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.
Stonehenge
Spinal Tap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hundreds of years before the dawn of history
Lived a strange race of people, the Druids
No one knows who they were or what they were doing
But their legacy remains
Hewn into the living rock, of Stonehenge
Where the banshees live and they do live well
Stonehenge! Where a man's a man
And the children dance to the Pipes of Pan
Hey!
Stonehenge! 'Tis a magic place
Where the moon doth rise with a dragon's face
Stonehenge! Where the virgins lie
And the prayers of devils fill the midnight sky
And you my love, won't you take my hand?
We'll go back in time to that mystic land
Where the dew drops cry and the cats meow
I will take you there, I will show you how
Oh!
And oh how they danced
The little children of Stonehenge
Beneath the haunted moon
For fear that daybreak might come too soon
And where are they now?
The little people of Stonehenge
And what would they say to us?
If we were here, tonight
The Spinal Tap song "Stonehenge" is a tribute to the ancient and mystical monument in Wiltshire, England. The lyrics reflect upon the mystery and magic of Stonehenge and the people who built it. The first verse sets the scene, describing the Druids as a strange and enigmatic race who lived long before recorded history. No one knows who they were or what they were doing, but Stonehenge remains as their enduring legacy.
The chorus of the song is a celebration of Stonehenge as a place of mystery, magic, and danger. It describes the demons and banshees that are said to inhabit the area, and the sense of primal power that can still be felt there. The lyrics also describe a time when Stonehenge was a gathering place for the ancient Celts, where men were men and children danced to the Pipes of Pan.
The final verse of the song is a romantic invitation to journey back to the days of Stonehenge, to a time when the virgins lay and the prayers of devils filled the midnight sky. The final lines of the song leave us with a haunting question about the little people of Stonehenge, and what they might say to us if we were there tonight.
Overall, "Stonehenge" is a celebration of mystery, power, and the enduring legacy of ancient peoples. It is a tribute to the majesty of Stonehenge and the enduring fascination that it holds for people around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
In ancient times,
Long ago, during an era before recorded history.
Hundreds of years before the dawn of history
Many years elapsed prior to the advent of recorded events.
Lived a strange race of people, the Druids
The Druids were an enigmatic culture of individuals from antiquity.
No one knows who they were or what they were doing
Nothing is known about their origins or activities.
But their legacy remains
Evidence of their existence and practices endure and can be observed.
Hewn into the living rock, of Stonehenge
Their architecture, comprising Stonehenge, was carved into the very Earth.
Stonehenge! Where the demons dwell
Stonehenge is perceived to be inhabited by malevolent spirits.
Where the banshees live and they do live well
Banshees, another mythic presence, are also said to inhabit Stonehenge and thrive.
Stonehenge! Where a man's a man
In Stonehenge one's masculinity is proven.
And the children dance to the Pipes of Pan
Youngsters joyously cavort to the music of magical instruments.
Stonehenge! 'Tis a magic place
Stonehenge is perceived as a wondrous, enchanted location.
Where the moon doth rise with a dragon's face
The moon appears conspicuously as a creature of myth at this site.
Stonehenge! Where the virgins lie
The site's otherworldly nature is further confirmed by vestal virgins that repose there.
And the prayers of devils fill the midnight sky
The Devil's supplication can be heard at the site in the dead of night.
And you my love, won't you take my hand?
O beloved, please accept my invitation to jointly explore the wonders of the Stonehenge
We'll go back in time to that mystic land
Together we'll travel back to the era of the Druids.
Where the dew drops cry and the cats meow
We will experience the supernatural and natural wonders of the ancient land.
I will take you there, I will show you how
I will guide you on this journey.
Oh!
Expressive exclamation of awe.
And oh how they danced
How merrily they moved about
The little children of Stonehenge
The small offspring of Stonehenge's inhabitants.
Beneath the haunted moon
While the apparition of a ghostly entity loomed overhead.
For fear that daybreak might come too soon
Their enjoyment of the evening was to such extent that they worried it would end prematurely.
And where are they now?
Where are the people of this once vibrant culture now?
The little people of Stonehenge
The small individuals that once called Stonehenge their home.
And what would they say to us?
What if they could speak to us in our present moment in time?
If we were here, tonight
If only they could see us now, in this moment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRIS GUEST, CHRISTOPHER GUEST, HARRY SHEARER, MICHAEL MC KEAN, ROB REINER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rorypreston7178
When I found out these actors were American my jaw dropped, as an Englishman I can tell you that these accents are not only 100% accurate, but 100% accurate to the 70s rock band english accent its actually mind blowing
@KaptainCanuck
Technically, by the book, they are English dialects because English is their (as in then actors AND the characters) native language.
@anonb4632
I'm Scottish (but lived in England for years)... I thought the same the first time I heard them
Yet... When I watch BBC Scotland's series "Shetland", nearly all the actors sound like they come from Glasgow.
@adventussaxonum448
Well, Nigel Tufnel is played by the Right Honourable Lord Haden- Guest, who has actually sat in the House of Lords. (This, presumably, would make Jamie Lee Curtis a titled Lady).
Whilst not necessarily preparing Christopher for a "mockney" accent, it does mean that this half-English actor would be far more attuned to a variety of English accents than most people born in New York.
I'm more impressed with Michael McKean - totally believable as David St.Hubbins, and a world away from Chuck McGill. 😄
@anonb4632
@@adventussaxonum448 I think Nige and Co. speak more Estuary English, not quite Cockney, not quite Essex Boy but a very light touch. There are people who sound like this... Notably the Kursaal Flyers from Southend on Sea, when they've been interviewed. They seem to have been an influence on Tap - they did a documentary and there are some resemblancea.
@adventussaxonum448
@@anonb4632
Yes, that's a good point. That's why I said "mockney" ... not really Cockney, but similar enough to an American audience.
@jeffkalmar7871
About 15 years ago the Irish band I was in performed this at a Renaissance Faire, complete with an 18" Stonehenge model and two dancing dwarves. One of my finer moments.
@ChuckstaGaming
lol, awesome!
@dizocilpine
Stonehenge, where a man's a man and the children dance to the pipes of pan.
@sophiew1967
😈🤘but did you have a girlfriend called Janine & a killer mullet hairdo?😂