voice encourages their partner to make a grand gesture to save the relationship, but the lyrics suggest that it may already be too late. The repetition of the word "quick" emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and sets a fast-paced tone for the song.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of communication breakdown in the relationship. The singer acknowledges that their partner has been attacking them with hurtful comments, and they are tired of it. They also mention that their partner may not be willing to lose them just because of their need to "air their views." The song suggests a power struggle in the relationship, with both parties feeling like they are losing control. This tension is heightened by the repeated question of who will pay the rent, suggesting that practical concerns are also contributing to the instability of the relationship.
Overall, "Quick!" is a poignant song that captures the fear and desperation of falling out of love. The song's catchy melody and relatable lyrics make it a standout track on The Magnetic Fields' album "Love at the Bottom of the Sea."
Line by Line Meaning
You better think of something quick before I don't love you no more
If you don't change your behavior, I might stop loving you.
Quick, before I walk out that door
Hurry up and solve our issues before I leave.
Quick, before it all ends in jeers
We need to find a solution to our problems before it's too late.
What a waste of all those beers
We shouldn't let our fights ruin good times and memories.
You better think of something quick because my suitcase is packed
I'm ready to leave, so you need to act fast to save our relationship.
Quick, because I'm through being attacked
I won't tolerate being treated badly anymore. We need to fix things ASAP.
Are you really prepared to lose
Is your stubbornness worth losing me and our relationship?
All this just to air your views?
Are you willing to risk everything just to have the last word?
We're on the brink of something
Our relationship is at a critical point and needs to be resolved soon.
Get me a drink of something quick between your outrageous remarks
I need to take a break from your hurtful comments by having a drink.
Like the mating calls of sarcastic sharks
Your verbal attacks are like the calculated strategies of sharks.
Quick, before you can't take that back
Think twice before you say something you'll regret forever.
Just before it all goes black
We need to fix our issues before our relationship dies.
You better think of something quick before the midnight bell chimes
Time is running out and we need to find a solution before it's too late.
You're living in dangerous times
Our relationship is at risk of ending if we don't fix our issues.
Torture me for your amusement
You're hurting me for your own entertainment and it's not okay.
About who will pay the rent
Our arguments are trivial and not worth risking our relationship over.
Who will pay the rent
Our disagreements over small matters shouldn't threaten our love and happiness.
Who will pay the rent
We need to focus on what's important - our relationship - instead of small details.
Who will pay the rent
We should work together to find a solution, not use it as a weapon against each other.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHIN MERRITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephychan0
You better think of something quick before I don't love you no more
Quick! Before I walk out that door
Quick! Before it all ends in jeers
What a waste of all those beers
You better think of something quick because my suitcase is packed
Quick! Because I'm through being attacked
Are you really prepared to lose
All this just to air your views?
We're on the brink of something
Get me a drink of something
Quick! Between your outrageous remarks
Like the mating calls of sarcastic sharks
Quick! Before you can't take that back
Just before it all goes black
You better think of something quick before the midnight bell chimes
You're living in dangerous times
Torture me for your amusement
About who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Daniel Ascona
🇦🇷 ⭐⭐⭐
You better think of something quick before I don't love you no more
Quick, before I walk out that door
Quick, before it all ends in jeers
What a waste of all those beers
You better think of something quick because my suitcase is packed
Quick, because I'm through being attacked
Are you really prepared to lose
All this just to air your views?
We're on the brink of something
Get me a drink of something quick between your outrageous remarks
Like the mating calls of sarcastic sharks
Quick, before you can't take that back
Just before it all goes black
You better think of something quick before the midnight bell chimes
You're living in dangerous times
Torture me for your amusement
About who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
Who will pay the rent
YaBoyAsh
Anybody else here feel a sense of immense happiness/euphoria and at the same time a sense of melancholy and longing for the past and something now gone from your life.... when you listen to The Magnetic Fields? This song does just that to me. It's so unique
Disgraceland UK
BohemianAsh Absolutely.
isabella oliveira
+BohemianAsh sometimes i feel bad about stephin merritt since almost all his songs are like that; but i don´t really know if that is good. the thing i know is that every time i don´t want to feel alone i listen to it
UPLINKUSA
+BohemianAsh Yeah. I agree 100%.
Wikk
this song is horrifically depressing.
that being said, yes I understand that feeling.
Eugene Guy Maes
saudade is the word.
Xorcist Band
"Who will pay the rent" - Wow... that line did it. If you've been in this situation before, you totally understand this on so many levels.
Lincoln Bio
Oh and the quality is stellar. It gets better and better each time they release one. I hope they continue to feed our needy ears for as long as they can allow it. -3
Steve Barker
Stephin Merritt received a Grammy for the best use of the word "execrable" in a song, poem, or soundtrack. True story.
Bonnie A
Which song was it? His lyrics are always so amazing, but I can't remember that particular usage.