Bobby (When People Were Shorter and Lived Near the Water album)

Bobby is the opening track on the They Might Be Giants album When People Were Shorter and Lived Near the Water, released in 1994. The song is characterized by its upbeat tempo, quirky lyrics, and prominent use of accordion. Lyrically, "Bobby" tells a fragmented and somewhat absurd story, referencing elements such as a "Bobby" character (though the details of who Bobby is are never explicitly stated), dreams, and fantastical scenarios. The overall meaning of the song is open to interpretation, as is common with much of They Might Be Giants' work, but it sets a tone of playful eccentricity for the rest of the album. The song's instrumentation and vocal delivery are typical of They Might Be Giants' style, blending unconventional sounds with catchy melodies.