2000 Great Songs #1433: The Death Of Ferdinand De Saussure

The Magnetic Fields' 1999 triple-CD magnum opus 69 Love Songs is such an embarrassment of riches that I've largely declined to give it its due in this list, 'cuz where would one even begin? But for our second visit to the box set, I'm pulling the trigger and landing on the unlikely cut "The Death Of Ferdinand De Saussure." 

Now, 19th century Swiss linguists are not a typical topic for rock songs. But the absurdly obscure historical reference here is mostly just an excuse for Stephin Merritt to cook up some delicious rhymes for a catchy synth-driven new wave-styled pop song with a cool descending bassline. I mean, this verse is so insane it deserves some sort of award:

"I'm just a great composer, and not a violent man. But I lost my composure, and I shot Ferdinand. Crying 'it's well and kosher, to say you don't understand, but this is for Holland-Dozier-Holland.'"

Live 2024:

Cover by Jacob Ruefer:

Melbourne, Australia's Just Holler Choir:

Will Butler (of Arcade Fire):

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