Deep Cut Friday SenSurround by They Might Be Giants
When you look into the catalog of alternative rock, some artists manage to blend genuine musical brilliance with a touch of delightfully absurd. They Might Be Giants (TMBG) is one such band, known for weaving esoteric and witty lyrics into their sound. But beneath the quirky melodies lie some fascinating, often surprising, connections to pop culture and cinematic history.
One particularly intriguing piece of TMBG history revolves around their contribution to the soundtrack of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. While the film itself was silly and low-budget, the soundtrack featured gems from several alternative acts, including Devo’s hits and TMBG’s own original tracks, such as “Are You Ready?!” and “SenSurround.”
It is with “SenSurround” that a truly bizarre and memorable story unfolds. TMBG singer and keyboardist John Linnell revealed that the song was inspired by the 1974 disaster film Earthquake. Linnell explained that the core concept of the track was rooted in a special effect called “Sensurround”—a big speaker designed to make the whole room shake. He added that the song’s lyrical theme drew inspiration from the idea of being in utero when the mother viewed the film, suggesting a permanent effect on embryonic development.
This sound effect, “Sensurround,” was developed by MCA specifically for the film Earthquake, which became the fourth highest-grossing film of 1974 and won an Oscar for Best Sound. The effect was subsequently adapted for the theatrical releases of other movies, including Midway and Rollercoaster, before eventually fading into the realm of other seventies fads like platform shoes and pet rocks.
The soundtrack version of “SenSurround” was produced by Neil Dorfsman, known for his work with artists like Dire Straits and Sting. The band later re-recorded the track for their 1996 album Factory Showroom with Pat Dillett, who would go on to produce many of their subsequent albums. Interestingly, the version that appeared on the B-side of the “S-E-X-X-Y” single is a little faster and tighter, offering a more developed bridge than the original 1995 version.
Beyond this cinematic connection, TMBG’s discography is packed with gems that deserve a closer look. While many of their songs tackle abstract subjects, the band occasionally excels at conventional romance. Tracks like “Another First Kiss,” which was co-produced by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, tell sweet breakup stories. One particular track, “Another First Kiss,” even became a romantic milestone for one of the band members, who used it for their first dance at their wedding.
Other deep cuts continue to reveal the band’s eclectic tastes. There are the “Fingertips,” a series of microsongs found on the 1992 album Apollo 18, which are collectively known by the band as a tour de force medley. And then there is “Kiss Me, Son of God,” Lincoln’s closing track, which has recently garnered massive popularity on streaming services, proving that sometimes the most resonant songs are the ones with the most unexpected, enduring appeal.
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