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.
Rock is dead
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Talk to my friend, that's what he said
Is rock still around? No rock is dead
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
Muscle car, Grateful Dead
Lord of the Rings, Zeppelin Led
Devil tattoo, Right Said Fred
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
Take it Kones!
Started with blues, Belly of lead
Then there was Elvis, Nicky some red
Beatles arrive, started a trend
Axl Rose, give me some head
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Get that freight train out of my head
Because a rock and a roll is a fuckin' dead
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
It's all over, rock and roll
Oh so baby now, rock and roll
R-r-r-r-r-rock and roll
Is dead
Woo
In this song, Tenacious D declares that rock and roll is dead, as stated in the title and repeated throughout the lyrics. The lyrics begin with Jack Black describing a conversation he had with a friend who declared that rock was no longer alive. They proceed to tie in a variety of rock and pop culture references, such as a Bottle of Jack (Daniels), Mercury (Freddie Mercury of Queen), the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Lord of the Rings (which inspired much of folk rock), Nickey some red (referring to Nicky Hopkins, a rock pianist), and Right Said Fred (a pop band from the 90s).
Black goes on to create a summary history of rock, beginning with blues and belly of lead (likely referencing lead poisoning caused by drinking wine from lead cups popular in ancient Rome). He references Elvis Presley and the Beatles, and then abruptly changes to Axl Rose, the frontman of Guns n' Roses, who was known for his risqué lyrics and behavior. The song ends with a plea to "get that freight train out of my head" and a repetition of the idea that rock and roll is dead.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the state of rock music at the time the song was written. However, it can also be seen as a nod to the evolution of music and the idea that all good things must come to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock is dead, rock is dead
The emergence of new music genres and trends has signalled the decline of classic rock and its popularity.
Talk to my friend, that's what he said
The singer had a conversation with a friend who shared the opinion that rock music is no longer relevant.
Is rock still around? No rock is dead
The singer confirms that rock music is no longer present in the current music scene.
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
The artist is stating that the golden age of rock and roll music is over and gone.
Bottle of jack, Mercury Fred
The artist lists various symbols and icons associated with rock music, such as Jack Daniel's whiskey and the late Freddie Mercury of Queen.
Muscle car, Grateful Dead
The singer continues to list various symbols and icons associated with rock music, such as muscle cars and the Grateful Dead band.
Lord of the Rings, Zeppelin Led
The singer continues to list various symbols and icons associated with rock music, such as J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and the band Led Zeppelin.
Devil tattoo, Right Said Fred
The artist continues to list various symbols and icons associated with rock music, such as devil tattoos and the band Right Said Fred (as a sarcastic reference to the song 'I'm Too Sexy').
Take it Kones!
The artist addresses an unknown person (possibly a musician with the nickname 'Kones') to take over the song or the guitar solo.
Started with blues, Belly of lead
The artist traces the origins of rock and roll music back to blues, which was the foundation for much of the early rock music. The phrase 'belly of lead' may be a metaphor for the heaviness of the blues style.
Then there was Elvis, Nicky some red
The singer mentions Elvis Presley, who is considered one of the pioneering figures of rock and roll, and Nicky 'some red', which may refer to the rockabilly singer Nicky Lee with 'red' being an affectionate term for his red hair.
Beatles arrive, started a trend
The artist talks about the impact of the Beatles on rock and roll music, who were one of the most influential bands in the genre and helped shape its direction.
Axl Rose, give me some head
The singer makes a crude and inappropriate comment about the singer Axl Rose, implying that he should perform oral sex. This line is likely included for shock value and not meant to be taken seriously.
Get that freight train out of my head
The singer expresses frustration with the overwhelming influence and ubiquity of rock and roll music, indicating a desire to move on from it.
Because a rock and a roll is a fuckin' dead
The singer repeats the assertion that rock and roll music is dead, emphasizing its finality and demise.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THOMAS JACK BLACK, KYLE RICHARD GASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carimabdala
Go
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Talk to my friend, that's what he said
Is rock still around? No, rock is dead
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
Bottle of jack, mercury Fred
Muscle car, Grateful Dead
Lord of the Rings, Zeppelin the Led
Devil tattoo, Right Said Fred
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
Take it, Kones!
[Guitar Solo]
Started with blues, Belly of lead
Then there was Elvis, makin' some bread
Beatles arrive, started to shred
Axel Rose, rock is dead
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Rock is dead, rock is dead
Get that freight train out of my head
Because a rock and a roll is a fuckin' dead
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
It's all over, rock and roll is dead
It's all over, rock and roll
Oh, so baby now, rock and roll
R-r-r-r-r-rock and roll
Is dead
Woo
@gameoverlordN7
"guys did you hear rock is dead?"
"Oh no really, what should we do?"
"let's sing a ROCK song about it"
@autismman6774
+gameoverlordN7 It's metal. Though it sounds more rock to me
@khartvin
+Jake Azz I hear Elvis's spirit in it
@rockinrodney5000
+autism man Metal is a subgenre of rock, are you aut... Never mind.
@UncleFish9001
You guys are ridiculous, this is obviously K-pop.
@bumlebubbi
With a bit of screamo.
@Zinzoo13
As long as rock is in our hearts, it'll never die.
@ohsu8895
See on YouTube at rock is dead satan
@MrKingwink
Ironically this explains why rock won't die and say whoever thinks so needs to remember all this great music
@bmprelude
Rock may be dead, but they cant kill the metal