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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Two Characters in Search of a Country Song
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you were one big bruise
In the game of life with your playing too lose
You were Jessy James
I was William Tell
You were Daniel Webster
I was the devil himself
Just make believe, but so in love
Two characters been listin' all night long
for voices from Nashville above
Hell in eighteen wheels
at a hundred per
We went crashing through the Jersey barrier
But the road went on
over dale and hill
You were Calamity Jane
and I was Wild Bill
Two characters in search of a country song
Just make believe, but so in love
Two characters been listin' all night long
for voices from Nashville above
Two characters in search of a country song
Just make believe, but so in love
Two characters been listin' all night long
for voices from Nashville above
The Magnetic Fields's song "Two Characters in Search of a Country Song" presents a story of two people who are lost in their own worlds, but in love. The song starts with the comparison between the two characters' past lives, where they were both hurting and lost. The allusion to Jessy James and William Tell, and Daniel Webster and the devil himself points towards their past struggles which have scarred them both.
The characters seek escape from their realities and find solace in the imagined world of a country song. The song title itself, "Two Characters in Search of a Country Song," refers to their quest for a song that will embody their journey and help them find themselves. They listen to the Nashville music scene, hoping for some inspiration to strike them, and provide the perfect soundtrack for their imagined lives.
The characters' shared journey, filled with danger and adventure, is described through the imagery of a reckless ride in a truck, driving at a frightening speed that eventually leads to a crash. Although shaken and bruised, they survive, and the experience brings them closer. The song portrays two characters in search of their story, their journey, and, ultimately, their country song.
Line by Line Meaning
You were just like me
The singer is saying that the other person is similar to them in some way.
you were one big bruise
The other person has been through a lot of physical, emotional or mental pain.
In the game of life with your playing too lose
The other person is not taking life seriously and is not making good choices.
You were Jessy James
The other person is a rebel who doesn't follow the rules.
I was William Tell
The artist is comparing themselves to a famous figure from history.
You were Daniel Webster
The other person is intelligent and articulate.
I was the devil himself
The singer is comparing themselves to an evil or mischievous character.
Two characters in search of a country song
The artist and the other person are like characters in a story, looking for a particular kind of music.
Just make believe, but so in love
The artist and the other person are pretending to be in a relationship, but they feel strongly about each other.
Two characters been listin' all night long
The artist and the other person have been listening to music all night.
for voices from Nashville above
They are hoping to hear the kind of music they like, which comes from Nashville.
Hell in eighteen wheels
The artist is describing a situation where they were in a lot of trouble or danger.
at a hundred per
They were going very fast, maybe in a car or some other vehicle.
We went crashing through the Jersey barrier
The singer and the other person got into an accident and hit a barrier on the road.
But the road went on over dale and hill
Despite the accident, they continue on their journey on a road that goes up and down in the countryside.
You were Calamity Jane
The other person is brave and adventurous, like a famous female character from history.
and I was Wild Bill
The artist is also brave and adventurous, like a famous male character from history.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind