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.
For thousands of years, indigenous peoples were the only inhabitants of the territory that is now Maine. At the time of European encounter, several Algonquian-speaking peoples inhabited the area. The first European settlement in Maine was by the French in 1604 on Saint Croix Island, by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. The first English settlement in Maine, the short-lived Popham Colony, was established by the Plymouth Company in 1607. A number of English settlements were established along the coast of Maine in the 1620s, although the rugged climate, deprivations, and conflict with the local peoples caused many to fail over the years.
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!!
published: 12 Jun 2024
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
John Linnell and his Old-Timey Voice
John talks about recording on wax cylinder.
published: 22 Jul 2015
John Linnell Recording Vocals (Isolated)
John Linnell recording vocals for 'Am I Awake?' but the musical track is removed.
published: 25 Jan 2018
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
They Might Be Giants- MTV Interview about Ana Ng
published: 04 Apr 2012
they might be giants moments i think about a lot
playlist link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCEwNP5NJpXS_L71DDcE2nbiiuGFsvEKj
0:00 nothing
0:04 what is he doing with his hand
0:10 the first ever bird of the bee of the moth introduction
0:23 (left channel) they don’t like being upside down OR in boxes
0:42 flans’ vibe report
0:59 just this entire music video tbh
1:10 bouncy linnell
1:20 john linnell forgets the name of every single dinosaur
1:41 (left channel) “rock gyro trip”
1:54 the tmbgkids characters are just wonderful
2:26 john flansburgh’s “hotel” story
3:18 do you actually know HOW to use a stylophone??
3:42 “says the guy from brooklyn”
3:58 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
4:10 professor flans
4:20 our record is better !!
4:50 american dream
4:56 flans’ twisty legs + the stick
5:19 that’s why you always turn your phone off before the sh...
published: 13 Dec 2020
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
John Linnell - South Carolina at Amoeba Records (11-23-99)
The full synced concert is coming soon.
published: 23 Dec 2020
John Linnell Scream
John Linnell from They Might Be Giants screaming on MTV while preforming Don't Let's Start.
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)
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
playlist link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCEwNP5NJpXS_L71DDcE2nbiiuGFsvEKj
0:00 nothing
0:04 what is he doing with his hand
0:10 the first ever bird o...
playlist link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCEwNP5NJpXS_L71DDcE2nbiiuGFsvEKj
0:00 nothing
0:04 what is he doing with his hand
0:10 the first ever bird of the bee of the moth introduction
0:23 (left channel) they don’t like being upside down OR in boxes
0:42 flans’ vibe report
0:59 just this entire music video tbh
1:10 bouncy linnell
1:20 john linnell forgets the name of every single dinosaur
1:41 (left channel) “rock gyro trip”
1:54 the tmbgkids characters are just wonderful
2:26 john flansburgh’s “hotel” story
3:18 do you actually know HOW to use a stylophone??
3:42 “says the guy from brooklyn”
3:58 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
4:10 professor flans
4:20 our record is better !!
4:50 american dream
4:56 flans’ twisty legs + the stick
5:19 that’s why you always turn your phone off before the show...
playlist link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCEwNP5NJpXS_L71DDcE2nbiiuGFsvEKj
0:00 nothing
0:04 what is he doing with his hand
0:10 the first ever bird of the bee of the moth introduction
0:23 (left channel) they don’t like being upside down OR in boxes
0:42 flans’ vibe report
0:59 just this entire music video tbh
1:10 bouncy linnell
1:20 john linnell forgets the name of every single dinosaur
1:41 (left channel) “rock gyro trip”
1:54 the tmbgkids characters are just wonderful
2:26 john flansburgh’s “hotel” story
3:18 do you actually know HOW to use a stylophone??
3:42 “says the guy from brooklyn”
3:58 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
4:10 professor flans
4:20 our record is better !!
4:50 american dream
4:56 flans’ twisty legs + the stick
5:19 that’s why you always turn your phone off before the show...
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.
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)
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
playlist link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCEwNP5NJpXS_L71DDcE2nbiiuGFsvEKj
0:00 nothing
0:04 what is he doing with his hand
0:10 the first ever bird of the bee of the moth introduction
0:23 (left channel) they don’t like being upside down OR in boxes
0:42 flans’ vibe report
0:59 just this entire music video tbh
1:10 bouncy linnell
1:20 john linnell forgets the name of every single dinosaur
1:41 (left channel) “rock gyro trip”
1:54 the tmbgkids characters are just wonderful
2:26 john flansburgh’s “hotel” story
3:18 do you actually know HOW to use a stylophone??
3:42 “says the guy from brooklyn”
3:58 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
4:10 professor flans
4:20 our record is better !!
4:50 american dream
4:56 flans’ twisty legs + the stick
5:19 that’s why you always turn your phone off before the show...
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.
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.
The songs of the 50 states The songs of the 50 states The time has come for us to sing about a certain place Where everything is in the control Of people who are down in a hole The songs of the 50 states The songs of the 50 states No two alike but each connected by a golden thread I'll try not to forget all the words And leave that job to those who have heard State songs State songs I can't wait for my favorite one I'm not gonna say they're great I ain't gonna say they ain't But I recall and will relate the words and music of the 50 Songs of the 50 states The songs of the 50 states The time is nigh for us to sigh about a certain place Where everything is in the control Of people who are under the ground State songs State songs I can't wait for my favorite one I hear the melody the harmony the pounding rhythm The ideas, notes and words Every state, a different composition Keeping me awake Late at night Can't get them out of my mind State songs State songs I can't wait for my favorite one I'm not gonna say they're great I ain't gonna say they ain't But I recall and will relate the words and music of the 50 Songs of the 50 states The songs of the 50 states The time has come for us to sing about a certain place Where everything is in the control Of men who are controlling my mind State songs State songs I can't wait for my favorite one