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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Till the Bitter End
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And storm and hail
Through every degradation
And betrayal
Past rhyme, and reason,
And beyond the pale,
Darling, I will love you
Till the bitter end...
And all the bitter moments till then
Through time and tomb,
And Tim and Tom
Through pro and con,
And quid pro quo, and qualm
Through tidal wave
And asteroid and bomb
Darling, I will love you
[Chorus]
And when your charms begin to face
And when you feel old and afraid
I'll scratch beneath
Your shoulder blade
And whisper
My love is deeper than I show
Remember what I said
Through sleet and snow...
So even though I know you have to go
Darling I will love you
[Chorus]
The Magnetic Fields's song Till the Bitter End is a declaration of love - a promise to love someone unconditionally, no matter what may come. The lyrics evoke images of fierce loyalty and devotion that weather any storm. The singer pledges love not only in pleasant times but also in times of hardship, loss, and betrayal. The line "through every degradation and betrayal" suggests that the singer knows the relationship will be tested but promises to stand by their partner's side.
The song's chorus is a powerful repetition of the opening verse, "Till the bitter end... And all the bitter moments till then." This refrain emphasizes that the singer is in it for the long haul, committed to loving their partner until the very end, no matter how challenging the journey may be. The lyrics also suggest that this type of love is not only deep but also selfless. The song's final verse reinforces that the singer's love is not only sincere but also transformative, promising to stand by their partner through time and the changes that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Through sleet and snow,
Through the toughest and harshest of conditions
And storm and hail
And even in situations of intense difficulty
Through every degradation
Through any form of humiliation or reduction in status
And betrayal
And even in times of disloyalty or abandonment
Past rhyme, and reason,
Beyond explanation or rationalization
And beyond the pale,
And even beyond the limits of what is acceptable or reasonable
Darling, I will love you
I will love you unconditionally
[Chorus]
Repeating the sentiment of love till the end
Through time and tomb,
Through the passing years and even death
And Tim and Tom
And even the most mundane of names
Through pro and con,
Through arguments for and against
And quid pro quo, and qualm
And through exchanging favors and moments of doubt
Through tidal wave
And through massive harm and destruction
And asteroid and bomb
And even through natural disasters and explosions
Darling, I will love you
I will love you through all of these scenarios
[Chorus]
Repeating the sentiment of love till the end
And when your charms begin to fade
And when your physical beauty starts to diminish
And when you feel old and afraid
And when you start to feel vulnerable and scared
I'll scratch beneath your shoulder blade
I'll provide physical comfort and support
And whisper
And I'll softly say
My love is deeper than I show
My love for you is more profound than my words or actions can express
Remember what I said
Remember that I will love you unconditionally
Through sleet and snow...
Through the toughest and harshest of conditions
So even though I know you have to go
Even though I know you may leave someday
Darling I will love you
I will always love you
[Chorus]
Repeating the sentiment of love till the end
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind