They Might Be a Cover Band

Labgoat · Post by **Labgoat** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 10:17 am

Hey all. I've been going through my They Might Be Giants records, and trying to track down all my favorite songs. I noticed something: most of my fave TMBG songs are actually covers. First, there's "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)", which originally hit mainstream America in 1953 (though it can be traced <A HREF="http://www.tmbg.org/band-info/faq/#q18" TARGET=_blank>further back than that</A>. "New York City", from Factory Showroom? It's a cover of the all-girl group, <A HREF="http://www.cygnals.com/cub/stuff.html" TARGET=_blank>Cub</A>. And my new favorite song, "Yeh Yeh"? <A HREF="http://www.envy.nu/wesleyan/library/y/yehyeh.htm" TARGET=_blank>Johnny Favourite</A> and his Swing Orchestra. That's not to say I don't dig a lot of their original songs. "The World's Address", "Ana Ng," "Spiraling Shape", and "The Guitar" all spring to mind. But why are their most popular songs covers? Please, don't tell me, it'll kill me.------------------
<A HREF="http://labgoats.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://labgoats.keenspace.com</A> - Fight, Megaman! For everlasting peace![This message has been edited by Labgoat (edited 10-24-2001).]

Speaker · Post by **Speaker** » Sat Oct 27, 2001 11:30 am

hey petie-
Perhaps it's because most of their original songs, although wonderful, are random and all of their covers actually make since? Also they improved upon them sooo much! though i have to admit that my alllltime favourite TMBG songs are "Don't Lets Start" and "Ana Ng" both of which are originals...but my next ups are all covers from "Why does the Sun Shine (punk version rules!)" and "Istanbul(Not Constantinople)" So I must say i'm peeved that when i saw them live i had to leave b4 hearing Istanbul AND Particle MAN!!! DAMNIT! oh well! At least i saw them live! ROCK!
-Speaker

Labgoat · Post by **Labgoat** » Wed Oct 31, 2001 2:09 am

Speaker, that's a good reason. A lot of their original songs are heavy in symbolism and interpretation, whereas their covers are straightforward, and you're right, they rock them out. Thanks to Mr. Kraw, I now have the "Why Does The Sun Shine" CD single, and the slower version just doesn't do it for me like the version from STD. But, it has "Whirlpool" which is a neat little song. Are you talking about the Birmingham Giants show two years ago? I had to miss it because of chemistry seminars. Grrr.------------------
<A HREF="http://labgoats.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://labgoats.keenspace.com</A> - Fight, Megaman! For everlasting peace!

MrKraw · Post by **MrKraw** » Thu Nov 01, 2001 1:57 am

Fave TMBG songs EVER:Destination Moon
No One Knows My Plan
Fingertips 13
I Palindrome I
We Want A Rock
Rhythm Section Want Ad
Se-X-X-yNone of which are covers...Opinions?[This message has been edited by MrKraw (edited 11-01-2001).][This message has been edited by MrKraw (edited 11-01-2001).]

Labgoat · Post by **Labgoat** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 9:20 pm

On 2001-11-01 01:57, MrKraw wrote:
Fave TMBG songs EVER:Destination Moon
No One Knows My Plan
Fingertips 13
I Palindrome I
We Want A Rock
Rhythm Section Want Ad
Se-X-X-yNone of which are covers...Opinions?

I've been listening to Apollo 18 recently, and "I Palindrome I" has been going through my head. Also, "I've Got a Fang."