BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL - THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS ( Complete Original Video )

Group: They Might be Giants
/ particlemen
‪Congrats to TMBG: 1 + Million Views
Birdhouse In Your Soul (Official Video) - They Might Be Giants‬:
• Birdhouse In Your Soul...
By Particlemen aka They Might Be Giants:
/ particlemen
Album/CD:Flood....... MORE HERE:
Song Title: Birdhouse in Your Soul
Produced by: They Might Be Giants, Alan Winstanley,
Clive Langer
Label: Elektra Records ( Released in 1990 Recorded in 1989 at Skyline Studios in New York City )
John Flansburgh and John Linnell are They Might Be Giants
Alan Bezozi -- Drums
Mark Feldman -- Violin
Rick McRae -- Trombone
Frank London -- Trumpet
Charlie Spalvida -- Trumpet
Marion Beckenstein -- Vocals
Joel Mitchell -- Vocals
The Skyline Staff -- Handclaps
Arto Lindsay -- Guitar
Trivia/Info:
The song is a story of a child's nightlight, told from the nightlight's point of view.
The Longines Symphonette is a hand-held pocket radio, manufactured in the 1960s. It is also a record label which specialized in releasing classic radio programs and multiple-record box sets. Linnell admits, though, "I didn't find out what the Longines Symphonette was until after the song was released," in a 2009 interview with Rolling Stone.
The song's video was directed by Adam Bernstein and filmed inside the New York County's Surrogate's Court and Hall of Records building located at 31 Chambers Street in Manhattan. "I tell people it's my house." - Linnell
Blue Canary is the title of a 1953 song by Vincent Fiorino, which has lyrics on the sadder side about loneliness and comforting but has "happy" music. Also, the 1948 song "Bluebird of Happiness" as performed by Art Mooney (which reminds that, "Though you're deep in blue, you will see a ray of light creep through") may have influenced the line about a "bluebird of friendliness".
PS: This tidbit from intrepid youtuber " thatcher81" :
"Fun fact: The first girl mimicking a lighthouse at 1:51 to 1:54 in this video is "Helen" from the sitcom "Wings." She is a huge TMBG fan and asked to be in a video (video was filmed when Wings was at its height of popularity)".
WHILE YOU`RE AT IT, SUBSCRIBE TO THE
OFFICIAL ' THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS ' KZbin AND FACEBOOK PAGES :
kzbin.info...
theymightbegi...
Like it ? Then Why Not Buy It :
www.theymightbegiants.com/
www.amazon.com/Flood-They-Migh...
music.barnesandnoble.com/Flood...
GET YOUR BLUE CANARY NIGHT LIGHT SWITCH:
You're probably wondering why it took 21 years for the world to finally make a blue canary nightlight. We're not sure, but we suspect the sparrow that doesn't tell you anything you want to know had something to do with it--or Triangle Man, who always seems to win.
Plug this little guy in an outlet by a light switch and the energy efficient, light-sensitive LED will glow cheerfully as light fades. You'll never have to whistle in the dark again! Unless that's the only one thing that you like, in which case you can leave the Blue Canary unplugged from the Outlet by the Light Switch.
www.amazon.com/BlueCanaryNigh...
bluecanarynightlight.com

[@Janrjdkanrnfjaj]

I am: ⚪️ A Man ⚪️ A Woman 🔘 Your only friend I’m not your only friend but I’m a glowing friend but really I’m not actually your friend but I am

[@eamonngaines9887]

Brilliant, simply brilliant.

[@Gray-Wolf]

Confusing lyrics 100

[@RabblesTheBinx]

*little glowing friend

[@pinotnoir4234]

Me lol

[@thetruthsodealwithit2801]

A year later still funny 😄

[@jimmyjimmy17]

I drove these guys in 1990 when i was a chauffeur funniest blokes i ever met .great week total nutters lol

[@yaboi6851]

nice

[@ObjectsInMotion]

Imagine name dropping from something that happened 30 years ago

[@jimmyjimmy17]

@@ObjectsInMotion cest la vie old bean

[@draculasbettina]

@@ObjectsInMotion so fuck?!

[@Predaking4ever]

They seem honestly true like David Byrnes.

[@counterfeit6089]

It shouldn't be possible that a song about a nightlight is this much of a banger

[@mindjail5512]

"Birdhouse In Your Soul" is about all electronic devices that purport to help people and the ridiculous faith humans put in them.

[@retro-revival161]

@@mindjail5512 To me it's more from the perspective of a nightlight that 's proud of its one and only purpose and reason for existence - to guard its owner from the dark - and yearns to be appreciated, but really isn't.

[@lavaknight3682]

Ian Forman ... I just like how it sounds

[@johnuthus]

Me who thinks its about protecting the girl you like as she feels very safe aroumd you

[@Markotraficante]

Relax 😒

[@janicebelfiore856]

My son enjoyed this when it came out and got me into it. My son passed 4 years ago. This song is one of a few that gives me comfort and makes me happy. Blue Canary, my son watches over me

[@jygb7092]

How did he die?

[@jamespithie5661]

I still can't believe this song is about a night light telling a story

[@bearcatben4762]

I think its about the evolution of lights

[@isobel3028]

Bearcat Ben it’s not. Its about a night-light guarding a child

[@gelerickson]

it's a good model of how they write most of their songs lyrically; two lenses of perspective constantly shifting over one another. the grand ideas speaking to the viewer and the simple little microcosm of the world built from context inside the song, constantly overlapping each other. Flood in particular is an album where they do a ton of this

[@warrenfriesner4940]

@@gelerickson exactly--this is best illustrated in "The end of the Tour". The song begins from the POV of (my interpretation) the symbol for liberty/freedom--the Statue of Liberty (visible just a few minutes walk from where TMBG live (from the Brooklyn waterfront) "There's a girl with a crown and a scepter Who's on WLSD (yeah, it's a real radio station somewhere in the south, as I recall) And she says that the scene isn't what it's been And she's thinking of going home" because "it's old and it's totally over now..." The narrative then shifts to the perspective of a tour bus filled with disgruntled band members; it contains one of my all time fave TMBG lines describing a fantasized tour-ending accident with another vehicle from the perspective of the bus: "Never to part since the day we met Out on Interstate 91 I was bent metal you were a flaming wreck When we kissed at the overpass" The chorus shifts back to a frustrated band member wishing to be able to see his friends/loved ones at the end of the tour, for the road to finally "disappear" and lamenting that the tour is booked "till the end of the world". The narrative shifts one last time to a neutral observer in conversation with the tour bus (or so it seems) describing the fantasized accident above. "This was the vehicle these were the people You opened the door and expelled all the people You let them go"

[@gcgangsta8556]

Really??! Never could figure this one out. Thanks

[@jasonknight8581]

They've been around since 1982... AND WE'RE STILL NOT SURE IF THEY'RE GIANTS!

[@constancekavanagh1125]

They might be tho 😁 if not come to Ireland hear the PIXIES play HEY 😉

[@constancekavanagh1125]

I've been around since 79... the 1st 1 😌🙏💚💪

[@ross3209]

they might be

[@petergant1379]

They very well, MIGHT be! Giants, I mean.

[@jasonevans1532]

They might be!

[@innertuber4049]

"After killing Jason off And countless screaming argonauts!" At the moment I noticed this lyric, this song went from fondness to love

[@Predaking4ever]

He did the singing part of the other father in Coraline. Great decision.

[@qlutsy]

Predaking4ever perfect role

[@m.b3839]

OH MY GOD. I JUST CAME HERE FROM THE CORALINE SCENE BECAUSE I WAS LIKE "huh, the dad sounds like They Might Be Giants. I'm gonna go listen to them for the ✨nostalgia✨" AND IT TURNS OUT IT WAS HIS VOICE ALL ALONG OH MY GOD-

[@Lily-nx5yd]

I love that, that’s so cool

[@mandythaw7029]

OMG! I knew I recognized that voice!! 😲

[@innertuber4049]

They actually wrote an entire album for the movie, but it was considered to not match the tone well enough and they only kept the Other Father Song

[@TH-ds2yx]

My dad told me years ago that this was the first song I ever heard. Almost 28 years ago, when he carried me as a newborn down to the hospital lobby to give my mother a break it was playing on the radio.

[@bumgardenerkreme1044]

Nice one Tom ! Currently listening to John Flansburgh being interviewed by Iain Lee on Talkradio UK.

[@chesterfieldsnapdrag]

That was 28 years ago and a bit ago I just listened to their brand new album. Without a doubt John and John still have it.

[@felicitywark6045]

yeah! it’s crazy how they’re still going after all this time.

[@gwencrozier5997]

That's adorable. At least you got a good dad. And hopefully mom too. X. 90s were bestest.

[@joiamed8544]

Good for you

[@JeffreyHeesch]

I can't really explain why, but I feel like this song represents every thought that's gone through my head for the past 28 years.

[@grendelum]

Jeffrey Heesch - if, like me, They Might Be Giants was one of the bands you listened to while starting high school in the early 90s, then yeah... they are by far one of the most influential bands of all time... providing the soundtrack to my thoughts while Monty Python provided the visuals...

[@tinyoctopus6317]

30 years ago, I remember belting this out at my high school talent contest and the girl I liked looking at me like I was crazy. WHO'S CRAZY NOW JEN!?

[@poppiestevens1941]

Ha

[@AJLord]

I love that ending.

[@johnuthus]

The crazy one is the one who likes there music, but then that makes us sane, therefore she is the crazy one

[@pantzguy]

YEAH JEN

[@Ser_Arthur_Dayne]

I laughed out loud while listening to this in my bed at 3AM.. Best post ever.

[@majofaz4900]

[Lyrics] I'm your only friend I'm not your only friend But I'm a little glowing friend But really I'm not actually your friend But I amBlue canary in the outlet by the light switch Who watches over you Make a little birdhouse in your soul Not to put too fine a point on it Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet Make a little birdhouse in your soul I have a secret to tell From my electrical well It's a simple message and I'm leaving out the whistles and bells So the room must listen to me Filibuster vigilantly My name is blue canary one note* spelled l-i-t-e My story's infinite Like the Longines Symphonette it doesn't restBlue canary in the outlet by the light switch Who watches over you Make a little birdhouse in your soul Not to put too fine a point on it Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet Make a little birdhouse in your soul I'm your only friend I'm not your only friend But I'm a little glowing friend But really I'm not actually your friend But I amThere's a picture opposite me Of my primitive ancestry Which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free Though I respect that a lot I'd be fired if that were my job After killing Jason off and countless screaming Argonauts Bluebird of friendliness Like guardian angels its always nearBlue canary in the outlet by the light switch Who watches over you Make a little birdhouse in your soul Not to put too fine a point on it Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet Make a little birdhouse in your soul(and while you're at it Keep the nightlight on inside the Birdhouse in your soul)Not to put too fine a point on it Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet Make a little birdhouse in your soulBlue canary in the outlet by the light switch (and while you're at it) Who watches over you (keep the nightlight on inside the) Make a little birdhouse in your soul (birdhouse in your soul)Not to put too fine a point on it Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet Make a little birdhouse in your soulBlue canary in the outlet by the light switch (and while you're at it) Who watches over you (keep the nightlight on inside the) Make a little birdhouse in your soul (birdhouse in your soul)Not to put too fine a point on it Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet Make a little birdhouse in your soul

[@GageTheSpartan]

ty

[@benjaminhennessy8050]

TMBG always restores my faith in humanity.

[@PurpkeToupee]

Benjamin Hennessy So true!

[@flyboymcgee8059]

Many people are unaware of the pure genius of TMBG

[@mackeydirk8643]

TMBGs is a perfect example why late 80s early 90s was the best era for alternative music every band was so different absolutely owned their signature style

[@amyhackett5266]

This was They Might Be Giants biggest hit in both the USA and the UK. The song is a story of a child's blue canary-shaped night light, told from the night light's point of view. Across the room from the night light is a picture of a lighthouse which would be his primitive ancestor. It could be interpreted that the night light is a metaphor for God or a guardian angel protecting the child.

[@EdgeFreedom]

It's about a guy on the toilet. If it wasn't he wouldn't say "i have a secret to tell from my electrical well" and he wouldn't of sung about a picture of a boat house commenly found in bathrooms.

[@TheseUseless]

i just thought it was about a sadistic time traveler, who lives in what looks like an electrical well, and views himself as a god.

[@ThreadBomb]

@@TheseUseless TMBG wrote a song about a sadistic time traveller, called "2082"

[@doomkonb]

It's so nice that people are still commenting on this song, it's a masterpiece

[@johnuthus]

Also, how young some of then are who found it

[@thinwhiteduke9212]

'Flood' is an incredible album. There is a song about a bag of groceries sitting on a shelf. I ask you, who does that? These guys. These weird geniuses.

[@Tef-ng4sk]

What one's that?

[@thinwhiteduke9212]

@@Tef-ng4sk 'Dead' Track 5. It starts off about a bag of groceries and the song ends with the same stanza, but the song it just about death.

[@AJLord]

"I returned a bag of groceries accidentally taken off the shelf before the expiration date" (I returned AS a bag yada yada yada)

[@PantheraLeo04]

it's a bout a guy who gets reincarnated as a bag of groceries which just makes it even weirder

[@eamonnbr]

Listening in 2021. Never gets old.

[@miniconan5]

Listening in 2021. Never gets old.

[@karloberst2147]

Listening in 2077. Never gets old.

[@tripi7906]

@@karloberst2147 never gets old and that’s that

[@simonjenkin]

idk about you lot but this is probably the best song written from the point of view of a child's nightlight plugged in opposite a poster of a lighthouse that *i've* ever heard

[@graham7140]

After 30 years it all makes sense, thanks

[@tatooweeny]

When I lived in San Francisco in the early 90's, I was walking near Union Square when I heard a mike turn on and TMBG started singing. It was frickin awesome. They were sorta unplugged, but still had horns and drums. One of the best incognito shows I've ever seen. They never introduced themselves and played for like 30 minutes then packed up and left. It was very surreal.

[@plantain.1739]

I find it amazing that after *9 YEARS* of this being posted, people are still commenting, talking, and enjoying this song. Powerful stuff

[@rubysoho8064]

I find it amazing that this post has been liked 5 times in 11 hours

[@OmegaPrime1]

Just saw these guys LIVE again in Boston, back in September, for the 30th anniversary of The Flood album. They still got it ☺️.

[@realnutteruk1]

It was only 32 years ago

[@Chronohome]

Were they at the House of Blues? If so, I hope you put away that hash pipe and put some makeup on that bruise...

[@OmegaPrime1]

@@realnutteruk1 you're right! My mistake. I have since fixed it.

[@OmegaPrime1]

@@Chronohome no it was at The Royale in Boston. Also what are you on about? Hash pipe? Bruise? Maybe you need to stop smoking and get some fresh air.

[@JDactal]

My family was gonna see them back in June, but it got rescheduled cause one of them got in a car accident, so we’re going to see them in December and I’m really excited!

[@campingwithsteve]

Ahh, this takes me back

[@thelongspring]

Now you’re rocking with Steve

[@jeneethompson8210]

Wayyyyy back. 💗

[@beans2752]

Uhhh hi Steve!!

[@peterlabrada9840]

Woah!!! your vids are cool man

[@heyodi3092]

Weird. I randomly came upon your channel recently and have also been on a major TMBG kick. Funny to see you in their comments.

[@Realtruthmusic1]

This might be the first time I have scrolled down through KZbin comments and have not seen any arguing. Could a Birdhouse in your Soul change the world?

[@0IIIIII]

STFU!!!!

[@Realtruthmusic1]

I guess not.

[@0IIIIII]

Yeah that was a bad joke, thanks for not chewing me out.

[@joshnic2412]

N0 m@n, like, Thi$ $ong is for N00EWBS!!!

[@ElvarMasson]

+Real Truth Music Funny, I was thinking the same (O:þ

[@joelhassig6099]

This song is about a nightlight, kids. Thank you, you're welcome, I love you, good night.

[@yeetbigly5827]

This song literally never gets old

[@bobroberts2371]

There is a 3 hour loop on YT if you want the extended dance mix.

[@DeathOfDelta]

I'm just here because I'm stressed about my AP tests and TMBG is a big time comfort for me. It's hard to feel bad when the Johns are singing about a little nightlight :)

[@jediorlos9084]

DeadTsu same

[@garethpayne1458]

Holy shit me too.

[@DeathOfDelta]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one here! I'm sure you'll all do great on the exams, or whatever it may be that you're dealing with at the moment. We've got this!

[@dazieger]

As a professional songwriter, I stand in awe of the fact that these guys decided to write a song from the perspective of a night light.

[@WarDaft]

Darren Zieger ... Everyone stands in awe of these guys

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Darren Zieger as an unprofessional writer, I’m surprised they didn’t write about the huge plastic pile of birdhouse poo poo 💩

[@Mark-zu6oz]

@@8RBrain and a rock to wind a piece of string around.

[@Hapimeses]

Don't try to make sense of it, just marvel at its earworm awesomeness as it manages 18 key-changes in just 3 minutes.

[@Sewicked]

heh. I love this band. There was an urban fantasy novel back in the 90s (I think by Mercedes Lackey) and the bad fae were trying to read the hero's mind. She was singing these songs in her head, foiling their attempts and driving the mindreaders batty. To make it worse, the lyrics were so catchy the mindreaders ended up singing them and spread them throughout the entire underhill.

[@Hapimeses]

I now have a strong urge to visit Istanbul, not Constantinople - been a long time gone, Constantinople. It's a Turkish delight on the moonlit night.

[@CorgiScarab]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5O1goh7qa1opNk kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXKcipmiqJusoJo I have a couple TMBG vinyl albums. These songs have been stuck in my head for 25 years :) _Memo to myself:_ Do the dumb things I gotta do. Touch the puppet head.

[@Hapimeses]

I approve strongly. I'll be your little glowing friend.

[@AlexanderOsias]

Oh, I loved this song. Actually, this album.

[@alixlay]

I remember when I was a little kid my mom would blast this on the speakers and dance with me to wake me up, it was pretty great I must say

[@dreamer2260]

Aww that's so lovely.

[@Bassman-yh3uv]

I randomly thought of the lyric “filibuster vigilantly” a few weeks ago and couldn’t figure out where the hell it was from until re-listening to this tune!

[@isobel3028]

Meaning Of The Song: Its a song a about a blue canary night light which symbolises a guardian for a child and “watches over you” and why you put a “birdhouse in your soul”. The night light is also opposite his ‘primitive ancestry” which is a lighthouse and talks about how the lighthouse protect the shores from shipwrecks. Both lighthouse and night light are there as guardians and to protect.

[@Rabii3z]

I loved this song as a kid and hearing it again for the first time in years is honestly making me tear up. I always loved the lyrics and the gentleness of the vocals; it's a very fun yet comforting little song that makes me feel like a kid again :')

[@kristennoble9576]

I totally agree. My husband just played it for my 11 year old for the first time-and now he’s obsessed! TMBG just gained a new fan!

[@Rabii3z]

That's so cool! That's around the age I was introduced to them, too :D

[@davidkuzur5186]

The fact that a band, with a following, could make a song about being a nightlight, actually put themselves in the shoes of said nightlight, and make it just so simple, pure, and empathetic, is astounding to me. The fact that it garnered some commercial success (any at all really) gives me hope for humanity. Few things do, but if you happen to look in the right places... Flood in general was a masterpiece, one track after another imo. Lucky Ball and Chain (or that's what I think of it as) was nice to listen to, on my way to Mexico with a very sweet, beautiful girl to celebrate my liberation from a very big mistake. 😂✌️🤙 Edit: I don't think we waited 4 days, much less 4 years (..."now she's four years gone, she's five feet tall and sick of me, and all my rattling on...") but it still felt just right at the time 😆😂🤣

[@sarahgrey8736]

"Bluebird of friendliness" is one of the cutest lyrics ever. I love the surrealism in their songs, totally nuts!

[@Doomtothend]

The song of my childhood.

[@TodayFreedom]

Kid in the 80s, adult in the 90s. Yes- I had the perfect pre-internet experience and fuck it was amazing. BUELLER!!!!

[@nickpels5772]

I hadn't heard this song in years before Dan mentioned it. Nostalgia has come flooding back to me

[@jasonbarrette4980]

For all that are wondering, this song is about a night light shaped like a blue Canary. I loved this song before I knew, but now that I know it is even more a work of Genius!

[@perisaizidanehanapi7931]

No. F-ing. Way. It's just, wow.

[@cazmataz6579]

I would love to be this inspired by a blue canary light. It's a great song🐦

[@walterwhitejr.445]

Having liked TMBG, but only knowing a selection of songs, this one passed me by completely, until two weeks ago. And now I can't get it out of my head. Seriously stuck. Every day. Sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with it bouncing around my synapses. I've stopped fighting it ... actively memorizing the lyrics. If it's gonna take up residence up there, it's gonna be complete with correct lyrics, dammit.

[@hanumaniam]

Walter White Jr. so surreal to be the thought of a tmbg fan not knowing this ear worm major hit. you too are now contaminated in the best possible way!!

[@sophias.4243]

My dad has a dvd with a ton of tmbg music videos. While he watched these, my sister and I watched Here Comes Science when we were younger. As I kindergartener, I called this “Dad’s Might Be Giants.” Now Dad’s Might Be Giants is getting me through high school.Thank you.

[@Alside]

saw this pretty early lol

[@Unknown-do3oi]

I think this is the third time I’ve commented on this video but why the fuck is it so good I love it so much I just want to surround myself in his voice and the music I just wanna feel it everywhere I literally want to eat this song it so good it makes me feel so good I just can’t explain it

[@myHorribleMusic]

It's music, it's impossible to articulate it. Dancing wildly tends to help.

[@Unknown-do3oi]

@@myHorribleMusic you’re right! Now I can’t stop lol

[@julesdon51]

same bro

[@simonlowe9790]

Spot on 👍

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

I haven't heard this song in years. It still puts a smile right on my face! That's worth a lot. I hope I can still pick up a new copy of TMBG's DVD. I lost it with all of my other possessions when my sister sold my house. Long story!

[@alchemyphoenix2374]

Me, on the 100th time listening to this song: "Ok THIS is where the song ends..." John Linnel: "Not to put too fine a point on it..."

[@beccabuzz6236]

...I have listened to this song a total of 11 times today, I found it last weekend and liked it, thought I'd give it another listen to today and now I'm certain that this will be mine and my partners first dance song at our wedding, and he loves it more than I do... it will be the best wedding dance ever created!

[@benjaminyork2707]

YASS

[@Courtney53035]

Did you use it for your wedding 👍🏻

[@quintonpierce2582]

kmkkkkkkkkkk

[@quintonpierce2582]

kmkkkkkkkkkk

[@tobaccomarshall4659]

ok so my thought about this is that it's not just a song about a night light but any comforting piece of your childhood you have to leave behind and it's asking you to not carry it with you but to carry it's memory further on into your life

[@tom-dahl1598]

i went to see this band on the strength of this one song. they played another 24 or so tunes of equal quality. money well spent.

[@willjoe238]

Your so lucky

[@gregrhodes2171]

This is a song me and my mom shared. She sent it to me today from the other side for my birthday. She's near. Love you mama. (Kathryn Rhodes)

[@guillemodred3938]

it's a brand new record, for 1990, they might be giants brand new album.... FLOOD!

[@robertlehnert4148]

Once again.. Greatest Music Video EVER

[@John-ye3ij]

OGMVE

[@tishatti]

My brother loved this song. He passed away in 2002. ❤️

[@johndurrett3573]

Sorry to hear of his passing but hearts for him loving this song. :)

[@jygb7092]

How did he die?

[@jc35019]

May he rest in peace 🙏🙌🕊

[@alaynac1610]

rest in peace brother

[@joeessid5616]

Long ago, in a state far far away, after giving a man driving a gray van directions to a music venue, I noticed "TMBG," in tiny letters, on the van's door. As if on cue, John Flansburgh said "That might be us." A perfect TMBG response from one of my favorite bands.

[@joeschmoe2843]

Awesome

[@quasismiles]

i hadn't thought about this song in years. thanks dan

[@fenster666]

He made a little treehouse in your brain.

[@holdenwinters68]

I never heard it, thanks Dan. I'm more partial to Dr. Worm tho

[@patrickhatton4191]

Yeah I can relate to this thx Pene-lope

[@lilshabaz1862]

I learned about TMBG through Tiny Toons when I was a kid. I ended up staying at my Uncle's place for the day and he had Flood on CD! (big deal at the time) I dubbed the album onto a cassette tape that I listened to the fuck out of throughout high school. Birdhouse was a standout.

[@smnoy23]

This song never fails to improve my mood

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

I was just thinking...how awesome this song is...

[@birdo_is_here]

“im your only friend, im not your only friend, but im a little glowin’ friend, but really i’m not actually your friend but i am” **CONFUSED SCREAMING**

[@senritsujumpsuit6021]

ヽ((◎д◎))ゝヾ(*’Ｏ’*)/(>0

[@fudgeslicer9264]

Just a Wild Saturn You are almost certainly a monumental bender

[@wolfycake1254]

but I am (John cena)

[@alanepithet2931]

It's a song about a Night Light. Night lights might seem friendly and warm, and when you wake late at night as a kid they might seem to be your only friend, but they can't actually be your friend because they are, at the end of the day, just a night light.

[@EdgeFreedom]

@@alanepithet2931 it's a song about a guy on the toilet in the bathroom. The song is from his perspective if it wasn't the line about his primitive ancestry would make no sense.

[@laika6661]

Did everyone decide to return to this song at the same time? Is this the work of some divine power sending a message to all the TMBG fans?

[@laurence2824]

I am a diehard lover of "Pet Sounds." Apart from "Sloop John B" there isn't a weak song on it from start to finish; "God Only Knows" is surely one of the finest things ever written. "Birdhouse In Your Soul" would comfortably have held its own on that album - a truly terrific creation.

[@Bill_Oddie_Face_Mask]

I discovered this band through YGOTAS Season 0. I now listen to them regularly.

[@hagidekuh]

holy shit i am so glad people still listen to this godly song

[@UteroMind]

This is just one of these songs that the video and song stuck in your head all day

[@mcfcste99]

I still love this tune 30 years on 👍

[@renhey9979]

I mean, I'm not 30 years and by the time 19 years have passed, it'll be 49 years old, but I still like it

[@acerbicatheist2893]

Holy shit it feels as though it was only three weeks, or thirty days... 😨

[@Juupitrr]

i have no idea how considering i cant remember ever listening to this but this brings such nostalgia because somehow i *do* remember it ??

[@matocian_empire8]

He did the singing part of coralines other father, may be it

[@lauralake7430]

Like every song from teenage hood...it was playing on someones radio..cd...car radio...brother's stereo...something. teenage years are when music is sucked in thru your pores, to be released slowly throughout the rest of your life.

[@steveyuhas9278]

It's almost like their not your only friends but really they're not actually your friends ..... But they are

[@thefolder69]

If you're confused about what the song is about, it tells you in the description. It's about a child's nightlight from the nightlight's perspective

[@JohnGaltShadow]

TheFolding Gamer Or it’s whatever you squanch it to mean!

[@cybercrasherstv]

Doesn't explain the chorus that well, though it does explain all the light bulbs everywhere

[@JazzyJonas]

They Might Be Giants are pretty much the best band ever. I don't know why I keep forgetting that.

[@insomdx]

Entirely too true, wow.

[@phatttcattt]

Jonas Butler You keep forgetting coz you're trying to kid yourself.

[@JazzyJonas]

I saw Devo live. Almost as good. They just lack the harmonic content of TMBG.

[@JazzyJonas]

TMBG crushes it. No one sounds like them. I like a lot of other bands too.

[@csgrinds]

True.

[@LilwolfNirpaw]

Thanks Dan! Grumps sent me here- at this point I dont hesitate, as soon as Dan throws out a song title, its music time!

[@connordennhardt9306]

Seriously man this is awesome!

[@dpken11]

This song has defined my music taste for 30 years. It seems like a simple song, but think about the blue canary in YOUR soul. Love TMBG, can’t think about my music education without them. Seen them live twice, which takes some doing in Australia and New Zealand. Now my 8 year old son wants to hear Birdhouse and Ray Charles. Good calls, both. Bless you TMBG, you are my university years, and now my son’s. Blue canary in the alley by the light switch, who watches over you ...

[@theNomadz]

sounds like a pastiche of Devo and Talking Heads

[@Niteshift56411]

@@theNomadz very nicely stated

[@kevinwylie58]

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch

[@coldape5434]

When I was 3 or 4, my uncle made me a CD of music that I would enjoy and that my parents wouldn’t despise. I would play this song over and over again.

[@connorrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

Back when I was 6-7 age range I used to listen to this TMBG album every night before I went to bad. just refound it at 20 years old! wow I love this song 😂😍

[@rawkguy4896]

I used to hate this song but there's something so quirky and authentic about it that I kept revisiting until I eventually loved it. I don't know much about their discography but if Weezer was less commercially accessible I imagine this is what they would be. I love this song

[@rkkwc]

2:37-2:39 it's the most miniscule shot but paired with the music this is actually my favorite shot from any piece of visual media i have ever seen

[@thewhitesnowone1744]

Actually, the bit about his "primitive ancestry" makes a lot of sense once you realize the speaker is a nightlight. "Kept the beaches shipwreck-free?" He's talking about a lighthouse.

[@squeakydog]

@Samuel Fontaine Its all about a little candle that thinks it has no power unlike the lighthouse that it lives in.

[@vonverna]

@@squeakydog i think it might actually be a night light because he says "blue canary in the outlet by the light switch", the nightlight is in the shape of a canary

[@squeakydog]

@@vonverna I have just googled it. Unless you have ever seen a night lite that is shaped like a blue canary then you wouldn't know that. I always thought it referred to a night candle flickering away that can often form all sorts of shapes...like a canary. I suppose it can be what ever you want it to be. A song is like a story and is always open to the reader/listeners interpretation and imagination. Its a great song and weather its a night lite or a candle it still has a most powerful and meaningful story about size, power and importance. It teaches us that size does not matter, its about how you "SHINE" and help others that make you important. Fascinating topic and song. The comments have been mind bending.

[@vonverna]

@@squeakydog thats a good point

[@constancekavanagh1125]

The white snow one you made me cry 😢 I never knew thanks love this song 40yrs now

[@TheMilwaukeeProtocol]

This is so fucking weird. Thirty years after first hearing it, it still makes me happy.

[@reallyseriously7020]

Great music will always be great!

[@paularmstrong1501]

Likewise, always a pick me up song. I was in 3rd year of high school when it came out and always reminds me of sitting in biology class looking at a girl I used to like......she was oblivious and I was probably invisible to her but still happy times 😊

[@badgrammar8989]

Grump bump. Still a timeless classic.

[@theguitar2605]

This is the song of my college years. My heart fills up every time I hear it with memories of Spring and cloistered fun. Thanks TMBG

[@Jovian12]

this is seriously my favorite music video. it has exactly the right amount of weird things going on.

[@philscandle6751]

Legend mate me and my sister tried to do the dances when we were kids aha

[@jpa221]

Criminally underated band. Love em.

[@jamesjerome6773]

Too true

[@Sumthing4theWkend]

This was my fave song in 1990 when I was 12 and it’s still my fave song in 2019 when I’m 40. ❤️

[@archibaldwalker1324]

it was my favourite in 1990 as well, and i was 8. Timeless.

[@florence9978]

Can’t wait to see them live in Bristol!! I started listening to these guys when I was 15 and it felt like I found music that actually spoke to me!

[@benmogerman8230]

Fun story. TMBG was a one of my favorite bands during my formative years. Me and my close friend were thrilled when they were coming to our hometown (st louis) when we were 13. Her older brother got tickets for the three of us and drove us down to the Pageant for the show. The venue didn't let us in because they labeled it a an 18 and up show and refused us to enter. This was like 2003. We didn't get to see the show, and I still haven't had the chance to see them live. I hope I get to some day! Afterwards we were told there was a crowd wide conga line. Very dangerous environment clearly! Still sour about it lol

[@jimmyceltic]

It's amazing That the inspiration from this song came from a night light in John's apartment

[@lukethespook2784]

Which John

[@eeestnn5756]

@@lukethespook2784 yes

[@davie5045]

@@lukethespook2784 Great Cuestion

[@E4439Qv5]

@@lukethespook2784 the handsome one

[@leothehuman1558]

“We have about 3 second of extra song” “Just put a video of a bone dropping lol” “What?”

[@greggerman7512]

If the Pet Shop Boys were a little quirkier they might be giants.

[@jCd1058]

My daughter bought me TMBG tix for Christmas, and I saw them in Columbus last week (Feb. 2018.) She also used an instrumental version of this song as her wedding march. I love that kid.

[@jonathanmitchell6270]

i love her more

[@jCd1058]

She's spoken for: married in 2012, had her first child in June 2017.

[@jonathanmitchell6270]

well dang, congrats to u and urs brotherman = {D

[@Ragnaroktheend]

i saw them in St. Louis. and they said they were working on jokes for their Columbus performance. did they have any good jokes?

[@jCd1058]

Hard to recap them all. So many.

[@4203105]

Why does this song make me so happy?

[@jacobms911]

Because you have a little birdhouse in your soul.

[@larjkok1184]

How could we possibly know?

[@Spazz6768]

Miles This song actually has the opposite affect on me. It makes me profoundly sad.

[@brokedownsystem]

+Miles bc it is inherently happy.

[@SupernovaDragon77]

+Spazz6768 yea same here

[@anthonyrando3340]

2020 and still loving this video till the end.

[@jasonrunion614]

Fell in love with this song first time I heard it back in the 90s. It is impossible to not be happy listening to this song

[@madeleinegrant-jones3702]

I agree!

[@Handlebbr]

There on CRACKKKKK

[@thewickedpixie63]

Been on my happy playlist for years. Still got the original single record

[@johannaohlsen2473]

For all music nerds out there 😉 0:11 Bb 0:15 C 0:27 Bb 0:35 C 1:12 Bb 1:19 C 1:24 Am (Relative minor of C) 1:39 C 1:48 Bb 1:53 C 2:25 Bb 2:33 C 2:40 Bb 2:47 C 2:54 Bb 3:01 C 3:08 Bb 3:16 C

[@anatypicallyhumanperson7200]

Thanks.

[@reev9759]

did you make the Vox video?

[@Ilfautcultivernotrejardin]

Why did the musician go to jail? For fingering "A Minor".

[@lukerogers151]

+Cathal O Neill HA!

[@hellopinkham]

+Cathal O Neill I see what you did there. Clever clever

[@tomengland5678]

This song still makes me smile. There, I daid it.

[@Maowkz]

Me too!

[@sooperheep]

You durr daid!

[@ViktorTheMusician]

After coming here to check out this song it has literally been stuck in my head for atleast 24 hours now, and I think I get why this one would so easily. It has like a very easily loopable structure and the strange chord choices make it feel unresolved so my brain cycles between the chorus and verse over and over.

[@pandorameadows7453]

I woke up at 4:00 am and when I woke up this song was stuck in my head. I haven’t heard this song in years.

[@briankerrigan3529]

Pandora Meadows happy to see I am not the only one this happens to.

[@witchland]

@@briankerrigan3529 Ha - the exact same thing brought me here this morning. Hadn't thought of the song in ages and woke up with it in my head. I still have my old cassette of Flood down in the basement - maybe I'll dig it out...

[@briankerrigan3529]

Christopher Dopko 🤗

[@shannonpeaks6473]

I woke up with it in my head today, don't know where it came from, haven't really listened to it since the early 90's.

[@clivet3846]

Top Ten greatest pop song of all time.

[@ferghalicious1480]

“After killing Jason off with countless screaming Argonauts.” That line always gets me so fucking pumped for some reason.

[@glue6679]

SAME

[@Gray-Wolf]

@@glue6679 interesting user 😂

[@glue6679]

@@Gray-Wolf Well, it’s descriptive! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Gray-Wolf]

@@glue6679 XD

[@iadoredavey]

"and" not "with" 👍

[@residentweevil6371]

Flawless. Easy contender for one of the best feelgood songs ever 😊

[@seraffimospang9239]

Sup Bollweevil.

[@Sapphirebulletsofpurelove]

i used to listen to the tmbg kid’s album religiously and now, three days into listening to their adult music, i already bought tickets to a september concert ! my life is complete lol

[@TheKupoQueen]

This song reminds me of my brother. I miss him a lot. I sing it to my son now. He has a blue canary night light. ♡

[@coleenparsons4905]

I love how so many comments are from 2019. 20 years later, it's still making so many smile. Thank you!

[@adamcraig919]

More than 20, almost 30 now. This song came out in 1990!

[@coleenparsons4905]

@@adamcraig919 I looked it up and clearly did denial math! HA! I realized after hit "reply". Then I couldn't find my post to edit. Now I'm leaving it. Tee hee!! (It was a pre-release single in the late fall of 1989 from what I've been able to put together through sugar packets.)

[@forironyssake9408]

Did we...all come from different places?? Why is everyone showing up here on a 9 year old video... is humanity actually a hivemind?

[@hamyzschidenfeld3215]

I just like the music.

[@ThreadBomb]

TMBG has a song called "Hive Mind". It's six seconds long.

[@chartypeplays2396]

I came from Yugioh Season 0 Abridged.

[@AJLord]

Because we desire the nostalgia.

[@lachelnderhund]

Such a fun song about a bird shaped nightlight, not much songs allow nightlights to share their point of views for 3 minutes!