Quotation from the TMBG FAQ, maintained by John Relph <relph@engr.sgi.com>.

38. Is the song "We're the Replacements" a mockery or a tribute?

A tribute to a band that mocked themselves.

Jeffrey Chen <a540jef@pic.ucla.edu> writes:

They Might Be Giants' song "We're the Replacements" is a parody of the lifestyle of The Replacements based on their public reputation, and that it was unknown whether the Johns revered them or is just making fun of them. I could be wrong.

Koenig Feurio <payn@chaph.usc.edu> writes:

Personally, I believe that the song is both a tribute and a parody. I have no quotes from John or John to back this up, but I have quotes from Slim and Tommy of the 'Mats:

Me: "Have you guys heard the They Might Be--"
Tommy: "Yeah, I heard that, it was pretty funny."
Slim: "What? What are you talking about?"
Tommy: "They Might Be Giants, their song about us."
Me: "'Hey where's Tommy, someone find Tommy.'"
Tommy: "Yeah, it's pretty funny."
Slim: "Is it supposed to be an insult?"
Tommy: "I think it's more like 'Alex Chilton.' Kinda both."

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