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/
The Day the Politicians Died
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The day the politicians died
Celebrations spread worldwide
The day the politicians died
Even their own mothers
Their own husbands and wives
Said, "Now all men are brothers"
Let's get on with our lives
Billions laughed and no one cried
The day the politicians died
Celebrations spread worldwide
The day the politicians died
We've risen from the mud
We're different from the beasts
We've got the taste for blood
So let's eat all the priests
Billions laughed and no one cried
The day the politicians died
Celebrations spread worldwide
The day the politicians died
It's all one big party now
'Cause all the politicians died
The lyrics of The Magnetic Fields's song "The Day the Politicians Died" express a sense of relief and celebration over the demise of politicians. The repetition of the phrase "Billions laughed and no one cried" suggests that the general population, or at least a large portion of it, held no sympathy or mourning for the politicians who perished. The absence of tears underscores a lack of emotional connection or attachment to those in power.
The line "Even their own mothers, their own husbands and wives, said 'Now all men are brothers'" hints at a sense of unity and equality that arises in the wake of the politicians' deaths. It implies that without the divisive influence of political figures, people are able to view each other as equals. This sentiment reflects a desire to move forward and focus on rebuilding society without the interference of politics.
The lyrics also carry a somewhat dark and violent undertone. The line "We've risen from the mud, we're different from the beasts, we've got the taste for blood" suggests that without politicians, humanity feels untamed and primal. The imagery of rising from the mud symbolizes a return to primal instincts, and the mention of blood implies a thirst for vengeance or an assertion of power. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the corrupting influence of politics.
The final line, "It's all one big party now 'cause all the politicians died," conveys a sense of freedom and liberation. With politicians out of the picture, there is a feeling of celebration and revelry. It suggests that the constraints and frustrations associated with political systems have been eliminated, allowing people to indulge in a carefree and joyful atmosphere.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Day the Politicians Died" convey mixed emotions—relief, unity, and a sense of liberation—while also touching on darker themes of primal instincts and the corrupting nature of politics. The song seems to express a yearning for a world without politicians, where people can come together as equals and enjoy life without the complications of power and governance.
Line by Line Meaning
Billions laughed and no one cried
Amidst the demise of politicians, there was widespread joy and no sorrow.
The day the politicians died
Referring to the specific day when politicians met their end.
Celebrations spread worldwide
Revelry and merriment extended throughout the whole world.
Even their own mothers
Even the mothers of politicians themselves.
Their own husbands and wives
Even the spouses of politicians.
Said, "Now all men are brothers"
Acknowledging the newfound equality and unity among all individuals.
Let's get on with our lives
Encouraging others to move forward and continue with their existence.
We've risen from the mud
Humanity has elevated itself from primitive conditions and evolved.
We're different from the beasts
Distinguishing humans from animals with higher cognitive abilities.
We've got the taste for blood
Having developed a desire for conflict and aggression.
So let's eat all the priests
Calling for the elimination or downfall of religious figures.
It's all one big party now
The situation has transformed into a continuous festive atmosphere.
'Cause all the politicians died
This outcome is attributed to the demise of politicians.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt Wallis
Billions laughed and no one cried
The day the politicians died
Celebrations spread worldwide
The day the politicians died
Even their own mothers
Their own husbands and wives
Said, "Now all men are brothers"
Let's get on with our lives
Billions laughed and no one cried
The day the politicians died
Celebrations spread worldwide
The day the politicians died
We've risen from the mud
We're different from the beasts
We've got the taste for blood
So let's eat all the priests
Billions laughed and no one cried
The day the politicians died
Celebrations spread worldwide
The day the politicians died
It's all one big party now
'Cause all the politicians died
juan julio peña castillo
As someone that lives in a third world country and the situation that we are living right know, this song became my favorite song ever!
Christopher Sosa
X3, Salvadorian here, i can confirm.
Óscar Nieves
Mexico?
Jennifer Gutiérrez
X2
Alexander Hall
“If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem.” - Toni Morrison (1931 - 2019)
MisterTracks
lovely video
J A
Intended or no, I've decided this song is Stephin reprising the same character that Claudia sang in "Washington D.C." 20 years ago for another album.
Back then, "Claudia" (to give the character a name for clarity) was full of naive infatuation for her new love, and projected that feeling onto the city where the lover lived, admiring the "people doing something real."
However, show me an optimist and add enough time, and I'll show you a cynic.
Now, twenty years later in real life as well as for "Claudia," the bloom has been off the rose for a very long time. Having come to realize that this lover was not as great or as genuine as she once felt, "Claudia" is now projecting her feelings onto the leaders who work in his city once again.
Sergej Lovrekovic
ahahah i love their gloomy yet ultimately happy and comic hippie anthems <3
i, even i, know the solution
love music wine and revolution
<3
MartDarts
'77 life ain't all bad is my favorite song meaning wise and sound wise!
Matt
So excited for the new album, such a cool concept!