The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. R… Read Full Bio ↴The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. Recent albums released under the name "The Magnetic Fields" usually consist of synth-pop music in a 1980s style underlying clever lyrics which are often heavily ironic. While synth-pop often forms the foundation of their music, The Magnetic Fields' music borrows from many other styles, notably country, folk and indie pop.

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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Technical
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're so technical, you go hacking around the world
You're so technical, baby, are you a boy or a girl?

You have some extra limbs
You look like a Swiss Army knife (with wings)
Dance like a Hindu deity
Best friends with Timothy Leary

You're a Libertarian
The death of the left was you

You look like Herbert Von Karajan
You live underneath the zoo.

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' song "Technical" is a tribute to a mysterious and skilled individual who seems to possess exceptional technical skills and avant-garde beliefs. The lyrics describe several extraordinary attributes of this person, such as having prosthetic wings and extra limbs that make them look like a Swiss Army knife with wings. Furthermore, they operate a surveillance van and write code for brain implants, indicating their penchant for cutting-edge technology.

The lyrics also suggest that this person is something of a rebel without a cause, as they don't adhere to established norms and rules. They operate as a counterculture demigod, along with their think tank entourage. Moreover, they appear unperturbed by legal constraints because no papers cover what they do. As a libertarian, they are not anchored to any political ideology and seem to have spurned and contributed to the death of the left.

Line by Line Meaning

You have prosthetic wings
You are not limited by physical restrictions like ordinary human beings.

You drive a surveillance van
You have the power to monitor and collect information through various means.

You're always doing seven things
You are highly productive and efficient, being able to multitask at all times.

You write the code for brain implants
You are an expert in advanced technology and have the capability to manipulate the human body.

There are no papers on you
You are untraceable and have a hidden identity.

The laws don't cover what you do
You operate outside of legal boundaries due to the complexity and nature of your work.

You and your think tank entourage
You collaborate with other innovative and brilliant minds.

Are all counterculture demigods
You stand against mainstream culture and are perceived as superior beings.

You're so technical, you go hacking around the world
You have the ability to access and manipulate a large number of technological systems worldwide.

You're so technical, baby, are you a boy or a girl?
Your proficiency in technology and unconventional lifestyle blur gender stereotypes.

You have some extra limbs
You possess extraordinary abilities beyond the average human.

You look like a Swiss Army knife (with wings)
Your appearance is symbolic of your many functional abilities and mobility.

Dance like a Hindu deity
You possess a grace and fluidity of movement reminiscent of divine beings.

Best friends with Timothy Leary
You are connected to influential figures in counterculture movements.

You're a Libertarian
You believe in personal freedom and liberty over government control.

The death of the left was you
You challenge traditional political ideologies and represent a new way of thinking.

You look like Herbert Von Karajan
Your appearance is sophisticated and refined, reflecting your expertise in your field.

You live underneath the zoo.
You operate on an underground and secretive level, hidden from public view.

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Comments from YouTube:

Martin Hengl

3y↑1

You have prosthetic wings
You drive a surveillance van
You're always doing seven things
You write the code for brain implants
There are no papers on you
The laws don't cover what you do
You and your think tank entourage
Are all counterculture demigods

You're so technical
You go hacking around the world
You're so technical, baby
Are you a boy or a girl?

You have some extra limbs
Look like a Swiss army knife with wings
Dance like a Hindu deity
Best friends with Timothy Leary

You're so technical
You go hacking around the world
You're so technical, baby
Are you a boy or a girl?

You're a Libertarian
The death of the left was you
Look like Herbert von Karajan
You live underneath the zoo

You're so technical
You go hacking around the world
You're so technical, baby
Are you a boy or a girl?