They Might Be Giants

[StevieG]

They have been around forever, and man they are prolific! I love 'em - some of their stuff is crap, but they just keep producing music and there are some absolute gems out there. Their kids series of albums is absolute gold. They have a huge mixture of quirky, hilarious, and serious songs, some miss the mark (for me) and others hit the spot!

I saw them a couple of years ago, and they still have the passion for creating more - which I'm happy about!

I'll post as many as I can think of (when I get the time )

Here's one to get you started - from the Flood album - Birdhouse in your Soul

[StevieG]

Here's a couple of their kids series: this is gold!!

Meet the elements

Why does the sun shine?

Why does the sun really shine? - refuting the previous song!

[Cagliostro]

I'm an unabashed fan of them. In fact, I think I will just admit that they are probably my favorite band. Mainly because they never fell completely to crap like so many strong intense loves of mine, and they keep putting out new music so that I never get sick of their back catalog. And they are still very much experimenting. The problem with experimentation is that some works and some doesn't. The only album of theirs that I feel was perfectly honed with no rough edges was Mink Car. Not most people's favorite album, but just seems to be that everything was "finished," which I don't always get that feel from their albums. But it is also part of their charm. I think I particularly like them because they keep surprising me, for the most part.
Here is a song that I found surprising that was from their Venue Songs - an album compiling the songs from a writing challenge to themselves: write a different and original song for each venue they go to on their tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNYTt7WU7l4

[StevieG]

Mink Car was fairly "finished". I also thought similar things of Factory Showroom and John Henry.

Today's song is from Lincoln - one of their early albums. It is my daughter's current favourite

Cowtown

[Cord Hurn]

Here's one to get you started - from the Flood album - Birdhouse in your Soul

This band has its entertaining moments. That song goes through a number of key changes, yet still seems rather seamless in its execution. I like how this song is about a nightlight, as it's guaranteed to be an illuminating subject (sorry Stevie, I couldn't resist). As a kid, I was always able to fall asleep faster with a nightlight, for it made me feel safer. I agree that this band has some noteworthy material, some of it. I also like that their dancing in this video makes me not feel so bad about my awkward line dancing skills.

[Cord Hurn]

Here's a couple of their kids series: this is gold!!

Meet the elements

Why does the sun shine?

Why does the sun really shine? - refuting the previous song!

Those were all enjoyable, and good for education! I guess plasma wins out over gas, huh?

[Cord Hurn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNYTt7WU7l4

Meh, not into this. Sorry!

[Cord Hurn]

Cowtown

That one was rather fun!

[StevieG]

Thanks for listening CH

Here's a catchy tune with slightly disturbing lyrics - it appears the person has taken an overdose of Advil...

It has some of my favourite lyrics in it - Till my Head Falls Off

Clearing my throat, and gripping the lectern I smile and face my audience
Clearing his throat and smiling with his hands on the bathroom sink

[StevieG]

But wait, there's more! Much much more!!

The Mesopotamians

[Cord Hurn]

Thanks for listening CH

Here's a catchy tune with slightly disturbing lyrics - it appears the person has taken an overdose of Advil...

It has some of my favourite lyrics in it - Till my Head Falls Off

Sounds like someone's dealing with a hangover from hell!


TILL MY HEAD FALLS OFF
(Written by Brian Doherty, John Flansburgh, John Linnell, Graham Maby, Eric Schermerhorn)

There were 87 Advil in the bottle now there's 30 left
I ate 47 so what happened to the other 10?
Why do you suspiciously change the subject and break my concentration
As I dump the bottle out and I count the Advil up again?

Don't interrupt me as I struggle to complete this thought
Have some respect for someone more forgetful than yourself

And I'm not done
And I won't be till my head falls off

Hitting every pocket on my shirt, pants and overcoat
And I'm hitting them again but I don't know where I put my notes
Clearing my throat, and gripping the lectern I smile and face my audience
Clearing his throat and smiling with his hands on the bathroom sink

And when I lean my head against the frosted shower stall
I see stuff through the glass that I don't recognize at all

And I'm not done
And I won't be till my head falls off
Though it may not be a long way off

I'm not done talking yet
I'm not done talking yet

And when I lean my head against the frosted shower stall
I see a broken figure silhouetted on the wall

And I'm not done
And I won't be till my head falls off
Though it may not be a long way off
I won't be done until my head falls off

[Cagliostro]

Here's one about a drinking problem: Thunderbird

[dANdeLION]

Graham Maby was in the band? Cool! He was Joe Jackson's bassist; a total badass!

[Cord Hurn]

Graham Maby was in the band? Cool! He was Joe Jackson's bassist; a total badass!

Yeah, dAN, it's my understanding that while Maby remains Jackson's bassist, he still works with They Might Be Giants as well (since 1996).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Maby

[StevieG]

Here's a gem from Mink Car - great lyrics once again!

Man, it's so loud in here

[StevieG]

As I got hit by a car, there was a message for me...
As I went through the windshield, I noticed something... Subliminal

[Cord Hurn]

Here's one about a drinking problem: Thunderbird

Yeah, that's a catchy little sing-a-long song!

[StevieG]

At the End of the Tour

Great song from John Henry

If I remember correctly, it contains some of Cag's favourite lyrics (at one time):

Never to part since the day we met
Out on Interstate 91
I was bent metal you were a flaming wreck
When we kissed at the overpass

And here's a bonus for your listening pleasure!

Dr Worm

[Cagliostro]

Yep, StevieG, that is correct. The music comes on so heavy there that the first time I read what the lyrics actually were there, I was pretty knocked over.

[Cord Hurn]

Here's a gem from Mink Car - great lyrics once again!

Man, it's so loud in here

It's simultaneously soothing (vocals) and exciting (drum machine sound), but it's just too fast for dancing! I'm glad the drum machine finally got turned off!