Meet James Ensor
They Might Be Giants · A User's Guide to They Might Be Giants [2005]
Belgium's famous painter
Dig him up and shake his hand
Appreciate the man
Before there were junk stores
Before there was junk
He lived with his mother and the torments of Christ
The world was transformed
A crowd gathered round
Pressed against his window so they could be the first
To meet James Ensor
Belgium's famous painter
Raise a glass and sit and stare
Understand the man
He lost all his friends
He didn't need his friends
He lived with his mother and repeated himself
The world has forgotten
The world moved along
The crowd at his window went back to their homes
Meet James Ensor
Meet James Ensor
Belgium's famous painter
Dig him up and shake his hand
Appreciate the man
Meet James Ensor - They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants' 2005 album A User's Guide to They Might Be Giants features the whimsical track Meet James Ensor, a standout example of the band's signature blend of surrealism and pop sensibility. The song pays homage to the Belgian artist James Ensor, known for his grotesque yet humorous depictions of human folly, mirroring the band's own tendency to juxtapose the mundane with the bizarre. Produced with the band's characteristic intricate arrangements and vocal harmonies, the recording showcases their ability to transform historical references into accessible, catchy music. This piece remains a quintessential example of the group's eclectic style, which has consistently challenged conventional songwriting structures while maintaining a distinctively humanistic and often self-deprecating tone.