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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Railroad Boy
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't put on your ugly play
I cannot join your ugly priesthood
And if I die I won't come home
Railroad boy of mine...
I bought you crows and candelabra
And I went moth-eating with you
I held you down when you had seizures
Railroad boy of mine...
We went to see a beaver dam
We went to see a coral reef
But life is more than going to see things
And that's too bad
Railroad boy of mine
Railroad boy of mine...
The Magnetic Fields's song Railroad Boy is a poem about a person who refuses to conform to the expectations and demands of society. The singer talks about how they will not participate in the "ugly" things that are expected of them, such as singing an ugly song or putting on an ugly play. They reject the idea of joining the "ugly priesthood", which can be interpreted as a metaphor for conforming to societal norms and expectations.
The singer then addresses a particular person, whom they call their "railroad boy". They reminisce about the times they spent together, such as going to see a beaver dam and a coral reef. The singer acknowledges that life is more than just seeing things, but it is not clear how this fits into their overall message of refusing to conform.
There is an underlying tension throughout the lyrics, as the singer seems to struggle with the desire for connection and companionship, while also rejecting societal norms. Overall, the song can be viewed as a commentary on the difficult balance between conformity and individuality, and the struggle to navigate societal expectations while also remaining true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I will not sing your ugly song
I refuse to participate in your unpleasant ways.
I won't put on your ugly play
I won't act in or promote your unpleasant show.
I cannot join your ugly priesthood
I won't become a part of your unpleasant religious group.
And if I die I won't come home
Even in death, I won't come back to your unpleasant place.
Railroad boy of mine...
Addressing the named person fondly.
I bought you crows and candelabra
I gifted you birds and fancy candle holders.
And I went moth-eating with you
I shared strange experiences with you.
I held you down when you had seizures
I supported you during your health struggles.
And read to you at bedtime
I spent quality time with you before sleeping.
Railroad boy of mine...
Addressing the named person fondly.
We went to see a beaver dam
We saw an impressive structure made by beavers.
We went to see a coral reef
We witnessed the beauty of a colorful underwater ecosystem.
But life is more than going to see things
There's more to life than experiencing physical attractions.
And that's too bad
It's unfortunate that some miss the bigger picture.
Railroad boy of mine
Addressing the named person fondly.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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