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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The Way You Say Good-Night
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How could I ever take you home?
You're beautiful
Beautiful
You got a devastating point of view
And everything you is true
You're beautiful
The nightbirds start to sing their favorite song
The way you say good-night
The nightbirds start to sing their favorite song
And the moon begins to sing
I kiss you and the sun goes down
How come it's always dark when you're around?
You're beautiful
Beautiful
The nightbirds start to sing their favorite song
The moon begins to sing
You're beautiful
Beautiful
The stars begin their Busby Berkeley-dance
The way you say good-night
And the night becomes a musical extravaganza
The way you say good-night
The way you say good-night
I dream of all day long
Oh, I could write a song about the way you say good-night
The way you say good-night
I dream of all day long
Oh, I could write a song about the way you say good-night
The way you say good-night
I dream of all day long
Oh, I could write a song about the way you say good-night
The Magnetic Fields' "The Way You Say Good-Night" is a love song that speaks to the emotional distance between two individuals. The singer expresses how far away and alone they feel despite being in the presence of someone they find beautiful. The singer describes the person they are with as having a devastating point of view that holds true to everything they say. Even though they are physically with this person, the singer feels a longing for them that keeps the surroundings persistently dark.
The song speaks to the power of the individual's presence, with even nature itself responding to the presence of their special someone. The nightbirds start to sing their favorite song, and even the moon and stars begin to dance a Busby Berkeley number because of the person and the way they say goodnight. For the singer, the way this person says goodnight is something to be dreamt about and even written into a song.
Overall, "The Way You Say Good-Night" is a song that speaks to the emotional impact of an individual's presence and the power of those little moments like saying goodbye. The singer bears witness to how the world responds to this intangible presence, underscoring the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
So far away and so alone
I feel distant from you and lonely without your company
How could I ever take you home?
I wonder if I have a chance with you
You're beautiful
You are attractive in every way
You got a devastating point of view
You have a thought-provoking perspective
And everything you is true
Your opinions are valid and honest
The nightbirds start to sing their favorite song
The natural world is reacting to your presence
And the moon begins to sing
Even the moon is affected by your beauty
I kiss you and the sun goes down
Time seems to fly by when I'm with you
How come it's always dark when you're around?
I feel like time is passing too quickly when I'm with you
The stars begin their Busby Berkeley-dance
Everything around me seems to be dancing in response to you
The way you say good-night
Even the way you say goodbye is captivating
And the night becomes a musical extravaganza
Everything around me turns into a performance when you're here
I dream of all day long
I think about you constantly
Oh, I could write a song about the way you say good-night
Your presence inspires me to create art
The way you say good-night
Even the simple act of saying goodbye is special when it's with you
I dream of all day long
You are always on my mind
Oh, I could write a song about the way you say good-night
Your actions have a profound impact on me
The way you say good-night
Even the smallest gestures from you make me feel special
I dream of all day long
You possess a permanent place in my thoughts and heart
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind