History NightmareFuel / TheyMightBeGiants

-->''The fare collector's drinking lighter fluid and claims he's killed our parents''

** From the 2018 incarnation: “Door To Door Minotaur,”[[note]]Later released in ''More Murdered Remains'', a bonus disc of ''My Murdered Remains''.[[/note]] dedicated to the memory of then-recently deceased [[Music/TheResidents Residents]] member Hardy Fox. While the reason for the tribute arguably falls under [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments an entirely different trope]], the song itself is, in true Residents fashion, deeply surreal and downright ''nightmarish''.

-->What's this button do? I wonder what's inside this ticking\\

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKdxraxDuI Dial-A-Song version]] of "Token Back To Brooklyn," which starts off with pitched-down voices repeating "get away," then kicks into a minor-key, downtempo rhythm. To say nothing of one of the original lines:

** From the 2018 incarnation: “Door To Door Minotaur,” dedicated to the memory of then-recently deceased [[Music/TheResidents Residents]] member Hardy Fox. While the reason for the tribute arguably falls under [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments an entirely different trope]], the song itself is, in true Residents fashion, deeply surreal and downright ''nightmarish''.

* "The Vowel Family" from ''Here Come the [=ABCs=]'' can qualify as this. The dissonant main refrain, in combination with the titular Vowel Family's pitched up voices, can definitely make kids scared. The music video only amplifies this; the puppets used for the family members are merely two tubes that can be pulled apart to represent talking, and their eyes are merely silver buttons, resulting in their faces having zero emotion. It does not help that they are prominently featured throughout the video, and often come quite close to the camera.

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKdxraxDuI Dial-A-Song version]] of "Token Back To Brooklyn," which starts off with pitched-down voices repeating "get away," then kicks into a bleak, slow rhythm. To say nothing of one of the original lines:

** During the 2018 Dial-A-Song cycle, the band released a song entitled “Door To Door Minotaur,” dedicated to the memory of then-recently deceased Residents member Hardy Fox. While the reason for the tribute arguably falls under [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments an entirely different trope]], the song itself is deeply surreal and downright ''nightmarish''.

* Linell stated Music/TheResidents was a huge influence on the band, and cites TMBG's early work as evidence. Listening to [[Music/TheyMightBeGiantsAlbum their first album]], it isn't hard to tell:

** "Stuff is Way" may be mostly WordSaladLyrics, but it also has an ominous and depressing atmosphere to it, due to the monotonous voice of the singer and the minimalistic instrumental. It certainly doesn't help that there's a line that makes it sound like he's addressing someone who was trying to dispose of a body:
--->''As it the drag\\
That has you are\\
Is in the bag that you dragged behind your car''

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UAqvtKyRgY "Turtle Songs of North America"]], a free download from one of their old sites, consists entirely of weird noises and John Linnell speaking in a creepily calm southern accent about several imagined North American turtles, including the Eastern Fighting Turtle, the Downy Tortuga, and the Mudflail.

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1xMXNbGCwk Dial-A-Song version]] of "Four Of Two", which ends with a fairly graphic description of the narrator [[DrivenToSuicide strangling himself to death with his own bare hands]]. In context, it's BlackComedy, but it's still a bit creepy, more so if you're used to the LighterAndSofter ending of the ''No!'' version.
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKdxraxDuI Dial-A-Song version]] of "Token Back To Brooklyn," which starts off with pitched-down voices repeating "get away," then kicks into a bleak, slow rhythm. To say nothing of one of the original lines:

* The early and obscure Dial-A-Song track, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrczAv5fk3g "Hi Honey I'm Home"]]. Don't let the innocent-sounding title fool you. The song consists of Flansburgh depressingly singing "Hi, honey, I'm home" backed to a droning two-note synth loop that sounds exactly like a European-style emergency siren and the sound of a car crashing. HellIsThatNoise indeed.
* "Hide Away Folk Family", especially the coda, which culminates in something not unlike WesternAnimation/{{Courage|TheCowardlyDog}} suffering from catatonic shock.
* "Rabid Child," from [[Music/TheyMightBeGiants the same album,]] is quite haunting. It starts off with a distorted and warbling voice that says "Lord, please don't take me away..." It also has a music video, which except for one clip, has NEVER been released to the public. Said clip has dark and ominous lighting and a disjointed vibe. The mystery surrounding the video certainly doesn't help with the creepy factor either.

* "Aaa," off "Glean" speeds through lines concerning everything from tinfoil-hat conspiracies and impending misfortune to distrust of surroundings and grievous bodily harm.

* The part of "Unpronounceable" where the song sounds like it's cutting out can be considered quite the nauseous SensoryAbuse to some.

-->The fare collector's drinking lighter fluid and claims he's killed our parents

** "Rabid Child," from [[Music/TheyMightBeGiants the same album,]] is quite haunting. It starts off with a distorted and warbling voice that says "Lord, please don't take me away..." It also has a music video, which except for one clip, has NEVER been released to the public. Said clip has dark and ominous lighting and a disjointed vibe. The mystery surrounding the video certainly doesn't help with the creepy factor either.

* [[Music/Apollo18 "The Statue Got Me High"]]:
** It's about a statue that just makes people burst into flames and die. The song mentions it's being displayed publicly.
--->[[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou And now it is your turn!]]\\
(Your turn to hear the stone, and then your turn to burn!)

--> ''"And when I close my eyes, it looks the same as when I open them again"''

-->Replicant why do you lie on the ground,\\

Go out the back and I'll deal with the cops
** "The Darlings Of Lumberland". If the demented woodwind section doesn't at least disturb you, John Flansburgh's demonic altered voice certainly will. The lyrics also mention [[EyeScream "empty, hollow sockets."]]

-->''"As it the drag''\\
''That has you are''\\
''Is in the bag that you dragged behind your car"''

** "Mrs. Bluebeard" is far more mundane in its horror than many of the examples on this page, but the story behind it--that of a woman murdered by her abusive husband--is still deeply chilling.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UAqvtKyRgY "Turtle Songs Of North America,"]] a free download from one of their old sites, consists entirely of weird noises and John Linnell speaking in a creepily calm southern accent about several imagined North American turtles, including the Eastern Fighting Turtle, the Downy Tortuga, and the Mudflail.

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKdxraxDuI Dial-A-Song version]] of "Token Back To Brooklyn," which starts off with pitched-down voices repeating "get away," then kicks into a bleak, slow rhythm. To say nothing of one of the original lines:

* The early and obscure Dial-A-Song track, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrczAv5fk3g "Hi Honey I'm Home"]]. Don't let the innocent-sounding title fool you. The song consists of Flansburgh depressingly singing "Hi, honey, I'm home" backed to a droning two-note synth loop that sounds exactly like a European-style emergency siren and the sound of a car crashing. HellIsThatNoise indeed.

* The part of "Unpronounceable" where the song sounds like it's cutting out can be considered quite the nauseous SensoryAbuse to some.

* "My Man" has a peppy, futuristic sound but is actually about a person who has suffered a spinal injury realizing he is paralyzed from the waist down and "won't walk again."

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1xMXNbGCwk Dial-A-Song version]] of "Four Of Two", which ends with a fairly graphic description of the narrator [[DrivenToSuicide strangling himself to death with his own bare hands]]. In context, it's BlackComedy, but it's still a bit creepy, more so if you're used to the LighterAndSofter ending of the ''No!'' version. [[note]]possible NightmareRetardant: the ending [[ArtisticLicenseBiology takes some liberties with how the human body functions]], since in reality, if you tried to strangle yourself to death by hand, it wouldn't work - most likely you'd just pass out before you could grasp your neck tight for long enough[[/note]]

** The part of "Unpronounceable" where the song sounds like it's cutting out can be considered quite the nauseous SensoryAbuse to some.

* The early and obscure Dial-A-Song track, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrczAv5fk3g "Hi Honey I'm Home"]]. Don't let the innocent-sounding title fool you. The song consists of Flansburgh depressingly singing "Hi, honey, I'm home" backed to a droning two-note synth loop that sounds exactly like a European-style emergency siren and the sound of a car crashing.. HellIsThatNoise indeed.

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKdxraxDuI Dial-A-Song version]] of "Token Back To Brooklyn," which starts off with pitched-down voices repeating "get away," then kicks into a bleak, slow rhythm. To say nothing of one of the original lines:

** The early and obscure Dial-A-Song track, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrczAv5fk3g "Hi Honey I'm Home"]]. Don't let the innocent-sounding title fool you. The song consists of Flansburgh depressingly singing "Hi, honey, I'm home" backed to a droning two-note synth loop that sounds exactly like a European-style emergency siren and the sound of a car crashing.. HellIsThatNoise indeed.
* Hide Away Folk Family, especially the coda, which culminates in something not unlike WesternAnimation/{{Courage|TheCowardlyDog}} suffering from catatonic shock.

* "Rabid Child" from their [[Music/TheyMightBeGiants first album]] is quite haunting. It starts off with a distorted and warbling voice that says "Lord, please don't take me away..." It also has a music video, which except for one clip, has NEVER been released to the public. Said clip has dark and ominous lighting and a disjointed vibe. The mystery surrounding the video certainly doesn't help with the creepy factor either.

** It's about a statue that just makes people burst into flames and die. The song mentions it's being displayed publicly. And now, the weather.
** Try not to scare yourself with John Linnell's intense stare. Who says statues can't move. And sing.

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1xMXNbGCwk Dial-A-Song version]] of "Four Of Two", which ends with a fairly graphic description of the narrator [[DrivenToSuicide strangling himself to death with his own bare hands]]. In context, it's BlackComedy, but it's still a bit creepy, more so if you're used to the LighterAndSofter ending of the ''No!'' version. [[note]]possible NightmareRetardant: the ending [[ArtisticLicenseBiology takes some liberties with how the human body functions]], since in reality, if you tried to strangle yourself to death by hand, it wouldn't work - most likely you'd just pass out before you could grasp your neck tight for long enough[[/note]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UAqvtKyRgY "Turtle Songs Of North America,"]] a free download from one of their old sites, consists entirely of weird noises and John Linnell speaking in a creepily calm southern accent about several imagined North American turtles, including the Eastern Fighting Turtle, the Downy Tortuga, and the Mudflail.
* "Replicant" from their 2013 album ''Nanobots'':
** It's a slow jazzy song with some creepy electronic noises. The lyrics imply that the titular "replicant" has killed his human counterpart.

Shoveling handfuls of dirt on yourself?
** The creepiness factor doubles when Linnell begins addressing the replicant like a son. And at the same time, it becomes clear that something very wrong is going on.
--->Replicant, someone is waiting outside\\

* "The Darlings Of Lumberland". If the demented woodwind section doesn't at least disturb you, John Flansburgh's demonic altered voice certainly will. The lyrics also mention [[EyeScream "empty, hollow sockets."]]
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DKdxraxDuI Dial-A-Song version]] of "Token Back To Brooklyn," which starts off with pitched-down voices repeating "get away," then kicks into a bleak, slow rhythm. To say nothing of one of the original lines:
-->The fare collector's drinking lighter fluid and claims he's killed our parents
* [[Music/JohnHenry "Stomp Box"]] is a fairly dark song, from lyrics like "Little stomp box tear it from my heart" to John screaming "KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL ME NOW..."
* "I'll Sink Manhattan," a harrowing, emotional ode to hitting the DespairEventHorizon, backed by an instrumental that veers full-tilt between the ominous and the operatic.
* The slide whistles at the end of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ot4uLkYvI "Employee of the Month"]] [[LastNoteNightmare give the song an ominous air]].

* The early and obscure Dial-A-Song track, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrczAv5fk3g "Hi Honey I'm Home"]]. Don't let the innocent-sounding title fool you. The song consists of Flansburgh depressingly singing "Hi, honey, I'm home" backed to a droning two-note synth loop that sounds exactly like a European-style emergency siren and the sound of a car crashing.. HellIsThatNoise indeed.
* The cold, synth-y "Am I Awake." It's about someone who's so trapped in the monotony of their daily routine that they've lost all sense of time, to the point that they ''can't even tell if they're awake''!
--> ''"And when I close my eyes, it looks the same as when I open them again"''
* The brief track "Sleep" from ''Nanobots'' concerns a person who believes that when he goes to sleep, a doppelganger impersonates him.

* The part of "Unpronounceable" where the song sounds like it's cutting out can be considered quite the nauseous SensoryAbuse to some.
* "Mrs. Bluebeard" is far more mundane in its horror than many of the examples on this page, but the story behind it--that of a woman murdered by her abusive husband--is still deeply chilling.
* Similarly, "My Man" has a peppy, futuristic sound but is actually about a person who has suffered a spinal injury realizing he is paralyzed from the waist down and "won't walk again."
* "Stuff is Way" may be mostly WordSaladLyrics, but it also has an ominous and depressing atmosphere to it, due to the monotonous voice of the singer and the minimalistic instrumental. It certainly doesn't help that there's a line that makes it sound like he's addressing someone who was trying to dispose of a body:
-->''"As it the drag''\\
''That has you are''\\
''Is in the bag that you dragged behind your car"''

* The part of "Unpronounceable" where song sounds like it's cutting out can be considered quite the nauseous SensoryAbuse to some.

* "Stomp Box" is a fairly dark song, from lyrics like "Little stomp box tear it from my heart" to John screaming "KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL ME NOW..."

* [[Music/Apollo 18 "The Statue Got Me High"]]:

* "The Statue Got Me High":

* "Rabid Child" from their first album is quite haunting. It starts off with a distorted and warbling voice that says "Lord, please don't take me away..." It also has a music video, which except for one clip, has NEVER been released to the public. Said clip has dark and ominous lighting and a disjointed vibe. The mystery surrounding the video certainly doesn't help with the creepy factor either.

* The title track to ''I Like Fun,'' in which the narrator describes himself going off his meds as a form of escapism. The music video is full of disturbing imagery, including fire, blood, and flesh melting off skulls.

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1xMXNbGCwk Dial-A-Song version]] of "Four Of Two", which ends with a fairly graphic description of the narrator [[DrivenToSuicide strangling himself to death with his own bare hands]]. In context, it's BlackComedy, but it's still a bit creepy, more so if you're used to the LighterAndSofter ending of the ''No!'' version. [[note]]possible NightmareRetardant: in reality, if you tried to strangle yourself to death by hand, it wouldn't work - most likely you'd just pass out before you could grasp your neck tight enough[[/note]]