Could you tell me the etymology of the songs on MMMM?
All the songs on Marvin’s except for Haiku are redone versions of older songs. Here’s the etymology of Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum’s tunes:
Good Day:
Written in 2003, Good Day was first included on the EP Party Boobytrap. It would later appear on 2004’s Complete Demos mostly unmodified. For Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in 2005, the instrumentation would be much more fleshed out. The reissue of Marvin’s in 2008 includes newly recorded drums (like every track on the reissue) and more backing vocals, as well as a re-recorded “I thought you knew” section.
Greener:
Another track from Party Boobytrap and Complete Demos, the demo included a bridge that would later be removed for Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum.
Welcome To Tally Hall:
Welcome To Tally Hall was first recorded during an early rehearsal sometime in either 2003 or 2004. This version’s lyrics listed the band by name instead of tie color, including former drummer Steve Gallagher. It would later be recorded for the titular Welcome To Tally Hall EP with more fleshed out lyrics and a “brass jamboree” on the bridge. Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum includes a new intro and outro, with a bit of chiptune by Bora Karaca.
Taken for a Ride:
Taken for a Ride was one of the “new” songs in 2005, first being included on The Pingry EP. Pingry’s version had Zubin Joe and Rob on vocals, without any synthesizer on them. The recording on M.M.M.M. is a lot more fleshed out instrumentally and Andrew finally takes up lead vocals duties. The Atlantic Records re-record would change the synthesizer on his vocals, making it much easier to hear him.
The Bidding:
The first track on The Pingry EP, The Bidding was performed much faster than the 2008 re-recording. It’s introduction hums were originally meant for Spring and a Storm.
Be Born:
Originally a Pingry EP track, it featured only melodica, guitar, and vocals. Minor lyrical changes and violin by Jeremy Kittel would be added in the transition to Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. 2008 has little changes in comparison to 2005.
Banana Man:
Banana Man was first recorded in November 2003, however it wouldn’t make it to an album until 2004’s Complete Demos. This recording has a unique extended whistle bridge, which was shortened for Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. M.M.M.M. 2008 would bring both re-records of parts and mixing differences.
Just Apathy:
A old track of Rob’s, being played in live shows circa 2002. Just Apathy would be recorded properly for the Welcome To Tally Hall EP, then M.M.M.M with both lyrical changes (the removal of a curse word in the first verse) and new orchestra parts. 2008 M.M.M.M. would omit the intro and is one of two tracks on the reissue to be completely re-recorded.
Spring and a Storm:
Spring and a Storm was originally demoed with Ryan Scott, comprised of mostly non-sense lyrics and basic instrumentation. In a 2005 demo released on Broadjam and Indie911, it would be fleshed out much more and sounds very close to the 2005 studio version on M.M.M.M. The bridge would be re-written partially because Joe thought it was “too specific”.
Two Wuv:
Originally from the Welcome to Tally Hall EP and later included on “Complete Demos. The telephone call verse was completely different, showing Zubin and Andrew thinking about what they’d do once they find the Olsen twins. Apart from this, and orchestration, the Marvin’s version differs very little.
Haiku:
The only track on Marvin’s that was never demoed or recorded before the album’s release publically. It’s possible they played it live before the album’s recording sessions but there is no evidence to back this up.
The Whole World and You:
The Whole World and You was originally a Toy Orchestra song, a project by Andrew Horowitz featuring members of Tally Hall. The Whole World and You would later be taken up by Tally Hall and early Tally Hall performances only included Rob Andrew and Zubin on vocals. The recording on Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum instead features Andrew on lead vocals, with a lot of backing vocals accompanying the latter half of the song. Despite all these changes, the misspelling of “stories”, “sotries”, would always remain since its misspelling on a lyrics sheet.
Ruler of Everything:
One of their first original tracks on Party Boobytrap, it originally included a second verse before “do you like how I dance”. A newer version was released on certain websites in 2005 with a couple mixing changes and newly recorded elements. 2005 M.M.M.M. brought the “In the gallows” verse and, in turn, removed the “Number your thumb” verse. The orchestration of this song was completely different, and one of the overdubs from the newer remix would be turned into the unlisted transition track “13”. 2008 M.M.M.M.’s version is a bit lower pitched and has mixing differences.
Hidden in the Sand:
A secret track on Complete Demos, Welcome To Tally Hall EP, and M.M.M.M., the demo and studio versions are pretty close to each other. The studio version has some ocean ambiance added and a reversed quote from Marvelous Marvin Yagoda himself after the track finishes.
Last Updated: 4/7/22 by Hailey