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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Seduced and Abandoned
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, abandoned by you
Seduced and abandoned and what can I do?
I think I might drink a few
Seduced with a grin,
I was taken all in
Taken in sin
Seduced by a smile,
I walked down the aisle,
Then waited awhile
No one came
Abandoned to weep
I collapsed in a heap,
Dutifully sleep-
Ing all day
Abandoned to die
I did nothing but cry
In my one-ply
Negligee
Yes, I think I might drink a few
And maybe the baby will too.
The Magnetic Fields is a band that often delves into the darker side of love and relationships, and the song "Seduced and Abandoned" is no exception. Through the lyrics, the singer tells a story of being seduced by someone who ultimately abandons them, leaving them alone and with a child to care for. The repetition of the phrase "seduced and abandoned" emphasizes the singer's sense of betrayal and abandonment.
The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery that further illustrates the singer's pain and despair. The line "abandoned to weep, I collapsed in a heap, dutifully sleeping all day" paints a picture of someone who has lost the will to live, spending their days in bed, consumed by grief. The line "abandoned to die, I did nothing but cry, in my one-ply negligee" is particularly haunting, as it highlights the singer's utter helplessness and vulnerability in the face of abandonment and loss.
The final lines of the song, "Yes, I think I might drink a few, and maybe the baby will too" speak to the singer's desperate need for escape from the harsh realities of their situation. The suggestion that the baby might also drink suggests that the singer has little hope for the future, and sees no other way to cope with their pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Seduced and abandoned and baby makes two,
I was tricked and left alone, now I have a baby with me.
Baby, abandoned by you
You left the baby with me, with no one to turn to.
Seduced and abandoned and what can I do?
I fell for your trick, now I'm alone and clueless of what to do.
I think I might drink a few
To ease the pain of abandonment, I may resort to drinking alcohol.
Seduced with a grin,
You lured me in with your smile,
I was taken all in
I fell for your charm and trust you completely.
Taken in sin
But little did I know that it was all a deceitful plan leading to a sinful action.
And in shame
Left alone with no one to turn to and filled with embarrassment.
Seduced by a smile,
Your smile made me believe in your honesty and sincerity.
I walked down the aisle,
I committed my life to you, going through the marriage ceremony solemnly.
Then waited awhile
But with no one showing up for the wedding, I stood waiting in vain.
No one came
You never showed up for the wedding, leaving me humiliated and abandoned.
Abandoned to weep
With nowhere to turn and nothing else to do, I break down into tears.
I collapsed in a heap,
Feeling vulnerable and helpless, I crumble to the ground in despair.
Dutifully sleep-Ing all day
In order to escape and avoid the harsh reality of the situation, I sleep the day away.
Abandoned to die
Feeling like there is no hope, I am left with nothing but thoughts of death.
I did nothing but cry
My only release and form of expression is crying, which I do often.
In my one-ply
Clad only in a thin and insufficient piece of clothing, I am left to suffer and endure the situation.
Negligee
I am left abandoned and vulnerable in a loose and informal garment.
Yes, I think I might drink a few
To avoid and escape the unbearable pain, I decide to numb myself by drinking alcohol.
And maybe the baby will too.
I am left with no other option but to hope that the baby will also find comfort in the alcohol.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHIN RAYMOND MERRITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind