They Might Be Kids' Songs
TMBG Puts Out an Interactive Children's CD Called 'No!'

Listen to Robert Siegel's interview with They Might Be Giants.

They Might Be Giants: John Flansburgh (left) and John Linnell Photo: Rounder Records

"We've always tried to hold on to our kid-like impulses, and our songs have always had a lot of unusual imagery in them. Now that we're established as a band, we felt it was a good time to explore this genre of music, and hopefully bring something of our own to it." John Flansburgh

No!, the new release from They Might Be Giants. Photo: Rounder Records Tracks from No! "Fibber Island" "In the Middle, In the Middle, In the Middle" "Bed Bed Bed"

June 17, 2002 -- In their 20 years of creating innovative rock music, They Might Be Giants have broken many music conventions. But even with all their experience with albums, videos, theme songs, and media appearances, the duo had never before put together a children's CD.

Why children's music? The two Johns --- Flansburgh and Linnell -- explain that TMBG's music already sounded child-like with its simplicity and energy. "There's always been the thing about the spirit of They Might Be Giants as a band that is very childlike . . . Making a children's album seemed like a natural," says Flansburgh.

In addition to music, every track on their new CD -- simply titled No! -- has an "enhanced" animated section, with visuals complementing the music when played on a computer.

The duo had to be careful with the topics of the music for this CD, they told host Robert Siegel on All Things Considered. "Our other records have happy, friendly-sounding melodies, they're very melodic, and there's not very much swearing . . . but they do cover a lot of topics that would really be unsuitable for kids, namely death and deep disappointment and bitterness and things like that," says Flansburgh.

Their new CD focuses on children's topics, including crossing the street safely and getting to bed. "It seemed like a good thing to stick on the record, but the thing that made it sort of different was that it's one of the most raucous tracks on the record," says Flansburgh. "It doesn't really make you want to go to bed."




Other Resources

• No! album preview.

• The official They Might Be Giants Web site.

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