Xylophone Track
The Magnetic Fields · 69 Love Songs Pt. 3 [1999]
I leave my only shoes
To my dear, dear mother
I leave my only shoes
By the time you read this
I will have died of the blues
Scream little choo-choo
Bang your xylophone track
Scream little choo-choo
Bang your xylophone track
You can wail all night long
But you can't bring her back
I've done so much crying
The flesh has left my bones
I've done so much crying
The flesh has left my bones
I can play my ribcage
Like a xylophone
Xylophone Track
The Magnetic Fields' 'Xylophone Track' appears on the third volume of their ambitious 1999 triple album, 69 Love Songs. This sprawling project showcases the band's eclectic range, shifting between indie pop, chamber pop, and electronic textures across its three discs. Stephen Merritt's songwriting often balances whimsical instrumentation with introspective themes, a trait evident in this recording. The track exemplifies the group's willingness to experiment with unconventional sounds within a cohesive pop framework. As part of a landmark release in the indie canon, the song contributes to the album's reputation for blending emotional depth with playful production choices. It remains a notable song in the band's extensive discography, reflecting the creative energy that defined their late nineties output.