The band is a strong satire of the 70s and 80s heavy metal genre and scene, and their music reflects that, with blaring guitars, high vocals, and ridiculous lyrical themes, all of which take the stereotypes of the genre and exaggerate them to comedic extremes.
The first album of the band was a collection of songs made for the film, many of which were featured in the film itself. Their second album (Break Like The Wind) followed many years later, but was greeted with less enthusiasm, partially because people simply weren't interested in the band beyond their characters in the film, and partially because the heavy metal scene had already been killed by grunge by the time of the album's release. A third album, Back from the Dead, was released in 2009.
All three members of the band have continued to pursue their separate careers in film and television.
The first album (This is Spinal Tap) has a pure black cover, in reference to the movie, in which their latest album is forced to have a pure black cover ("none more black"). However, in the movie, the album is called "Smell the Glove," not "This is Spinal Tap."
Spın̈al Tap are played by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer. The three also play a folk group called The Folksmen in the film A Mighty Wind.
Spın̈al Tap have appeared in The Simpsons when Homer takes Bart and Milhouse to one of their gigs.
They recently made a 'comeback' appearance at LiveEarth at Wembley in 2007, and appeared on the Main Stage at Glastonbury 2009.
Back From The Dead
Spinal Tap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Climbing from the coffin
We don't come here often
Or so it is said
We're back from the grave
Recovered from our coma
More body than aroma
Watch our hearts pump as we go back into action (go!)
Giving satisfaction and getting some too
Hear our blood roar as we roll a lucky seven
From hell or from heaven, we're past but we're due
(But we're due but we're due but we're due)
We're back from the dead
Putting up resistance
Clinging to existence
And ready for bed
We're out of the shroud
An end to the becalming
Reversing the embalming
And back with our crowd
Nothing's more fun than flipping off the reaper (no!)
We're back on our beeper heading straight for the top
It's not so hard to avoid a mid-death crisis
No coffee, no spices, but rock 'till you drop
('Til you drop, 'til you drop, til you drop)
We're back and we're glad
Nothing ever stops us
We're our own synopsis
And here to be had
We're back from the dead
And this time we're not stopping
We've brought some corn for popping
And we're banging your head
Better off dead, still better off living (yeah!)
The gift keeps on giving and it's taking no more
No time like the past, no rhyme like the present
The first shall be last, and we're slamming death's door
(-ming death's door, -ming death's door, -ming death's door)
The song "Back From The Dead" by Spinal Tap is an anthem about the band's resilience and determination to keep on rocking despite the challenges they have faced, including falling into a coma, dying, and being buried in a coffin. The first verse talks about the band's unusual appearance after their resurrection, with more body than aroma, and suggests that they don't come back to life often, hinting at the supernatural nature of their return. The chorus celebrates their renewed energy and lust for life, as they give and receive satisfaction from their music and feel alive again after being dead. The second verse reinforces the idea that the band is ready to keep going and that they have faced and overcome death, reversing the embalming and escaping the shroud.
The bridge of the song is especially poignant, as it speaks directly to the band's fans and to anyone who has ever faced a near-death experience or a mid-life crisis. The lyrics suggest that it's not so hard to avoid feeling old or tired if you stay true to your passion and do what you love. The repetition of the phrase "til you drop" at the end of each line emphasizes the band's commitment to their own brand of rock 'n' roll and suggests a connection between living life to the fullest and being willing to go all the way until the end.
Overall, "Back From The Dead" is a triumphant and over-the-top celebration of rock music and the spirit of the band. It's a song that speaks to anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world or has faced great adversity and come out stronger on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
We're back from the dead
We have returned to life from the state of being dead
Climbing from the coffin
We have emerged from a coffin or coffin-like structure
We don't come here often
It's not common for us to visit this place, possibly the afterlife or a place associated with death
Or so it is said
This is a statement that is rumored or believed to be true
We're back from the grave
We have returned to life from being buried in a grave
Recovered from our coma
We have regained consciousness after being in a coma
More body than aroma
We have a substantial physical presence, but do not have a strong or distinct smell
It's life that we crave.
We have a strong desire for life and everything it has to offer
Watch our hearts pump as we go back into action (go!)
Our hearts are beating rapidly as we become active again
Giving satisfaction and getting some too
We are satisfying ourselves and others with our actions
Hear our blood roar as we roll a lucky seven
Our blood is pumping hard and we are feeling lucky and invincible
From hell or from heaven, we're past but we're due
We have come back from the afterlife, whether it be heaven or hell, and we are overdue for life
(But we're due but we're due but we're due)
This is a repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the idea that we are overdue for life
Putting up resistance
We are fighting against something, possibly death or other obstacles
Clinging to existence
We are holding on to life with determination
And ready for bed
We are exhausted and ready for rest
We're out of the shroud
We have escaped from the burial shroud or covering
An end to the becalming
We are no longer trapped in a state of calmness or inactivity
Reversing the embalming
We are undoing the process of being embalmed for burial
And back with our crowd
We have returned to the group of people that we associate with
Nothing's more fun than flipping off the reaper (no!)
There's no greater satisfaction than to mock or defy death
We're back on our beeper heading straight for the top
We are alive and aiming for success with full force
It's not so hard to avoid a mid-death crisis
It's relatively easy to ignore the psychological effects of being close to death
No coffee, no spices, but rock 'till you drop
We don't need caffeine or other stimulants to keep us going, we just play rock music until we are exhausted
('Til you drop, 'til you drop, til you drop)
This is a repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the idea that we are playing rock music until we're completely worn out
We're back and we're glad
We have come back to life and we are happy about it
Nothing ever stops us
We are unstoppable and nothing can keep us down
We're our own synopsis
We are the summary or epitome of ourselves and our past experiences
And here to be had
We are present and available for whatever comes our way
And this time we're not stopping
We are not going to stop or slow down this time around
We've brought some corn for popping
We have brought some fun, entertaining things to enjoy
And we're banging your head
We are playing loud rock music that makes you want to headbang
Better off dead, still better off living (yeah!)
We are suggesting that it's better to be alive, even if life is difficult or challenging
The gift keeps on giving and it's taking no more
Life is a gift that keeps on giving, but it's not taking anything from us
No time like the past, no rhyme like the present
The past is gone, so there's no time like it, but the present is also special and deserves our attention
The first shall be last, and we're slamming death's door
Those who seem to be ahead will eventually fall to the back, and we are confidently facing death without fear
(-ming death's door, -ming death's door, -ming death's door)
This is a repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the idea that we are not afraid of death and are actively confronting it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, MUSIC ASSET MANAGEMENT (MAM)
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GUEST, HARRY SHEARER, JEFFREY LYNN VANSTON, MICHAEL MCKEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GodInTheMachine
Nigel's research has led him to the conclusion that jazz is based on fear
@Zippy994
LOL!!!
@CaptainG23
Duh!
@ourcorrectopinions6824
I'm a jazz musician but their ripping on jazz had me dying. It was hilarious. "Jazz is a mistake" "they teach it in schools!" "Miles... Davis? what's he doing?"
@thatboybear
I can’t decide if it’s more impressive or terrifying how effortless this is. This is the absolute pinnacle of improv. It’s the kind of genius you don’t even aspire to; you just imbibe and enjoy.
@TraustiLaufdal
So true
@waynej2608
I know that it didn't make my ears bleed. And I had it turned up to eleven. 😎👍
@vincegiambattista6022
the comedic timing is next level
@thatboybear
@@vincegiambattista6022 from the movie “Yeah, but ours go to 11.”
Absolute gold.
@romankrhounek5974
I didn't know the whole movie wasn't scripted now it all makes sense