With Whom to Dance
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Moons in June I've given up on that stuff
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.

Overall Meaning

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

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Comments from YouTube:

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

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