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They Might Be Giants — The Guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)
Album: Apollo 18
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 116








Released: 1992
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Hey,
Who's that playing?
Hey,
The guitar?
Is it Jim? I don't know..
Is it Jim? I don't know..
In the spaceship, the silver spaceship, the lion takes control,
In the spaceship, the silver spaceship, the lion takes control,
Hey,
Who's that playing?
Hey,
The guitar?
Hush my darling, be still my darling, the lion's on the phone,
Hush my darling, be still my darling, the lion's on the phone,

Hush my darling, be still my darling,
Hey,
Hush my darling, be still my darling
Hey

Turn it up... The guitar..
I can't hear, the guitar..

In the spaceship, the silver spaceship, the lion waves goodbye
In the spaceship, the silver spaceship, the lion waves goodbye

Hey,
Who's that playing?
Hey,
The guitar?
Hey,
Hey,
Hey,
Hey,
Comments (38)add comment
bigpomp wrote:
My favorite TMBG's album is still John Henry. The musicianship, writing and hooks are as strong on that album as anything. I know it put off a lot of fans, but it's a GREAT album.
Hmmmm, I still can't get into that album (other than "Extra Savoir Faire" and "Meet James Ensor"). The Johns' transition to a full backing band didn't quite click. Way overproduced, and just a dour affair overall. I check in with it every so often, but I've yet to appreciate it.
Why?
what have we (the listeners) done to deserve this?
spieler wrote:
to be filed under "worst cover ever".
It's not really a cover. They just had to have "the lion sleeps tonight" in the title to avoid getting sued for saying "the lion's on the phone" and so on. I rather like it, although the video is not one of their best.
Yes, I know this album came out in the 90s, but they're still 80s cool. I also know it's not the 80s anymore.
This takes me back to high school. We used to cover this tune a lot. It's dirt easy, and you can go completely crazy with it. A good tune, means just about nothing, and that's fun in its own way. Some people just don't get it, I guess. These guys are 80s cool.
There are many FAR better TMBG songs...
Platypus wrote:
these guys come off as a novelty act. and nothing more.
In and of itself, yeah, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was always a novelty. Within the entire TMBG context, it's another example of thier genius. Yes, I said genius. These guys deserve far more credit...
Platypus wrote:
these guys come off as a novelty act. and nothing more.
Watch the documentary about TMBG--"Gigantic, a Tale of Two Johns." It gives decent insight into the musings of this duo. As a huge fan I recognize my bias but I believe J & J are far beyond a "novelty act."
to be filed under "worst cover ever".
Platypus wrote:
these guys come off as a novelty act. and nothing more.
Never seen em? They rock.
these guys come off as a novelty act. and nothing more.
My favorite TMBG's album is still John Henry. The musicianship, writing and hooks are as strong on that album as anything. I know it put off a lot of fans, but it's a GREAT album.
Shimmer wrote:
Yeah, but RP only plays five of them. I wish someone would upload some of their better and new stuff, such as nearly everything off of No!.
Tried uploading "Lazyhead and Sleepybones" from No! and...yes, you guessed it!
redeyespy wrote:
But their catalogue does include roughly 1000 songs!
Yeah, but RP only plays five of them. I wish someone would upload some of their better and new stuff, such as nearly everything off of No!.
Shimmer wrote:
Cute, but not in their top 10 or even 20.
But their catalogue does include roughly 1000 songs!
Cute, but not in their top 10 or even 20.
.....but for real eclecticism, "Fingertips," also from APOLLO 18, should be played.
Originally Posted by mr.selfdestruct: The lion's on the phone, but TMBG are on crack.
Well said.
Originally Posted by atthebeach: a very bad imitation of Bob Dylan
Go back and drink some more beach water. (pimp)
Originally Posted by atthebeach: a very bad imitation of Bob Dylan
Huh?
Originally Posted by the_om: I enjoy this. Nothing earthshaking but nice in the mix. I have a question, though. What was that spoken word intro? I have the CD and I don't believe it was on it.
I don't know who did the intro, but I like it. It is good to hear the smart, catchy music of TMBG here in Paradise. How about Ana Ang, Particle Man, Istanbul, Birdhouse?
Say what you will about TMBG but they definitely ECCLECTIC and INTELLIGENT. Seen them perform 13 times... their shows are good for people-watching, if nothing else. Two Guitars Up
I enjoy this. Nothing earthshaking but nice in the mix. I have a question, though. What was that spoken word intro? I have the CD and I don\'t believe it was on it.
On their first album they did a song about a song writer who says he\'s only got two songs in him, and he just wrote number three. This band only had three albums in them. Every album since \"Flood\" has been worse than the one before. I was a big fan at one time - have seen them perform live twice, met John & John once. But they just don\'t seem to even be trying anymore.
these guys are fun -- i also like their song about Istanbul (or was it Constantinople?).
This is nails on a chalkboard to me. Horrible.
These guys have always done whatever silly thing comes to their mind. Its always good for amusement. I\'ve never bought anything from them though.
blech