Very Funny
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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Everybody knows but me
When you go where you shouldn't be
Everybody knows but me
Where you go when you're feeling free
Everybody knows but me

So you go there for a laugh
You just go to take photographs
To believe that I be daft
But yes I think you go for a laugh




And you say: I love you honey
Very funny

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields's song "Very Funny" is a poignant expression of the agony of being in a relationship that is not just unfaithful but one where everyone seems to know of the infidelity but the singer. The first stanza of the song highlights the singer's sense of isolation in the knowledge of their partner's actions. The phrase "Everybody knows but me" captures this isolation as the singer struggles with the gap between their illusory happiness in the relationship and the reality that stares back at them. The second stanza reveals a bit more of the partner's modus operandi, sneaking away to unethical places for leisure and snapping photographs. The final line, "I love you honey, very funny," drips with sarcasm, indicating the singer's eventual transition from isolation to resentment.


The song's melody and harmony are melancholic, somewhat conversational and unsophisticated. The conversational tone of the music establishes an intimacy between the singer and the audience, making it difficult to avoid feeling the pain with the singer. The song's chorus, "Very funny," while an expression of sarcasm, is also representative of the singer's coping mechanism, humor. Despite the singer's sarcasm throughout the song, it is clear that the situation is painful and not at all funny.


Line by Line Meaning

Everybody knows but me
It seems like there's something going on that everyone else knows about, except for me.


When you go where you shouldn't be
You're going to a place that's off-limits, a place that you shouldn't be going to.


Where you go when you're feeling free
You're going to a place where you can let loose and be yourself without any restrictions.


So you go there for a laugh
It looks like you're going to this place in order to have a good time and enjoy yourself.


You just go to take photographs
One of the things you do when you're there is to take some pictures to remember the moment by.


To believe that I be daft
You probably think I'm foolish or gullible for not knowing what you're really up to.


But yes I think you go for a laugh
Despite what you might think or say, I really do believe that you're going to that place just to have a good time and laugh.


And you say: I love you honey
You try to sweet talk me, even though I'm starting to figure out what's really going on.


Very funny
Your attempts to cover up your actions with a show of affection are, quite frankly, ridiculous and amusing.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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