They Might Be Giants - "Your Racist Friend"

1990, promoting 'Flood'

[@magnetikmonopole]

I'm glad they picked this song. They had at least three or four other songs on Flood they might have chosen that would have been a bit safer or more popular, but this was a cool one to pick for a TV spot like this.

[@alpur214]

Agreed. It wasn't even technically a single. But they were probably already thinking that Flood was doing pretty well, so playing something less known wouldn't hurt the success.

[@mattmaccay2351]

They have never cared about popularity lol they do what they want I mean dude plays the accordion lol no fucks given

[@martenselabs3212]

Agreed.

[@snakes7303]

@@mattmaccay2351 As they should

[@Quagmire1771]

Yup fo sho!

[@blarch2]

My favorite part is where John comes in with the solo. You can't lay down the accordion harder than that.

[@ants_in_my_eyes_johnson6844]

Aaand Weird Al clears his throat. Then picks up his well worn accordion.

[@L0REN0R2Z0RR0]

@@ants_in_my_eyes_johnson6844 Weird Al never clears his throat before a performance, how else could he sing like that?

[@thomasfurgalack2577]

Real music. No apologies for you or your racist friend.

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

The brilliance of this song is in its bluntness and the sass in the lyric "I know politics bore you". Other acts like Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine got co-opted by Reagan and the recent Teabag Party because it was easier to obfuscate the message of their songs behind the catchy tune that the people heard but never really listened to, but you really can't do that with TMBG, certainly not with a song that says, "your racist friend" every other line. It also helps that trying to find a deeper meaning in most TMBG lyrics could lead to a nervous breakdown.

[@google_is_a_criminal]

Propaganda.

[@MacDougalPuppy]

can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding

[@PhantomTransmission]

This is where the party ends, I just sit here wondering how you stand next to your racist friend.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

They would be Woke SJW's today.

[@petejayhawk]

sad how much MORE important this line is 5 years later

[@dysomniak]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 hello Racist Friend!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@dysomniak My point exactly. Empty rhetoric.

[@lyinsroar9637]

i went through "flood" thinking that john linnell was the singer in the band, turns out its two people, i still find it challenging to differentiate their voices

[@davidhuntley7385]

lyinsroar John F. has a slightly deeper voice, but it is hard to tell.

[@beesus1412]

i'd say john L has a bit of a rougher voice and can go lower while john F is a bit smoother and can go higher. though in their natural tones john L is slightly higher

[@mobius273]

Flansburg is a little more nasaly

[@sakurachannel9624]

Flansburgh is the McCartney Linnell is the Lennon

[@sakurachannel9624]

@shadowbot696 I didn't say that

[@EvilGuacamoleGaming]

This is a solid bold move. This isn't the biggest track they could have gone with. Even on more esoteric radio channels this is not a radio song... They could have gone with Blue Bird or Istanbul or Partical Man. Nah. They said 'how about we play the song where we say fuck you to casual racists and the people who pretend like that's not a friendship killer'. And it's not so much that they predicted now, but they did spell out what we didn't do. Which is to say fuck off to racists and their friends.

[@jadedandbitter]

Lot easier to ignore a racist who is spewing dumb racist s--t but isn't advocating to destroy anybody or their livelihood than some preachy know-it-all with his knickers in a twist who absolutely won't rest until everybody sees it his way, no matter the cost or lives destroyed on the way. They even show the difference in the song-the "racist friend" apologizes when he realizes he's said too much and offended somebody, but the protagonist immediately and permanently literally sees him as the devil and can't back down an inch, not only hating the racist, but also his friend, the subject of the song. The racist is literally more empathetic and accommodating than the singer, who is clearly more hateful than the racist, and clearly more insufferable-the racist doesn't storm out in a huff when you say that you think minorities are alright. I'd rather have a racist friend than a leftist karen for one, I'll say that much. The racist friend won't freak out and stop being a friend if I call him on his BS now and again-the leftist will do it at the slightest provocation.

[@EvilGuacamoleGaming]

@@jadedandbitter I've heard racists apologize. They are right. You can't shake the devil's hand and then say you are only kidding. And yeah, what's a racist got to lose when they get called out on being racist by their friend? Particularly if they never change. Racists don't stand for some thing, only against others. But like... you do know that you are the racist friend people have, right? Like, I see how this shit goes. And certainly this is why you are upset someone would stop being a friend with a racist. You've lost friends this way.

[@jadedandbitter]

@@EvilGuacamoleGaming No, I'm not the racist friend. I have no views on race, only on religion, and those views are explicitly documented and supported by historical and religious text, so I've never even really upset people. Worst I ever had was a nun friend flip out on me when I was ripping into Pius XII, and she acknowledged most of what I was asserting, she was just angry about it. And we still remained friends. I just chose to rip into Innocent III if we ever discussed popes after that, since he is completely indefensible, lol. I do HAVE moderately racist friends, who I frequently will call out on for their bullshit, and they aren't the devil. That's the point-them being idiots doesn't make them the devil, nor am I "shaking hands with the devil" by acknowledging their humanity. And if I don't remain their friend, who will they have to call them on their BS? Militant condemnation and ostracism only reinforces their worldview anyways. So again I will say, I would rather be friends with a moderate bigot than an extremely combative SJW, the former's racial aversion is nothing compared to the latter's social hatred.

[@sis21141]

You typed all that just to say you'd rather be friends with a moderate bigot than someone who's vehemently anti-racist. Weird.

[@manyregrets8650]

Hey, when you say "bluebird", do you mean birdhouse in your soul?

[@TodGemuese]

Truly sad that this remains as relevant now as it was when it was written.

[@christinelawrie3476]

Today on a thread about racism, there was a link to this song, and some idiot replied that it was sad two intelligent men like John and John had been taken in by BLM. Hoo boy, did everyone get LOUD pointing out Flood was from 1990 and therefore predated even the Rodney King beating.

[@Based_Stuhlinger]

@@christinelawrie3476 BLM still sucks regardless.

[@likableabi]

@@Based_Stuhlinger john did not like this message

[@theelement6255]

@@Based_Stuhlinger facts😂and I’m black. I’m just not a sucker…

[@jonahulichny9874]

@@Based_Stuhlinger how?

[@misomaya]

They... were ..... fearless. I love them.

[@houstonnewton9199]

The way john play’s his guitar is my favorite

[@jamiegeorge4171]

1988 sporting a Mohawk and studded leather jacket listening to they might be Giants think I was the shit man I miss the late 80's early 90's God I'm old!

[@Scotty-P]

No you're not. Music/Culture ended in 1988, and since then it's just been the "now".

[@tehn00bdude]

SKOTP69 So did Glean never happen?

[@DannyJane.]

Not old. I feel the same way about the SIXTIES.

[@TheStein474]

You had a mohawk and studied leather jacket and you was listerning to this ?? Was the punk scene that bad where you was?

[@mateostenberg]

@@Scotty-P I know this is 6 years old but that has to be one of the worst takes I've ever heard. There are entire genres and communities of music whose inception is after 1988, but they still have just as storied a history and culture. Tell me, did IDM exist before 1988, or is it just not an actual genre since it's past this arbitrary date of the death of music? What about Experimental Hip-Hop? What about shoegaze? That started around '88.

[@MagicTurtle643]

Letterman wants to put "The" in front of all their album titles.

[@luigisaccountant6363]

The They Might Be Giants by They Might Be Giants

[@ineedabetterpfp2485]

@@luigisaccountant6363 The John Henry The The Spine The The Else The Join Us The I Like Fun The My Murdered Remains

[@LotteYanson]

The Lincoln The Apollo 18 The Factory Showroom The John Henry

[@2n918]

I can't believe this was 24 years ago! These guys are timeless, at once so clever yet so nerdy! I love 'em! Thanks for posting.

[@MilkcanRocks]

You mean 32

[@radjones]

@@MilkcanRocks thinking the same thing..

[@paulbond9999]

I can’t believe this comment was 10 years ago! Great positive comment

[@Vileplume87]

And now it's even older...​@@MilkcanRocks

[@EarlHiggins]

LOL 35 years now, even more relevant.

[@rattyeely]

Great energy in this performance, I love how they both did a solo. I've always been facinated by how the guitar solo is followed by jaunty horn section on the album version, but now I see it as Flansburgh's section and Linnell's section.

[@ShanePatSmith]

Did... They Might Be Giants just make the accordion cool?

[@conner.j.a.wilson]

Shane Smith I think ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic made it cool. They pushed it ever forward.

[@mads_in_zero]

@@conner.j.a.wilson Aside from not doing parodies, TMBG's tone comes pretty close to Al in their weirder songs.

[@jessicah3450]

Accordions have always been cool 😎

[@ricksville1718]

It's a chick magnet.

[@chiralanomalous2904]

Your thinking about pirates

[@SpeakingSpellSword]

The coolest nerd's in all of history, recognize!

[@ewetoo]

I like that the house band are having as much fun with the song as the guys :D

[@edmundnschrag]

All those New Yorkers not realizing they're singing about them.

[@musicfrommarrs9109]

I wonder if they thought their group would have staying power, now that they were getting on tv more often. This is crazy to see them in their early years. My 1st exposure was a bootleg tape (don't hate; I've since made amends with CDs).

[@OutlawThunder]

Great stuff, praise to TMBG for speaking up and promoting tolerance.

[@DDball]

Such a sweet bass groove in this song

[@michaelmorder257]

You can't shake the Devil's hand and say that your kidding - A great lyric to quote!

[@saramunozmunoz]

OMG. They are so young! This music meant so much to me when I was an adolescent. Still adore them.

[@richardmichael5656]

Flood is an awesome album throughout, catchy melodies, funny but poignant lyrics. Still relevant.

[@wackyruss]

I’ve always dug that slappy chunky bass line in this song!

[@mkpianofab]

I love the intro. Yeah it's simple however I love the E minor/E minor maj7, E Minor min7th. So effective.

[@christopherdort1578]

More relevant now in Oct. 2016 than 20 years ago. #genius

[@robertmcaree7016]

And extremely relevant today, 2018/01/12

[@johnjohn2570]

It was also super relevant 20 years ago.

[@GHBill1]

Even more so in July 2019.

[@gachalifeplaysunicornpro2905]

Still relevant, January 2020

[@gavinrehfeldt7389]

June 5 2020.

[@divermike8943]

Love this song and the album. So happy I got to see TMG about 8 years ago at a casino in Connecticut. I just wish the audio was better on this video.

[@admobeer9551]

2024, still loving these guys!

[@abbiec2.089]

"This thing has 19 songs on it?!"

[@Silvana716]

Randy Rainbow should do a parody "You and your Racist Prez".

[@Isaacandjed]

no he should not the fuck

[@jonahulichny9874]

@@Isaacandjed I mean, it would be funny. Then again I don’t think trump openly supported racism (whether you think it’s because he’s not or because he’s a crypto fascist, that’s up to you).

[@markw4206]

I'm imagining the small talk patter after they sat down as guests. Dave: John, you really rock that accordion. Do you ever find yourself with an uncontrollable urge at the end of a show to pull a Pete Townshend and smash it on the stage? John: Uh, no. Those things are expensive, Dave. Dave: Oh. *turns and looks deadpan at audience*

[@Chicorodrigo781]

And he still uses a Telecaster as a prop after all these years. He never actually plays it but man he looks cool holding it.

[@splendidtorch7800]

even back then they sang “youuuu. you and your racist friend” before it actually happens in the song lol, they still do that to this day

[@Frankincensedjb123]

ONe of the best relatively unknown bands ever to assemble. They Are Geniuses.

[@TheRealFacemanguy]

There's nothin "might" about these giants

[@francescaa8331]

Song still as relevant as ever.

[@cjspangler]

Saw these guys just two nights ago at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. Glad to say this song is just as popular now as it was then.

[@davidmoore9706]

this is an awesome song right behind Hot Cha and We Want to Rock!!

[@snoojie]

Wow, I remember the night this was on TV and how fantastically excited I was.

[@thrillcats]

I remember this in the 90's. Best song. Best band. Thanks for posting.

[@saturnchicvt]

omg they look so young

[@zpy121596]

I love john so much. :3

[@jeffpilley3188]

Love the guitar solo! That bass tone is really out of this word for live sound. Wow

[@lyinsroar9637]

john and john sound so similar

[@johnfraire6931]

lyinsroar All Johns sound the same. It's a fact.

[@nell6648]

I legit listened to them for like a year without realising they take it in turns to sing

[@jwoo951]

look at dem babies! i remember watching this broadcast. ( and realizing how old i am. shit)

[@taciturno2454]

Still alive?

[@zretaw]

Hooray! I love the album The Flood!

[@captainclayman]

the fact that there's an accordian in TMBG just makes me think of spyro the dragon for whatever reason.

[@steviev1422]

I gladly bought a Flood CD when it first came out, this is such a great song among many, Steve, Brisbane

[@MyLatestEscape]

I disagree. John is definitely cooler than John.

[@recordcollector0665]

John is obviously better. COME ON!

[@inactive6320]

After 7 years I still prefer John over John

[@mondoseguendo6113]

@@inactive6320 Well who am I to judge someone else’s preferences, but here I go - you’re dead wrong on this - John is by far the more superior John. Hands down. No question. No doubt.

[@inactive6320]

@@mondoseguendo6113 why would that be? John is obviously far superior to John.

[@snakes7303]

John does much better than John. Yall are all so foolish, John is clearly LEVELS above John. Goodness.

[@mizlandry]

these guys technically an 80s band

[@AztecCamera2]

A kinder, simpler time.

[@gertrudelaronge6864]

Love these guys!!

[@SethLafontaine]

Oh my god...DAVID HAS HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!

[@actorsnonactors]

These guys and Doc's band from back in the day read a chart like nobody's business. The following and flexibility is astounding.

[@alexissweet5890]

The Flood is one a few albums that I like every song on it.

[@giotrapani7852]

I love that solo at the bridge by John flansburgh.

[@ReidSpeed]

i saw that show at the beacon theatre! LOVE

[@sammosammy]

It warms my heart that they actually get love in the states. Only two people I've ever met know who TMBG are, but that's because they like Dr. Worm or something.

[@aleksandaratanasovic8835]

Only structure that matters is the great song structure of this song and solo that is out of this world, lyrics and melody that make you shiver. If you hate bad grammar go work as an editor or an English teacher because to most of us here English is a second language and we're here to appreciate this great band.

[@adamtzsch]

"There was violence on many sides. Many sides."

[@mixedstaples8030]

House band dude's shoes match his guitar

[@DonaldJMagic]

record can technically apply to any form of preserving information. Album applies to a collection of music released as a group by a solo musical artist or band. a record of my thoughts can be found in this comment while the album flood is any analog or digital audio recording that when played can reproduce the intended sound waves released by TMBG

[@maggieo]

Timely!

[@DerekBelden-ce9rm]

Great performance

[@toomanygoblins5914]

This song has aged like fine wine

[@beatleswithwords]

Great Share Elvis316 :D

[@dillonv5345]

so good

[@robadams5799]

Bonus accordion solo!

[@NuclearBubbleWrap]

I live in the south and can relate to this song.

[@6544165453]

awesome

[@garyhuntress6871]

Got my tickets to the 30th anniversary of flood before they sold out in 20 minutes!!

[@alpur214]

I caught them in Providence two weeks ago for the same Flood tour. This song and all the others sounded sooo great.

[@marklechman2225]

TMBG and TWMDB onstage together, excellent!

[@PhrankMartian]

Mark, thrown in some DMB and you’ve got a lovely evening.

[@chrisvorhees6677]

This is a triumph..

[@WednesdayGreen]

Saw them in Omaha. I'll Always love the Jo(h)ns!!

[@TheStrongBadMan]

Everytime I see the Flood in halo, I think of They Might Be Giants

[@Mattgt128]

@kenmabie What's a CD gramps?

[@MiguelPaulettePerez-bj8ml]

These dudes always look directly into the camera.... I wonder if that was a stage direction or them just fucking around

[@Mayhem31187]

Yes he also looks like ryan from the office! haha

[@ScoopsBot]

no way john kicks johns ass

[@hanlons_razor]

And yes, that was an accordian solo at 1:54.. Class dismissed.

[@gazpacho9719]

acordian dude looks like abed from community

[@einootspork]

@Huboons So just because you're older that automatically means you win? Some people get older without learning anything at all.

[@jagrench62]

i have no idea what you are saying- but yes very effective.

[@robk7266]

Their only song that's actually serious.

[@PeanutzStuff]

No, there is a few others! but this is a fan favorite.

[@Eebers]

@kenmabie what's a cd? haha! just kidding, vynl will always be my choice for listening to my music. i just enjoy the sound better for some reason

[@Czixx]

Haha, records!

[@NuclearBubbleWrap]

@PakezSystematicWrath Memphis, really? That's where I'm from and I've been searching for Flood on vinyl for ages! X_X

[@WebFerret246]

Whats a CD? Is that like an MP3?

[@DEEERPDORP]

That's a vinyl record. Record can apply to a cd or an online release. because latin

[@basspfosten]

Will Lee sits in on bass.

[@pigglesy]

Well there you go.Nobody here.I thought it would have been meltdown.Maybe i am too old.

[@CheapToad]

John is much better then John, no question

[@michaelpreston233]

Comically political ! I Love the , ''Malcolm in the Middle'' theme

[@yitromoshe7525]

What kind of accordion is that?

[@BroForce426]

J M B hohner Lucia IV p

[@larryshackley8074]

They never had a better bass player than Will Lee.

[@Masamichi45]

Haha, nice. And Letterman looks so much younger there....

[@hectorm985]

IMO this song with the accordion made it better..

[@Revelation6_7-8]

check out paul pretending to be in on it.

[@Racewayelko]

@kenmabie i'm only 15 and I love to listen to .45's