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.
POD
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of Destiny child,
You know we will be rockin' cause it's fucking insane!
It's just the Pick!
Of Destiny child,
More precious than a diamond on a platinum chain!
When he was buskin he was all the rage.
He met Jables and he taught him well,
All the techniques that were developed in hell.
Cock pushups and the power slide,
Gig simulation now there's nowhere to hide.
They formed a band they named Tenacious D,
And then they got the Pick of Destiny.
Cause it's the Pick!
Of Destiny child,
You know we will be rockin' cause it's fucking insane!
It's just the Pick!
Of Destiny child,
Our tasty grooves are better than a chicken chow mein!
Cause he who is sleazy,
Is easy to pleasy.
And she who is juicy,
Must be loosy-goosey.
And he who is groovy,
Will be in my movie,
So come on!
The wizard and the demon had a battle royale,
The demon almost killed him with an evil kapow,
But then he broke his tooth and thus the demon said "OW"
Cause it's the Pick!
Of Destiny child,
You know we will be rockin' cause it's fucking insane!
It's just the Pick!
Of Destiny child,
You know our movie's better than Citizen Kane!
Cause he who's a geezer,
Must live in my freezer.
And she who is starkey,
Is full of mularkey.
And he who is groovy,
Must be in my movie,
So come on!
Oh! Cause if you're a diva,
Then go to Geneva.
And if you're a crony,
Then suck on my bony.
And if you are groovy,
Then get in my movie!
It's called the Pick of Destiny!
The Pick of Destiny
The song "POD" by Tenacious D is a tribute to the legendary guitar pick that is said to have the power to make anyone who possesses it a rock n' roll superstar. The intro to the song sets the stage for the story by introducing the "Pick of Destiny"; a sacred, magical guitar pick that gives its possessor the power to become a true rockstar. The lyrics that follow tell the story of how the band Tenacious D came to possess this pick and how it has transformed their lives. The song also includes a description of various characters that they meet on their journey, including Kage, the man who taught them the secrets of rock and roll, and a wizard and a demon who engage in a battle royale.
One of the key themes of the song is the idea that anyone can become a rockstar if they have the right tools and the right attitude. This is reflected in lyrics like "Cause he who is groovy will be in my movie" and "She who is juicy must be loosy-goosey"; which suggest that success in rock and roll is all about being cool, confident, and willing to take risks. At the same time, the song also acknowledges the mystical, almost mythical quality that rock and roll can have, particularly when viewed through the lens of the Pick of Destiny. Ultimately, "POD" is a celebration of the wild, energetic, and unapologetically fun spirit of rock and roll, and an ode to the power of music to transform lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Cause it's the Pick!
The Pick of Destiny is the ultimate symbol of Tenacious D's rock and roll power and they will use it to put on an unforgettable show
Of Destiny child,
The Pick of Destiny is like their own child, something they created and care about deeply
You know we will be rockin' cause it's fucking insane!
Tenacious D know that with the Pick of Destiny, they will create a performance so intense that it will blow everyone's minds
More precious than a diamond on a platinum chain!
The Pick of Destiny is worth more than any material possession because of what it represents to Tenacious D
In Venice Beach, there was a man named Kage
In the beginning, there was a man named Kage who played music on the streets of Venice Beach
When he was buskin he was all the rage.
Kage was a popular street performer who drew large crowds around him
He met Jables and he taught him well,
Kage and Jables crossed paths and Kage passed on his musical skills to Jables
All the techniques that were developed in hell.
Kage taught Jables the most badass musical skills, which he learned from the demons in Hell
Cock pushups and the power slide,
Jables learned unique and intense workout techniques like cock pushups and power slides from Kage
Gig simulation now there's nowhere to hide.
Kage taught Jables the art of performing, and now with his skills and the Pick of Destiny, Tenacious D are unstoppable
They formed a band they named Tenacious D,
Jables and Kage joined forces and started a band that they named Tenacious D
And then they got the Pick of Destiny.
Their ultimate goal was to obtain the Pick of Destiny to increase their rock and roll power.
Our tasty grooves are better than a chicken chow mein!
Tenacious D's music is so deliciously good, that it's even better than the most tasty of meals
Cause he who is sleazy,
A person who lives an easy, sleazy life is easily pleased
Is easy to pleasy.
People who do not have good moral values are easy to please
And she who is juicy,
Women who have curvaceous bodies are viewed as sexually promiscuous
Must be loosy-goosey.
Loose women are easy to manipulate as they are not strong-willed.
And he who is groovy,
People who have a great sense of rhythm and style are prime candidates for Tenacious D's movies
Will be in my movie,
Tenacious D's upcoming movie will feature those individuals who have real groove
So come on!
Tenacious D invites all groovy people to join them in their quest to make the best movie ever
The wizard and the demon had a battle royale,
The forces of good and evil, represented by the wizard and the demon, respectively, faced off in a fierce battle
The demon almost killed him with an evil kapow,
The demon almost defeated the wizard with a powerful, evil punch
But then he broke his tooth and thus the demon said "OW"
The wizard turned the tables on the demon and broke his tooth, causing him to cry out in pain
You know our movie's better than Citizen Kane!
Tenacious D intends to make a movie so great that it will immediately become more famous than the classic Citizen Kane
Cause he who's a geezer,
Elderly men have a reputation for being grumpy and unyielding to new ideas
Must live in my freezer.
Tenacious D does not want to work with grumpy, old men and would rather keep them away from the movie sets
And she who is starkey,
Famous women like to garner attention by being difficult at times
Is full of mularkey.
Tenacious D believes that famous women use excuses, rather than working hard, to show up on set
Oh! Cause if you're a diva,
Tenacious D does not want any actresses who behave like divas on their movie set
Then go to Geneva.
Tenacious D would rather send divas off somewhere else, rather than continue to work with them
And if you're a crony,
Tenacious D does not want to work with people who will only do things to help others, rather than themselves
Then suck on my bony.
Tenacious D has no use for cronies, and would rather keep them away from the movie sets
And if you are groovy,
People with an incredible sense of rhythm and style are the only ones Tenacious D wants on their set
Then get in my movie!
Tenacious D invites all groovy people to join them and be a part of the ultimate rock and roll movie ever made
It's called the Pick of Destiny!
Tenacious D's movie is named after the legendary Pick of Destiny, as it is a metaphor for their success
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THOMAS JACK BLACK, KYLE RICHARD GASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Riley Davis
If you listen to this in 2020. I love you. You have a taste in music ❤️
padawantesla
I've started to listen them recently and man, this guys rock! It's a sad fact that ppl didn't find the movie good. I think it's fun af
Dean Winchester
Thanks, you too
Keith Mathson
Why thank you
-A 13 year old
Thiên Phúc Nguyễn
I love you too rofl
Ryan Vogel
Rage Cage has those techniques that he developed in hell
InsertMetalUsernameHere
This song is proof the pick actually exist. It's a masterpiece
despicableBuckaroo78
yeah man, tribute, wonderboy, rise of the fenix this song and more were definitely made using the pick
Vitor Frota
Tenacious D has an awesome quality about them that is the ability of JB and Kyle to make great harmony between acoustic and electric guitars. Not many bands can do this and they usually go for one or the other, but most of Tenacious D's songs mix both and you can clearly distinguish them in the music. I think it gives them a very distinctive musical trait.
Random Person
Yeah when songs use both it's pretty hard lol