Birdhouse in your soul

[peterbazooca]

I friggin' love this song!

[berkbbx3]

good god that is the best and weirdest song ever

[ingafern]

The baseline is so catchy. I think I'll leave my headphones on for the night...

Aw fiddlesticks, the cord's too short. D:

[PhyscoZombieChickie]

lolll

thilly goothse

[shingaki777]

Blue canary in the alcove by the light switch

Who watches over you?

Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Not to put too a fine point on it

Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet

Make a little birdhouse in your soul

[PhyscoZombieChickie]

i knew i read alcove somewhere, its outlet, although i really prefer alcove;)

[TopHatshomevideos]

one of the best songs

[BadAssChopper]

Great song...one of those feel good songs.

[XxXCOLIOXxX]

Great song.

[RemyFasolla]

filibuster vigilantly!

[TenaciousxT]

it sounds really hard to count those upbeats for that long.

[SuperNerdyPerson]

good song, weird choreography. I didn't get it.

[fongchaynun]

Great stuff, geek rock lives!

[jadoredobby]

say i'm the only bee in your bonnet! = my fave line

i love this song. the rhythm is brilliant

x

[foolsgoldsoma]

I love these geeks.

[skynet1313]

why are there no strings on the car

[pauleypauleypauley]

obviously its because the car was thinking too hard, so they had to grease the chassy and turn the knob to 11. duhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Nanosauromo]

I love the way John waves the guitar around at the chorus.

[smurfAdurf13]

omg i used to love they might be giants!

this was my favorite song.

[EarlGreyIII]

you guys dont get out much do ya!

[MattThomasTyler]

ha ha good comment

[Pendergast1313]

Definitely about a bluebird shaped night-light across the room from a painting of a lighthouse. That being said, the God comparison is an interesting metaphor, with the "simple message," "birdhouse in your soul" and obvious "guardian angel" references. Or you could take the comparison farther, since the lighthouse is used as the 'original' light and the nightlight is kinda trying to follow it's example. Unsuccessfully, with "killing Jason off" and "screaming argonauts," but trying.

[Pendergast1313]

TMBG has said themselves, that most of their songs really don't have a meaning. It could be just another song by them with lyrics that were just scrambled together.

This song does make sense about God watching over us. But there are two things that prove the songs is written about a light, The first being, My name is blue canary one-word spelled l-i-t-e" It spells it out there "LITE" Of course it's spelled wrong.

[Pendergast1313]

Anyone ever think that the lyrics don't ACTUALY mean any thing. 'Keep a little birdhouse in your soul' Birds = chirpy and happy ei be happy. Blua Canary by the light switch, just part of the birdhouse theme, ready to turn the light on if you get scared. Something every child wishes they had. God? nah, just good lyrics. You read too much into it.

[Andeh86]

actually, if you look at the post underneith you, the Blue Canary is a representation of somthing that watches over you. in mines they used to take them down for lethal gases, if the bird dies, you leave... light switch - light of G-d, making sure you dont die... etc etc its a very big tedious link =/ its not just a theme :)

[kronoscosmicthrone]

I heard the song is supposed to be about a Nightlights perspective

[Caesarteacher]

yeah, it's about a nightlight. my favorite part is how it calls a lighthouse it's "primitive ancestry"

[kronoscosmicthrone]

lol yh :) the opening lines about "im your only friend" which strangely somehow is true

[brek5]

Pretty sure he is referring to glow worms...the random 80s toy that said something about being your little friend...dunno if I just made that up, though.

[kronoscosmicthrone]

he he like ur way of thinking :))))

[maladroitgirl]

I thought he was referring to those night lights in the shape of a bluebird. Cause when you're afraid of the dark, light is always your best friend.

[TheFallenCanRise]

Nope. Oddly, it's a song about a nightlight's view, though, if you think of it, Glow Worms were like little stuffed nightlights, so you're right, in a sort of metaphoric way. You've got to love the subjects of They Might Be Giants' songs.

[spockezri]

It's on Wikipedia. Kronoscosmicthrone and Caesarteacher are correct.

[Caesarteacher]

possibly the greatest song of all time.

[teaguild]

yep i agree amen

[foolsgoldsoma]

these guys have always been strange. and amazing.

[ChocolateMilkIsTight]

best tmbg album?

[Daenes]

Lincoln

[Caesarteacher]

that's an impossible question. that would be like asking "of the breaths you've taken today, which one was most important?"

[mjhartlebury]

lyrics mad. video bat-shit crazy

[jennyandjef]

the guy kinda looks like remus from harry potter

[jrl7575]

awesome song! the whole album is awesome!

[jaymelgizmo]

These guys are from the U.S right??

[garyouze2ORAG]

yup

[matrix360flip]

0:00 to 0:10

what does that mean

[andyg3]

like most of their lyrics. nothing

But sounds good

[anonymous1101101]

Whatever you want it to mean. That's whats great about TMBG. There songs don't usually have a meaning. Your suppose to give it your own meaning

[SSXtrikE]

The lyrics say something about a bluebird in the outlet by the lightswitch who watches over you, so building a birdhouse in your soul is essentially saying let your guardian angel live inside you. Or something about allowing your guardian to be with you. Other than that, everything else is fair game for speculation.

[injijo]

Not Exactly SSXtrikE, the imagery helps to explain the meaning. It's not about a guardian angel. Its about God, and how he is different from religion. The person with the guitar and glasses represents religion. Blue Canary represents God. People follow religion blindly and conform to it. But separately he (religion) dances with God. Religion brings us closer to God, but if you're not careful it'll have you wearing blinders that stop you from actually seeing God.

[SSXtrikE]

One of the best answers I have ever gotten in my five years on Youtube, injijo.  You should read The Biggest Secret. It's an online book, and for obvious reasons.

[sciencemile]

Translation:

At night, I'm your only friend.  Though not literally.

[jaxieG0628]

the grid is f**kd.

[mayaflya]

TMBG is the best band there could ever be!

[greacelightning72]

this is still a fab song lol evan if i said it twice

[yach2009]

good song, what's up with the vid?

[Reelbigearth]

Dude, I don't even think TMBG know what the video means. I think they just are weird that way....

Good video though. I love the editing :p

[MikeyLikesIt357]

Or someone on a lot of acid.

And I mean a lot and a lot and a lot of acid.

[Fma1416]

You should see MGMT's videos if you wanna see people on acid.

[bwest578]

I went to a hipster dance party a while back. Someone played this. It worked so well.

[bluebird136]

I freaking love this song! seriously one of my alllll time favorites, still don't quite understand the music video though. Does anyone understand it?

[Akira90x]

Only the esoteric can understand.

[VHShit]

The song is about a blue canary night light.

I have been told there were night lights sold w/ a canary singing a music note under the name "night lite". Don't know if it's true.

[KikiHyrule]

This video is so weird.

[harder114]

not my kinda music-not born in that time-but this is one of my fav songs of the 80s- (aside of all the other good shit)

[noodles1990]

Its a 90's song

[greacelightning72]

one of my favourate songs

[AliasUndercover]

STOP ROCK VIDEO!

[chargersrock247]

yo when was this music vid made?

[Caesarteacher]

1990

[guitarworton]

Ham-Triffic!

[Keeheek]

no matter how cool you think you are, if you listen to TMBG, the inner geek in you will surface...and it fucking rules!

[Cladeedah]

Wait the song is told from the perspective a night light, right? I mean my primitive ancestry... keeping the beaches ship wreck free (light house right?)

[alliminator2]

ya he wrot it about the night light he had as a kid

[akiymasnix]

I LOVEEEE THIS SONG!!!!!! and i love the one kristen chenoweth does with ellen greene!!!!

[gerard1322]

me too!!!!!!!!! that is where i first heard it. the song is quirky enough, i thought it was just part of the show, that they just made up. i didnt know it was a real song!!!!

[AETonewaykilla]

someone want to chat

someone smart please help me I5

[Zaxser]

Huh?

[yerfaceisawscrewedup]

I'm your only friend I'm not your only friend but I'm a little glowing friend but really I'm not actually your friend but I am

[KZtheMAX]

um sure?

[fierypancakeofdeath]

i can't decide if thats the weirdest cool video or the coolest weird video ive ever seen

[lazerbud]

ha! Thats funny!

[obamamaniac42]

both, fierypan

[blacktimberline]

:D

bfnsdjb

[ModernxSamuraixKiyo]

I love that funny little megaphone thing...XDDDDD

[QuantumWrench]

Nothing connects. These guys put together some upbeat catchy tunes that leave you wondering. Like good art, it is open to interpret on a few levels. The video does entertain and tells a completely different story. I'm clueless to that story though.

[RoarDaemon]

i believe it has something to do with lightbulbs....

He's a wizard...i know it :P

[BertyLohani]

Yh, its to do with a nightlight, i think it was on an advert, tmbg rules.

[dooshalla]

i thought it was oven

[pilotpilot81]

Fantastic song, heard it for the first time ever two weeks ago, just before my final exam to become professional airline pilot, it gave me such a happy feeling and guess what ... I passed the final skill test ;o)

[Tvreire]

Congratulations :D

[raybrown100]

sing it when i get stressed

[august251976]

this is one of the first records i brought - i still love it

[bookwrm91]

<3 the song, but I forgot how creepy the vid is...

[shotsale]

God damn!

I love this song!!!

It made me really happy driving home from the gym a few days ago. It was cold and snowy outside.

[mike1sas]

someone listens to radio 2? =)

[oogie11]

radio 2? as in BBC radio 2...if so, yeah, someimes :) how 'bout u?

[oogie11]

yeah i know what u mean...everytime i hear this song, i smile .......very happy tune :)

[mcorbett1977]

Skinny John sounds like Willie Nelson

[Nanosauromo]

This video is just made of the surreal weirdness that TMBG are so good at.

[01584490]

ha trippy.

:)

i learned about these guys in science class..

they have the coolest song c is for conifers.

[vashx22]

i love this band i wish more people knew about them

[oogie11]

this song is so happening :)

[rem2121]

this song is soooooooo cool

[PlasticKiwiJuiceeee]

I love this song! It makes me vair happy!

Woo!

[Meisterdieb]

The video is weird(in a good way) but the song is just wonderful.

[KZtheMAX]

the guy looks like the evil dude in the Fifth Element

[30Galleons]

finally found this song!

[benthemonkey]

by far the weirdest music video I've seen that doesn't get so random and meaningless that it stays entertaining and interesting throughout the entire music video

[birr19]

love it!!!!

[Raemuz]

Why the hell was this taken down?

[666IronMonkey666]

Pure comedic/pop genius!!!!

[MrRossmund]

i've been searching for this song for ages thank yoda

[DownHillInc]

Its a little Weird But I like that song

[kevonchas]

this is the best song ever xD

[oogie11]

it sure is a damn fine song...always makes me smile :)

[sillama]

Love it! Too bad Salvador Dali isn't around to delight in this. He'd have loved it, too. Man Alive! How do they come up with these things, anyway?

[Schmeeky455]

Cracking surrealness (again!) from TMBG. Filibuster vigilantly, everyone! :)

[oogie11]

wonderful song :)

[33722janus]

i to love electricitey..:) this is a love song dedicated to all my modern appliances *HUGS!

[texaspete66]

no worries I dont know for sure though, but its the only thing that comes to mind. I cant see the relevance between the movie & the song but then this whole song is beautifully weird....like the movie

[palmin21]

amazing song

[joeyxl3456]

thank you tmbg for everything lots of love love (spookybass)

[obamamaniac42]

so many possible meanings for this song...

[texaspete66]

kikloo92 - the bone reference is to 2001 a space odyssey

[KIKLO92]

That's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure...

Thanks though.

[StrydeWolf]

.... wow. My brain is twitching. o_o This is my utmost favorite song by them, but the music video... has the ultimate wtf factor.

[burningflurber]

well yuh they are TMBG woo

[KIKLO92]

2:42

the bone dropping on the ground.

what is that a Reference  to?

[SirDandypuff]

Nothing; it just looks cool.

[KIKLO92]

Hmm...IDK but it does look cool.

[outrage78]

Yes. This song is about a Night Light.His primitive ancestry was a Lighthouse. Hence the Jason and the Argonauts reference.

[lws42]

it's fucking "outlet" you idiot..

how does alley make any sense?

it's sung from a nightlight's POV..

[dragonhook1228]

Your right, I looked up the lyrics in 3 different places and they all say "outlet".

[KROBER10]

ha.... im the only bee i you bonnet....this is really top notch stuff

[jamtheman25]

Hello baalz

[jamtheman25]

this is nothing like hannah montanna and people who say that are freaking retarded this song rocks hannah montanna sucks DUHHHHHHHHHHH! blue cannary in the out let by the light switch Who watches over you Legendary lol

[reaton33]

"blue canary in the ALLEY by the light switch"... it's ALLEY.. not outlet. it doesn't even sound like outlet.

[Sviolinist]

wth how does that make any sense it's outlet you 'tard. How many friggen light switches do they have in your alley?

[reaton33]

and how many blue canarys do you find in an outlet??!!! and im the tard? its searchable with alley and outlet.

[LiamGodlington]

The song refers to a nightlight shaped as a blue cannary and nightlights ussualy go in outlets.

[JesusPrime]

It really, really does sound like outlet.

[VadertheKidd]

i love this song

but i also like hannah montana's music

and i love women

did i just say evry1 is wrong???

oh well XD

[SuperMatlyn]

Hannah Montana can burn in HELL

[VadertheKidd]

dude...THAT WAS HILARIOUS!!!

but um how come i got a thumbs down???

[SonicthePikmin]

I love this song, but i think i just became a little stupider watching this video, what is it supposed to be about.

[mattness615]

SonicthePikmin - I was told this song is about a "night-light"...

[TehZell]

lol, that douchebag kewlbanshee closed his account

[bardeuxfan]

Awesome sing! Quirky band! Love it!!!

[JIMONAHTHEPONY]

kewlbanshee account is already closed lol

[janeO]

im not really a fan of they might be giants but i really love this song, i listen to it on repeat!!

[feedthedingopie]

Just shut the fuck up and learn how to spell.

[elfdude06]

way much gooder. fuck yeah

[ifiwerealeaf]

wow, hannah montana! really?! i feel sorry for you lol

this songs amazing!!!!!!!!!! :D

[D4NZ1G]

He was just trolling... just trying to piss people off and get people to comment on what he said... just ignore it.

[NoNamesOnMe]

I don't think any of you caught the sarcasm in that post.

[Akira90x]

I'd like to see YOU play better. Hell, I'd be surprised if you could SPELL better!

[jtull89]

Haha, kewlbanshee compared these guys to Hannah Montana.

[CranberryCocktail]

Not to put too fine a point on it

Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet

Make a little birdhouse in your soul

[DIGItalColourMedia]

your comparing an excellent band to hannah montana? is that a joke? its not... oh.

Also, learn to spell.

[Bb0yDilemma]

ya know..... these guys got famous by being good. not cause there dad was already famous, and guess what hannah montana uses pitch correction technology anyway.

[SuperMatlyn]

right on

[TehZell]

well, not only do you have crappy spelling, you are also stupid. I mean, your mother doing her brother and conceiving you stupid. Also, you have a crappy taste in music. If you don't like this, you can listen to your shitty hannah montana or whatever you faggots listen to

[danwaldo1976]

I was in Junior high for this one...it's back when they still made vids for MTV, and we still found it strange. However, great song!

[CharisInWonderland]

lol aww i used to watch this when i was about 3 :)

[AfromanJon]

I love the mutes on their trumpets. they look awesome.

[Bloodbabe2003]

Birdhouse in your soul is about a table lamp XD second verse he describes a lighthouse.

*Theres a picture opposite me of my primitive ancestry that stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free*

[jimbotherisenclown]

Considering the chorus mentions "Blue Canary in the Oven by the Light Switch", I always took it to refer to an oven light.

[misscherrybubbles]

...in the Outlet by the light switch... I believe they are referring to a nightlight ;)

[debdelilah1]

It's "outlet by the light switch". Not "oven". :)

[jimbotherisenclown]

... I could have sworn it was saying 'oven'. Oh well.

[nazlfrag]

It's in the outlet by the light switch.. it's about a childs nightlight as far as I can work out.

[ickyraytrojan]

these guys make childrens music now ..still quirky though ...

these guys play some neat geek/nerd rock

now they make my kid laugh

HATS OFF

[InsectRepellant]

Not exactly. I could see a preschooler in the early 90's enjoying this song, and many other's, of the album of "Flood," the album that contains this song, by, of coursre the band here known as, "They Might Be Giants." Even though a preschoolermay not understand a song like this as well as more of their...how can I put this..."kiddier" work.

[reachforthelasers]

This song reminds me of losing my virginity.

[skinheadyellow]

didn't these guys go on to form bare naked ladies

[Lunarvx22]

LOL NO

I can see why you'd think that though

[hdmets77]

no they didn't

[hdmets77]

2 totally different bands with 2 totally diffent sounds and styles!

[PeterII]

the songs about night lights

[Galzara]

Fail. The song is about john being called a pyro by his therapist when he was a kid...I don't know if it was a therapist or not though, but he was concidered a possible pyro.

[DunQing]

wats a pyro?