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.
Nevada is largely desert and semiarid, much of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are located within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada lie on the western edge. About 86% of the state's land is managed by various jurisdictions of the U.S. federal government, both civilian and military.
Renaissance had been moderately successful during the 1970s, having a top ten UK singles chart hit in 1978 with "Northern Lights", but were better known as an album band, and for their live performances, particularly at Carnegie Hall. In 1979, the band had taken a less symphonic/orchestral and more electronically based turn with the album Azure d'Or, which resulted in disappointing sales and resultant dropping by their label, Warner Bros. Records. Meanwhile, the lineup of Renaissance was in flux, as John Tout and Terry Sullivan left for varying reasons.
Nevada
The reduced version of Renaissance then took stock; according to the sleeve notes to their CD, "It was time to stand back, take a breather, experiment, and to embark on a new working relationship with their fellow countryman Peter Gosling". Gosling had been in the 1960s band "Moon Train" which had been managed and produced by Bill Wyman, played keyboards on the Renaissance album Camera Camera and later on Time-Line. The single "In the Bleak Midwinter", a version of the Christmas carol by Gustav Holst and Christina Rossetti
was released for the 1982 Christmas market, but did not enter the UK singles chart until 8 January 1983. It spent one week on the chart at number 71.
Their second single, "You Know I Like It" did not trouble the charts and the project went no further. Renaissance finally folded in 1987; Haslam and Dunford embarked on solo careers, and Gosling wrote music for television and film.
Nevada by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
When I was young, I met a man a long, long way from home
He told me I should sing this song wherever I should roam
Nevada, Nevada
The dream of every gal
Nevada, Nevada
It's every boy's pal
published: 17 Feb 2016
Iowa - State Songs/John Linnell
I couldn't find it ANYWHERE. Wtf, youtube? what good are ya?
published: 08 Jul 2011
John Linnell - Iowa
Iowa by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
Silhouette on the moon
Flying around on a broom
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She likes the conical hat
Matching black dress
And a cat
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
"And if that broom don't fly,
I'm gonna buy you
A Dustbuster."
(dustbuster noise)
Stirs a large iron pot
Casting a spell
On Vermont
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
published: 17 Feb 2016
John Linnell - Arkansas
Arkansas by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
The designers of the Arkansas
Were inspired to choose a form that was
The exact dimensions and the shape of the state whose name she bore
Yes the ship was shaped like Arkansas
And the hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail had been reproduced on a scale of one to one
I was on the coast of Arkansas when I saw her colors from the shore
And I sadly waved my handkerchief as the ship began to sing:
I'm the ship that's shaped like Arkansas
And my hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail has been reproduced on a scale of one to one
Avast, me hearties
Ahoy, me state
Ahoy, there
Avast, there
Ahoy, there, me hearties
When the rising tide engulfs the shore
And the waves roll over Arkansas
Will the ship return to anchor there an...
published: 17 Feb 2016
Why Independent Maine?
What Is An Independent Voter?
The definition of the "independent voter" is one which has changed over the years, and one which has been "spun" by the two major parties in the United States.
Clearly, the Democrats and the Republicans are perfectly happy sharing all of the "recognized" voters. They have gotten fat and lazy because there is no competition and they needn't stretch too hard to keep partisans in their fold.
The two parties, as well as the media, is happy to let you think that "independent voters" are the same as "unaffiliated voters." This is not the case. I have been registered in one of the two major parties for the majority of the past 20 years. Yet I have been an independent voter for that entire time.
So, what is an independent voter?
In the 21st century, an independent...
Nevada by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
When I was young, I met a man a long, long way from home
He told me I should sing this song wher...
Nevada by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
When I was young, I met a man a long, long way from home
He told me I should sing this song wherever I should roam
Nevada, Nevada
The dream of every gal
Nevada, Nevada
It's every boy's pal
Nevada by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
When I was young, I met a man a long, long way from home
He told me I should sing this song wherever I should roam
Nevada, Nevada
The dream of every gal
Nevada, Nevada
It's every boy's pal
Iowa by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
Silhouette on the moon
Flying around on a broom
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's ...
Iowa by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
Silhouette on the moon
Flying around on a broom
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She likes the conical hat
Matching black dress
And a cat
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
"And if that broom don't fly,
I'm gonna buy you
A Dustbuster."
(dustbuster noise)
Stirs a large iron pot
Casting a spell
On Vermont
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
Iowa by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
Silhouette on the moon
Flying around on a broom
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She likes the conical hat
Matching black dress
And a cat
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
"And if that broom don't fly,
I'm gonna buy you
A Dustbuster."
(dustbuster noise)
Stirs a large iron pot
Casting a spell
On Vermont
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
Arkansas by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
The designers of the Arkansas
Were inspired to choose a form that was
The exact dimensions and...
Arkansas by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
The designers of the Arkansas
Were inspired to choose a form that was
The exact dimensions and the shape of the state whose name she bore
Yes the ship was shaped like Arkansas
And the hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail had been reproduced on a scale of one to one
I was on the coast of Arkansas when I saw her colors from the shore
And I sadly waved my handkerchief as the ship began to sing:
I'm the ship that's shaped like Arkansas
And my hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail has been reproduced on a scale of one to one
Avast, me hearties
Ahoy, me state
Ahoy, there
Avast, there
Ahoy, there, me hearties
When the rising tide engulfs the shore
And the waves roll over Arkansas
Will the ship return to anchor there and replace the sunken state?
For the ship was shaped like Arkansas
And the hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail had been reproduced on a scale of one to one
Arkansas by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
The designers of the Arkansas
Were inspired to choose a form that was
The exact dimensions and the shape of the state whose name she bore
Yes the ship was shaped like Arkansas
And the hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail had been reproduced on a scale of one to one
I was on the coast of Arkansas when I saw her colors from the shore
And I sadly waved my handkerchief as the ship began to sing:
I'm the ship that's shaped like Arkansas
And my hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail has been reproduced on a scale of one to one
Avast, me hearties
Ahoy, me state
Ahoy, there
Avast, there
Ahoy, there, me hearties
When the rising tide engulfs the shore
And the waves roll over Arkansas
Will the ship return to anchor there and replace the sunken state?
For the ship was shaped like Arkansas
And the hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail had been reproduced on a scale of one to one
What Is An Independent Voter?
The definition of the "independent voter" is one which has changed over the years, and one which has been "spun" by the two major ...
What Is An Independent Voter?
The definition of the "independent voter" is one which has changed over the years, and one which has been "spun" by the two major parties in the United States.
Clearly, the Democrats and the Republicans are perfectly happy sharing all of the "recognized" voters. They have gotten fat and lazy because there is no competition and they needn't stretch too hard to keep partisans in their fold.
The two parties, as well as the media, is happy to let you think that "independent voters" are the same as "unaffiliated voters." This is not the case. I have been registered in one of the two major parties for the majority of the past 20 years. Yet I have been an independent voter for that entire time.
So, what is an independent voter?
In the 21st century, an independent voter is one who votes for candidates and issues instead of partisan loyalty or unthinking obedience.
And that is what they don't want you to know.
Although the two parties once got away with defining independents as being less informed and less politically active than partisan voters, this is simply not the case. Independent voters are those who will not "fall for anything," therefore making us the group who make it a point to be informed and, when we don't feel we're just spinning our wheels, we are most active.
Now.
What Can You Do?
What can YOU do, as a voter, to help us get America back to its principled origins of individual liberty?
While scenarios differ from individual to individual, the simple answer is this: Whatever you do, act independently. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, whether it be the Republican leadership or the Democrat leadership.
Think for yourself!
If You Are In A Party
There are those of you who will be able to remain registered in one of the two parties. This is a good thing, and it can be most helpful. You are the people who can help direct those parties in the right direction, but more importantly, by virtue of your registration, you have clout with your leadership and partisan elected officials. And you can vote in primaries, helping to cull the most power-hungry and corrupt of the major candidates from the herd.
You have the right to vote for any candidate you believe to be principled, and being registered in a political party does not mean you have given up that right!
If You Are Not In A Party
And then there are those of you who have left your former party; who simply could not stomach the truth of the parties once you saw that truth.
You too are in a strategic position to affect who will be elected.
What Do We All Need To Do?
We advocate taking back our government by breaking the stranglehold that the two major parties have on our elections.
The primary objective of Independent Maine is to elect principled men and women who understand the concept of liberty, and who comprehend the importance of liberty to our culture.
We need to realize that we are most effective locally. Forget the presidency. Forget the U.S. Congress. We will deal with them later. In the meantime, we will focus on local and state elections. We need to elect like-minded people to our town councils, select boards, and municipal leaders. And every two years, we need to select and elect state senators and representatives to go to Augusta.
In order to do this, we need to keep one another informed. Do you know someone who should be elected to local office? Let us know who you know. Post about them in our forum, and let others know what you know. And allow them to let us know what they know.
And then do this: VOTE! Vote on principle; vote for liberty; and by all means, get your friends to vote the same way.
We are the swing vote. We have the power. We can decide who is suitable to represent us!
Join us at www.IndependentMaine.org
What Is An Independent Voter?
The definition of the "independent voter" is one which has changed over the years, and one which has been "spun" by the two major parties in the United States.
Clearly, the Democrats and the Republicans are perfectly happy sharing all of the "recognized" voters. They have gotten fat and lazy because there is no competition and they needn't stretch too hard to keep partisans in their fold.
The two parties, as well as the media, is happy to let you think that "independent voters" are the same as "unaffiliated voters." This is not the case. I have been registered in one of the two major parties for the majority of the past 20 years. Yet I have been an independent voter for that entire time.
So, what is an independent voter?
In the 21st century, an independent voter is one who votes for candidates and issues instead of partisan loyalty or unthinking obedience.
And that is what they don't want you to know.
Although the two parties once got away with defining independents as being less informed and less politically active than partisan voters, this is simply not the case. Independent voters are those who will not "fall for anything," therefore making us the group who make it a point to be informed and, when we don't feel we're just spinning our wheels, we are most active.
Now.
What Can You Do?
What can YOU do, as a voter, to help us get America back to its principled origins of individual liberty?
While scenarios differ from individual to individual, the simple answer is this: Whatever you do, act independently. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, whether it be the Republican leadership or the Democrat leadership.
Think for yourself!
If You Are In A Party
There are those of you who will be able to remain registered in one of the two parties. This is a good thing, and it can be most helpful. You are the people who can help direct those parties in the right direction, but more importantly, by virtue of your registration, you have clout with your leadership and partisan elected officials. And you can vote in primaries, helping to cull the most power-hungry and corrupt of the major candidates from the herd.
You have the right to vote for any candidate you believe to be principled, and being registered in a political party does not mean you have given up that right!
If You Are Not In A Party
And then there are those of you who have left your former party; who simply could not stomach the truth of the parties once you saw that truth.
You too are in a strategic position to affect who will be elected.
What Do We All Need To Do?
We advocate taking back our government by breaking the stranglehold that the two major parties have on our elections.
The primary objective of Independent Maine is to elect principled men and women who understand the concept of liberty, and who comprehend the importance of liberty to our culture.
We need to realize that we are most effective locally. Forget the presidency. Forget the U.S. Congress. We will deal with them later. In the meantime, we will focus on local and state elections. We need to elect like-minded people to our town councils, select boards, and municipal leaders. And every two years, we need to select and elect state senators and representatives to go to Augusta.
In order to do this, we need to keep one another informed. Do you know someone who should be elected to local office? Let us know who you know. Post about them in our forum, and let others know what you know. And allow them to let us know what they know.
And then do this: VOTE! Vote on principle; vote for liberty; and by all means, get your friends to vote the same way.
We are the swing vote. We have the power. We can decide who is suitable to represent us!
Join us at www.IndependentMaine.org
Nevada by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
When I was young, I met a man a long, long way from home
He told me I should sing this song wherever I should roam
Nevada, Nevada
The dream of every gal
Nevada, Nevada
It's every boy's pal
Iowa by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
Silhouette on the moon
Flying around on a broom
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She likes the conical hat
Matching black dress
And a cat
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
"And if that broom don't fly,
I'm gonna buy you
A Dustbuster."
(dustbuster noise)
Stirs a large iron pot
Casting a spell
On Vermont
Iowa
Is a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She's a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
She is a witch
Arkansas by John Linnell, from the album "State Songs".
Lyrics:
The designers of the Arkansas
Were inspired to choose a form that was
The exact dimensions and the shape of the state whose name she bore
Yes the ship was shaped like Arkansas
And the hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail had been reproduced on a scale of one to one
I was on the coast of Arkansas when I saw her colors from the shore
And I sadly waved my handkerchief as the ship began to sing:
I'm the ship that's shaped like Arkansas
And my hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail has been reproduced on a scale of one to one
Avast, me hearties
Ahoy, me state
Ahoy, there
Avast, there
Ahoy, there, me hearties
When the rising tide engulfs the shore
And the waves roll over Arkansas
Will the ship return to anchor there and replace the sunken state?
For the ship was shaped like Arkansas
And the hull was formed without a flaw
Every detail had been reproduced on a scale of one to one
What Is An Independent Voter?
The definition of the "independent voter" is one which has changed over the years, and one which has been "spun" by the two major parties in the United States.
Clearly, the Democrats and the Republicans are perfectly happy sharing all of the "recognized" voters. They have gotten fat and lazy because there is no competition and they needn't stretch too hard to keep partisans in their fold.
The two parties, as well as the media, is happy to let you think that "independent voters" are the same as "unaffiliated voters." This is not the case. I have been registered in one of the two major parties for the majority of the past 20 years. Yet I have been an independent voter for that entire time.
So, what is an independent voter?
In the 21st century, an independent voter is one who votes for candidates and issues instead of partisan loyalty or unthinking obedience.
And that is what they don't want you to know.
Although the two parties once got away with defining independents as being less informed and less politically active than partisan voters, this is simply not the case. Independent voters are those who will not "fall for anything," therefore making us the group who make it a point to be informed and, when we don't feel we're just spinning our wheels, we are most active.
Now.
What Can You Do?
What can YOU do, as a voter, to help us get America back to its principled origins of individual liberty?
While scenarios differ from individual to individual, the simple answer is this: Whatever you do, act independently. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, whether it be the Republican leadership or the Democrat leadership.
Think for yourself!
If You Are In A Party
There are those of you who will be able to remain registered in one of the two parties. This is a good thing, and it can be most helpful. You are the people who can help direct those parties in the right direction, but more importantly, by virtue of your registration, you have clout with your leadership and partisan elected officials. And you can vote in primaries, helping to cull the most power-hungry and corrupt of the major candidates from the herd.
You have the right to vote for any candidate you believe to be principled, and being registered in a political party does not mean you have given up that right!
If You Are Not In A Party
And then there are those of you who have left your former party; who simply could not stomach the truth of the parties once you saw that truth.
You too are in a strategic position to affect who will be elected.
What Do We All Need To Do?
We advocate taking back our government by breaking the stranglehold that the two major parties have on our elections.
The primary objective of Independent Maine is to elect principled men and women who understand the concept of liberty, and who comprehend the importance of liberty to our culture.
We need to realize that we are most effective locally. Forget the presidency. Forget the U.S. Congress. We will deal with them later. In the meantime, we will focus on local and state elections. We need to elect like-minded people to our town councils, select boards, and municipal leaders. And every two years, we need to select and elect state senators and representatives to go to Augusta.
In order to do this, we need to keep one another informed. Do you know someone who should be elected to local office? Let us know who you know. Post about them in our forum, and let others know what you know. And allow them to let us know what they know.
And then do this: VOTE! Vote on principle; vote for liberty; and by all means, get your friends to vote the same way.
We are the swing vote. We have the power. We can decide who is suitable to represent us!
Join us at www.IndependentMaine.org
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