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/
Smoke and Mirrors
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As my train runs through this night
Someone else's rain comes down
But no rain can touch me now
Smoke and mirrors, special effects
A little fear, a little sex
That's all love is behind the tears
We were foolish, you and I
But there's no reason to cry
We put on a lovely show, but that's all
I had to go
I don't know the stations' names
I'll spend my life on this train
Fumee et miroirs, effets speciaux
Un pue de peur, un peu de sexe
Sous les larmes l'amour n'est que sa de
La fumee et des miroirs
In "Smoke and Mirrors," The Magnetic Fields sing about a love that has ended, leaving the singer feeling isolated from the world around them. The lyrics describe a scene of being on a train, with the passing scenery embodying the idea that life around the singer is continuing while they are left feeling stuck in their own feelings. The lines "Someone else's world goes by" and "Someone else's rain comes down, but no rain can touch me now" both illustrate this sense of detachment.
The chorus employs the metaphor of "Smoke and mirrors" to represent the deceptions and illusions that can be a part of love, suggesting that what may seem like profound connections are often instead just the result of manipulation or trickery. The line "A little fear, a little sex, that's all love is behind the tears" underlines this idea. Despite the pain of love's ending, the singers acknowledge that their relationship was ultimately just "a lovely show," indicating a certain level of acceptance and letting go.
Overall, "Smoke and Mirrors" presents a melancholic reflection on the nature of love and the ways it can both bring people together and drive them apart. The song's use of vivid imagery and evocative language help to convey the complex emotional landscape that comes with the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone else's world goes by
Observing the surroundings while being indifferent and aloof
As my train runs through this night
Traveling in a state of detachment and isolation
Someone else's rain comes down
Others are experiencing emotions that the singer cannot connect with
But no rain can touch me now
Feeling numb and unaffected, unable to feel the same emotions as others
Smoke and mirrors, special effects
Love is often an illusion created by superficial displays
A little fear, a little sex
Love is driven by primal instincts and emotions
That's all love is behind the tears
Love is often just a façade or a display of emotions, not genuine feelings
Smoke and mirrors
Love is just a trick, an illusion that people buy into
We were foolish, you and I
They both made mistakes and took risks for love
But there's no reason to cry
The relationship did not work out, but regret is pointless
We put on a lovely show, but that's all
The relationship was a façade, a superficial display of something that was not real
I had to go
The artist had to leave the relationship in order to find themselves
I don't know the stations' names
The singer has lost touch with reality and cannot connect with their surroundings
I'll spend my life on this train
The singer is stuck in a state of detachment and isolation, unable to move on from their past
Fumee et miroirs, effets speciaux
French translation for 'smoke and mirrors, special effects'
Un pue de peur, un peu de sexe
French translation for 'a little fear, a little sex'
Sous les larmes l'amour n'est que sa de
French translation for 'under the tears, love is nothing but smoke and mirrors'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
winklestiltskin
This song is brilliant. This is the first album I bought from them. It was 1994 & I was 18. My favorite songs on this album are Smoke & Mirrors, Famous, Don't Look Away, Why I Cry, Love Is Lighter Than Air, When You're Old And Lonely & The Dreaming Moon. I turned a lot of people on to this band back then. This album is a 9/10 for me & is a classic.
laplace.1817
they are absolutely original. Stephin Merritt is a genius.
superjule
merritt is one of the best songwriters ever, no doubt. but if beauty could kill, this one would be my end.
Are There Lakers To Talk About?
This band just makes my soul so happy
wdamian
Probably my favorite Merritt tune.
alm
Really spectacular album cover, very soothing album
SummerOfGeorge
alm Yeah I think its my favourite album cover. Love you for saying that^^
Chris Harley
Smoke and mirrors, special effects
A little fear, a little sex
That's all love is behind the tears
Smoke and mirrors
Bleu Hope
For ages, I always misheard “smoke and mirrors” as “small candy runes”...
Definitely conjures up an interesting mental image so it does! 😂
Toñin
Other jewel more, so Get lost is a Masterpiece 10/10,album essential 90,s