Released September 14, 1993 Why Does The Sun Shine?
(1993) Back to Skull
(1994) Release date 14 September 1993 Label Elektra Records | Length 9:57 Artist They Might Be Giants Producer They Might Be Giants | |
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Recorded Excello Studio, Brooklyn and Skyline Studios, NYC Genres Alternative rock, Indie rock |
They might be giants why does the sun shine the sun is a mass of incandescent gas
Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas) is an EP by alternative rock band They Might Be Giants, released in 1993. The EP is notable for being their first release with a full-band lineup, rather than only the two original members (John Flansburgh and John Linnell) performing. It was also released as a single on 7" vinyl.
Contents
- They might be giants why does the sun shine the sun is a mass of incandescent gas
- Songs
- 7 vinyl
- Personnel
- References
Songs
All of the songs on the EP are cover versions, except for one. The title song is a cover of a song by Hy Zaret from Tom Glazer's 1959 album, Space Songs. The lyrics for the refrain appear verbatim in the 1951 Golden Guide "Stars". They Might Be Giants re-arranged the song in an uptempo version for their 1998 live album, Severe Tire Damage, and their 2009 children's album, Here Comes Science, on which they added the self-penned "Why Does The Sun Really Shine? (The Sun is a Miasma of Incandescent Plasma)", which corrects several factual inaccuracies in the original song. It was also included on the soundtrack to the children's game show Carmen Sandiego: Out of This World.
The second track, "Jessica", was originally recorded by The Allman Brothers Band for their 1973 album, Brothers and Sisters. The third track, "Whirlpool", is a song written by alternative rock band Meat Puppets, and can be found on their 1991 album, Forbidden Places. The fourth and final track, entitled "Spy", is the lone original track on the EP. It was later re-recorded for the band's successive studio album, John Henry, released in 1994.
7" vinyl
A. "Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas)" – 2:53 B. "Jessica" – 2:24Personnel
Songs
1Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas)2:54
2Jessica2:25
3Whirlpool2:11