The Magnetic Fields - Papa Was A Rodeo (Live)

[@TiernanSongs]

J-sus, he gives me goosebumps. Some people say, "We're lucky we were alive at the same time as David Bowie," and we were. But, lately, I feel lucky to be alive at the same time as Stephin Merritt.

[@splode7414]

For some reason, the line "and now its 55 years later/we've had the romance of the century" reduces me to floods of tears. Just so beautiful.

[@Tyrni88]

I saw them live last night for the first time in Helsinki (my home town). They played this song. I was on the first row!! The best musical experience of my life ❤

[@BurningtunaDC]

If you saw them it is presumed that they were "live" and not.....well..... Good that you had a nice time. Say "hello" to Michael Monroe in Helsinki from all of us.

[@zeynepozsoy]

Oh, just realized I'm still in love with this man

[@stanusher5225]

Magnetic Fields should be huge......why are they not?!

[@mj.l]

they're huge to the sorts of music listeners who appreciate them, but the music business is so fragmented these days that the only "huge" acts the industry pushes are the vacuous pap you hear on commercial radio

[@colinbanning9416]

He's a songwriters songwriter. Musician ADORE Stephen Merritt, for the same reason really nerdy music fans do, because we are used to listening to cheap demos and finding the merit within it, beyond the poorish recording quality. Man can write the absolute pants off of a song.

[@justburnerratically]

Basically, because the quality of songwriting is a no factor in music industry. Even though indie became a huge thing some 15 years ago and many underground bands became quite popular (look at Modest Mouse) it's still flooded with huge amount of (now playing indie style since it's popular) crappy bands. Sadly it will never change because you'd need people who decide who's huge and who's not to have an actual taste in music, so... sorry bud :)

[@stanusher5225]

@@justburnerratically Sadly totally agree, and it bites

[@blipblop9094]

they are your favorite bands favorite band.

[@hannahmacdonald3804]

I love the original too but this live performance is MINDBLOWINGLY better omg

[@orsanbloom1739]

this song is everything

[@ASMRForYourSoul]

Music seems to save me whenever I’m down, it’s always when I find things like this. I cried at the office to this. Thank you.

[@wesleyesthimer9697]

What a legendary song. It sounds wonderful with piano.

[@lancashirebomber9744]

I saw them a few years back, and was staggered at how good Shirley simms voice was live. amazing songwriter-merritt.

[@theoutlaw5806]

I can’t quite put my finger on it .. but Merrit’s vocals make this song so emotional & it clearly resonates with a lot of people. He’s not blessed with a great voice but he damn sure knows how to use it

[@SBlackmare]

Wonderful. “Home was anywhere diesel was sold.” Kudos!!

[@NEntv58]

What an extraordinary thing.

[@crystalherr3563]

100,000 fireflies got me, but this is the song that hooked me back in the 90’s when I was still young. Ugh, it pierces the heart!

[@mollyostman2378]

The greatest song ever.

[@obiwanjermobi]

this gave me chills

[@JSDudeca]

Such a fantastic song writer! 69 Love songs is a brilliant album.

[@fatttony9890]

wow.....just wow.....

[@joshh1598]

Their voices work so well together.

[@choreographesis]

divine.

[@retrobiker670]

Absolutely wonderful..goosebumps!

[@mauchosmith2865]

Siempre un agrado escucharte Merritt!!!

[@gmocasen5701]

Beautiful!!!

[@crownmediastudio4913]

Great tune

[@lancashirebomber9744]

saw them in 2012, this was amazing, live.

[@mjones410]

Brilliant

[@bonniebardowski]

super

[@KissyCrissy]

So Rich!

[@detonaart5178]

chauu, me morí..

[@gir5o1]

He's like if you combined Bob Dylan with Steven Wright.

[@sheepfiberllamas]

this is perfect

[@alanajeydel1]

Or with Tom Waits

[@noncorporealentity5641]

why doesn't it start at the beginning of the song?

[@IanDunbar1]

I'm pretty sure this is a clip from the documentary "Strange Powers". That's all that was included in the film.

[@MrPokemonranger]

Is that Mike Stoklasa?

[@grundlefly]

In fact, it is. And that's Rich Evans in a wig.

[@roymagneskadberg606]

Jes please

[@robotjoxx3166]

Mike Stoklasa

[@katyfoye]

What is this song about?

[@olivelavender5886]

love and finding connection

[@paulmarsh228]

It was about three and a half minutes.

[@MaryHope-v9o]

Life?

[@JohnMainz]

Cry

[@JohnMainz]

Always

[@chrisjenvizzuso9316]

No offense but holy fuck shirley simms doesnt annoy me live????? huh?