Why You (and your kids) Should Be Listening to They Might Be Giants

If you haven't heard of They Might Be Giants first let me educate you, because you need to know who they are before you learn why you (and your kids) should be listening to them right?

Formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell, They Might Be Giants is an alternative rock band, but don't be put off because more recently they've been known for their children's music and TV/movie theme music.

One of their songs I'm absolutely certain you will have heard (if you're of a certain age) is Birdhouse in Your Soul.




I remember loving that song when I was a kid!

So why do I think you should be listening to them?

Well it's all about their children's music - it's nothing like regular children's music. There's no nursery rhymes, and it's not nonsense (at least some of it it isn't), it's educational!

Stealth Education


One of our boys' favourite albums is entitled Here Comes Science and it is great. Both boys have learnt real science because of They Might Be Giants music. On this album they have songs about the solar system, the sun, elements, and science experiments. I've even learned things!

Check out Meet the Elements...




My boys have learned the sequence of planets in our solar system thanks to They Might Be Giants and this:



And for all the scientists in the house there's "Put it to the Test".



They Might Be Giants are a regular feature in our car journeys and the kids love their music.

The Hubby came up with a great term for their music that I had to steal, "stealth education". The kids love the music and they don't realise they're learning. BP and LP have listened to this particular album hundreds of times and have learned so much that they wouldn't have come across until they got to into High School. 

Of course these songs are a little advanced for younger children, and They Might Be Giants have you covered with albums like "No!", "Here Come the 1, 2, 3's" and "Here Come the A, B, C's".

No! has a lot of nonsense songs but they're entertaining, even for adults. Saying that though there are a couple of songs that are educational, including "Where do they make Balloons?". In that song they sing about where things come from.

For Fun


TMBG also did a Friday podcast back in 2008 in which they shared a video for a couple of their songs, both LP and BP loved watching these. Even now they still go back and watch them occasionally. 

And the TV themes I was talking about? Check this out...



Surprised?

When I learned that They Might Be Giants sang this theme tune I was surprised, but then when you actually listen it makes sense.

If you spend any time listening to They Might Be Giants I think you'll enjoy it just as much as we do, and you can use "stealth education" with your children!

I'd love to hear what you think of They Might Be Giants.

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