For any amorous ukulele players out there. The Book of Love by Stephin Merritt of the The Magnetic Fields. I’m not sure what ukulele he’s playing there.
Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields – Andrew in Drag on ukulele
One of the joys of a new Magnetic Fields album is that Stephin Merritt is forced, probably at gunpoint, to do a round of interviews with the press. His long pauses and dry humour twinned with energetic interviewers is comedy gold. My favourite is from a TV show, Good Day Atlanta, where he’s not been to bed the previous night and is promoting the children’s book series, Lemony Snicket.
Another great thing is that he’s happy to play a song on his ukulele. Andrew In Drag, from Love Under The Sea, is a great song that he performed for the best fit sessions. Can’t wait to see the Magnetic Fields when the play London’s Southbank Centre, on the 25th April, 2o12.
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Stephin Merritt interview and ukulele version of The Nun’s Litany
Finally, Strange Powers, the documentry about Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, is available to digitally rent on iTunes and lovefilm.com. I missed the theatre screening in London and have been desperate to see it.
In honour of this, here’s a really old interview where he plays The Nun’s Litany on an 8 string mele ukulele. It’s a lovely version of the song and Stephin Merritt is his normal deadpan self.
There might be a reduced service on ukuleleporn for the next month as I’m off for on an extended holiday to the other side of the world. Hopefully I’ll find some ukulele stuff there that I can write about.
Enjoy.
The chords are at stephinsongs, along with the rest of their albums, but you’ll have to look up the uke chords if you don’t know them.
Top 5 Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields) ukulele songs
Stephin Merritt is the songwriter behind, The Magnetic Fields, The Gothic Archies, The 6ths, The Future Bible Heroes and has also released film soundtracks and a few musicals in his own name. He’s often described as the modern day Irving Berlin and he plays the ukulele, a lot. Here’s 5 ukulele based songs by him. Some of the videos are fan creations, thus are a bit weird, but you can always look the songs up on spotify.
1. With Whom to Dance – The Magnetic Fields: Get Lost
A wonderful torch song from the album, Get Lost. I love the effect on the uke combined with the overwrought melodrama of the song. Also, the video has a lovely looking uke in it. I’m pretty sure this is the official video for the song.
2. This Little Ukulele – Stephin Merritt: Eban & Charley ost
Stephin Merritt did the music for an indie film called, Eban & Charley, and in amongst the soundtrack was this little gem in which the protagonist states, that this little ukulele tells the truth. You’re damn right it does.
3. You You You You You – The 6ths: Hychenths & Thistles
The idea behind the 6ths is that other people sing Stephin Merrit songs. Katherine Whalen features on this rather sweet song.
4. Ukulele Me – Stephin Merrit: Showtunes
Merritt goes all Sondheim and pens numerous musicals which is where this song comes from. It sounds like something from glee because it’s sung by the cast of fame.
5. The Book of Love – the Magnetic Fields, 69 Love Songs
One of many, great literate pop songs, from the album 69 Love Songs. The beauty is in it’s simplicity. Oh, it’s funny, as well, and it’s a great song – so it’s maybe not that simple after all.
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Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields
Iconic songwriter, and ukulele enthusiast, Stephin Merritt, is the focus of a new documentary – Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields. Film makers Kerthy Fix and Gail O’Hara’s followed Stephin Merritt for the last ten years. I’m sure there’ll be some ukuleles in it, I look forward to watching it when I get a chance.
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