John Sidney Linnell (born June 12, 1959, New York, New York) is an American musician, known primarily as one half of Brooklyn, New York alternative rock duo They Might Be Giants. In addition to singing and songwriting, he plays accordion, baritone and bass saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards for the group.Linnell's lyrics are perhaps most well known for their inclusion of strange subject matter and word play. Persistent themes include aging, delusional behavior, bad relationships, death, and the personification of inanimate objects. Conversely, the accompanying melodies are usually cascading and upbeat.
Member of alternative band They Might Be Giants with John Flansburgh
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Malcolm in the Middle
2002-2004
TV Series composer - 10 episodes
The Oblongs
2001
TV Series composer - 5 episodes
Apples & Oranges: Or, a Story of Fruit
1998
Video composer: song "Particle Man"
Ed and His Dead Mother
1993
composer: song "Everything Right Is Wrong Again"
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
2015
writer: "Show Open" from tt0115147
The Simpsons
2012
TV Series writer - 1 episode
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas
2011
performer: "What's Up Blood?"
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
2011
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Yes Man
2008
writer: "Ana Ng"
Wordplay
2006
Documentary writer: "Can You Find It?" - as John S. Linnell
Higglytown Heroes
2004
TV Series writer: "Here In Higglytown"
Mayor of the Sunset Strip
2003
Documentary writer: "Bangs"
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
2003
writer: "Clap Your Hands"
Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
2002
Documentary writer: "Ana Ng", "Birdhouse in Your Soul", "Boss of Me", "Cyclops Rock", "Doctor Worm", "Don't Let's Start", "Hope That I Get Old Before I Die", "The End of the Tour", "James K. Polk", "Lie Still, Little Bottle", "Man, It's So Loud In Here", "Meet James Ensor", "Older", "Particle Man", "Purple Toupee", "Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head", "Rabid Child", "She's An Angel", "They Might Be Giants", "They'll Need A Crane", "Subliminal", "I Can't Hide From My Mind", "I Should Be Allowe
Malcolm in the Middle
2000
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Godzilla Versus Disco Lando
1998
Short writer: "Ana Ng"
Kicking and Screaming
1995
writer: "Don't Let's Start"
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
1995
writer: "SenSurround"
Tapeheads
1988
writer: "Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Coraline
2009
Other Father (singing voice, uncredited)
Strongbad_email.exe: Disc Six
2008
Video
Additional Voices (voice)
Venue Songs
2005
Video
Home Movies
2004
TV Series
Musical Camp Counselor Miguel
Direct from Brooklyn
1999
Video short
Sin City Spectacular
1998
TV Series
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Venue Songs
2005
Video
Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
2002
Documentary
Return to Never Land
2002
as They Might Be Giants
Haiku Tunnel
2001
as They Might Be Giants
Brave New World
1999
TV Series
Direct from Brooklyn
1999
Video short
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kurt Cobain About a Son
2006
Documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Chris Gethard Show
2016
TV Series
Himself
Conan
2015
TV Series
Himself - They Might Be Giants
Homestarrunner.com: Everything Else, Volume 1
2005
Video
Himself (as Linnell)
Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
2002
Documentary
Himself
The Daily Show
2001
TV Series
Himself
Liquid News
2001
TV Series
Himself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
2000
TV Series
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2002
Grammy
Grammy Awards
Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
Malcolm in the Middle (2000)
2000
BMI TV Music Award
BMI Film & TV Awards
Malcolm in the Middle (2000)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2009
DFCS Award
Denver Film Critics Society
Best Original Song
Coraline (2009)
2000
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best New Theme Song in a Series
Malcolm in the Middle (2000)
Known for movies
Yes Man (2008) as Soundtrack
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011) as Soundtrack
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003) as Soundtrack
$1.4 Million
