With The Dark - They Might Be Giants

[soulofhiroshi]

woah. Lego at the beginning.

[eternal0star]

Songs like this really show how much The Residents have influenced music and art. I love TMBG

[skivit]

1:26 - 1:31

"Oh, no, I've been captured!"

"Don't worry, I gotcha."

"Coffee break!"

"Whoa shit, that squid's heading right for Earth!"

"Better shoot it."

*crashes into ocean*

[i1love1cats]

@skivit You sir are my hero of the day.

[TomMunster]

This is a 9 minute song squeezed into about 3 minutes.

[RobotKing27]

0:57 is about as badass as you can get with little stop motion figurines

[RobotKing27]

this is like three songs in one

[thirdsound]

Hey I liked the little nod to Homeland Security and their fabulous color coded threat system!

[BifMcAwesome]

You may want to reevaluate your assessment the of level of comprehension John Linnell employs in his writing. For instance, the song "S-E-X-X-Y" is about Klinefelter Syndrome, "I Palindrome I" is a song about how life is a Palindrome, with Palindromes throughout, "Dinner Bell" is about dinner time and about Pavlov's experiments with dogs. Even early songs illustrate the stream of consious style they employ. "Boat of Car" is an excellent example. Linnell writes nerd rock.

[NARFNra]

Woah, I just realized what the campaign posters mean.

The twins who are taking over have "DD" written on their posters, but the pictures is a pair of does. What that means is that they're... John Does?

Okay I thought I had something...

[BifMcAwesome]

TMBG music is based on the use of cerebral constructs such as non-sequitors, reversed and oblique grammer, and fill in the blank ideas. They will take a musical characteristic and often build the idea around it without following the logic of the idea but of the characteristic. An example is Mink Car with the characteristic Burt Bacharach chord structures and progressions but the idea is the High Society trappings associated with the music, hence the references to Mink, diamonds, chauffers.

[populvuh02]

@BifMcAwesome i'm pretty sure john linnell wouldn't even know what you're talking about

[YourFaceWillDie468]

@populvuh02 I'm absolutely sure they would.

[AchievementUnlockdAS]

I think its about a squid who loves a girl but she loves the dark so the squid trys to get rid of the dark thats why he had the gun!

[pras5319]

the squid is packin' heat

[vaguelyhumanoid]

This is their Bohemian Rhapsody, in that it has a bunch of different parts and the lyrics make no sense. Really cool.

[angryguy306]

Squid? With a gun?

[bangcamaro66]

I thought that the music video would explain the song a little. But it left me far more confused and entertained than I expected. I love They Might Be Giants!

[yararu]

How the fuck are they unoriginal? Honestly that makes NO sense in any way, shape, or form. Just because you don't have the open mind to enjoy stuff like this doesn't mean you can bitch about falsities.

[ConJonBlizzard1]

she will send you down...(I know what their talking about)

[USSRScrapper]

So well done

[dghdhgdghdhgdgh3]

ROCK ON!!!!!!

Love this video man

[39gaz39]

lol 1:29 and 1:27

[urzaz]

I want the image at 1:29 as my desktop wallpaper. Anyone have a Hi Res?

[HowardRussell2000]

tmbw. net/wiki/images/archive/c/c2/2­0070615133925!With_the_dark_(g­uns). jpg

(remove spaces)

[Atma505]

lol

[SgtDonut23]

1:29 Epic Picture!!!

[Arichat60]

Look, just forget about it. Do we really have to know the meaning to enjoy the song?

[MoteyJoe]

@Arichat60 people who look for too much meaning tend to have none in their own lives anyhoo.

[Kirleyhair]

SAVE HIM FLANSY!

[accordionboy25]

sweet stop motion. I'm working on some myself.

TMBG rules!!!!!!!!!

[fluorogoat]

There's something about this that connects with me on some level. And I don't know what it is.

[LeoFan93]

this one makes no sense. squids, agents, dictators, o_O

[CatronixOnYT]

Exactly.

[KholdSeraph89]

This is one of my favorite TMBG tunes. <3

[iasonharper]

Agreed...

[NvPGulstab]

Yeah, but YouTube can't be mature and leave them up...

[ardvarkd]

thats for sure. hopefully some videos will come from their next album

[NvPGulstab]

Their next album is another kid's album, but the one after that is going to be an adult album. Perhaps the reason for no more live action videos is due to the fact that they've gotten older (than They've ever been) and aren't as fresh as they used to be. Music still rocks.

[ardvarkd]

yer but their science album should be good, anyone can just make up some non sequitors about letters and numbers and call it educational

[NvPGulstab]

Even then, ABCs and 123s were good.

[ardvarkd]

yeah, but thats the thing, theyve done really educational stuff such as James Ensor and Mammal, but there kids album isnt as educational as they would have you believe

[NvPGulstab]

I think those are just for entertainment purposes in a *somewhat* educational way.

[ardvarkd]

lol, I guess ive just become nostalgic for vintage tmbg, with accordions and ridiculous dance moves

[NvPGulstab]

I do prefer my alternative rock with accordion...

[ardvarkd]

I prefer mine with goats cheese, but thats a problem Ive yet to deal with

[NvPGulstab]

However, the new stuff has better herbs in the sauce, though it still lacks the *umph* accordion gives...

[ardvarkd]

do u wanna become youtube friends, so we can message each other rather than blocking up the comments thingo

[NvPGulstab]

Not only did you already send me a friend request, but I already accepted, all before you posted this comment, lol...

[ardvarkd]

ok, maybe I should pay a bit more attention then, lol :D

[ardvarkd]

Sorry I mean james k polk, i always get them mixed up

[reverberate10]

@ardvarkd CAN'T KEEP JOHNNY DOWN. IT IS BEING DONE. REJOICE.

[LeoFan93]

confused. what was this one about

[Shuda7]

Greatest song to date!

[Atma505]

I always get hella excited when 1:31 is about to play in the song.

[doggydude10]

hella excited?

[Atma505]

HELLA excited.

[39gaz39]

SQUID!!!

[Jevonjevich]

1:50 he uses a lego peice as a peg leg XD. Awesome video though. I love TMBG.

[foowah7]

This song's pretty cool!

[tearsdroplets]

Lol, I think my favourite song sung by TMBG is 'Boss Of Me' . Plus it brings back memory from the 'Malcolm in the middle' show . Boy, I really missed it :(

[Shuda7]

I own this CD! Great job!

[0incorporeal]

What the hell happened to the once great TMBG? I think when they started the children's music they ruined their careers.

[stagedoorjack]

The Else is amazing. Best and most inventive album since Factory Showroom. They sold out every show I've been to in the past 3 years. Their latest children's album is number 3 on the Parent's Choice for best kids record. I really don't think their careers are ruined.

[0incorporeal]

Yeah but for music fans, and it's not as if the childrens music scene is particularly lucritive. Amusing children is pretty easy for the media industry as it is. Is The Else the newest 'proper' album? I might have to give it a go, if it's like the TMBG I used to love so much.

[cajohn54]

it was just a last effort to keep a career, but this actually is sounding better as you read this

[BongoWW]

What's the matter with all of you?! Their childrens songs are great too!

[39gaz39]

yay! here come the abc's!... and the 123s!

[BongoWW]

and science!

[TheRatstomper]

Or some other thing!

[doggydude10]

no!

[sren74]

awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome

[Evanbgood]

I'm a big fan of TMBG and I do like this song and video, but... I can't help but miss the days when all TMBG videos had NOTHING to do with the song. Their videos recently have all been very litteral, which is too much of a far cry from videos like Ana Ng and Birdhouse in Your Soul. But, the music is what matters, and it's been awesome for the past two decades.

[krudmonger]

The last video from them that I've seen was for "Doctor Worm", and that one wasn't literal (that I recall), though there was a degree of doctor-ness about it, I suppose. And "Experimental Film" was totally non-sequitur (though admittedly that was largely due to The Brothers Chaps.) What are their most recent videos? (That they themselves have had a hand in? Not counting the Venue Songs videos, either.) I guess I could find out on their website...

[krudmonger]

(Disregard my last question; I didn't realize that "Particle Men" was the name TMBG went by on YouTube. *smacks forehead in embarrassment*)

[sitbunnynow]

I love them in whatever they do.

But the teeny toons things were just odd.

[Arichat60]

Ummmm.....teeny toons?

[sitbunnynow]

Look up the music video to particle man and you'll get what I mean.

[Arichat60]

Oh, Tiny Toon Adventures. It's not Teeny Toons, it's Tiny Toons.

[silentlibrarian]

bunny. puppy. kitten. dictator.

[ZombiePirateEddie]

For some reason I always get dictator. That's not a very random spinner.

[antiphonebill]

Go squid!

[bao20]

LO FUKIN L Its so great and cute ^^

[Ethergirl]

LOL This is so cute!  Always loved TMBG. Is this the official video for this song?

Do NOT vote for the squid! LOLOL

[ploxsicle]

This might have been good if it weren't so jerky. Makes me feel like I'm having a seizure.

[BongoWW]

I think it's supposed to be like that. If you watch his "Ana Ng", it's a lot smoother.

[ericvillarcoronado]

really good. Classic in '08

[tjswans77]

I remember 15 years ago staring at the squid while listning to "Flood". Love the fact they are still going strong.

"rocking my pegleg stump"

[trubbaman]

i love this band and the squid

[pieequals]

I lOvE tHe BiOnIcLe PeG lEg

[Ereduamon]

They are awesome!

The song is awsome, but the video is a little... Not the way its done, but I just don't like what happens in it.

[an1ma7ion]

Wow. I like the song BUT THE VIDEO SUCKS! That guy doesn't animate stop motion good at all. But the song is AWESOME!

[DeizeKnutts]

Thats definitely not the skill of the stopmotioner, but way they wanted to do it.

[weaverflytyer]

they wanted it to be like that

[Pronewbi3]

Yeah I'm betting that's the way they wanted it. I like the video myself.

[an1ma7ion]

Whoa wait. I didn't post that. I like the video...

[Pammy1960]

it really helps emphasize the abrupt changes, especially in the second bit

[Aidsking]

Cute.

[dugalicous]

ya still my favorite music video of all time!

[PoisonPeachPit]

I love how, with a tap of a button on John's cellphone he can send a rocket to the moon. What are they, government officials? Or maybe they're like, exiled government officials, because the girl and her twin have taken over eveything else.

[crimsondagger1]

They Might Be Giants were great intelegent musicians. they are hardly the same as lamb of god. after all Lamb of god never made a song about the sun. Nor is any band as odd as the Giants. They were and are one of the best.

[stormyaaron]

I don't see how any one can say they are boring and unoriginal when they really have no style, they change with every song. Unlike Green Day or any other mainstream or even alot of indy bands who have one style, and I am not talking about punk, emo, screamo, etc. But how they sing and how their music is. Most bands how a days are just formulated.

[foxespiritu]

The Beatles are another of the few bands that made major changes with most aspects of each song.

[TheFreakBand]

yeah, i mean compare 64 to Revolution

[marisel76]

Let me just quote you out of context as saying "They really have no style."

[Zukhramm]

I can see someone finding them boring, but unoriginal?!

[wylam2]

I can see how someone would find them boring and unoriginal too. The girl I sit next too at work would find them boring and unoriginal, but then she went to see Keane once. Fucking idiot.

People who don't like They Might Be Giants clearly have no joy in their life.

[BlueFlashProductions]

I have a friend who says they're unoriginal too, and she likes System Of A Down. -shudders-

[lilclerk]

Unoriginal, really?  I can understand TMBG not being your cup of tea, but you can't say they're unoriginal.

[BlueFlashProductions]

Yeah, I don't get it either. Like, you can't say stuff from their newer albums like The Else or Spine sounds like stuff from older albums like Lincoln or Flood.

[Fergusonguitar]

@BlueFlashProductions

I thought The Else and Flood sounded like TMBG style. I mean, they sound more alike than some of there other albums at least. (Not that thats a bad thing)

[TimBisleyProductions]

...clever you. *everyone claps the retard jmrocker*

[Bsomers2]

I fully agree...I have listened to them for almost 20 years and I have to say they are very unique...The only other odd band I can class with them is Ween...But the giants are the best....

[RuinerxxSINCITY]

Actually Ween is up their on the quirky group list tied with TMBG in my opinion.

[JancyDreamer]

...(posted too fast...) anyway, Apollo 18 tribute: the squid and lander from the cover, Spider, Hall of Heads, My Evil Twin, and the different types of music reminds me of "Fingertips" in one song.

[wildmerlewallace]

It reminded me of Fingertips too!

[JancyDreamer]

This video seems like a whole Apollo

[Xyzzyka]

I just wanna know what D&D's names are. Let's see, what's the opposite of John? Maybe Darcy... Oh! I know! Dawn and Dawn! Clearly.

[minespatch]

I can't stop singing this song!

[evangelist351991]

interesting

[an1ma7ion]

No. Lamb of God suck. This is way better than the emo/screamo crap.

[SoupNazi3]

Lamb of God is neither screamo nor suck. Neither does this, however.

[superunknown84]

Lamb of God isn't even the same kind of band, it isn't possible to objectively compare the two.

[metalxisxlove]

Yeah...it's not at all comparable to TMBG... But an1ma7ion, people have different tastes. I happen to be lucky enough to appreciate a wide range of music, but respect people. Even if they don't respect you.

[poocoop]

this is my fav. tmbg song EVER

[dugalicous]

this video is pure genious! this is my favorite music video of all time. This should be on MTV.

[MehMehBear]

I think the Giant Squid came from the cover album of Apollo 18.

[PoisonPeachPit]

So he won against the whale, then?

[Mummer85]

I want my own John&John action figures. =(

[dugalicous]

awesome, this is my favorite They Might Be Giants video.

[bleepim]

OMG dancing pupets are win!

[NvPGulstab]

Pfft! Squids cant play guitar!

[Th4tGuy]

can too.

[NvPGulstab]

Chill out, it's a joke. I do realize that it's stop-motion.

[RevDrFaux]

No, don't call out the Squid. He'll eat your Apollo rocket.

[NvPGulstab]

I must be the only guy who got this joke.

[blahmaen]

Squids n' guitars are serious business, children.

[svankmaj]

I know I'm stupid for even attempting to analyze things that should just be enjoyed at face value. I do my best to see They Might Be Giants as quirky and even humorous, not as serious and meaning-laden as, say, Pink Floyd.

All this said, very cool video, and great use of stop-motion! :) You rock, TMBG! (but can I still vote for the squid? ;) )

[hoopadoop14]

people need to learn that not every thing has a deeper meaning, and somethings only mean stuff to the creators.

TMBG roooooocks!

[celestemoon]

LOVE the vid - it's full of refs to old clips & the Apollo album cover, plus sometimes just responds to the music.

[TheMackDaddy123]

I wasnt bashing the vid, i love it. i am just saying i dont understand its meaning on my first watch of it.

[Arichat60]

This is They Might Be Giants we're talking about here. I just became a fan, but I've heard enough of their songs to know that they don't have any exact meaning in their songs.

[SgtDonut23]

The song I'm Impressed has meaning to it. The song is about people through mob mentallity, follow a charismatic leader. Even though they disagree for what they stand for.

[aerozord]

they often do, but it isn't always a deep one. Evil Twin, for example is about how it would be awesome to have an evil twin, because you can get away with anything. Can go abit deeper of course and say how its about how everyone wants a convient scape goat

[Arichat60]

I guess I just didn't pay enough attention. Ah well. Everyone makes mistakes. Also, I heard that John Linnell said that The Statue Got Me High was about a guy looking at a statue, then his head explodes. That's it.

[Sasami009]

Why must everything have a point.

When can I build something without being asked what it is or why I built it?

When can I draw without people looking to see what the meaning of it is?

When can I sing without being asked what the song is about?

[capitalF]

no one cares what YOUR song is about, only TMBG's...

[ThisIsAPun]

Like CapitalQ? :P

[TheMackDaddy123]

i understood the begging, then it just went crazy...

btw lmfao @ <8[]≈≈≈≈

[Oron999]

I... I don't undertsand any of it. It's ridiculous and might just have some deeper meaning I don't undertsand. Probably not. >_>

And that's exactly the way I like things. ^_^

[miztahfrawg]

that, my freind, is exactly why i love the band.

[xmantidx]

Is the squid checkin' out the olsen twins?

[miztahfrawg]

if you dont know a thing about the band, stop trying too make it seemm like you do.

[xmantidx]

Actually I was just goofing when I made that comment , I think the video kicks ass and as far as knowing the band I've been a fan of them since highschool and have seen them in concert twice even though I ended up going by myself 'cause none of my friends were as into them as I was at the time.

[madwomanintheattic]

Yay! TMBG has added fuel to the fire of my squid fetish!!

[Slayerlx]

o_0

[laviolander]

me too!

you're not alone in your fascination

< 8[ ]≈≈≈≈

[tw38763876]

VOTE FOR GIANT SQUID!! *lol* love this! great job! TMBG always ROCKS!!!!! (!!!!)

[Weaponsofmd]

EVIL SQUID!

[sadturkey]

i love the spider plays the last chord... someone else comment i feel lame!

[sadturkey]

whoa... does this remind anyone of a beatles sound? kind of a sgt peppers sound... i guess its the harmonies at the end.

[sadturkey]

man thats kinda creepy actually... i love the "WHAT SOUND DOES THIS ANIMAL MAKE: DICTATOR" thing

[ShhBeans]

I love his vocal style starting at 1:32, sounds like Iggy on Nightclubbing...

[Nick5379]

SQUEE

[ThePeyoteCoyote]

They're big on the stop motion animation with the new album.

[Wiseyellowfellow]

quite frankly.....bad. very jerky, looks like 12 frames per second at most. Not very impressive.

[elmafudd]

It's a stop motion video you big douchebag

[AtomicBucket]

You know, sure, they could have gone at 24 frames per second, but I think it's more stylized this way. I mean, it looks intentional. The fog and what not is just fine. I think it's just part of the style.

[sadturkey]

yeah and at other parts like 2:55 its really smooth, it's not like they don't know what they're doing

[blueguy15]

why must people bash other vids just stay off

[vect0rwolf]

Lurve squids.

[stitch1993]

jerky stopmotion

[TheGirlYouDoNotKnow]

oh geeee!! toy johns!!!!

[cubeguy2]

I also like this song.