The Resume

(1982- )
John Flansburgh (May 6, 1960- )
John Linnell (June 12, 1959- )
Formed in Brooklyn, New York
Albums include 'They Might Be Giants,' 'Lincoln,' 'Flood,' 'Apollo 18,' 'John Henry,' 'Factory Showroom,' and 'Mink Car.' Songs include 'Don't Let's Start,' 'Ana Ng,' 'Birdhouse in Your Soul' and 'Boss of Me'

Why they might be annoying:

They are both named John and at one time everyone in their backup band is named Dan.
They are not conventionally attractive rock stars.
Their singing voices are nasal.
They write surreal songs about extremely odd subject matter.
Their signature instrument is the accordion.
They have an obsession with historic U.S. presidents.

Why they might not be annoying:

They are both extremely witty and pleasant people.
Their diction is phenomenal.
They have consistently refused to compromise their unique musical vision.
Their songs frequently combine cheerful melodies with sad lyrics.
They are high-energy live performers.
John Linnell was named the ninth most beautiful person in the world in People Magazine's online poll (1998). They write clever songs about inanimate objects like hearing aids, grocery bags and Nyquil. They won a Grammy in 2002 for the 'Malcolm in the Middle' theme song.

Credit: Adam Kintopf

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Accordionists
• Born in Brooklyn, New York
• Buddy Holly Look-alikes
• Children's Book Authors
• CNN's Top 10 Geek Anthems of All Time (Ranked: 7)
• Daily Show
• Dual Profiles
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Duos
• Entertainers Loved by Geeks and Nerds
• Grammy for Best Children's Album (Ranked: 2009)
• I Covered a Beach Boys Song
• I Recorded a Concept Album
• I Recorded 'Lion Sleeps Tonight'
• I Recorded My Song in Simlish
• I Sing About a Cage
• I Sing About Aging
• I Sing About Angels
• I Sing About Balloons
• I Sing About Coffee
• I Sing About Doctors
• I Sing About Hotels
• I Sing About James Dean
• I Sing About My Parents
• I Sing About New York
• I Sing about Octopus
• I Sing About Spiders
• I Sing About Teeth
• I Sing About Triangles
• I Sing Novelty/Parody Songs
• Indie Rockers
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing a Cowboy Hat
• Look at Me, I've Been Caught Smoking
• Malcolm in the Middle
• Mercury News Top 10 Songs to Download [2007] (Ranked: 1)
• Metacritic's 30 Best Reviewed Albums [2002] (Ranked: 16)
• MTV's 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made (Ranked: 89)
• My Song is on Rhino's 'Whatever: The 90's Pop & Culture Box'
• Nasal Voices
• Nerds and Nebbishes
• Oops, I Recorded a Disco Song
• Pitchfork Media's Top 100 Albums of the 1980's (Ranked: 78)
• Pitchfork Media's Top 100 Albums of the 1990's (Ranked: 25)
• Profiles 7001-7250 (Ranked: 7017)
• They Might Be Giants References
• TV Theme Song Singers
• Voice Synthesizer Users
• We Titled a Song After Our Band's Name

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 19 Votes: 42.11% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 72 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 24 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 128 Votes: 64.06% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 43 Votes: 48.84% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 116 Votes: 33.62% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 165 Votes: 44.85% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 495 Votes: 42.02% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 695 Votes: 44.75% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 861 Votes: 45.53% Annoying
In 2003, Out of 3954 Votes: 42.21% Annoying