They Might Be Giants, I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar | COVERS

In the 26^th edition of COVERS (2025), They Might Be Giants delivers a compelling rendition of “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar,” originally performed by Jonathan Richman.   

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 26^th  edition of COVERS (2025), They Might Be Giants delivers a compelling rendition of “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar”, originally performed by Jonathan Richman.

“Well, I was dancing in the lesbian bar / In the industrial zone,” They Might Be Giants sing, and continue, “I was dancing with my friends /And dancing alone.”  Those are the first lyrics heard on their rendition of “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar” which was released in 2015 via their Dial-A-Song project. The song is a cover of an artist whom John Flansburgh and John Linnell admire, Jonathan Richman. One of many differences from the cover versus the original is the excerpted verse.  In Richman’s version, this is the second verse.  In the hands of They Might Be Giants, they omit the first verse and dive into the second verse.

Give They Might Be Giants credit for making “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar” their own in many ways. The cover features an intense, driving rhythm.  The musical accompaniment is starkly different, with some gorgeous keyboards and programming.  That vocal pad – at least that’s what it sounds like – Is delightful! The groove that anchors the record is sickening – gotta love some hi-hat! Ultimately, this playful musical backdrop makes this cover highly effective.  But, like Richman’s original, the listener is treated to strong lead vocals that marvelously convey the good time had at the lesbian bar! A prime example: “In the first bar, folks were drinking sips / But in this bar, they could shake their hips!” Hell yeah! The cover also gets a super fun music video.  They Might Be Giants put their foot into this brief cover of a surefire, 1990s Jonathan Richman classic. “I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar”, updated for the 21^st century, kicks some serious ass!