A newbie guide to They Might Be Giants
Admit it. Some of you 80s fanatics out there who probably still don't really know (and to know is to love) the music of They Might Be Giants.
The "Two Johns" hit St. Petersburg tonight for a show at Jannus Landing. Stuck in the 80s guest host Stephanie Hayes and I interviewed John Linnell for our TMBG podcast and wrote up a story for today's newspaper. Both the podcast and story make for a good beginner's guide to the band. (Click here to read the story.)
Now that you're hooked on their quirky personality, you'd probably like some music. But where to start?
Thanks to the brilliant minds of those behind the incredibly useful fan website This Might Be A Wiki, here's a list of the tunes rated highest by members of the site. So if you're just getting to know this band, start with these:
FIVE TMBG SONGS FOR NEW FANS:
1. Birdhouse in your Soul: Their highest-charting song, it's a tune about a child's night light.
2. Ana Ng: Their first big hit in 1988, written after picking out a popular name from the New York phone book.
3. Don't Let's Start: Lyrics were chosen solely because they fit the correct number of syllables for the melody.
4. Doctor Worm: About a worm - not a doctor - learning to play drums. A staple for most live performances.
5. They'll Need a Crane: Performed on Late Night with David Letterman in 1989 during the band's TV debut.
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Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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I'm currently being schooled on the fine appreciation of TMBG. See, I'm not too old to learn!
Posted by: Marissa | March 11, 2008 at 10:12 AM
TMBG are great. I hope you and Stephanie have an awesome time at the show
Posted by: Bassnote | March 11, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Man, I wish I were going. I've seen the boys 4 or 5 times in the late 80s early 90s.
Some of my favs - I Palindrome I, Particle Man, She's Actual Size, Statue Got me High, Meet James Ensor. . . I could go on. I'll even admit I like listening to the kids albums and hope my kids want to put them on.
Posted by: DoctorDrew | March 11, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I'd have killed to see them on their Food or Apollo 18 tours.
Posted by: Spears | March 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Got to see them on the Flood tour in NYC in 92 or 93. They were (and are) great. Their kids stuff is such a nice break from the Barney, etc. routine.
Posted by: David-b | March 11, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Here's a great 80's combo;
TMBG with the Muppets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toR1ok-i0gI
Posted by: David-b | March 21, 2008 at 07:49 PM