Linnell's lyrics are perhaps best known for their inclusion of strange subject matter and word play. Persistent themes include aging, delusional behavior, bad relationships, death, and the personification of inanimate objects. Conversely, the accompanying melodies are usually cascading and upbeat.
Early life
John Linnell was born in New York City to father Zenos Linnell, a psychiatrist, and mother Kathleen. When Linnell was a child, Walt Kelly's Songs of the Pogo album made a strong impression on his musical sensibilities. The album contained lyrics that relied heavily on puns and word play, which Linnell appreciated. In particular, he recalls "Lines Upon a Tranquil Brow", which later became part of They Might Be Giants's live repertoire. At an early age, Linnell and his family relocated to Lincoln, Massachusetts, where he attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Here, he worked on the school newspaper, the Promethean, and met John Flansburgh. The two occasionally collaborated on home-recording projects.
Linnell was born in Bloomsbury, London. His father was a carver and gilder and Linnell was brought into contact with artists from an early age, and was drawing and selling portraits in chalk and pencil at the age of 10. His first artistic instruction was received from Benjamin West, and he spent a year in the house of John Varley the water-colour painter, where he had William Hunt and William Mulready as fellow-pupils, and made the acquaintance of Shelley, Godwin and other men of mark. In 1805 he was admitted a student of the Royal Academy, where he obtained medals for drawing, modelling and sculpture. He was trained as an engraver, and executed a transcript of Varley's "Burial of Saul."
John Linnell (1729–96), was an 18th-century cabinet-maker and designer.
Biography
Linnell was in charge of one of London's largest cabinet-makers firms of the 18th century with many important and prominent patrons. The Linnell firm was created in 1730 by William Linnell (c.1703–63), and was inherited by his son John Linnell in 1763. The firm moved from 8 Long Acre in St. Martin's Lane, London to 28 Berkeley Square in 1750. From 1763 to his death John Linnell continued to develop the business his father had established and his reputation grew. However, due to his unconventional lifestyle, he left no heir to his trade and the fate of the firm after his death is uncertain.
There is speculation that in the last years of his life John Linnell entered a partnership with his relative Thomas Tatham (1763–1817). However the evidence is not conclusive. Thomas Tatham went on to be a partner at one of London's fashionable cabinetmaking and upholstery business owith George Elward, Edward Bailey and Richard Saunders. They were principal cabinet-makers to George IV and this firm worked at Carlton House and Buckingham Palace.
John Linnell recording vocals for 'Am I Awake?' but the musical track is removed.
published: 25 Jan 2018
They Might Be Giants-Other Father Song
A clip from the 2009 movie "Coraline", by Henry Selick, in which John Linnell performs the song "Other Father Song" for the film. This was the only song by TMBG that officially got in the movie.
Like the Movie? Buy it here: http://www.coraline.com/
I DO NOT OWN THIS CLIP AND I AM NOT UPLOADING THIS FOR A PROFIT.
published: 10 Oct 2009
Erotomania: The Life of John Linnell's Infamous Stalker
In this video, I took a deep dive into the social media postings of Quinn Collard, the adult woman who devotes her entire waking life to John Linnell of They Might Be Giants.
This video is nowhere near as serious as the title and thumbnail may lead you to believe.
[sources]
"...Neverending List..."
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/thelist
TMBW User Page
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere
"...unnecessarily detailed explanation..."
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere/tmbiography
Archived List
https://archive.md/G5vjG
"Posts of Note"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/postsofnote
"Reasons I Wish I Were a Flansgirl"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/post/9329416305/reasons-i-wish-i-were-a-flansgirl
"Encyclopedia Linnellica"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/...
published: 25 Jun 2021
John Linnell and the Statesmen on Conan, 1-1-2000, "Montana" (HD, Stereo quality)
In the best quality so far on YouTube! This comes straight from my own VHS tape that I made from the broadcast that wonderful night. Stereo quality! Both guitars are separated L and R (I believe Dan Miller on rhythm guitar in the right and Jay Sherman-Godfrey on the left!)
The song sounds fantastic. I also slightly corrected the contrast to combat the washed out old VHS tape. Also featuring every mention of Linnell throughout the episode. Enjoy!
Also with Mark Lerner and Mark Donato!
Support us!: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontletsstart
published: 07 Dec 2020
John Linnell - South Carolina at Amoeba Records (11-23-99)
The full synced concert is coming soon.
published: 23 Dec 2020
John Linnell's David Byrne impression
John Linnell from They Might Be Giants did an "impression" of David Byrne from Talking Heads. We're all very intrigued at how John managed to decide that this is what David sounds like!
I don't know the origin/context of this clip unfortunately, I've just seen it on Tumblr and it wasn't on YouTube yet so I decided it should be here too.
I find this funnier when considering the context that the two have worked together - John Linnell plays accordion on the 2004 David Byrne track Civilization, from his album Grown Backwards (I would recommend it, it's a very cool track)
published: 04 Apr 2023
TMBG (John Linnell Tells 2 jokes)
They Might be giants at Borders columbus circle New York City
published: 03 Mar 2008
21 Minutes and 33 Seconds of John Linnell of They Might Be Giants Being Silly
Seen people make Flans compilations but no Linnell compilations!!
I love him ❤️
Happy 65th birthday Linnell!!
A clip from the 2009 movie "Coraline", by Henry Selick, in which John Linnell performs the song "Other Father Song" for the film. This was the only song by TMBG...
A clip from the 2009 movie "Coraline", by Henry Selick, in which John Linnell performs the song "Other Father Song" for the film. This was the only song by TMBG that officially got in the movie.
Like the Movie? Buy it here: http://www.coraline.com/
I DO NOT OWN THIS CLIP AND I AM NOT UPLOADING THIS FOR A PROFIT.
A clip from the 2009 movie "Coraline", by Henry Selick, in which John Linnell performs the song "Other Father Song" for the film. This was the only song by TMBG that officially got in the movie.
Like the Movie? Buy it here: http://www.coraline.com/
I DO NOT OWN THIS CLIP AND I AM NOT UPLOADING THIS FOR A PROFIT.
In this video, I took a deep dive into the social media postings of Quinn Collard, the adult woman who devotes her entire waking life to John Linnell of They Mi...
In this video, I took a deep dive into the social media postings of Quinn Collard, the adult woman who devotes her entire waking life to John Linnell of They Might Be Giants.
This video is nowhere near as serious as the title and thumbnail may lead you to believe.
[sources]
"...Neverending List..."
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/thelist
TMBW User Page
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere
"...unnecessarily detailed explanation..."
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere/tmbiography
Archived List
https://archive.md/G5vjG
"Posts of Note"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/postsofnote
"Reasons I Wish I Were a Flansgirl"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/post/9329416305/reasons-i-wish-i-were-a-flansgirl
"Encyclopedia Linnellica"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/encyclopedia
In this video, I took a deep dive into the social media postings of Quinn Collard, the adult woman who devotes her entire waking life to John Linnell of They Might Be Giants.
This video is nowhere near as serious as the title and thumbnail may lead you to believe.
[sources]
"...Neverending List..."
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/thelist
TMBW User Page
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere
"...unnecessarily detailed explanation..."
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere/tmbiography
Archived List
https://archive.md/G5vjG
"Posts of Note"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/postsofnote
"Reasons I Wish I Were a Flansgirl"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/post/9329416305/reasons-i-wish-i-were-a-flansgirl
"Encyclopedia Linnellica"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/encyclopedia
In the best quality so far on YouTube! This comes straight from my own VHS tape that I made from the broadcast that wonderful night. Stereo quality! Both guitar...
In the best quality so far on YouTube! This comes straight from my own VHS tape that I made from the broadcast that wonderful night. Stereo quality! Both guitars are separated L and R (I believe Dan Miller on rhythm guitar in the right and Jay Sherman-Godfrey on the left!)
The song sounds fantastic. I also slightly corrected the contrast to combat the washed out old VHS tape. Also featuring every mention of Linnell throughout the episode. Enjoy!
Also with Mark Lerner and Mark Donato!
Support us!: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontletsstart
In the best quality so far on YouTube! This comes straight from my own VHS tape that I made from the broadcast that wonderful night. Stereo quality! Both guitars are separated L and R (I believe Dan Miller on rhythm guitar in the right and Jay Sherman-Godfrey on the left!)
The song sounds fantastic. I also slightly corrected the contrast to combat the washed out old VHS tape. Also featuring every mention of Linnell throughout the episode. Enjoy!
Also with Mark Lerner and Mark Donato!
Support us!: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontletsstart
John Linnell from They Might Be Giants did an "impression" of David Byrne from Talking Heads. We're all very intrigued at how John managed to decide that this i...
John Linnell from They Might Be Giants did an "impression" of David Byrne from Talking Heads. We're all very intrigued at how John managed to decide that this is what David sounds like!
I don't know the origin/context of this clip unfortunately, I've just seen it on Tumblr and it wasn't on YouTube yet so I decided it should be here too.
I find this funnier when considering the context that the two have worked together - John Linnell plays accordion on the 2004 David Byrne track Civilization, from his album Grown Backwards (I would recommend it, it's a very cool track)
John Linnell from They Might Be Giants did an "impression" of David Byrne from Talking Heads. We're all very intrigued at how John managed to decide that this is what David sounds like!
I don't know the origin/context of this clip unfortunately, I've just seen it on Tumblr and it wasn't on YouTube yet so I decided it should be here too.
I find this funnier when considering the context that the two have worked together - John Linnell plays accordion on the 2004 David Byrne track Civilization, from his album Grown Backwards (I would recommend it, it's a very cool track)
A clip from the 2009 movie "Coraline", by Henry Selick, in which John Linnell performs the song "Other Father Song" for the film. This was the only song by TMBG that officially got in the movie.
Like the Movie? Buy it here: http://www.coraline.com/
I DO NOT OWN THIS CLIP AND I AM NOT UPLOADING THIS FOR A PROFIT.
In this video, I took a deep dive into the social media postings of Quinn Collard, the adult woman who devotes her entire waking life to John Linnell of They Might Be Giants.
This video is nowhere near as serious as the title and thumbnail may lead you to believe.
[sources]
"...Neverending List..."
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/thelist
TMBW User Page
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere
"...unnecessarily detailed explanation..."
http://tmbw.net/wiki/User:Selfcallednowhere/tmbiography
Archived List
https://archive.md/G5vjG
"Posts of Note"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/postsofnote
"Reasons I Wish I Were a Flansgirl"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/post/9329416305/reasons-i-wish-i-were-a-flansgirl
"Encyclopedia Linnellica"
https://selfcallednowhere.tumblr.com/encyclopedia
In the best quality so far on YouTube! This comes straight from my own VHS tape that I made from the broadcast that wonderful night. Stereo quality! Both guitars are separated L and R (I believe Dan Miller on rhythm guitar in the right and Jay Sherman-Godfrey on the left!)
The song sounds fantastic. I also slightly corrected the contrast to combat the washed out old VHS tape. Also featuring every mention of Linnell throughout the episode. Enjoy!
Also with Mark Lerner and Mark Donato!
Support us!: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dontletsstart
John Linnell from They Might Be Giants did an "impression" of David Byrne from Talking Heads. We're all very intrigued at how John managed to decide that this is what David sounds like!
I don't know the origin/context of this clip unfortunately, I've just seen it on Tumblr and it wasn't on YouTube yet so I decided it should be here too.
I find this funnier when considering the context that the two have worked together - John Linnell plays accordion on the 2004 David Byrne track Civilization, from his album Grown Backwards (I would recommend it, it's a very cool track)
Linnell's lyrics are perhaps best known for their inclusion of strange subject matter and word play. Persistent themes include aging, delusional behavior, bad relationships, death, and the personification of inanimate objects. Conversely, the accompanying melodies are usually cascading and upbeat.
Early life
John Linnell was born in New York City to father Zenos Linnell, a psychiatrist, and mother Kathleen. When Linnell was a child, Walt Kelly's Songs of the Pogo album made a strong impression on his musical sensibilities. The album contained lyrics that relied heavily on puns and word play, which Linnell appreciated. In particular, he recalls "Lines Upon a Tranquil Brow", which later became part of They Might Be Giants's live repertoire. At an early age, Linnell and his family relocated to Lincoln, Massachusetts, where he attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Here, he worked on the school newspaper, the Promethean, and met John Flansburgh. The two occasionally collaborated on home-recording projects.