The Book Of Love

The Magnetic Fields' song 'The Book Of Love' delves into the multifaceted nature of love, portraying it as both complex and mundane. The lyrics describe 'The Book of Love' as a lengthy, tedious tome filled with charts, facts, and instructions, suggesting that love is often complicated and not always exciting. Despite this, the narrator finds joy and meaning in the simple act of their partner reading to them, highlighting the beauty in shared moments and the personal connection that transcends the book's dullness.

The song also touches on the idea that love encompasses a wide range of experiences, from the sublime to the silly. The line 'The book of love has music in it' suggests that love is the source of all music, a universal language that can be both profound and trivial. The narrator's appreciation for their partner's singing, regardless of the song's quality, underscores the importance of the emotional bond over the content itself. This reflects a deeper understanding that love is not about grand gestures but about the everyday acts of affection and connection.

In the final verse, the song reflects on the timeless nature of love, filled with traditional symbols like flowers and heart-shaped boxes. These symbols, while perhaps clichéd and old-fashioned, still hold significant meaning. The narrator's desire for wedding rings signifies a longing for commitment and the formalization of their bond. The repetition of 'I love it when you give me things' emphasizes the joy found in giving and receiving within a relationship, suggesting that love is as much about the small, thoughtful gestures as it is about the grand ones.