In March of 2008 the Magnetic Fields performed six shows over three days in Chicago. It was part of the band's first tour since 2004 and half of my friends had made plans to make the jaunt down I-90 to see one of my top 20 favorite bands of all time. I didn't go... and I honestly can't remember why. Now, every time a Magnetic Fields song plays, I feel a little pang of regret. Certainly Stephen Merritt, with his apparent aversion to lengthy tours and preference of playing multiple shows in one city over a series of nights, would never bring his band to the flyover city of Madison, Wisconsin?

Well, to my delight, I was wrong. Stephen Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, a band that defines the emotion and complexity of love better than most, will be coming to Madison on October 11 for a rare show at the Overture Center's Capitol Theater. So, in honor of this occasion, I present my personal top 10 favorite songs by Magnetic Fields (not really in any order):

1. "I Have the Moon" on The Charm of the Highway Strip

This is the song that started it all in regards to Magnetic Fields. It came to me on a mixtape themed "Blue" and the concept was that all of the songs had to use the word blue. It was a hit or miss mixtape, but this one song stood out from them all. It is one of those songs that you hear on a mixtape someone gives you and you aren;t sure if they are trying to send you a message through the song or if you are simply reading too much into it.
"I'd like to come and comfort you/But I'd be blinded by the blue/You have the sun, I have the moon."

2. "All My Little Words" on 69 Love Songs

This song is an absolute heart breaker. On the soundtrack to your life it would play at the moment you realize that a once great love is falling to pieces and it is impossible to salvage no matter how hard you try. "You are a splendid butterfly, it is your wings that make you beautiful. And I could make you fly away, but I could never make you stay."

3. "100,000 Fireflies" on Distant Plastic Trees

This is one of the most beautiful songs about unhappiness you will ever hear. Merritt sits the vocals on this track out and lets band co-founder Susan Anway shine. "I went out to the forest and caught/A hundred thousand fireflies/As they ricochet round the room/They remind me of your starry eyes/Someone else's might not have made me so sad..."

4. "Why I Cry" on Get Lost

The quintessential song of lament over love that fades with the summer days. "So you say good night/But you meant good bye/Now our love has died/This is why I cry"

5. "Nothing Matters When We're Dancing" on 69 Love Songs

A song about trying to preserve those last few minutes with someone you care deeply about and don't know when you will see again.

6. "I Don't Love You Anymore" on i

Another song for the soundtrack to your life. This one would come after the break-up. You were still in love, your lover had fallen out, so you try with all of your might to live in a state of denial that you no longer are in love.

7. "Yeah, Oh Yeah" on 69 Love Songs

Magnetic Fields is essentially the genius of Stephen Merritt, but occasionally, like with "100,000 Fireflies," he offers others opportunities to join him. Claudia Gonson shares the spotlight in this duet. "Yeah, Oh Yeah" is playful and tragic as it highlights a couple trapped in a miserable relationship, but can't seem to find an exit strategy.

8. "If There's Such a Thing As Love" on i

Believe it or not Merritt doesn't only write songs about tragic relationships and complex hearts. This track stands out as one of the few songs where he is purely happy, in love, and not afraid to admit it.

9. "Smoke and Mirrors" on Get Lost

It is hard to go wrong with a song that takes place on a train. This one could be pulled directly from a French noir with two spies as lovers.

10. "Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits" on 69 Love Songs

A song about pretending to be bunny rabbits after one too many beers. 'nuff said.