Women and Men

John Linnell (1959–); John Flansburgh (1960–)

I was driving to work in 1990, and I heard “Birdhouse In Your Soul” on the radio. I was already a fan of They Might Be Giants, but that song floored me. I immediately bought Flood, the album “Birdhouse In Your Soul” was featured on, and was immediately, again, floored. This was their breakthrough album, and it has been a favorite of our whole family for decades. I had intended to use “Birdhouse In Your Soul” as the 1990 song, but hey, it’s really complicated, and was too difficult for me to work out. A friend recommended “Women and Men”, and I thought, hmmm. I’ve always been especially fond of the crazy upbeat words and music.

I owe TMBG, as they are often referred to, a debt of deep gratitude. About ten years back they invited me to open for them on a tour, but the logistics––no room on the bus, the lighting crew were already sleeping on top of the speakers––made it unworkable. The tour started in upstate New York, and that leg of it did work, so I asked my daughter, Zoe, if she would be willing to work out some songs and perform with me. She had played djembe with me on occasion and certainly knew my material. We did two shows with TMBG and we went over very well. Better yet, Zoe and I had a truly wonderful time playing together. We have continued to play together and she’s joined me on four albums. My youngest daughter, Lily, who has become a banjo player, has joined Zoe and I recently. Speaking of flood, my cup runneth over.