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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Washington DC
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N, baby, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
It's paradise to me
It's not because it is the grand old seat
Of precious freedom and democracy
No, no, no
The scenery circling the Mall
It's just that's where my baby lives
That's all
Washington D.C.
It's the greatest place to be
It's not the cherries everywhere in bloom
It's not the way they put folks on the moon
No, no, no
It's not the spectacles and pageantry
The thousand things you've got to see
It's just that's where my baby waits for me
W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N, baby, D.C.
W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N, baby, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
It fits me to a T
It's not the people doing something real
It's not the way the springtime makes you feel
No, no, no
It ain't no famous name on a golden plaque
That makes me ride that railroad track
It's my baby's kiss that keeps me coming back
It's my baby's kiss that keeps me coming back
The Magnetic Fields' song "Washington D.C." speaks to the idea that love can create an emotional attachment to a place beyond its surface-level attractions. The song describes Washington D.C. as "paradise" not because of its historic landmarks or political significance, but simply because the singer's lover resides there. The lyrics express this sentiment by stating that it's not the greenery, cherries in bloom, or spectacles of the city that make it great; rather, it's the fact that the singer's lover is waiting for them there.
The use of repetition in the chorus reinforces this idea, with the spelling out of Washington D.C. serving as a way to emphasize the importance of the place to the singer. This emphasis on a personal connection to a place rather than its objective attractions is a unique way of expressing the depth of one's love for a person and the impact that love can have on even the most mundane aspects of life.
Overall, "Washington D.C." is a heartfelt tribute to the power of love and the way in which it can transform our perceptions of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N, baby, D.C.
Repeating the spelling of Washington D.C. to emphasize the significance of the location
Washington, D.C.
It's paradise to me
It's not because it is the grand old seat
Of precious freedom and democracy
No, no, no
Washington D.C. is the perfect place for me, but not because it's known as the center of democracy and freedom
It's not the greenery turning gold in fall
The scenery circling the Mall
It's just that's where my baby lives
That's all
The beauty of fall in Washington D.C. or the iconic view of the Mall don't matter as much as the fact that my loved one lives there
Washington D.C.
It's the greatest place to be
It's not the cherries everywhere in bloom
It's not the way they put folks on the moon
No, no, no
Washington D.C. is the best place, but not because of the blooming cherry trees or the historical moon landing there
It's not the spectacles and pageantry
The thousand things you've got to see
It's just that's where my baby waits for me
Even with all the attractions and sights of Washington D.C., the reason it's the greatest is that my sweetheart is waiting for me there
W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N, baby, D.C.
W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N, baby, D.C.
Repeating the spelling of Washington D.C. again, perhaps symbolizing the weight of the location on the singer's heart
Washington, D.C.
It fits me to a T
It's not the people doing something real
It's not the way the springtime makes you feel
No, no, no
Washington D.C. suits me perfectly, regardless of the people or the springtime atmosphere
It ain't no famous name on a golden plaque
That makes me ride that railroad track
It's my baby's kiss that keeps me coming back
The artist's motivation to visit Washington D.C. is not due to any famous landmarks or monuments, but simply the desire to be with their partner
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind