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They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants, often abbreviated as TMBG, is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as a musical duo, often accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG expanded to include a backing band.[5] The duo's current backing band consists of Marty Beller, Dan Miller and Danny Weinkauf. They have been credited as vital in the creation and growth of the prolific DIY music scene in Brooklyn in the mid-1980s.[6]

This article is about the band. For the band's first album, see They Might Be Giants (album). For the 1971 film, see They Might Be Giants (film).

They Might Be Giants

  • TMBG
  • El Grupo De Rock and Roll

1982–present

The group has been noted for its unique style of alternative music, typically using surreal, humorous lyrics, experimental styles and unconventional instruments in its songs. Over their career, they have found success on the modern rock and college radio charts. They have also found success in children's music with several educational albums, and in theme music for television programs and films.


TMBG have released 23 studio albums. Flood has been certified platinum, while their children's music albums Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, and Here Comes Science have all been certified gold. The duo has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning two.[7][8] Flansburgh and Linnell won for writing the theme to Malcolm in the Middle (Best Film or Television Theme) and They Might Be Giants won for Here Come the 123s (Best Children's Album). Linnell and Flansburgh were also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre along with other composers of the show for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.[9] In total, the group has sold over 4 million records.[10]

(1986)

They Might Be Giants

(1988)

Lincoln

(1990)

Flood

(1992)

Apollo 18

(1994)

John Henry

(1996)

Factory Showroom

(1999)

Long Tall Weekend

(2001)

Mink Car

(2004)

The Spine

(2007)

The Else

(2011)

Join Us

(2013)

Nanobots

(2015)

Glean

(2016)

Phone Power

(2018)

I Like Fun

(2018)

My Murdered Remains

(2018)

The Escape Team

(2021)

Book

List of songwriter duos

Edit this at Wikidata

Official website

TMBG Dial-a-Song

 – a wiki about TMBG

This Might Be A Wiki

at Curlie

They Might Be Giants

 – Episode 90: Telephone in Act Two: When The Telephone Is Your Medium by contributing editor Sarah Vowell. A story and interview that includes the Dial-a-Song line and the role the line had on TMBG music.

This American Life

at TED

They Might Be Giants