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/
Swinging London
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You took me to your library and kissed me in the stacks.
Planets crash, the world goes nova,
Sun explodes, all goes black.
You went off swinging London and forgot to come back
You couldn't grok my racecar, but you dug the roadside blur.
Planets crash, the world goes nova,
Sun explodes, all goes black.
You went off swinging London and forgot to come back
Planets crash, the world goes nova,
Sun explodes, all goes black.
You went off swinging London and forgot to come back
The Magnetic Fields’ song Swinging London is a witty and bittersweet reflection on the ephemeral nature of youth and love. The lyrics present a series of contrasts: the singer and their lover are both interested in different things, from manifestos to racecars and airplanes. Despite these differences, they connect on a deeper level and share moments of passion, like when they kiss in the stacks of a library. However, their love is not strong enough to withstand the passing of time, and the lover eventually leaves for Swinging London, a symbol of the counterculture and the fast-paced lifestyle of the city. The chorus repeats the image of catastrophic events like planets crashing or the sun exploding, emphasizing the feeling of loss and the futility of holding on to something that is already gone.
The song is a commentary on the allure of youth culture and the challenges of maintaining a relationship in the face of cultural differences and changing times. The singer is nostalgic for the moments they shared with their lover, but they also recognize that their interests and priorities don’t align. Swinging London represents both a concrete place and a metaphorical destination: a promise of excitement and adventure that ultimately leads to disappointment and abandonment.
The song showcases The Magnetic Fields’ trademark blend of witty lyrics, catchy melodies, and melancholic undertones. It’s a reminder that even the most passionate and promising relationships can fizzle out, but that doesn’t mean they lose their value or significance. The singer’s fond memories of their time with their lover, even as they acknowledge that it’s over, are a testament to the power of experience and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I read your manifestoes and your strange religious tracts.
I analyzed your beliefs and unconventional writings.
You took me to your library and kissed me in the stacks.
You showed me your private space and shared an intimate moment.
Planets crash, the world goes nova,
The universe is unpredictable and volatile.
Sun explodes, all goes black.
The end of the world is a destructive and apocalyptic event.
You went off swinging London and forgot to come back
You left for a new lifestyle and never returned.
You couldn't grok my racecar, but you dug the roadside blur.
You didn't understand my hobbies, but enjoyed the experience of being together.
You weren't into my airplane, but you loved the whirling world.
You didn't share my interests, but you appreciated the beauty in life.
Planets crash, the world goes nova,
The universe is unpredictable and volatile.
Sun explodes, all goes black.
The end of the world is a destructive and apocalyptic event.
You went off swinging London and forgot to come back
You left for a new lifestyle and never returned.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind