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.
Destiny
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause its the pick! of Destiny, child
You know where we'll be rockin cause its fucking insane
Its just the pick! of Destiny, child
More precious than a diamond on a platinum chain
[Verse 1]
In Venice Beach there was a man named Kage
When he was buskin he was all the rage
All the techniques that were developed in Hell
Cock Push-ups and the Power Slide
Geek simulation now there's nowhere to hide
They formed a band they named Tenacious D
And then they got the Pick Of Destiny
[Chorus 2]
Cause its the pick! of Destiny, child
You know where we'll be rockin cause its freakin' insane
Its just the pick! of Destiny, child
Our tasty grooves are better than a Chicken Cho-mein
Cause he who is sleazy, is easy to pleasy
And she who is juicy, must be loosy goosy
And he who is groovy, will be in my movie so come on!
[Verse 2]
The wizard and the demon had a Battle Royale
The demon almost killed him with an evil ka-pow
But then it broke its tooth and thus the demon said "ow"
[Chorus 3]
Cause its the pick! of Destiny, child
You know where we'll be rockin cause its fucking insane
Cause its the pick! of destiny, child,
You know our movie's better than the Citizen Kane
Cause he who's a geezer, must live in my freezer
And she who is starky, is full of malarky
And he who is groovy, must be in my movie so come on!
(Guitar Solo)
Cause if your a diva, then go to Geneva
And if your a croney, then suck on my boney
And if you are groovy, then get in my movie
Its called the Pick of Destiny
The Pick of Destiny...!!!
The song 'Destiny' by Tenacious D is about the journey of two friends, Kage and Jables, who form a band named Tenacious D after Kage teaches Jables all the musical techniques that he had learned in Hell. The chorus talks about the Pick of Destiny that they acquire, which is more precious than a diamond on a platinum chain, and how they will be using it to rock the stage. The second verse talks about how the wizard and the demon had a battle, but the demon broke its tooth, and that's when the demon realizes the power of the Pick of Destiny.
The song is about following one's dreams and achieving success in the field they love. The messages conveyed in the lyrics are quite clear: if you have the right amount of passion and determination, success is bound to come your way. It also speaks about the power of the Pick of Destiny, which is a symbol of their success and all that they have achieved in their musical journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Cause its the pick! of Destiny, child
This one pick is what will make or break our destiny as musicians.
You know where we'll be rockin cause its fucking insane
We'll be performing in wild and crazy places.
More precious than a diamond on a platinum chain
The Pick of Destiny is worth more than any expensive piece of jewelry.
In Venice Beach there was a man named Kage
The story of Tenacious D begins in Venice Beach with a man called Kage.
When he was buskin he was all the rage
Kage was extremely popular when performing on the streets.
He met Jables and he taught him well
Kage met Jables and trained him to be a great musician.
All the techniques that were developed in Hell
The techniques Kage taught Jables were otherworldly and seemingly demonic.
They formed a band they named Tenacious D
Kage and Jables formed a band together and gave it the name Tenacious D.
And then they got the Pick Of Destiny
They acquired the magical Pick of Destiny.
Our tasty grooves are better than a Chicken Cho-mein
Our music is better than delicious Chinese food.
Cause he who is sleazy, is easy to pleasy
Sleazy people can be easily satisfied.
And she who is juicy, must be loosy goosy
Women who are attractive usually have loose morals.
And he who is groovy, will be in my movie so come on!
Those who are cool and interesting will be featured in our upcoming film.
The wizard and the demon had a Battle Royale
A powerful wizard and a demonic entity engaged in a fierce battle.
The demon almost killed him with an evil ka-pow
The demon nearly defeated the wizard with a powerful attack.
But then it broke its tooth and thus the demon said 'ow'
The demon was injured when its own attack backfired due to the wizard's magical power.
You know our movie's better than the Citizen Kane
Our movie will be much better than the classic Citizen Kane.
Cause he who's a geezer, must live in my freezer
Old people are unimportant to me and should be frozen and forgotten.
And she who is starky, is full of malarky
Women who are rude and sassy are usually liars.
Cause if your a diva, then go to Geneva
If you're too demanding and high maintenance, go live in Geneva.
And if your a croney, then suck on my boney
If you're a sycophantic follower, then leave me alone to play my music.
And if you are groovy, then get in my movie
If you're cool and interesting, you can be in our movie.
Its called the Pick of Destiny
The movie is named after the magical item that drives the plot.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THOMAS JACK BLACK, KYLE RICHARD GASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheOddGod
38 seconds of pure awesomeness. Painfully short.
꧁ꮪϙꮜꭺꭱꭼ ᴏⲛꭼ꧂
Wish it was full length
꧁ꮪϙꮜꭺꭱꭼ ᴏⲛꭼ꧂
Love that riff! Wish it was a whole song
flash2042
I fucking love this band. They are the best band, ever.....PERIOD!!
Joshua Smedley
correct 💯
giggitysk8ers
This would seriously be an amazing song if it were fucking longer
Nahli
He has a beautiful voice
Tiye Davis
I replayed this at least 300 times. no bullshit.
Steve Weiner
Jack Black has range.
TheQmasterTang
why didnt they make this into a whole song? it would have been great.