[untitled]
They Might Be Giants Lyrics


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Gloria: What do you think--what do you make out of that recording?

Guy on Phone: I don't know, Gloria, I just do--

Gloria: Some kind of singing. They sound like all kinds of people, right?

Guy on Phone: Yeah.
Gloria: And then it says,
"Another child is born in India every time you call this number," right?

Guy on Phone: Yeah, right.

Gloria: Does that make any sense to you?

Guy on Phone: No, it doesn't make no sense to me.

Gloria: Bu--and the guy that spoke--I don't know who he is.

Guy on Phone: Yeah.

Gloria: But that--that--it doesn't sound like no answering machine, right?

Guy on Phone: No, it ain't an answering machine
because they're not saying anything; they just--

Gloria: But what does he get--how does he make money on this?
Whatever he's advertising in the paper.
This is the part that don't make no sense.

Guy on Phone: Oh, he's advertising this in the paper you saw it.

Gloria: In the Village Voice, yeah.
They got--that's where the Kiss Clinic,
but they give you another number if you wanna join it.
Then I got the "intellectuals meet with other intellectuals..."

Guy on Phone: Yeah.

Gloria: "...speak another language."

Guy on Phone: Yeah. Oh.

Gloria: They meet at La Met--La Maisonette restaurant.
They give you the price.
Then they give you another number to call if you're interested.
This guy... all you get is this here recording,
but u-w--I don't see how he makes money.

Guy on Phone: Yeah, yeah.

Gloria: You know what I'm saying? It's just....
They got the craziest things in that paper.

Guy on Phone: Yeah, yeah.

Gloria: They come over with all--they got the craziest things.
But this one here-- "There Must Be Giants," it's called.
And it says "call machine," and they got the phone number.

Guy on Phone: Yeah.

Gloria: But what kind of money does he make?
It don't make no sense. Well, he don't make any money, right?

Guy on Phone: No.

Gloria: But, that's--then he's a nut, right?
Do you see--do you see any sense to that? "There May Be Giants?"
That reco--that recording I have on.
The new one. Did you hear it? I changed it. I took off the intellectuals.
I put on There May Be Giants.

Guy in Background: What?

Gloria: Who's They May Be Giants?

Guy in Background: What are you talking about?

Gloria: That's what's on my--the phone,
There May Be G-- well I can't explain it, 'cause I don't know what it is.

Guy in Background:
(unintelligible muttering) you could make sense once in a while.





Gloria: Look in the paper! Don't blame me if the guy's a nut.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to They Might Be Giants's song "[Untitled]" are a dialogue between two people, Gloria and a Guy on the Phone, discussing a mysterious recording that Gloria has come across. They speculate about the meaning and purpose of the recording, trying to make sense of its message. The conversation revolves around the recording's mention of a child being born in India every time the phone number is called, the confusion about who the singer in the recording is, and the lack of apparent profit-making by the person behind the recording. Gloria is perplexed by the whole thing and questions the sanity of the person responsible for the recording.


The song's lyrics present a humorous and absurd situation, highlighting the absurdities and random elements one can find in newspapers or advertisements. The narrative is open-ended, leaving the interpretation and understanding of the recording deliberately ambiguous. It explores themes of confusion, the gullibility of people, and the fascination with the inexplicable. The song captures the feeling of encountering something strange and puzzling, provoking curiosity and discussion but ultimately failing to provide clarity.


Line by Line Meaning

What do you think--what do you make out of that recording?
What is your interpretation or understanding of the content in that recording?


I don't know, Gloria, I just do--
I don't have a clear answer, Gloria, I just take it as it is.


Some kind of singing. They sound like all kinds of people, right?
It appears to be a form of singing where multiple voices imitate various individuals, correct?


Yeah.
Indeed.


And then it says, "Another child is born in India every time you call this number," right?
Furthermore, it states that a new child is born in India with each call made to this particular number, does it not?


Yeah, right.
Yes, that is correct.


Does that make any sense to you?
Do you find any logical meaning or coherence in this statement?


No, it doesn't make no sense to me.
No, it does not make any sense to me either.


Bu--and the guy that spoke--I don't know who he is.
But, I am uncertain about the identity of the person speaking in the recording.


Yeah.
Yes, I agree.


But that--that--it doesn't sound like no answering machine, right?
However, it doesn't resemble an answering machine, correct?


No, it ain't an answering machine because they're not saying anything; they just--
No, it cannot be considered an answering machine because it does not contain any actual spoken message; it simply...


But what does he get--how does he make money on this? Whatever he's advertising in the paper. This is the part that don't make no sense.
But what is the motivation behind this? How does he generate income through this particular activity? Whatever it is that he is promoting in the newspaper. This aspect lacks logical coherence.


Oh, he's advertising this in the paper you saw it.
Oh, he is promoting this through advertisements in the newspaper that you came across.


In the Village Voice, yeah. They got--that's where the Kiss Clinic, but they give you another number if you wanna join it.
In the Village Voice, yes. It is mentioned there alongside the Kiss Clinic; however, if one desires to participate, a different contact number is provided.


Yeah.
Yes, I understand.


Then I got the "intellectuals meet with other intellectuals..."
Additionally, I came across an advertisement stating that intellectuals have the opportunity to gather and converse with one another...


Yeah.
Indeed.


"...speak another language."
"...and engage in discussions using a different language."


Yeah. Oh.
Yes, that's interesting.


They meet at La Met--La Maisonette restaurant.
These gatherings take place at a restaurant called La Met--La Maisonette.


They give you the price.
The cost of participation is specified.


Then they give you another number to call if you're interested.
Furthermore, if one is interested in attending, they are provided with an alternative contact number.


This guy... all you get is this here recording, but u-w--I don't see how he makes money.
The individual behind this advertisement... all they offer is this recording, which raises the question of how they generate income through this method.


Yeah, yeah.
Yes, exactly.


You know what I'm saying? It's just.... They got the craziest things in that paper.
Do you understand what I'm trying to convey? It's simply.... The newspaper contains the most bizarre and unconventional advertisements.


Yeah, yeah.
Yes, exactly.


They come over with all--they got the craziest things.
They present an assortment of exceedingly eccentric and peculiar content.


But this one here-- "There Must Be Giants," it's called. And it says "call machine," and they got the phone number.
However, this particular advertisement reads as "There Must Be Giants" and instructs individuals to contact a designated phone number.


Yeah.
Indeed.


But what kind of money does he make? It don't make no sense. Well, he don't make any money, right?
But how does the advertiser profit from this endeavor? It lacks rationality. Well, it appears that he does not make any money, correct?


No.
No, that seems to be the case.


But, that's--then he's a nut, right? Do you see--do you see any sense to that? "There May Be Giants?" That reco--that recording I have on. The new one. Did you hear it? I changed it. I took off the intellectuals. I put on There May Be Giants.
So, in that case, he must be eccentric, correct? Can you comprehend or find any logical reason behind this? "There May Be Giants?" That's the name of the recording I possess. The recent one. Have you listened to it? I made modifications. I removed the intellectuals and replaced them with There May Be Giants.


What?
Pardon me?


Who's They May Be Giants?
Who are They May Be Giants?


What are you talking about?
What are you discussing?


That's what's on my--the phone, There May Be G-- well I can't explain it, 'cause I don't know what it is.
That's what I have on my phone, the recording titled There May Be G-- well, I am unable to provide an explanation as I myself am uncertain about its nature.


(unintelligible muttering) you could make sense once in a while.
(inaudible muttering) It would be beneficial if you occasionally made sense.


Look in the paper! Don't blame me if the guy's a nut.
Refer to the newspaper! Do not hold me responsible if the individual behind this advertisement is eccentric.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@warrenfriesner4940

@God's Liquor Cabinet 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"



@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



@ajstamps2513

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 am

Blue 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 rest

Blue 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 am

There'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 near

Blue 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 soul

Blue 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

Blue 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



All comments from YouTube:

@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.

11 More Replies...

@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

@Objects in Motion cest la vie old bean

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