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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Young an Insane
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a brown school and a dead shopping mall
The record store is execrable
We sit around blowing bubbles
'Cause we're young and insane
And we're running away for the summer
We're deprived and depraved
Young and insane
When you're free in an antique car
For a week you will know who you are
In uninhabitable we go out to jump in puddles
The Magnetic Fields's song "Young and Insane" is a song about youth and the longing to escape the mundanity of everyday life. The opening lyrics set the scene of a town with nothing but a school and a dead shopping mall, where the record store is execrable. This paints a picture of a bleak and uninteresting place, which prompts the singers to yearn for adventure and excitement. The mention of "blowing bubbles" indicates a childlike innocence and a desire for whimsy.
The chorus of the song, "we're young and insane, and we're running away for the summer, we're deprived and depraved, and we won't get away with it," encapsulates the reckless abandon of youth. The use of "insane" and "depraved" implies a sense of rebellion and non-conformity. The singers are running away for the summer, a common trope in coming-of-age stories, and it's clear that they're aware that their actions have consequences.
The verse about driving an antique car and jumping in puddles suggests that the singers are finding joy in the simple pleasures in life, despite their desire for adventure. This further highlights the innocence and naivety of the youth, as they are able to find happiness in things that may seem mundane to adults.
Line by Line Meaning
In this town there is nothing at all
This town is devoid of any exciting activities or places to visit.
But a brown school and a dead shopping mall
The only places in this town are a dull school and a lifeless mall.
The record store is execrable
The music store in this town is terrible and of very low quality.
We sit around blowing bubbles
Due to lack of activities, the only thing to do is to sit around and blow bubbles.
'Cause we're young and insane
The youth are crazy and energetic due to their age.
And we're running away for the summer
They are trying to escape their mundane town for the summer season.
We're deprived and depraved
They are deprived of opportunities and depraved due to their boredom.
And we won't get away with it
They know that their escape won't be successful or long-lasting.
Young and insane
The youth are both young and wild.
When you're free in an antique car
Being free and adventurous in an old car is a thrilling experience.
For a week you will know who you are
A week-long adventure can make one understand their identity better.
In uninhabitable we go out to jump in puddles
Their town is unlivable, so they go out to jump in puddles for amusement.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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