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)
http://www.houseoftomorrow.com/
With Whom to Dance
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Arms have charms but I've no hope of falling in love
The rest of life pales in significance
I'm looking for somebody with whom to dance
With whom to dance? With whom to dance?
I'm looking for somebody with whom to dance.
Rings and strings What use have I for these things?
Bells and carousels I'd just be fooling myself.
And you You look like heaven
An angel who stepped from a dream
777 times lovelier than anything I've ever seen.
The Magnetic Fields's song With Whom to Dance? is about the search for true love, companionship, and someone to share life's simple pleasures with. The first two lines of the song, "Moons in June I've given up on that stuff, Arms have charms but I've no hope of falling in love" suggest that the singer has lost faith in love and relationships. However, he still believes in the transformative power of dance as he says "The rest of life pales in significance, I'm looking for somebody with whom to dance." The singer is not seeking grand romantic gestures or material possessions, he simply wants to share a dance with someone he cares for.
The second verse of the song continues with the theme of simplicity over extravagance, as the singer dismisses rings, strings, bells, and carousels as irrelevant to his search for love. However, he expresses admiration for the person he is speaking to, describing them as "an angel who stepped from a dream, 777 times lovelier than anything I've ever seen." The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's desire for a partner, stating that he is "looking for somebody with whom to dance" three times in succession.
Overall, The Magnetic Fields's With Whom to Dance? suggests that true love is not about grand gestures or material possessions, but about finding a companion to share life's simple pleasures with, such as dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Moons in June I've given up on that stuff
I have lost hope in finding love; the stereotypical romance that is expected in the month of June no longer excites me.
Arms have charms but I've no hope of falling in love
While physical attraction can be superficially appealing, I have no expectation of finding true love.
The rest of life pales in significance
Without someone to share my experiences with, the other aspects of my life seem unimportant and insignificant.
I'm looking for somebody with whom to dance
I am searching for a partner to join me in the most intimate and serendipitous of activities- a dance.
With whom to dance? With whom to dance?
The repeated question reinforces the frustration and desperation in my search for a dance partner.
Rings and strings What use have I for these things?
Material possessions like jewelry and musical instruments hold no value to me-they are meaningless without someone to share them with.
Bells and carousels I'd just be fooling myself.
Indulging in the frivolities of life will not bring me true happiness without someone to enjoy them with.
And you You look like heaven
The person I am looking for is someone who resonates with my deepest desires and dreams- a heavenly apparition.
An angel who stepped from a dream
The one who embodies my desires, like an angelic vision, seems almost too good to be true- as if they stepped right out of a dream.
777 times lovelier than anything I've ever seen.
The beauty and love I seek in someone exceeds anything that I have encountered so far- seven hundred and seventy-seven times over.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sickcakez
I would like to take this moment to thank Stephen Merritt for helping me to not commit suicide.
Marxist Dixie
I being honest I think mf is the gayest band I have heard but it's better than modern pop
BoredumbSleepyHead
Awesome yet ironic because this song just killed me
Scott Vanderpool
Yea. Seriously. Fucking seriously.
Rico Rosario
We need a video of us getting drunk
Nikita Kade
I would like to thank Stephen Merritt for keeping music alive, because he and TMFs have been one of the most original things in it. What TMFs can do with three minutes and less than fifty words is generally worth an entire album by someone else; and every album, whether it's acoustic or synthesized, is a perfect, unique, distinct little jewel.
bnbv
idk why i read TMF as these motherfuckers
Lee
If this song was written in the 1800's it would be lovely and popular. That is what is so classic about Stephin's writing. He seems to produce standards—not just songs.
Chris Harley
I first heard this song when It was covered by 'The Divine Comedy' before the days of youtube. Learned to play it on my guitar because its such a pretty song, but never thought more of it than an obscure b-side. Three weeks ago I google it for the first time and discover 'The Magnetic Fields' my mind is blown, all the music I've loved in the past feel feels like mild infatuation compared to this band. Poetry that touches the mind, melodies that touch and enrich the soul, and make you feel like a better person because of them. Sounds meladramatic I know but It's the truth. Thank you Stephen Merritt and all 'The Magnetic Fields' musicians, sorry it took me so long to discover you:)
Missing Cutlery
love it when you find a band that improve your whole quality of life