Traded Tracks

Typically, the lyrics, music, and original demo of any They Might Be Giants song were all created by the band member who sings lead on the finished song. (In songs written collaboratively, each John tends to sing the verse they contributed.) The songs in this list are known exceptions to this rule.

Sung by Linnell

• Dark And Metric - Lyrics written by Flansburgh
• Hate The Villanelle - Lyrics written by Flansburgh
• I Haven't Been Right Yet - Microtonal samples from Linnell used to make a chord progression by Flansburgh
• I'm Impressed - Lyrics and melody by Linnell, backing track by Flansburgh
• I Palindrome I - Original demo, which bears little resemblance to the final track, sung by Flansburgh
• Let's Get This Over With - Drum track & handclaps by Flansburgh
• McCafferty's Bib - Percussion and triangle synth by Flansburgh, clarinet and vocals by Linnell
• Rat Patrol - Lyrics written by Flansburgh, music by Linnell; original demo sung by Flansburgh
• Spider - Constructed from audio samples traded between both Johns.
• Subliminal - Lyrics written by Flansburgh

Sung by Flansburgh

• Damn Good Times - Backing track by Marty and Dan
• I Lost Thursday - Flansburgh wrote and sung over a bassline by Linnell
• If Day For Winnipeg - Written and sung by Flansburgh, using a drum part by Linnell as a basis
• Mink Car - Written by both Johns, sitting together at a piano
• My Evil Twin - Backing track by Linnell
• Now That I Have Everything - Written by Linnell during his time in the Mundanes
• Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head - Backing track and chorus by Linnell; verses by Flansburgh
• Reprehensible - Lyrics written by Linnell
• Sally Boy Candy Bar - Lyrics written by Linnell
• We Just Go Nuts At Christmastime - Flansburgh has made comments from which we can infer Linnell wrote the song
• When It Rains It Snows - Linnell wrote the chorus and first verse and sings lead on the demo, and Flansburgh wrote the second verse.
• The World's Address - Original demo sung by Linnell