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MGMT — Kids
Album: Time To Pretend
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 722









Released: 2008
Length: 5:26
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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You were a child crawling on your knees toward it
Making momma so proud but your voice was too loud
We liked to watch you laughing
You picked the insects off plants, no time to think of consequences

Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted

The water is warm but it's sending me shivers
A baby is born crying out for attention
The memories fade like looking through a fogged mirror
Decision to decisions are made and not bought
But I thought this wouldn't hurt a lot, I guess not

Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted

Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
Control yourself, take only what you need from it
A family of trees...
Comments (102)add comment
The cover image is actually for the single, "Time to Pretend", not the "Time to Pretend" EP which has this song, Kids, on it. 
Posted 3 weeks ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
This band is talented and creative. This song is none of those.

That nauseating synth line pervaded mainstream burn-rotation pop stations for years.  And now it's here.  Congratulations.
Posted 1 year ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:

It must be nice to live somewhere that has radio stations that play stuff like MGMT.  I might even listen.  Around here, all the stations play either country, rap, top 40 (which is about half rap anyway), and 80's hair metal with some modern rock mixed in.  I count myself lucky that we have a decent NPR station.  If not for satellite radio and RP, I'd be in musical hell.


Agree but minus satellite radio. I need the human touch 
Posted 1 year ago by rockroll360    [ Reply ]
 Steve wrote:
This is some genuine high quality "guilty pleasure" music.


This
Posted 1 year ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Trite
Posted 1 year ago by VV    [ Reply ]
Fun!
Posted 1 year ago by hightail    [ Reply ]
Something sounds off about the vocals in the "Kids" track that just played.  It sounds different, like the vocal channel is 20% louder and all the reverb that's usually in that channel is muted.  I also don't remember that synth instrumental.  Different version?  Or fake YouTube cover? (there's a ton of them on YouTube lately)
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
This is some genuine high quality "guilty pleasure" music.
Posted 1 year ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
How time flies!
Posted 2 years ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
I don't think it's a better version, but I was quite interested to hear it, so thanks :D
Posted 2 years ago by Aoxomoxoa    [ Reply ]
This early version is really different from the version that got all the airplay, and it's definitely lesser. It just isn't as brimming with energy. The bones are there, but the bridge is kinda meandering and the vocals aren't as strong, among other things. 

They were right to go back and do it again, honestly.
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
FIFA! :D
Posted 7 years ago by Gijåm    [ Reply ]
Repetitive — gong for the record for iterations of the same phrase — but fun anyway. 
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
THIS IS A SOLID 2
Posted 9 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
I rather hear this 1000 x more than The Smiths!
Posted 9 years ago by alvarorb    [ Reply ]
Stinky cheese.
Posted 9 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Nice version !
Posted 9 years ago by dlaumor    [ Reply ]
Huh. Never heard this version. Just slightly different from the one I'm used to. Not bad at all. 
Posted 9 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
This version is so much less appealing than the one that's get played on 'mainstream' radio. This won't get the party started.
Posted 11 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Pop?!
Posted 12 years ago by Crusy    [ Reply ]
 jnesser wrote:
Too much mainstream radio airplay. Very old. I would be happy if I never heard this song again!
 
It must be nice to live somewhere that has radio stations that play stuff like MGMT.  I might even listen.  Around here, all the stations play either country, rap, top 40 (which is about half rap anyway), and 80's hair metal with some modern rock mixed in.  I count myself lucky that we have a decent NPR station.  If not for satellite radio and RP, I'd be in musical hell.
Posted 12 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
Sounds to much like a 90's boy band 1
Posted 12 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
Like{#Roflol}

max_p wrote:
I like that it's not the airplay mix
 


Posted 12 years ago by rlr511    [ Reply ]
I like that it's not the airplay mix
Posted 12 years ago by max_p    [ Reply ]
love this group.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Too much mainstream radio airplay. Very old. I would be happy if I never heard this song again!
Posted 12 years ago by jnesser    [ Reply ]
Ich mochte ein eisbar sein     oooooo  eisbar     Grauzone
Posted 12 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 900notch wrote:
Please remove from regular rotation.

Thank you...
 
Yes! I agree with 900notch, put it into high rotation! No more apples in the vending machine!
Posted 12 years ago by luca77    [ Reply ]
I was going to serious pan this from the zam pop opening.
I thought this was LMFAO at first. Nope, MGMT. Now I know.
The chorus has legs and it . is . toe . tapping . Hard enough to admit. 
Posted 12 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
 soulcollision wrote:
MGMT!? Yes!
 
Yes indeed! I always assumed the Time to Pretend version of this song was the same as that on Oracular Spectacular (the album I have), so it's good to be proven wrong!

Posted 12 years ago by eruwenolorien    [ Reply ]
Gotta love their hommage to Van Vliet's Trout Mask Replica on the cover.
Posted 12 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote:

totally agree mr. gandalf bong.  with both of those statements.

 

"Mr. Gandalf Bong" Heh, that's by far the best nickname I've ever had... Plus I would totally love to have a gandalf bong, since we all know what 'pipe weed' really was.

Posted 12 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
Sounds great with headphones, has good effects and layers.
Posted 12 years ago by steventylersqa    [ Reply ]
MGMT!? Yes!
Posted 12 years ago by soulcollision    [ Reply ]
 900notch wrote:
Please remove from regular rotation.

Thank you...
 

Please don't.
Posted 12 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
 SantaFeGrace wrote:


{#No}
 
disagree

Posted 12 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
If I was sitting in a grungy bar, with Tom Waits leaning on the wall, the ZZ guys looking at me derisively and Keith Richards stumbling back from  the washroom, this'd be the barband. 
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
The music video kinda creeps me out. I think it's the Kiss-like makeup?

Posted 15 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
 900notch wrote:
Please remove from regular rotation.

Thank you...
 
Second that, sounds like worst Europop. Do not understand how this could get rating of 7.2. Repetive and boring.

Posted 15 years ago by mhodak    [ Reply ]
 900notch wrote:
Please remove from regular rotation.

Thank you...
 

{#No}
Posted 15 years ago by SantaFeGrace    [ Reply ]
Please remove from regular rotation.

Thank you...
Posted 15 years ago by 900notch    [ Reply ]
 Krispian wrote:
I heard an interesting "mashup" of this song, where they replaced the MGMT vocals with David Bowie's, a song (not a hit) from the Ziggy Stardust album. Bowie's vocals perfectly matched this song.
 
That I would love to hear. Where did you find it?
Posted 15 years ago by F1    [ Reply ]
It's like The Pet Shop Boys and Arcade Fire had a mutant child!
Posted 15 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
 Taraincognito wrote:

 
bump

Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Very few songs here make me want to get out my greatgrandfather's blunderbuss like this one.

Anyone got gunpowder?  Damn kids.
Posted 15 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
"Masters of CASIO 2009" winner? {#Think}
Posted 15 years ago by gumby    [ Reply ]
Hmmm.. annoyingly catchy is the best I can say about this

{#Daisy}
Posted 15 years ago by gardenercath    [ Reply ]
I'm with you on that. Maybe it's because people just can't resist something with the insipid catchiness of an advertising jingle .
 ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!

douzzer wrote:
I just *don't* get how this insipid, derivative track can possibly warrant a 7.3, or all these glowing comments!




Posted 15 years ago by rez    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote:
this reminds me of an NES theme song.  i think zelda 2. 

...that was definitely worth posting.
 
funny how a synth instrument can create such a strong association based solely on it's tone and texture, completely independent of melody or tempo, eh?

Posted 15 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 douzzer wrote:
I just *don't* get how this insipid, derivative track can possibly warrant a 7.3, or all these glowing comments!

 

Ditto
Posted 15 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
A cover of this song played on iPhone Apps at this years SXSW music festival:



Posted 15 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Heard this song last night in an episode of "Gossip Girl" (my wife watches it).
Posted 15 years ago by dnicholson6    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of the Cars.
Posted 15 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
I just *don't* get how this insipid, derivative track can possibly warrant a 7.3, or all these glowing comments!

Posted 15 years ago by douzzer    [ Reply ]
 hugrun_fjola wrote:
This is a different version than Im used to! Very cool... somehow softer, yet the same beat... more 80's.
LIKE LIKE!!
 

it's actually not really from the 80's. The young performers probably were conceived during the 80's.
Posted 15 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Uploaded this one ;) ...I love it.
Posted 15 years ago by Austin    [ Reply ]
This is a different version than Im used to! Very cool... somehow softer, yet the same beat... more 80's.
LIKE LIKE!!
Posted 15 years ago by hugrun_fjola    [ Reply ]
 Steve wrote:
Can't. Stop. Toe. Tapping.
 

{#Lol}    {#Yes}
Posted 15 years ago by SantaFeGrace    [ Reply ]
Can't. Stop. Toe. Tapping.
Posted 15 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
 Whirlpool wrote:
Great song. But why reject Time To Pretend?
 
Really.
Probably because it was my upload. {#Mrgreen}

Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 element1 wrote:

Of course I love this track, but I'm unclear as to why Bill is picking it up well over a year after it was popular everywhere else, and putting it in heavy rotation.
 
Better late than never;  I myself just discovered this excellent album about a month or two ago after it appeared on the Best of 2008 lists.

Posted 15 years ago by cmrump    [ Reply ]
 gandalfbmg wrote:


You MAY be right... like when you're in a 'side scroll' battle area?

That was maybe the worst Zelda game... gack...
 
totally agree mr. gandalf bong.  with both of those statements.

Posted 15 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote:
this reminds me of an NES theme song.  i think zelda 2. 

...that was definitely worth posting.

My own kids tell me this in an episode of "Chowder" on Cartoon Network.  Very addictive.


Posted 15 years ago by cmrump    [ Reply ]
This song makes me want to do the robot. But I'm sure my co-workers would think I look a bit strange. Oh well.  Here I go.....
Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]

If you enjoy the song there is a remix using Bowie lyrics that is interesting
https://ziggyremixed.com/


Posted 15 years ago by 2k1sedan    [ Reply ]
catchy, up-beat... perfect cleaning music...
Posted 15 years ago by arandomvandal    [ Reply ]
Tedious melody. Tedious melody. Tedious melody. Tedious melody. Tedious melody.
Posted 15 years ago by ERERER    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote:
this reminds me of an NES theme song.  i think zelda 2. 

...that was definitely worth posting.
 

You MAY be right... like when you're in a 'side scroll' battle area?

That was maybe the worst Zelda game... gack...
Posted 15 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
I heard an interesting "mashup" of this song, where they replaced the MGMT vocals with David Bowie's, a song (not a hit) from the Ziggy Stardust album. Bowie's vocals perfectly matched this song.
Posted 15 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
Annoying.
Posted 15 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]

Of course I love this track, but I'm unclear as to why Bill is picking it up well over a year after it was popular everywhere else, and putting it in heavy rotation.
Posted 15 years ago by element1    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by Taraincognito    [ Reply ]
this reminds me of an NES theme song.  i think zelda 2. 

...that was definitely worth posting.
Posted 15 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
Bibbidy ribbidy doo bop bee boop bee!
Posted 15 years ago by mybaldbird    [ Reply ]
Anyone know what this song is supposed to be about?

—

(Chorus)

Control yourself
Take only what you need from him
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
Control yourself

—

huh?

Otherwise, great song!


Posted 15 years ago by phouka123    [ Reply ]
Wish I could get this much out of my Casio keyboard!

 
Posted 15 years ago by mattt    [ Reply ]
Starting it at 7 for a first listen; good chance of increase, looking forward to hearing more from MGMT.
Posted 15 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
The local radio station plays this song twice an hour. I am already tired of it.
Posted 15 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
MGMT on RP? Awesome!
Posted 15 years ago by jahroots    [ Reply ]
clearly the BEST band of 2008..........!
Posted 15 years ago by VicEdee    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:

Thanks for the info. Interesting, but I think I prefer the album version.

 
agreed, this one was probably recorded in a dorm room.

Posted 15 years ago by fadedsignal    [ Reply ]
Someone gave me what I assume is a newer cd, and I really like it!
Posted 15 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
This is quite good, not quite an 8
Posted 15 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]

Cars-like.  I love the synth pump... thick as mud and yet more pleasant.


Posted 15 years ago by greyfin10    [ Reply ]
Great song. But why reject Time To Pretend?
Posted 15 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

Love the Management!


"Time To Pretend" would be nice also.
 

Electric Feel would be nice as well..
Posted 15 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
 fadedsignal wrote:

This is the original EP, prior to being produced by Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Tapes N' Tapes)

 
Thanks for the info. Interesting, but I think I prefer the album version.

Posted 15 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
i want the cd version, more MGMT!more new music bill!{#Wave}
Posted 15 years ago by fantomas    [ Reply ]
Digging on this tune!!!
Posted 15 years ago by agnes    [ Reply ]
Great song from a band that has recently really been growing on me.
Posted 15 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]

Love the Management!


"Time To Pretend" would be nice also.
Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:
This sounds different from the version on the cd - different artwork too. Anyone know where this is from?
 
This is the original EP, prior to being produced by Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Tapes N' Tapes)

Posted 15 years ago by fadedsignal    [ Reply ]
CAPT BEEFHEART INSPIRED ARTWORK
TROUTMASK

KIDS DO THEIR HOMEWORK
Posted 15 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
Decent, but I expect this ditty to get old quickly.

{#Ask}
Posted 15 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
It's amazing how poor this version is compared to the version sprinkled with Dave Fridmann's love.

Posted 15 years ago by fadedsignal    [ Reply ]
I'm digging on the MGMT. They've got a super funky thing going on. I don't know if the appeal will last, but my philosophy is enjoy it while it does!
Posted 15 years ago by JavaJones    [ Reply ]
This sounds different from the version on the cd - different artwork too. Anyone know where this is from?
Posted 15 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
it's about time Bill plays MGMT, Oracle Spectacular is great!
Posted 15 years ago by Dancing_banana    [ Reply ]
I really dig this song!
Posted 15 years ago by JonnyNismo    [ Reply ]
This is one of those tunes that I like but I'm not sure why.
Posted 15 years ago by Holzfaller    [ Reply ]
This is the number one "wake up" song right now. Puts you in a great morning mood.

Posted 15 years ago by ladymix    [ Reply ]
First one! First one! Great groove!
Posted 15 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]