tmbg
Posted: October 6, 2008 Filed under: Uncategorized 13 Comments »I can’t say I was ever a truly giant They Might Be Giants fan, but I loved the album Flood with a pretty good-sized passion as a young teen. And the more I look around at available children’s music options (yes, I am talking to you, Wiggles), I am just out of my mind THRILLED that TMBG does kids’ music and gives me something to hear repeatedly that doesn’t make my ears bleed with insipidity (is that a word? is now).
So even though we were having a hard morning thanks to allergies and asthma (me) and a late nap (the baby), and even though we got such a late start that we weren’t able to get to the other Upper West Side activity that Wes has been trying to attend for years, we made it to a free concert by They Might Be Giants at Columbia as part of an NYC book celebration.
We were only a bit late and heard two of Beck’s favorite songs ("Seven" and "Seven Days of the Week") as we walked up. Then, as we claimed a spot off to the side where Beck could dance and we could sort of see the band, they played "Birdhouse in Your Soul" and I had to call my Melissa, since that was "our song" when we were 14 years old.
They closed with a truly fabulous version of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" and I had one of those amazing moments of pure joy dancing with my child.
It was followed by more arguing and pain as Wes took us on a misguided slog down to a playground in Central Park that was too far for my fibromyalgic self to hike. But after that came Beck’s joy at corner store sunflowers and some awesome falafel and we were back to semi-normal by bedtime.
Fantastic.
Love their kids’ stuff too. Should you decide to purchase their book/album Bed Bed Bed, one bit of you-really-won’t-need-this assvice: practice your page turning skills before attempting to keep up with the title song. If you’re planning to sing along (whilst flipping and listening), it’s probably a good idea to rehearse ahead of time.
I love the mental picture of your Istanbul (not Constantinople) dance frenzy. Awesome.
Yay for dancing Beck. We love TMBG over here too….J. enjoys “I Am Not Your Broom.”
On a completely selfish note, can I just tell you how bummed I am that I did not know about this event? I wasted all of my energy at the Atlantic Antic. But I’m glad you got to go (and, apparently many, many of my other friends.) Sigh.
IOt was certainly “teh awesome,” and Malka was on my shoulders the entire time – thankfully, bouncing along in beat. We of course had to go in the target tent and buy the 123′s cd, and get them signed after. Malka’s fave part? The backpack that came with the purchase. “for my stuff.” I died from the cute – right there!
Are you talking about ABC/123 and NO! ?
I’ll defo have to invest in them for the wee hen. At the moment he is in love with one of those nightmarish singing toys (a bear that sings ‘raindrops keep falling on my head’) but he’s cute as all hell when he dances!
The pants. The pants!
I’ll have to look into this They Might Be Giants thing. The Wiggles are killing me.
And you’d be amazed at how often “Istanbul (not Constantinople)” gets stuck in my head. You’d think after 7 years there, I’d be over it. But no.
One thing that’s funny about that song is how angry it makes my husband. Long story fraught with 1,000-year-old grudges.
I’d really like to hear you let the Wiggles have a piece of your mind, in the way that only Bri can. Because oh, hell to the no when it comes to the Wiggles in my house.
Also, Barenaked Ladies does some great kids music too. I particularly love the “L” song – L is for linoleum (sp?)…
I love the stripey pants! And K. has a brown fall coat, so they will soon be wearing their brown coats together.
We didn’t go, but when Jo is older… Jo really does love some of the songs off the “No” album. I have to get some of TMBG’s other stuff. And yeah, the Barenaked Ladies children’s album, Snacktime, is another one of his faves.
LOVE Flood.
oh wow. that looks like it was so much fun. I love that you & your kid are already dancing at concerts together.
xo