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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World Love
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From Tokyo to Soweto viva la musica pop We are black & white
And we dance all night down at the hop and the letters were tall
On the Berlin Wall viva la musica pop so if you're feeling low
Stuck in some bardo I, even I know the solution
Love, music, wine and revolution love, love, love music, wine and revolution
This too shall pass so raise your glass to change and chance
The Magnetic Fields's song "World Love" is a call for love, unity, and revolution through music. The lyrics suggest that music can tear down governments and walls, bringing people of different races and cultures together to dance and celebrate. The line "When the rhythm calls the government falls" implies that music has the power to incite change and revolution, and that when people come together to dance and sing, they become unstoppable. The reference to the Berlin Wall also symbolizes the power of music to bring down physical barriers.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Love, music, wine and revolution" as a solution to any problem, no matter how big or small. These simple pleasures are presented as the keys to overcoming any obstacle and inspiring change. The idea of "stuck in some bardo" suggests a feeling of being stuck or in between stages of life, and the solution to that feeling is to embrace the joyful and freeing energy of music, love, and revolution.
Overall, "World Love" is a powerful message about the power of music to inspire change, bridge cultural gaps, and unite people in a common cause. It suggests that no matter where one is in the world or what challenges they may be facing, music and love can provide a way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
When the rhythm calls the government falls Here come the cops
The power of music and dance is so strong that it can overthrow governments and bring in the police to stop it.
From Tokyo to Soweto viva la musica pop We are black & white
Music is universal and everyone, regardless of race, can enjoy pop music.
And we dance all night down at the hop and the letters were tall On the Berlin Wall viva la musica pop so if you're feeling low
Pop music unites people and can even bring down walls of division. It can lift spirits when feeling down.
Stuck in some bardo I, even I know the solution Love, music, wine and revolution love, love, love music, wine and revolution
Even when feeling lost or stuck, the solution is to turn to love, music, wine and embrace revolution and change.
This too shall pass so raise your glass to change and chance And freedom is the only law shall we dance...
Nothing is permanent and change is inevitable, so embrace it with a toast and celebrate freedom as the only true law. Let's dance!
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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