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.
Oregon (i/ˈɔːrᵻɡən/AWR-ə-gən) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Oregon is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Washington, on the south by California, on the east by Idaho, and on the southeast by Nevada. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary, and the Snake River delineates much of the eastern boundary. The parallel 42° north delineates the southern boundary with California and Nevada. It is one of only three states of the contiguous United States to have a coastline on the Pacific Ocean, and the proximity to the ocean heavily influences the state's mild winter climate, despite the latitude.
Oregon was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before Western traders, explorers, and settlers arrived. An autonomous government was formed in the Oregon Country in 1843, the Oregon Territory was created in 1848, and Oregon became the 33rd state on February14, 1859. Today, at 98,000 square miles, Oregon is the ninth largest and, with a population of 4 million, 26th most populous U.S. state. The capital of Oregon is Salem, the second most populous of its cities, with 160,614 residents (2013 estimate). With 609,456 residents (2013 estimate), Portland is the largest city in Oregon and ranks 29th in the U.S. Its metro population of 2,314,554 (2013 estimate) is 24th. The Willamette Valley in western Oregon is the state's most densely populated area, home to eight of the ten most populous cities.
The land Oregon, Illinois was founded on was previously held by the Potawatomi and Winnebago Indian tribes. In fact, later, settlers discovered that the area contained a large number of Indian mounds, most 10 to 12 feet in diameter.
Ogle County was a New England settlement. The original founders of Oregon and Rochelle consisted entirely of settlers from New England. These people were "Yankees", that is to say they were descended from the EnglishPuritans who settled New England in the 1600s. They were part of a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the wilds of the Northwest Territory during the early 1800s. Most of them arrived as a result of the completion of the Erie Canal. When they arrived in what is now Bureau County there was nothing but a virgin forest and wild prairie, the New Englanders laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings and established post routes. They brought with them many of their YankeeNew England values, such as a passion for education, establishing many schools as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were mostly members of the Congregationalist Church though some were Episcopalian. Culturally Bureau County, like much of northern Illinois would be culturally very continuous with early New England culture, for most of its history.
Towner and Moore had been friends and occasional collaborators since meeting in 1960 as students at the University of Oregon. By 1969, both were working musicians living in New York; while collaborating with folksinger Tim Hardin they were introduced to world music pioneer Paul Winter's "Consort" ensemble, particularly member Collin Walcott, with whom Towner began improvising as an informal duo. By 1970 Towner and Moore had joined the Winter Consort and met fellow member McCandless; the four began exploring improvisation on their own, while their contributions continued to be seminal in redefining the Winter Consort "sound" in compositions like Towner's "Icarus".
The four musicians made their first group recording in 1970, but the label, Increase Records, went out of business before it could be released (it eventually was issued by Vanguard in 1980 as Our First Record). Oregon made its "formal" debut in NYC in 1971 (originally named "Thyme — Music of Another Present Era", the name change to Oregon was suggested by McCandless).
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.
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