Don't Let's Start (EP)

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Not to be confused with Don't Let's Start (Album), a collection of B-sides.
Don't Let's Start ep cover
Don't Let's Start
EP by They Might Be Giants
First released November 2, 1987
Release details / collectors: Show | Hide
Tracks 4
Label Bar/None <AHAON-004> Length 7:38

Initial release[edit]

Don't Let's Start was released as a maxi-single from They Might Be Giants in 1987 through Bar/None, and later Restless Records, with distribution initially handled by ESD.

The cover art for this release was created by Mark Mazut, inspired by the snowman illustration from an an educational children's book included in the liner notes of They Might Be Giants. The photograph on the back of the vinyl release and the front of the CD release of the EP was taken at a 1986 show at CBGB's and features part of an unusual stage prop created for the Johns by Barbara Lipp.

In 2019, the maxi-single was reissued though TMBG's own label, Idlewild Recordings, for Record Store Day. The reissue features the same art (in a green color variation) and track listing. The songs were remastered by UE Nastasi, who has mastered several contemporary TMBG reissues.

Purchase[edit]

Seller Format Price Link
Download Purchase

Vinyl Purchase

Track listing[edit]

# Title Length  Lyrics Guitar Tab
1 Don't Let's Start (Single Mix) 2:35 
2 We're The Replacements 1:55 
3 When It Rains It Snows 1:36 
4 The Famous Polka 1:32 

Trivia[edit]

  • The CD single was issued on a 3" disc instead of a standard 5" disc. This was a short-lived convention for CD singles that began in the mid-1980s.
  • On the vinyl release, the catalogue number stamped in the lead-out groove is accompanied by the number for Dial-A-Song.

Gallery[edit]

Australian 7"[edit]

Don't Let's Start single cover
Don't Let's Start
Single by They Might Be Giants
First released July 4, 1988
Release details / collectors: Show | Hide
Tracks 2
Label Rough Trade <651693 7> Length 4:25
Back

Track listing[edit]

# Title Length  Lyrics Guitar Tab
1 Don't Let's Start (Single Mix) 2:35 
2 We're The Replacements 1:50 

Elektra reissues[edit]

EU 12" / CD single[edit]

Don't Let's Start ep cover
Don't Let's Start
EP by They Might Be Giants
First released 1990
Release details / collectors: Show | Hide
Tracks 4
Label Elektra <EKR 115> Length 11:40

This reissue was released in 1990 and featured completely different B-sides in order to promote Flood. The cover artwork prominently features the robot Metal Mickey from the 1980s UK television show of the same name.

Track listing[edit]

# Title Length  Lyrics Guitar Tab
1 Don't Let's Start (Single Mix) 2:35 
2 Your Racist Friend (Sampladelic Remix) 3:50  N/A
3 She's An Angel 2:37 
4 Absolutely Bill's Mood 2:38 


UK 7" single[edit]

Don't Let's Start single cover
Don't Let's Start
Single by They Might Be Giants
First released 1990
Release details / collectors: Show | Hide
Tracks 3
Label Elektra <EKR 115> Length 5:36
Back

Track listing[edit]

# Title Length  Lyrics Guitar Tab
1 Don't Let's Start (Single Mix) 2:35 
2 Letterbox 1:25 
3 Sapphire Bullets Of Pure Love 1:36 

UK 10" single[edit]

Don't Let's Start single cover
Don't Let's Start
Single by They Might Be Giants
First released 1990
Release details / collectors: Show | Hide
Tracks 3
Label Elektra <EKR 115TE> Length 11:37


Track listing[edit]

# Title Length  Lyrics Guitar Tab
1 Don't Let's Start (Single Mix) 2:35 
2 Your Racist Friend (Sampladelic Remix) 3:50  N/A
3 Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (Brownsville Mix) 5:12  N/A

Trivia[edit]

  • This is the only TMBG release on 10" vinyl.