Unveil the interstellar melody of 'Particle Man' by They Might Be Giants, a celestial tune that takes you on a voyage across musical galaxies and beyond.
Aha! Now, this! This is my introduction to TMBG. I still recall waiting for one of my favourite radio shows to start and hearing this pop on beforehand. (Only later did I realise it was the perfect two-minute filler for a DJ who must have been done for the day.) Loved it instantly. Caught enough of the name of the band to go out and buy Flood the next day. Backfilled, then bought every new album from then on.
I keep hearing this similar way people found TMBG. It seems to be almost by chance or fate and I love that so much.
I don’t have any radio shows that I knew of playing Particle Man. There was a Dr. Demento wannabe show but they played zero tmbg despite my greatest efforts to call in every Sunday evening.
It was a Government-funded youth station (for 20-somethings) in Australia called JJJ (or Triple J). Played a lot of alternative music. Despite being of the right age bracket, it was usually not the kind of thing I was interested in - far too hipster for my otherwise mainstream ears. They had an improvised comedy sports radio talk show every weekend though that I loved, and that's what I was tuning in to a couple of minutes early when Particle Man came on.
Think I heard his on he same Tiny Tunes episode and it might have been my intro to TMBG like you. Also have no idea what it means but it’s catchy as heck.
Aha! Now, this! This is my introduction to TMBG. I still recall waiting for one of my favourite radio shows to start and hearing this pop on beforehand. (Only later did I realise it was the perfect two-minute filler for a DJ who must have been done for the day.) Loved it instantly. Caught enough of the name of the band to go out and buy Flood the next day. Backfilled, then bought every new album from then on.
Hey Dan!
I keep hearing this similar way people found TMBG. It seems to be almost by chance or fate and I love that so much.
I don’t have any radio shows that I knew of playing Particle Man. There was a Dr. Demento wannabe show but they played zero tmbg despite my greatest efforts to call in every Sunday evening.
I’m curious if it was a college radio show?
It was a Government-funded youth station (for 20-somethings) in Australia called JJJ (or Triple J). Played a lot of alternative music. Despite being of the right age bracket, it was usually not the kind of thing I was interested in - far too hipster for my otherwise mainstream ears. They had an improvised comedy sports radio talk show every weekend though that I loved, and that's what I was tuning in to a couple of minutes early when Particle Man came on.
Oh! Is that the same Triple J that does “Like a Version” on YouTube? If so, I subscribe to that channel!
That's the one!
I know that there isn't any deeper meaning to the lyrics, but I still think this is just a fantastic line.
"When he's underwater does he get wet? / Or does the water get him instead?"
Oh 100%. That lyric is too clever for any song and should be printed, framed, and hanging at the Smithsonian.
Think I heard his on he same Tiny Tunes episode and it might have been my intro to TMBG like you. Also have no idea what it means but it’s catchy as heck.
It’s such a simple melody that is an absolute worm!!