The Magnetic Fields - "The Book of Love" (Live at WFUV)

wfuv.org Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields performs "The Book of Love" live in Studio-A. Recorded 4/18/2012.
Host: Russ Borris
Engineer: Jim O'Hara
Cameras: Tim Teeling, Tim Pierson and Joe Grimaldi
Editor: Jim O'Hara

[@dandan5928]

This song should have made Stephen Merritt a billionaire. One of the best songs ever

[@feet300]

It probably did. As the songwriter he would get a kickback every time it’s played in a commercial, show, movie, etc. This includes Peter Gabriel’s version, because it’s still his money. 69 Love Songs in entirety is a gift.

[@bjoegday409]

@@feet300 scrubs finale

[@alexandermacdonald7447]

its a cover

[@justahotdog5153]

@@alexandermacdonald7447 It’s not a cover, Stephin Merritt wrote it, the Peter Gabriel version is the cover.

[@Flowerbranche]

@@alexandermacdonald7447 Do your homework, go and listen to '69 Love Songs' by the Magnetic Fields - NOW!!! It's a fantastic album and this song is on it.

[@joefox3190]

This man is a genius.

[@obxkiteflier]

The first 30 or 40 times I watched this video, I didn't like it, but since then it's grown on me.

[@Jeffro5564]

Peter Gabriel cover version has made it mainstream. But the singer from magnetfield he wrote 69 love songs

[@darby_hudson]

hahaha made my day

[@paulg903]

@@Jeffro5564 haha 69

[@NamavaliMusic]

🙌

[@uvp5000]

Stephin Merritt wrote a work of art that usually comes with advanced age and a life lived often with a ton of mistakes and disarming honesty.

[@TheMarkCraig]

Agreed.

[@MissBooksmith]

Yes, it is beautiful and we've all made mistakes and when we find the love that is right for us it makes it all worthwhile, and the love all the richer.

[@ladyreade]

Yes, but he didn’t write the words. See above post

[@Carmander138]

ladyreade but that is Stephin Merritt singing. That’s the guy that wrote it

[@larshetfield3747]

@@ladyreade Stephin Merritt wrote this song you wingbat. Stop it.

[@lilbiddy07]

This was my wedding song!

[@ce311]

If I got to marry the man I loved with every cell.... This would have been playing... But he left me suddenly and then suddenly married another.

[@RunningCormorant9241]

My wife and I did karaoke at our after-ceremony party - including a 'first duet' in lieu of a first dance. That evening, I sang this to her. Well, I tried. I couldn't keep from crying out of happiness. Still, I gave it a go...

[@elleb9618]

Same! It was playing when my now husband proposed to me ❤❤

[@jessicastangle1799]

I walked down the aisle to song. So beautiful

[@stentor9640]

I plan to dedicate this song to my wife at my funeral.

[@chrisflakus8681]

Goddamn. What a voice. Seriously tear-inducing.

[@avrgdude1979]

I can see the Peter Gabriel version being the grand, romantic movie, type thing. Where two Beautiful People are Meant To Be, Forever. The original is slow dancing with your partner in the kitchen, on a Thursday night. Two different kinds of beautiful.

[@MarlenJade]

this was painstakingly beautiful

[@JDeeDyer]

I would say painfully beautiful :)

[@msflyingfree7]

JDeeDyer Always & Forever

[@toddglee1]

Its just too perfect it makes me want to cry. Nobody else can write songs like this.

[@ladyreade]

he only put someone elses lyrics to music

[@platinumdynamite]

It's his own song.

[@ladyreade]

platinumdynamite nope. Read the Library of Congress info above. He didn’t write the words

[@shortbusbully]

It is definitely his song. Music and Lyrics Stephin Merritt. That's Stephin Merritt.

[@Sugefut]

@@ladyreade I have read the library of Congress info above... the link you provided is below and is not this song. catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchArg=73092866&searchCode=GKEY%5E*&searchType=0&recCount=25&sk=en_US So do you have any other proof ladyreade or is this just a shitpost comment?

[@flipindisticalproductions4736]

I really like the humour inside it all.

[@msflyingfree7]

Flipindistical Pictures so captivatingly true

[@sjobersx4]

This song, and his voice are as close to perfection as you will find. I’ve listened to this on repeat more time than I could count.

[@francescamucciaccio9686]

In my book, the most romantic song ever. ;)

[@robinbickel4594]

I don't know if you'll ever see this but I think his song "It's Only Time" is even more romantic. There is no one better on the subject of love.

[@elainemoisan8877]

Stephin Merritt has made the world a better place with his songs. For me, at least - we laugh and cry and sympathize with one another. Gracias, Stephin.

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

If Johnny Cash played ukulele. In all seriousness, I love this song.

[@garrywilling3711]

How did I not realise this was the original? Wtf! Literally fell in love with my gf because she sang a Mag Fields song to me. And scrubs is my fave show and has influenced my life massively. The finale had such a powerful impact on me. This band has influenced my life in a big way. I need to pay them more attention and listen to everything they've ever released!

[@clintongryke6887]

'69 Love Songs' is one of the best compilations of great songs I've ever heard.

[@scotscub76]

He looks so hamdsome here. Gorgeous bear ❤

[@colinegan5501]

Stephin may not be the most be the most beautiful singer ever. Buy this may be the most beautiful song ever sung.

[@AstralFrost]

You can tell his voice is untrained, and yet, it's beautiful in its own way. I love this man...

[@MichaelLesesne]

this song speaks to my soul

[@toddlemmon]

Holy f***. Blown away.

[@hexis23]

I love this man.

[@welbermoreiradossantos4531]

One Word: Wow!

[@FancyFern]

His voice slays

[@starrbolt]

this is so fucking beautiful I literally teared up.

[@jessicastangle1799]

I walked down the aisle for my wedding with this version. Its still our favorite song💙

[@jessicastangle1799]

Me too!

[@apfelstrudelmaster]

I love both this version and Gabriel's cover! =)

[@rafagonzalez9825]

this is The sweetest song i ever heard

[@joshuahoward6845]

Gawd, that deep voice pierces my soul with this song

[@JOHNCHENSJCA]

Love this haunting song

[@BryanMcPherson]

Great song from one of my favorite albums.

[@Scoresby]

Peter Gabriel's is the cover. This is the original my friend.

[@joelanderos23]

but in this case, the cover is much better, imo.

[@ge569]

@@joelanderos23 - no

[@buckleygeneration]

@@joelanderos23 Absolutely not.

[@psychotropical3178]

@@joelanderos23 nope. Listen to the master rather than this live performance and see if you still believe that

[@robinbickel4594]

@@joelanderos23 nope and I love Gabriel

[@heilong79]

I forgot about the Magnetic fields, I really like this stuff beck in 2001.

[@motivationforbreakfast]

I love this song so much!

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

This is one helluva song

[@idoiaaranbarrietxaburu8303]

Really Beautiful. It,s very great.

[@Far_pavilions]

just magical

[@sebastianconcha9362]

That face us obviusly thinking in someone he love for that i prefer this version

[@heathershaw5965]

I. Freaking. Love. This. A. Lot. 🥰

[@TheMrgonzalo05]

Airborne toxic events makes a great cover.

[@yayes]

Stephin Merritt is probably the only person who can do good solo ukulele music. Just listen to that low note at 1:10. Sublime!

[@2101216171819]

Merrit wrote that beatiful song, dude.

[@simonvanderirwin]

that's dope. i love it.

[@amberhaynes9541]

You are a genius ❤

[@ThomasBaxter]

Wow! This is just fantastic!

[@aaandroide]

Stephiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin! You're the COOLEST human being in the world.

[@toddshaw4993]

Very cool!

[@fearofthedarkfl]

merritt is amazing...

[@JessicaJonesJessJones]

So beautiful!!!

[@monicadwiputranti7037]

agree...he's genius

[@lopesdareosa]

Genial!

[@ihrstinkt100]

❤

[@tobiasstuttgen7132]

Bless this man.

[@swagazar]

Wow! I wasn't aware that Bobby Singer sang!

[@flipperalone833]

Ijut! (Supernatural expression of Love, honest)

[@mirabear48]

+William Salazar i thought the same thing. well done!

[@mikogale]

well it's apparent from his name tho

[@letmegomkultrashithead]

☆Brilliant bon ami☆

[@oneli1440]

Peter Gabriel的版本听起来像一个爱情故事，Stephin Merritt像一对一的爱情表白，都很好❤，我比较喜欢Stephin的版本

[@pam9707]

So incredibly beautiful!

[@mdav30]

This is so much like a Daniel Johnston song, in a great way, I'd be surprised if he wasn't influenced - right down to the detuned instrument. Give a listen to True Love Will Find You in the End if you like this song.

[@andrewhall7930]

One man with a little uke, and he has more soul than 4 piece bands...

[@benfongtorres9036]

he's passively talented. it is inspiring..

[@paolobrunorolla8101]

wow

[@Scoresby]

No problem :)

[@hughesfarris6009]

I like Peter Gabriel and all but I love it when HE sings to me

[@poetrynova]

couldn't pay attention to the lyrics because his deep voice was stimulting already xD

[@zforzone]

Came here after I heard on ‘One Day’

[@jumiloves]

I Was Told There’d Be Cake 🥰

[@josephbraca5271]

The 2 cellos- Zucchero version in Italian is a great one too

[@energyideas]

Subtle genius.

[@Mohan_VIllar15]

Where can we get the chords for ukulele in this version

[@TehAwesomer]

😭😭😭

[@MissHMSilk]

🥰❤️❤️❤️😘🙏💫

[@andrespereydaresearch]

Man

[@Robbi2108]

He looks like Bob from Supernatural :D

[@Koshirozation]

[@baddrivers6807]

Never heard of this group until recently. I've missed out, sounds like lyrics of Roy Orbison. Goose bumps on the arms song

[@yortukfenstruk]

My wife said Stephen Merritt doesn't respect his art enough to sing well. We're getting a divorce.

[@grivas1161]

lmao

[@markfritzel5993]

I used to think this would be played at my wedding but slowly realized I will never have a wedding.

[@podunkom]

Is that a bass uke?

[@can7091]

Eğer aşk bir şarkı olsaydı, the book of love olurdu... The song of love.

[@quikness5284]

Shit is epic

[@richardplante1229]

This kind of reminds me of Neil Young ... one hell of a song writer but never had the voice to really do great justice to the songs he penned. But ... it's all in the heart, isn't it! And that really, really matters most.

[@cr1197]

Honestly I think his voice is perfect for this particular song. The meaning of the song (to me) is that love is simple. There's this massive Book full of facts and figures and intricacies and beautiful flowing script... and it's pretty much useless when you're in love. "You can sing me anything", "you can read me anything". Doesnt have to be the Book. Could be the back of a cereal box, you're going to love it because it's your love reading it. Kind of adds another layer to the interpretations of the piece to me. Peter Gabriel's version, for instance, strikes me as kinda funny. Like it missed the whole point of the song with all its pomp and circumstance.

[@Varkoz]

you all should check out Billie Tweddles cover of this song. its sooooo good

[@whatthefrick1442]

Not sure about this but I am trying

[@joelanderos23]

once, and only once, is the chance i'm giving it since i've heard peter gabriel's cover too many times to like this one.

[@michaeldavenport7758]

This guy could give barry white a lesson

[@chamberofrelics]

Tweek x Craig Boysu Rabi

[@chamberofrelics]

Clandestine Confidential boysu rabi is the most emotional moment of television shows in 2015.

[@fuzzypickles1414]

Chamber Of Relics shut the fuck up with the twerk and Craig

[@canttouchmydonutthederpman4315]

twerk x Graig u son of a bitch

[@fuzzypickles1414]

canttouchmydonut / thederpman99 your a fucking bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@richardlong5928]

This man has got a honey pot in his throat

[@DaftSwank]

🥱

[@user-sz3xn8el6i]

...when you notice he doesn't have a wedding ring on. :(

[@nid1600]

heh

[@TimMcGrath-nc4ld]

I watched all the others: cellos and scrubs and Peter G but nothing matches Stephen. In fact that’s where music comes from is the 2nd greatest lyric ever (1st is at the end of Abbey Road). After listening to this I’m buying an engagement ring this week. First song with wedding rings is locked down 💋

[@Godspeedjosh]

Johnny Cash mixed with Eddie Vedder.

[@alynawatersmusic]

I know this will be blasphemy to a lot of people but I love this version the best. ❤️ I like Chris Thile’s version also. Peter Gabriel doesn’t do it for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@NAZYRAWR]

gavin james nailed it.

[@dementeddaniel666]

Damn... I didn't know John Goodman could sing so well.

[@tahirhussain3791]

John Goodman Rocks this Tune..😅

[@nweston99]

Actually john Goodman is a great singer

[@johnboys4697]

My thoughts exactly

[@jonnyperez2807]

nice song, but it made me yawn. Not out of boredom, but the way he can go that low made the yawn reflex happen lol

[@ladyreade]

He didn't write the lyrics!! He found them in the library of congress. They were written by Bruce Kincaid. Bruce submitted his poem to the library of congress where they became public domain. Give credit where its due!

[@ladyreade]

John Library of Congress LC control number 73092866 Kincaid, Bruce Main title: The Book of Love Created May 1985, not published LC classification: PN6110.L6 S65 1974 My friend Bruce wrote the poem to propose to his girlfriend Janice. After she accepted he put it in to the Library of Congress where it became public domain. So it was perfectly legal for someone else to put it to music. But I like to see credit where it is due. Bruce Kincaid is the genius behind those haunting lyrics

[@cloudcircusgaming5153]

ladyreade I couldn’t find that name, title, or LC number when I did a search on the Library of Congress. Do you have a link or any other proof?

[@MsAmazilia]

Um, nope. That LCCN is associated with an unrelated book called "Songs of flying dragons : a critical reading"

[@Sugefut]

Is it possible you gave the wrong LC control number ladyreade?

[@Sugefut]

@@MsAmazilia Correct... link posted below, so ladyreade... is this a shitpost? catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchArg=73092866&searchCode=GKEY%5E*&searchType=0&recCount=25&sk=en_US

[@normangonz]

da fuck did I just watch?

[@skribblefingers9724]

A lovely performance, swine.

[@beanerbea9630]

+Waru very true! Awesome performance!

[@derekensinger]

Love the album version. But this? Is he drunk? Phoning it in? Don't know...just missing the "soul". IMO.

[@nollatoleranssi9177]

Terrible.

[@skylark2352]

He wrote a great song..sang it terribly..Peter Gabriel didn't do much better.. now Taylor Hickson's little version is amazingly beautiful.