• 1982-

  John Flansburgh

  John Linnell
• They Might Be Giants' name is derived from a movie from 1971 starring George C. Scott and Joanne Woodward, but according to the group, the name is of no greater significance.
• The "two Johns" as they are often called, met in high school in Lincoln, Massachusetts, where they worked together in the school's newspaper, but didn't form the band until after they went to (different) college.
• Early in the band's career there was a point when they couldn't perform live because Flansburgh had equipment stolen and Linnell broke his wrist. To compensate, they played tapes with various home recorded songs on their answering machine and promoted it as "Dial-A-Song." This service can still be reached today at (718) 387-6962.
• TMBG created and performed numerous songs and themes for various TV shows or films, such as "Boss Of Me" for the show Malcolm In The Middle, the theme and all the incidental music for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and the song "Doctor Evil" that opens and closes Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. They have also written and performed theme songs for The Oblongs, Higglytown Heroes, Resident Life, and ABC's Nightline Primetime, as well as songs for The Simpsons, Home Movies, Dexter's Laboratory, Disney's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Courage the Cowardly Dog.
• They have created 2 CDs of children's music: No! and Here Come the ABCs, and a children's book and CD set entitled Bed, Bed, Bed. Both albums were released to critical praise and reached #1 on Billboard's Children's Music charts. Here Come the ABCs won Parenting Magazine's Children's DVD of the Year Award and two National Parenting Publications Awards (NAAPA). >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Martin - Rostock, Germany, for all above

Comments: 2

• Neptune from EnglandThis band also made a song for the disney movie "Meet the Robinsons"!
• Josh from Tucson, Azthis band is sweet and the oblongs theme is great.

More Songfacts:

Edge Of SeventeenStevie Nicks

The death of John Lennon was an influence on the Stevie Nicks hit "Edge Of Seventeen." He's the one with the "words of a poet and voice from a choir."

Don't Stop Believin'Journey

The "Don't Stop Believin'" lyric was inspired by Sunset Boulevard, making it perfect for the Rock of Ages musical.

Ur So GayKaty Perry

Katy Perry says her 2008 song "Ur So Gay" is about "guys who wear the guyliner, steal your jeans, and that whole almost hipster emo scene."

All I Want For Christmas Is YouMariah Carey

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey was the first ringtone certified Gold.

Ain't No SunshineBill Withers

"Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers was inspired by the Jack Lemmon movie Days of Wine and Roses.

Dance Hall DaysWang Chung

Wang Chung's '80s classic "Dance Hall Days" is about how things can start simple but end up complex. First you "take your baby by the hand," but by the end she has an amethyst in her mouth.

Editor's Picks

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.