Catch up, No.s 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
10 Mar
Reader, (as you knew I would) I’ve fallen behind with my song selecting, and I’d like to catch up. I think perhaps we can leave this as a “10 Great Magnetic Fields Songs” list instead of a month long tribute, as I do not want the exercise to grow tiresome to myself or my audience.
So here are the remaining four:
No. 6: As You Turn To Go (by the 6ths, a side project)
I know I’m not supposed to say I’m sorry
I know you’ve had more loves than Mata Hari
But you know you’re the star of my life story
And I’m so sorry
This song, sung by Momus, is heartbreaking and sweet. You feel bad for the protagonist, because he’s obviously enthralled and thinks so much more of his departing love than the love thinks of him. I like that it makes me think of Mata Hari, as I went through a Mata Hari phase in middle school – didn’t everyone?
No. 7: All The Umbrellas in London
All the umbrellas in London couldn’t stop this rain
And all the dope in New York couldn’t kill this pain
And all the money in Tokyo couldn’t make me stay
All the umbrellas in London couldn’t stop this rain
This is one of the first Magnetic Fields songs I heard, and Stephen Merritt’s monotone growling voice was so perfectly suited to this song that it struck a deep chord. Backed by shimmery, rain sounding synthesizers, this song is plodding yet melodic.
No. 8: Josephine
If I were Napoleon, you could be my Josephine
We could go to drive-in films in my red convertible
If I were Napoleon, I might be in magazines
I’d write some Science Fiction – Science Fiction about you
This sweet little song is almost a capella, sung sweetly out of tune and slightly flat by (I think) Claudia Gonson. It has a little place in my heart all its own.
No. 9: When You’re Old and Lonely
When you’re old and lonely
And the rush of life is past
Days go by too slowly and
The years go by too fast
When your golden loneliness is
Heavier than stone
You can call me up and say
“My god, I’m all alone”
This is the ultimate “Just you see, you’ll be ruined without me” sort of song that’s good to listen to when you’ve been through a breakup and you don’t hate him but you want him to hurt, 50 years from now, and regret it. You know, lighthearted stuff like that.
No. 10: Asleep and Dreaming
I’ve seen you laugh at nothing at all
I’ve seen you sadly weeping
The sweetest thing I ever saw
Was you asleep and dreamingWell you may not be beautiful
But it’s not for me to judge
I don’t know if you’re beautiful
Because I love you too much
This one speaks for itself, and I’ll leave you with its sentiments.


Chatterbox