They Might Be Giants
American alternative rock duo formed in 1982, known for witty, literate songs, experimental arrangements, children's albums, television themes and an inventive DIY approach to releasing music.
They Might Be Giants are an American musical group formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. Originally a two‑person project, the pair combined literate, often whimsical lyrics with concise pop melodies and eclectic arrangements. Over several decades the project expanded from cassette releases and college‑radio exposure into a prolific recording career, frequent touring with a backing band, and notable work for children and television.
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Musical style and approach
The band is commonly described as alternative rock, though their music draws on pop, folk, experimental and electronic elements. Early shows relied on taped backing tracks and a drum machine, while later recordings and live performances incorporated brass, keyboards, guitar textures and occasional string arrangements. Songwriting ranges from succinct, radio‑friendly singles to playful narrative pieces and educational songs for young listeners.
History and development
John Flansburgh and John Linnell met as adolescents and formally established the group in 1982 in Brooklyn, New York. They built an early following through self‑released cassettes, inventive publicity and college radio play. By the early 1990s they regularly toured with a backing band, translating studio complexity to a fuller live sound while retaining the distinct personalities of the founding duo.
Notable songs and albums
- Flood (1990) brought broader attention, featuring the single "Birdhouse in Your Soul".
- Covers and novelty tracks such as "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" became fan favorites and showcase the band's taste for reworking diverse material.
- They have released a steady stream of albums, compilations and specialty projects for adult and young audiences.
Children's work and media
The group expanded into music for children with well‑received releases such as Here Come the ABCs and Here Come the 123s, combining educational content with catchy arrangements. They have also written and licensed songs for television and animation: their song "Boss of Me" was used as the theme for the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, and their music has been associated with other animated programs including references in accounts of Dexter's Laboratory.
Awards and recognition
The band's work has received industry honors and critical attention across both adult and children's categories. They have won multiple Grammy Awards, including recognition for a children's release and for a song used in television; further details and listings of honors are available in general references and official summaries (awards, band overview).
Live performance and legacy
They Might Be Giants are known for energetic live shows that blend faithful renditions of studio material with spontaneous humor. Beyond recordings and concerts, they have influenced independent music culture through do‑it‑yourself distribution methods (early cassette culture and the long‑running Dial‑A‑Song concept) and by bridging adult and children's markets without abandoning their distinctive voice. The duo continues to record, tour and experiment with formats while maintaining a reputation for clever songwriting and adventurous musical arrangements.
Career
The band was formed in 1982 in the Brooklyn borough of New York and named after the Anthony Harvey film of the same name. They achieved fame, among other things, through their answering machine action "Dial a Song". For this they played their songs on an answering machine, where you could listen to them by calling. Later, They Might Be Giants were the first major band to release their songs as MP3s.
TMBG are best known for their songs Don't Let's Start from the album They Might Be Giants, Ana Ng from the album Lincoln and Birdhouse in Your Soul from the album Flood. In Europe, they are best known for the theme song from the television series Malcolm in the Middle, Boss of Me, for which the band also won a Grammy in 2002. TMBG tunes have occasionally been used in animated series such as Tiny Toons and The Simpsons. In 2011/2012 the intro of the track No One Knows My Plan from the album John Henry was the theme tune of the show Die Kaya-Show mit Kaya Yanar on RTL.
A rockumentary of the band was shown in American cinemas in 2002 under the title Gigantic.
Discography
Albums
- They Might Be Giants (also known as The Pink Album) (1986)
- Lincoln (1988)
- Don't Let's Start (1989)
- Flood (1990)
- Miscellaneous T (1991)
- Apollo 18 (1992)
- John Henry (1994)
- Live!! New York City 10/14/94 (1994)
- Factory Showroom (1996)
- Then: The Earlier Years (1997)
- Severe Tire Damage (1998)
- Live (1999)
- Long Tall Weekend (1999) (download only)
- Mink Car (2001)
- No! (2002)
- They Got Lost (2002)
- Dial-A-Song: 20 Years of They Might Be Giants (2002)
- The Spine (2004)
- Here Come the ABCs (2005)
- Venue Songs (2005) (download only)
- The Else (2007)
- Here Come the 123s (2008)
- Here Comes Science (2009)
- Join Us (2011)
- Nanobots (2013)
- Glean (2015)
- Why? (2015)
- Phone Power (2016)
- I Like Fun (2018)
EPs and Singles
- Don't Let's Start (1987)
- (She Was A) Hotel Detective (1988)
- They'll Need a Crane (1989)
- Purple Toupee (1989)
- Birdhouse in Your Soul (1990)
- Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (1990)
- The Statue Got Me High (1992)
- I Palindrome I (1992)
- The Guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) (1992)
- Why Does the Sun Shine (1993)
- O Fir Tree (1993)
- Back to Skull (1994)
- S-E-X-X-Y (1996)
- Working Undercover for the Man (2000)
- Boss of Me (2000)
- Man, It's So Loud in Here (2000)
- Music from Malcolm in the Middle (2000)
- They Might Be Giants in Holidayland (2001)
- Indestructible Object (2004)
- The Spine Surfs Alone (2004)
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Author
AlegsaOnline.com They Might Be Giants Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/99340