Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head

[jarzhinio]

Look at these two Johns in this video. They just can't resist being ridiculous can they? I like to entertain the thought, this is what I would be like if I were in a world famous band, always trying to puncture the self-aggrandisising pomposity of pop music culture with weapons-grade sillyness.

[StoneCliffx7]

Ever notice how they're jumping in every one of their videos?

[MyNinjaTurtleSwag]

hahahahahahhahahahahahahaha best video EVER !!!!!

[theworldpeacechick]

like if matt bennett sent you here

[ThisIsMissLys]

i girlishly giggle at linnel

[hobbified]

Filmed on the waterfront in Greenpoint / Williamsburg.

[kittensaresocute1]

John Linnell is having so much fun!!

[TacoJauns]

best video to put on in 5 years

[MissMolly5293]

2:08 so good

[guy2005805]

0:24 is the best part

[Astronopolis]

@guy2005805 agreed

[AngryGreen]

GREAT song

[Darkphantaria]

They are awesome, the song was awesome, KOKO was awesome.

[minecrafter2985]

put your hand inside the puppet hea put your hand in side the puppet hea put your hand insi put your hand insi put your hand in side the puppet hea

[JJisodd]

love them

[kenmeyerjr]

Funny in a recyling sort of way: I noticed the cut out heads at :35 are reused on the Conan appearence much later when they do "It's So Loud in Here." Youtube makes you notice the weirdest things.

Now, if that cut out is James K. Polk, I will know they are truly prescient.

[ZombieBriscoe]

@kenmeyerjr The cut out heads are actually the head of William Allen White, and they make an appearance in some of their other music videos (i.e. "Don't Let's Start") in addition to being commonly seen hanging in the background of TMBG's live shows.

[hark2e]

The upside-down face thing scared me when I was little.

[SeanSM92]

The funny thing is, they're actually COOL in their own way. 0:50 proves this.

[TheGreatMightyPoo1]

This makes no sense whatsoever.

Why can't I stop loving it.

[mshecket]

1:11 is the most badass moment in TMBG history.

[Mer1002]

0:53 is like the best moment ever

[XanltheCSG]

1. Pause and unpause the video

2. Press 2 repeatedly

3. Listen to Flansy reference Jane Goodall over and over

Alternatively

1. Press 7 repeatedly

2. Continually get devoured by purple Linell.

[inputmodule]

yeah, i like the songs john sings better than the one john sings

[Vincek88]

MEMO TO MYSELF:

DO THE DUMB THINGS I GOTTA DO

TOUCH THE PUPPET HEAD

Very motivational! I need to paste this on the bathroom mirror.

[TheGentlemanlyIsopod]

Flansy dropping the tea just might be the most epic moment in a music video ever.

[cellopants]

hah. i paused halfway through this, listened to "creep" (radiohead), then listened to the rest of this. interesting contrast!

[cellopants]

9 people hate puppets...

[cartmanrlsusall]

forgot all about this weird ass song ,its still cool

[nsofast]

9 Puppets are sick of having strange hands inserted into their heads ...

[geekusa1887]

they look like they're having so much fun.

[calpoop2]

Well John does tend to show up more prominently, but thats because his videos are much more public while John has some of the better parts

[PopPrincess2651]

mr.demarest plays this song in s+r!

[claire17093]

i <3 linnell's arm dance above his head!!

[kssykssygg]

Linnell at 0:17 ! <3

[mouse264]

This song makes me think about all the happiest little moments I've ever had :D

TMBG is an anti-drug

[ishouldplayzelda]

9 people touched the puppet head

[happyzubon]

1:08. I died.

[katiepdesign]

this is exactly the sort of video beavis and butthead loved to make fun of. :D haha! love it.

[tasha1494]

i love they might be gaints !!! as you take a bath in that beaten path

[apollozero]

Love the song always hated the song was on 2 minutes lol

[iamwoman4ever]

OMG I remember seeing them live at San Diego State University... I think I was about 15 0r 16... time passes so quick but fun music last eons... thanx to God

[RazortheBlade]

Don't show this to pregnant women as the ludicrous beats will be too much for them, thus making them dance in completely illogical ways most likely resulting in a miscarriage...

[ZaffireWolf]

I wonder why "They Might Be Wiki" doesn't explain the obscure reference of the old man's face. It seems like such a painfully obvious question to ask, and thereby a painfully obvious answer that would fit perfectly on a wiki about this song, on a wiki site about the people who made this song. Am I the only one seeing this?

[SirDandypuff]

@ZaffireWolf

The wiki has an article about the old man. Search for "William Allen White".

[MarioSonic304]

lol flansy is leik "oh fuck the coffe" XD

[FuyuAkiWorld]

List Your top 10 fav TMBG songs: 1.Youth Culture Killed My Dog 2.(Put Your Hand Inside The) Puppet Head 3.Road Movie To Berlin 4.Ana Ng 5.Birdhouse In Your Soul 6.Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes 7.Everything Right Is Wrong 8.(She Was A) Hotel Detecive 9.Wistlelig In The Dark 10.Purple Toupee

[rupeegroupie]

<3 <3 <3

[meatmotor]

Why would anyone "dislike" this video?! I want to strangle all 9(ish) of them with my big fat puppet hands!

[90sComputerGames]

I really hope heaven looks just like 1:07.

[FuyuAkiWorld]

@90sComputerGames ya mean 1:09?

[90sComputerGames]

@FuyuAkiWorld

Pfft. Close enough.

[FuyuAkiWorld]

@90sComputerGames anyway, I COMPLEATLY agree with you!

[StarKnight1Sunshine]

Some of the most epic-funny stuff, period. I love the song, I love the video. John and John are just awesome like that!

[captainbedworthy]

Film rules. Digital could never be this true. The color solarizations (Fogging the film while processing, and/or processing slide film in negative chemistry) are really something.

[CharlieKaufmanFan88]

Wow, I can't believe Charlie Kauf put this as the original ending song to BJM. Don't get me wrong I love the song I just don't think its appropriate.

[captainbedworthy]

@CharlieKaufmanFan88

Um, what's a "BJM"?

[CharlieKaufmanFan88]

@captainbedworthy Oh, it's one of my favorites movie and a cult favorite. Being John Malkovich. This song was originally the end song

[TheyCodeWeDestroy]

These guys keep me insane!

[TegaladwenOrrisma]

I absolutely love these guys! They're allways making me happy when I'm sad and they don't even need to try. Thank you They Might Be Giants!

[ConnDevi88]

I miss them actually being in there videos

[phsycicmonkeys]

I love that Linnell was singing along for a bit while Flansy was drinking tea,

[pogogo51]

@phsycicmonkeys That was coffee, of course it was coffee!

[phsycicmonkeys]

@pogogo51 well it was in a tea CUP, but okay! =-)

[loniousmonk]

@pogogo51 but would they throw away coffee like that?

[HonkeyPunch]

Linnell's hair looks adorable here! And Flans' smile at the very end makes me melt :D

[itarfer]

why does linell look like he hasnt slept in days?

[TMBG3000]

Cause he always looks like that. lmao

[Garsplodez]

Doesn't he allways look that way?

[itarfer]

oh linell you silly little fadoodle...

[Possecore]

John is good, but I really think John is the better of the two.

[Mullenfreek]

Me too

[Garsplodez]

I agree?

[TransylvaniaTapes]

@Possecore see, I think its the exact opposite.

[YanYan108]

@Possecore You kidding? John's the talented one. John's just the hanger-on.

[masonroe157900000]

@Possecore  no no no no no, John is FAR better than John.

[brithans]

Who is this same guy I see in so many TMBG videos? He's the cardboard head at 0:32. He's at least also seen in "The Statue got me High" and "Birdhouse in Your Soul".

[KingDando]

Linnell looks gorgeous; and I say this as a completely heterosexual male. How strange.

[FoodleProductions]

I just want to hang out with them. oh god, so , much.

[TegaladwenOrrisma]

@FoodleProductions

I think everyone does.

[starcalibre]

still cant believe this came out the year I was born

[AkryllicLove]

I wish I could be as awesome/sexy as these guys.

[PulledOutToSea]

Ah, old school TMBG. Then: The Earlier Years was one of the best musical experiences of my life.

[EmryEmellia]

Haha, what would do if TMBG wasnt around? Probably die of normalness. :)

[Neomang5]

This shit is so strange. Thank god for TMBG.

[DrSamberg]

:53 is hilarious

[CatronixOnYT]

Saw it live. Was even better then.

[JasonDTube]

Lucky you. I really wanna hear Puppet Head live.

[starhappychild]

these guys have the best dance moves

[racinefo]

Linnell is such a cutie.

[TheEyegarian]

BEST SONG EVER

[jeremimcdonald]

absolutely.

[ThatKidAlex]

FUCK YEAH

[CatronixOnYT]

I prefer Birdhouse XD

[Takarafire]

I can never get enough of this song and video!

Huzzah for TMBG!! :]

[arrowz12]

Another big budget video from TMBG!

[CthuhluRising]

I love the first album. It might be my favorite of their's.

[PoopPoopFart]

There's only two songs in me, and I just wrote the third...

[spakwee]

Yeah, i like his haircut. AND I GOT A T-SHIRT WITH HIS SIGNATURE!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mankeyfunk]

OMG!!!!

[MehMehBear]

Definitely my favorite video, besides Don't Let's Start, because it's such a fun video.

[jesusne0]

This song was orignally going to be played at the end credits of Being John Malkovich

[1FatSpaz]

fuckin classic

[HeroOfHyla]

Great song, odd (but cool) video.

I think the drum beat at the beginning sounds a bit different in the version i have.

[catdude57]

1:38 - 1:42, words to live by

[Teaveeted]

0:50 to 1:00 is how I want my hair cut, and is my theme song.

[GeraldWatercrest]

1:21 to 1:30 is my current mantra.  Genius.

[HelloRadiooo]

I could never get over Linnell's smile in this video. It just makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

And, Flans at the very end... *sigh*

[littlevolcano]

My 5yr old's favorite song- one of mine too!

[enkelapa]

According to the script, this song intended to be played over the closing credits for the movie "Being John Malcovich" i wonder why they changed it?

[bryonpav]

They probably changed it when they realized how amazing Carter Burwell's score was. I don't think this song would have matched that tone. Bjork's song Amphibian was probably the better fit... but either song would have been suitably weird.

[NackTehNub]

One of the best TMBG songs ever.

Ever.

[chocolateflavoredgum]

john linnell is hotness defined.

[XxGaloyxX]

I honestly don't think there are happier people than these two.

[benitoparra]

i like linnell's hair =D

[suchducks]

Ah, but who doesn't? :D

[nerdgirlism]

his hair is made of awesome.

[AnthonySmith22]

meant to say songs not music

[AnthonySmith22]

I love bands that act crazy these guys make me laugh and i love their music

[thaflyingnun]

such good music. and so weird to boot

[jimbo2346]

Makes sense why these guys have at least a cult like following. Pretty unique music for these two.

[RosencrantzQ]

Ummm why does Linnell have to be so damn cute?

This is an excellent video.

[LadyVierra]

They are so insane xD They were great at the Bowery.

[kroneland]

I wish Flansburgh still wrote songs that are this good.

[MetroGamer1981]

Still awesome.

[whiteknight35]

my dad interviewed him once

[broodergeek]

Who is 'him'?

[juttman]

This is probably my favorite They Might Be Giants video.

[kloipy]

I saw TMBG in concert when I was 14. They had been my favorite band for a long time. Waited pretty much all day to see if I could meet them before the show. When they finally came to the concert venue, Linell wouldn't talk to me, Flansburg took a picture with me, and then the rest of the band proceeded to make fun of me to my face for being a fan. It was at that moment that I realized that I would never like them as much as I did then. To this day, I still can't get excited over hearing them.

[mybodyisacage]

That's a pretty funny story, I'm not gonna lie.

[whiteknight35]

it's funny when their dancing with those huge hands.

[truebootsyes]

I don't know Gloria....he's not selling anything.

[kroneland]

Haha. Best moment ever.

[windjustbrokeitsleg]

THEY MIGHT BE THE BEST BAND EVER!

[Whitesox772]

One of the geatest music videos ever. I'm pretty sure most of it was done while screwing around with studio equipment though.

[jimbothefirst]

WOW It has been yeas since i heard that! CLASSIC! Thanx to everyone posting TMBG's fine material!

[margittarget]

I like his teeth

[RoboMaster1]

This has got to be one of the best TMBG videos! Great song too!

[thebleedingjeans]

I can't help but start singing " there's only two songs in me, and I just wrote the third. don't know where I got the inspiration........." after seeing this.

[textvsamy]

I ran into Flansburgh a few hours prior to a show, and he was more than happy to stop and take a picture with me. After shows is just not a fun time for them.

[WheehW]

There is a God.

[harvey625]

clearly yes = )

[catdude57]

I think the dancing at :23 is from Ed Grimley/Martin Short. Always loved this song. Love the "checks in the mail and I'll see ya in church and don't ya ever change" Now I must go do the dumb things I gotta do. Touch it!! Touch it , NOW!!!

[nottooch]

Yeah.

Acutally, I read that somewhere.

They do a lot and put their souls into their work.

I'd be tired after putting my soul into something, too.

[VivaLaMidget]

Where can I find a pair of those gloves?

[Ryanasaurus]

I love these guys but... I saw them live about 12 years ago in a small record store. They were amazing. At the end of the short performance someone asked them for an autograph. TMBG reacted SO badly to this request! Started yelling at the poor guy "No, don't have time" and stomped off. What a couple of egos. Great music though.

[gothicducks]

Oh, are you serious?! That's the problem, I lose a lot of respect for bands that are egoists and are mean.

[Bluke4x4]

I've read several quotations where They Might Be Giants have said that they're just generally tired and snappy after live shows...

[gothicducks]

Well, I guess they do a lot of work and that must be true.

[8955342113853211]

They probably didn't. I can't speak for twelve years ago, but have you seen the schedule for their "The Else" tour? They're doing one or two shows a day, plus travel.

[hemoglobin]

I met Flansburgh after a show and he was perfectly nice to me, though the autographed vinyl I bought from him might have had something to do with that. lol. But he did take a picture with me and was super friendly, and even took pictures with people who weren't buying vinyls, so I guess that's pretty cool

[lefkytheshin]

I love these guys. I've always got a kick out of that weird track on the Miscellaneous T album where the old woman keeps asking about "They Must Be Giants."

[hinessa]

SO GOOD

[derangedmillionaire]

The dance that John & John do at :23 is the best dance I have ever witnessed.

[AlexandriaM]

I'm not embarrassed to admit that half of the time when I listen to this song, I do that dance. The moves at :50 are also enacted by me quite a bit. The Johns are simply masters of choreographic inspiration!

[Kuriru]

Awesome.

TMBG jumping around...and big hands. I want them O:

[mcog2006]

I always thought these guys were british.

[TheNinthDoctor]

Awesome. TMBG are amazing.

[thaumatology]

it was 20 years ago this month - one of the first cassettes in my collection! FANtastic stuff. anyone ('sides me) ever call that 1-800 dial-a-song thing they had set up? genius

[reikicara]

I called, it was long distance to the Bronx, my mom didn't understand...I remember the angst...

[cometboy303]

just for some perspective:

when this album came out, "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper was the #1 single.

[guilmon182]

Me too.

[theneighborhoodgang]

I want those hands.

[alyshells]

Awesomeness to the 10th degree. Middle school was a TMBG rivival period of mine and it reminds me of back then so much.

[Upsilon]

So much better than the Don't Let's Start video.

[skiprooney]

This Video is endorsed by

Robert Paulson.

His name is Robert Paulson

His name is Robert Paulson

His name is Robert Paulson...

[AlexandriaM]

This reminds me of some Elvis Costello videos in more ways than one.

[lizzardpoodle]

how can nerds NOT be awesome?

so weird, you gotta love em.

[tristheninjapirate]

i think they put that guys face in the video for don't let's start. I can't believe how young they look it's like 2 kid's have dressed up like them!

[Recreant456]

He was a newspaper editor who supported Robert LaFollete pere.

I have no idea why they chose such an obscure historical figure.

Then again, that's TMBG.

:0)