On December 19th 1989 a song in four keys with 18 key changes was released as a single by a major label. It was recorded with a simple drum machine track and a bunch of synth tracks. The lead vocalist’s instrument was the accordion. It wasn’t Al Yankovic.
It peaked at #6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in USA despite sounding nothing like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, or Radiohead. It made #6 on the UK Single charts alongside of Madonna, De La Soul and New Kids on the Block,
Using completely different instrumentation, it was performed live with Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band at 10BPM faster than in rehearsal.
It was They Might Be Giants (TMBG).
A short list of creators who have publicly cited TMBG as being influential in their work:
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (cites TMBG as a favorite artist)
- Terry Pratchett (references to TMBG in the Discworld series)
- Will Toledo (Car Seat Headrest)
- John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats)
- Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional)
Their theme song “Boss of Me” for Malcolm in the Middle won a Grammy Award.
If you’re tight on time, and not been exposed to Flood, at least listen to the 46 second track: Minimum Wage and Istanbul (Not Constantinople) at 2:33.
Otherwise take 43 minutes to hear all of Flood.
unhillbilly 