42. Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields)
Boston-born singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stephin Merritt is best known as the lead singer of the synthpop, folk group The Magnetic Fields. Known for his untrained and distinct baritone voice, Merritt has been dubbed “the most miserable man in rock” due to his bitter, ironic, and often humorous take on love. Known in music circles as a “gay synth-pop” group, The Magnetic Fields consist of one gay male artist (Merritt), one lesbian (Claudia Gonson), one straight female (Susan Amway, who is no longer with the group), and two straight males (Sam Davol and John Woo).
Their best-known work is their three-volume concept album 69 Love Songs, voted album of the year by the Village Voice. They are also known for their wide range of instrumentation including the accordion, banjo, cello, flute, mandolin, ukulele, and xylophone. Merrit’s lyrics often deal with his sexuality as evidenced by his track “When My Boy Walks Down the Street” featuring the lyrics “Amazing, he’s a whole new form of life, blue eyes blazing, and he’s going to be my wife.”
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