Tenacious D's music showcases Black's theatrical vocal delivery and Gass' acoustic guitar playing abilities. Their songs discuss the duo's purported musical and sexual prowess, as well as their friendship and cannabis usage. Their debut self-titled album features absurd and humorous sketches. Music critics have compared the storyteller-style lyrics of their songs to lyrics of rock opera. In addition, they have since recorded two albums, and starred in their own movie, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.
Black and Gass, at the time respectively aged 16 and 24, met in Edinburgh, Scotland during the Edinburgh Fringe of 1989. Both were members of the Los Angeles-based theatre troupe, The Actors' Gang which was performing Tim Robbins and Adam Simon's play Carnage. Initially Black and Gass did not get on as Gass felt threatened by Black - as he was the main musician for the Actor's gang - but they eventually worked out their differences, and agreed to form a band. Gass taught Black to play guitar, in exchange for Black's helping him with his acting.
Initially, Black and Kyle covered songs by Bobby McFerrin. Later they chose the name "Tenacious D" - a name derived from a term used by sports commentator Marv Albert about the tenacious defense of the NBA's New York Knicks - decided by the audience of the band's first live show, in 1994 at the now defunct Al's Bar. Other possibilities had included "Pets or Meat", "Balboa’s Biblical Theatre" and "The Axe Lords Featuring Gorgazon’s Mischief", which Gass described as being his personal favorite. In attendance was David Cross who later cast Tenacious D in his sketch comedy television series, Mr. Show.
TV series:
David Cross, with the writer Bob Odenkirk from Mr Show, continued his involvement with Tenacious D by producing three half-hour shows based on the band. The series, entitled Tenacious D, premiered in 1997, immediately following an episode of Mr. Show. While a total of three episodes consisting of two shorts, ten to twelve minutes in length, were produced, only the first was aired that year; the final two episodes did not air until the summer of 2000. The series was canceled after, according to Gass, HBO offered Tenacious D ten episodes, but in doing so, they would have to relinquish their role as executive producers. Gass and Black decided to make a movie instead. Many songs that eventually were included on the band's first album were first featured on the show, though the episodes also contain songs that remain unreleased.
The six shorts were titled "The Search for Inspirado", "Angel in Disguise", "Death of a Dream", "The Greatest Song in the World", "The Fan", and "Road Gig". After the series aired, the band continued to perform. At a show at the Viper Room in Los Angeles, they met Dave Grohl, who remarked that he was impressed with their performance; this led to their cameo in the Foo Fighters' "Learn to Fly" music video. The popularity of Tenacious D further increased as they began to open for high profile acts, including Beck, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters.
Lyrics and themes:
The Devil CardSatire and comedy are a major aspect of Tenacious D's lyrical content. Gass said of their approach: "I'd love to do the straight music thing, but that's kind of against our mission, which is to rebel against the serious singer-songwriter mentality." Their songs evoke heavy metal clichés of bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. In particular, the song "Dio" pokes fun at the idea of a torch being passed "Now it's time for him to pass the torch" Songs like "Friendship" parody the lack of real friendship in rock groups with the lyric "As long as there's a record deal, we'll always be friends" Other songs cover the topic of sex; "Kielbasa" discusses anal sex, while "Double Team" boasts of the duos sexual prowess. Tenacious D also employs the technique of deliberate backmasking on "Karate", a technique synonymous with bands like Slayer, who recorded a message in Hell Awaits.. The band's imagery also continues the theme of evil. The front cover of Tenacious D features Black and Gass standing naked below the Devil. Black described it as he and Gass being "schooled by Satan". The pose is similar to that shown on the Devil tarot card. The Devil card signifies sexual desire, uncontrolled energy, vice and addiction.
Tenacious D's music has been criticized for its frequent use of profanity. In addition, other critics have described the band as having exhausted the joke of "cock rock".
Influences:
Black has said that the first song he enjoyed was ABBA's "Take a Chance on Me". He attributes influences from Dio, Black Sabbath, Meat Loaf and Bobby McFerrin. Gass describes their influences as being derived from "big dinosaurs of rock" such as Led Zeppelin. In addition, Gass lists his influences as being Tom Waits, Tony Hawk and Tony Robbins. The band claimed that the inspiration for the song "Tribute" came after Black played Metallica's "One" for Gass, describing it as "the best song in the world", leading to a failed attempt to themselves write an even better song.
Gass has described Tenacious D's comic assertion that they are the best band as being "ridiculous because it's a matter of opinion". Black characterizes Tenacious D's comic nature as an antidote to "the masculinity of rock", adding "There's also something funny about the macho-ness of rock. Like the bands that are the fucking hardest rocking are like, 'We'll fucking kick your ass, dude... with our rock.'"
Tenacious D is featured in the highly anticipated video game "Guitar Hero III". `The Metal' is prominently featured in the game's trailer released at E3 2007.
Tenacious D also did backing vocals on the Styx song "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye". It can be found on the album "Cyclorama" from 2003.
They were included in Rock Band 2 with their song "Master Exploder".
In October of 2009 Jack Black starred as roadie Eddie Riggs in the open world video game Brütal Legend by Double Fine Productions on the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3.
Car Chase City
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was all proven, it was totally lame,
KG really fucking, blew us some ass,
Now we're fucking headed for a total collapse!
Car chase city, roll away from a bus!
Though that we wasn't, but we totally was!
Car chase city, now I'm takin' a crap!
Now it's getting hairy so we're changin' the key.
Never underestimate the power of E!
KG fuckin' put his foot on the gas,
If I go to prison I've the Pick in my ass!
Fuck this shit, it's gone too far!
Kage pulled up at the end of the car!
Car chase city, now we're taking the lane!
KG blew it, now we're goin insane!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Let them try to fill up the hole!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Car chase city patrol!
Car chase city!
Car chase city!
Car chase city!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Car chase city patrol!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Just a fucking Rigmarole!
Piss!
Speed!
Tremble!
Oh!
Gas!
Brakes!
The spinning donut!
So spin it, go Kyle!
S'broke!
Flip it!
Gas!
Nitro!
Go!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Car chase city patrol!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Just a fucking Rigmarole!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Car chase city patrol!
Let's rock!
Let's roll!
Rockin' was the ulti-mofo!
Car chase city!
Car chase city!
Car chase city!
Car chase city!
"Hey guys, you're running a little late.
There's one spot left. You got any new material?"
"What we got's gonna turn your brain to shit."
"Dust off the stage, open mic host. Step aside."
In "Car Chase City" by Tenacious D, the lyrics describe the band's adventures on a wild car chase. These events are recounted with a sense of humor, using exaggerated descriptions and absurd situations. The song is full of energy and defiance, as the band members revel in their wild ride and refuse to back down, even when things seem out of control. The lyrics emphasize the power of music and the thrill of letting go, as the band races through the streets, slipping and sliding on the asphalt.
At the start of the song, the band is in a state of frustration and boredom, until KG blows them away with some exciting music. This inspires them to hit the road and engage in a high-speed chase, dodging buses and taking crazy risks. The lyrics use a mix of playful puns and coarse language, with a touch of rebelliousness and a hint of danger.
Overall, "Car Chase City" is a fun, fast-paced song that embodies the free-spirited and slightly outrageous nature of Tenacious D's music.
Line by Line Meaning
Car chase city, that's the name of my game.
I am in pursuit of someone and it's like a game. My aim is to chase down the person.
It was all proven, it was totally lame,
The outcome of my pursuit was already predictable and turned out to be boring.
KG really fucking, blew us some ass,
KG made a major mistake that caused our pursuit to become difficult.
Now we're fucking headed for a total collapse!
The situation is getting worse and we are on the verge of a disaster.
Car chase city, roll away from a bus!
We are trying to avoid a collision with a bus while we are in the pursuit of someone.
Though that we wasn't, but we totally was!
We pretend that we are not involved in a chase, but actually we are.
Car chase city, now we're off on the map!
We are going off-road on the map to catch the person we are pursuing.
Car chase city, now I'm takin' a crap!
I need to take a break to relieve myself during the chase.
Now it's getting hairy so we're changin' the key.
The situation is becoming dangerous and we need to change our plan of action.
Never underestimate the power of E!
We should not ignore the power of a certain key or musical tone, as it could help us in the pursuit.
KG fuckin' put his foot on the gas,
KG stepped on the accelerator pedal to increase speed.
If I go to prison I've the Pick in my ass!
If I get arrested, I have a tool hidden in my rectum that could help me escape prison.
Fuck this shit, it's gone too far!
The situation has become too crazy and we need to change our approach.
Kage pulled up at the end of the car!
Kage stopped the car at the end of the pursuit.
Car chase city, now we're taking the lane!
We are now driving in the center lane of the road to avoid traffic during the pursuit.
KG blew it, now we're goin insane!
KG made another mistake and now we are losing our minds because of it.
Let's rock!
Let's get pumped up and ready to take action.
Let's roll!
Let's get moving and continue the chase.
Let them try to fill up the hole!
We challenge our opponents to try and escape our pursuit.
Car chase city patrol!
We are like a police unit that operates in a city and pursues criminals.
Just a fucking Rigmarole!
The situation is becoming more and more complex as we continue the pursuit.
Tremble!
We are trembling with excitement and anticipation.
Oh!
A sudden surprise or realization hits us.
Nitro!
We use a nitrous oxide system to boost our car's speed during the pursuit.
Go!
Let's take action and continue the chase with full force.
Car chase city!
We are in a city and pursuing someone in a car.
Hey guys, you're running a little late. There's one spot left. You got any new material?
We are performing in a show or competition and the host is asking us to present something new and original.
What we got's gonna turn your brain to shit.
Our performance is going to be so amazing that it will blow your mind.
Dust off the stage, open mic host. Step aside.
We are so confident in our performance that we are telling the host to move aside and let us take the stage.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Thomas Jack Black, Kyle Richard Gass, John Robert King, John S Konesky, John Spiker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind