Feb 02 2008
They Might Be Little Giants
Today I learned:
- They Might Be Giants are still cranking out some seriously rad tunes… even though most are now for three year olds.
Throughout college one of my favorite bands was always TMBG (They Might Be Giants). Ana Ng, Don’t Let’s Start, Birdhouse in Your Soul… super eclectic alternative tunes that fit my personality. It was only recently that I learned that a good number of the tunes I hear daily as the father of a two year old, were written and sung by the band. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse closing tune “Hot Dog”, and the opening theme was recorded by the group, which came as a surprise to me, I hadn’t realized they’d crossed over to this other genre.
Turns out they’ve been out of the exclusive pop world for quite awhile. They also recorded the catchy theme song of Malcolm in the Middle - apparently which won them a Grammy.
So, these were all interesting revelations a year ago or so..but then… it happened again. My son Jack has been singing this song “Zeroes” over and over again. It’s a freakily addictive tune about the number zero from the Disney Channel.
I decided to look up who sang it and lo and behold, there they are again, TMBG, with a whole series of spots on Disney called “Here Come the 123s”. The tunes were released as a precursor apparently to an entire DVD called “Here Come the 123s”. The songs are so well done, and are as good as any of their mainstream songs were back in the day. And I don’t feel guilty at all driving down the road singing Nonagon, or…Eight Hundred and Thirteen Mile Car Trip…
So all this kid music apparently has done them well. The album they released prior to Here Come the 123s (Here Come the ABCs), was certified gold! Only one of their mainstream albums (Flood) was as successful.
Mark my words, Here Come the 123s will be equally as popular — it’s crazy good. They Might Be Giants have been video podcasting previews of their new numbers DVD on iTunes and my son just loves it. Unfortunately some of the better videos are no longer available, looks like even if you subscribe you can only download the most recent three..but give it a try if you have young children.
Oh…and can’t forget, they recorded the opener for the Daily Show…