Here Come the 123s cover

Here Come the 123s

They Might Be Giants · 2008

45 min · 25 tracks · alternative rock

A playful blend of catchy melodies and quirky lyrics that engage children's imaginations while remaining clever for adult listeners.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Infinity Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Here Come the 123s — The title track establishes the album's playful tone with an infectious melody that introduces young listeners to counting through engaging rhythms.
  • →
    I Can Add — This track cleverly teaches basic addition concepts through a catchy chorus, exemplifying the band's ability to blend education with entertainment.
  • →
    Seven Days of the Week (I Never Go to Work) — With its upbeat tempo and humorous lyrics about daily life, this song captures the essence of childhood freedom while teaching days of the week.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends educational themes with clever lyrics and engaging melodies for a diverse audience.

What we noticed

  • The album features a recurring theme of numbers, with each track focusing on a different numerical concept or counting method.
  • Several tracks employ playful instrumentation, including xylophones and handclaps, to create an engaging sound for children.
  • The lyrics often include clever wordplay and humor that appeals to both children and adults, enhancing its educational value.
  • Tracks are relatively short, averaging around two minutes, which maintains the attention of younger listeners.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • playful, lighthearted listening experiences
  • short, engaging tracks for kids
  • educational themes with fun melodies
  • ideal for family sing-alongs
  • quick bursts of joyful energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Received a Grammy for Musical Album for Children, showcasing its significance.
Themes
playful education· colorful counting· quirky math lessons
Career context
Released on February 5, 2008, Here Come the 123s marked They Might Be Giants' return to children's music after their successful album No! in 2002. By this point, the band had solidified their reputation as pioneers in family-friendly alternative rock, using their unique style to appeal to both kids and adults alike.
Stylistic neighbors
The B-52's· Weezer· OK Go
New to They Might Be Giants? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • I Can Add

    The song features a playful repetition of simple addition problems set against a lively backdrop.

    This structure reinforces learning through repetition while maintaining engagement with its upbeat energy and whimsical delivery.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Here Come the 123s 0:08
  • 17 Infinity Start here 3:13

Disc 2

  • 1 Here Come the 123s 0:09
  • 2 Zeroes 1:06
  • 3 One Everything 2:52
  • 4 Number Two 2:19
  • 5 Triops Has Three Eyes 2:35
  • 6 Apartment Four 1:22
  • 7 High Five! 2:26
  • 8 The Secret Life of Six 2:01
  • 9 Seven 2:09
  • 10 Seven Days of the Week (I Never Go to Work) 1:53
  • 11 Figure Eight 2:36
  • 12 Pirate Girls Nine 1:21
  • 13 Nine Bowls of Soup 2:12
  • 14 Ten Mississippi 0:51
  • 15 One Dozen Monkeys 1:34
  • 16 Eight Hundred and Thirteen Mile Car Trip 0:57
  • 17 I Can Add 2:03
  • 18 Nonagon 1:35
  • 19 Even Numbers 2:35
  • 20 Ooh La! Ooh La! 1:56
  • 21 Heart of the Band 1:39
  • 22 Hot Dog! 2:28
  • 23 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme 1:00

What to play next

Here Comes Science
Listen next

Here Comes Science

2009

Continues the playful educational themes with a new focus on science.
Here Come the ABCs
Go back to

Here Come the ABCs

2005

Precedes it with a similar engaging and educational style for children.
Full They Might Be Giants discography Where to start with They Might Be Giants Artists like They Might Be Giants
alternative rock experimental rock indie rock

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata