Bangs: Blow My Mind, Your Royal Flyness
A personal reflection on “Bangs” by They Might Be Giants, the bright and obsessive opener to Mink Car, and the strange power of aesthetic fixation.
Today, I’m so excited to be kicking off the next series of posts from They Might Be Giants’ 2001 album - Mink Car.
Within the time that spanned between Factory Showroom and the release of Mink Car, I’d gotten married, had a two-year-old, and moved from Tacoma to Olympia, WA. I was 19 when I became a dad and could barely afford to live let alone by myself music.
The actual memory of the moment I got this CD has decayed into the nether from the entropy of the universe. I do remember the feeling I had however. I knew better than to spend money on something for myself without running it by someone else first. Without hesitation, I bought that CD at first sight.
It didn’t go over well when I got home. I remember that part.
Bangs opens Mink Car like a grin that’s just a little too wide. Bright, pop-y, and almost smirk-like. Beneath that grin lies an album rife with resentment, feeling unworthy, disparity, the relentless passing of time, and abusive distortions in relationships. Sonically though, Bangs is the perfect opening sonata for this album.
Imagine someone who seems to only be interested in particular part of your body. For over half of my readers, you didn’t even have to imagine it. You probably recalled 90% of the people you’ve ever encountered. And it’s always one of a few body parts that the media commonly sexualizes. Not this guy.
This isn’t a high-T alpha stereotype. This is a man who uses the word “proscenium” in a love song. He’s not objectifying her body. He’s objectifying her haircut. I see him as a sesquipedalian1 who is also an aficionado of hair that has been cut to hang over foreheads. NOT the person. The BANGS.
Here’s a favorite lyric of mine:
And although I liked you anyway, Check out your haircut
A proscenium to stage a face that needs no makeup
A song produced by the talent behind Birdhouse In Your Soul, performed live in studio, written with beautifully simple melodies. It’s a brilliant piece of power pop all for the sake of singing about someone who loves bangs. I love it. This is a no-skip must for me. I will listen to it in full, anytime it comes on.
You know who should not hear this song? Anyone who is emotionally contemplating giving themselves bangs after a major life change (or that time each month for those who have uteruses.)
If this is you - do NOT let this song influence you. Call your bestie. Wait 24 hours.
This song cannot be held legally responsible for your bangs.
You’re reading one of my Mink Car essays. An album full of pop, depression, and high fidelity.
See all Mink Car posts - Start Here
Dive deeper into TMBG lore at TMBW.net (fan-run and fantastic)
Thank you to Adventure Time season 5, episode 2 titled “Billy’s Bucket List” for teaching me that word.
Important question: Where is Long Tall Weekend? It was first released in 1999, and it's considered a studio album by the band, and one of my personal favorites. I'd love to see you dig into those tracks!