Stephin Merritt (born February 9, 1965)[3][4] is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the songwriter and principal singer of the bands the Magnetic Fields, the Gothic Archies, and Future Bible Heroes.

[5][6] Merritt created and plays principal roles in the bands the Magnetic Fields,[6] the 6ths, the Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes.

He and director Chen Shi-Zheng collaborated on three pieces of musical theatre: The Orphan of Zhao (2003), Peach Blossom Fan (2004) and My Life as a Fairy Tale (2005).

[12] Merritt has been acclaimed for his lyrics, which have been described as "romantic", "humorous",[13] and "literary",[14] and he has been called an "insightful lyricist"[15] and a "brilliant wordsmith".

"[18] Unlike most singer-songwriters, Merritt rarely writes autobiographical songs[13] and does not consider songwriting to be emotionally expressive but an exercise in craft, carried out for its own pleasure.

Merritt has said he is an avid listener of bubblegum pop, listing Ramones, Kraftwerk, Abba, The Troggs as examples of the style.

Merritt has struggled with epilepsy and depression since his youth, and has a hearing condition known as hyperacusis, which he believes is damage sustained from attending an Einstürzende Neubauten concert at Danceteria.

[27] When touring the 50 Song Memoir album live, which required a more expanded line-up and amplified sound, the band were able to address this issue by building an elaborate set around Merritt which doubles as an isolation booth.

[citation needed] He was the subject of a documentary, Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, which premiered in March 2010.