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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Why I Cry
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where we used to play
Walking hand in hand
Castles in the sand
So you said "Goodnight"
But you meant "Goodbye"
Now our love has died
From the madding crowd
Pointing up at clouds
Summer turned to fall
Pictures on the wall
So you said "Goodnight"
But you meant "Goodbye"
Now our love has died
This is why I cry, cry
So you said "Goodnight"
But you meant "Goodbye"
Now our love has died
This is why I cry, cry
The Magnetic Fields' "Why I Cry" is a poignant portrayal of lost love and the pain that resounds in the aftermath. Throughout the song, the singer reflects on memories of summer days spent hand in hand, building castles in the sand, and admiring the clouds. However, the relationship ultimately falls apart, with the significant other saying goodnight but clearly meaning goodbye. The second verse sees the seasons change as summer turns to fall, but nostalgic pictures on the wall serve as painful reminders of what was. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the sadness and isolation that a breakup can bring.
While the lyrics of "Why I Cry" may seem straightforward, they are bolstered by the Magnetic Fields' signature blend of indie-folk instrumentation and lead singer Stephin Merritt's deep vocals. The melancholic tone is set by a slow, steady drumbeat, acoustic guitar chords, and airy synth notes. The song's structure is minimalistic but effective, with the majority of the song being comprised of two verses and a chorus. The repetition of the chorus drives home the main message of the song: that heartbreak can leave us feeling isolated and alone.
In essence, "Why I Cry" serves as a masterclass in songwriting that packs a wallop despite its modest length. The Magnetic Fields have crafted a song that speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and loss, and one that remains eminently relatable decades after its release.
Line by Line Meaning
All the summer days
Every time we spent together during summer
Where we used to play
The times we spent having fun together
Walking hand in hand
Holding each other's hand while taking a walk
Castles in the sand
Building sand castles on the beach
So you said "Goodnight"
When you told me goodnight
But you meant "Goodbye"
You were actually saying goodbye forever
Now our love has died
Our relationship is over and there's no chance of getting back together
This is why I cry, cry
This is the reason why I'm in tears
From the madding crowd
Away from the busy and noisy places
Pointing up at clouds
Looking at the sky and pointing at the clouds
Summer turned to fall
The season changed from summer to fall
Pictures on the wall
Memories captured by photos hanging on the wall
So you said "Goodnight"
When you told me goodnight
But you meant "Goodbye"
You were actually saying goodbye forever
Now our love has died
Our relationship is over and there's no chance of getting back together
This is why I cry, cry
This is the reason why I'm in tears
So you said "Goodnight"
When you told me goodnight
But you meant "Goodbye"
You were actually saying goodbye forever
Now our love has died
Our relationship is over and there's no chance of getting back together
This is why I cry, cry
This is the reason why I'm in tears
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind