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.
Spiderman
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spiderman, Spiderman
Does whatever a spider can
Is he strong? Listen bud
He has the radioactive blood
Hey there! There goes the Spiderman
Ohhh!!!!!
Is he strong? Listen bud
He has the radioactive blood
Can swing from a thread?
Take a look overhead
Hey there! There goes the Spiderman
Ohhh!!!!!
David Dark comin at 'em
He's got fucking ultimate fighting championship moves!
Here comes Spidey
He's not fucking really Spidey
His moves didn't work because he's fucking Spidey!
Spiderman doesn't look right
He looks like cheap ass!
Spidey wearing the nike shoes
I can see in the fucking BVDs
Outline...oh fuck Stay totally still!
Stay totally still
It's fucking sassafrassquatch!
I've been searching for him for ten years
And now's my chance to capture him
I'm not moving on...fuck!
He's using the web! He's using the web!
Using the Spidey! He's freezing the auidence!
He's using the fucking Spidey
Twa, it didn't hold 'em!
It fucking holds almost everbody
But it didn't work on Sass!
He fucking used a Matrix move!
He fucking used a Matrix move!
Doosh!
Ha! Wanna fucking bowl?
What the fuck is going down? Somebody help us
He's got the tranquilizer gun!
David Dark's got the tranquil gun
He shot him in the ass with tranquilizer gun
But it didn't...(starts to laugh)
Why's he have his cock out? That's not right!
Here comes Sassafrass! He's fucking really pissed off
Now what the fuck is happening tonight?
It's looking like a fight!
No! (starts to laugh a lot)
You should've fucking known!
Not to pull out your dick in front of Sass
He'll rip that shit right off! Now you're fucking bummed
What are you doing..no, no no
Don't make him suck your chode! Ah Jesus!
He's sucking on his fucking chode!
He's gonna shoot your fucking load
If I know Sassafrass! He's gonna shoot the load
Ahh! That's non-dairy creamer!
What the fuck? Thats bad news Bears.
That's a lot of cum! That's way too much Sass cum
Sassafrass...he hasn't fucking done enough
He's dragging him by the foot! He's getting him in position
I don't know what for!
But I think it's finger licking! (laughs once again)
The ultimate bomb, ya'll.
Aww, no. The ultimate fighting championship
He's flinging shit! And he's taking a dump
Ah Jesus. Wait a second, he's got him tricked!
The old stick for the fucking Sassafrass trick
Works every time. See if you can keep him alive
That rips. Life is a great big hang up.
Whenever there's a bang up!
You'll see Sassafrass and Spiderman!
Taking a shit on David Dark!
The lyrics to Tenacious D's song "Spiderman" are a humorous take on the superhero Spiderman and his abilities. The song begins with the iconic line "Spiderman, Spiderman, does whatever a spider can" and goes on to detail some of his superhuman abilities, such as swinging from a thread and having radioactive blood. The lyrics also mention a character named David Dark, who is initially described as having "ultimate fighting championship moves." However, it turns out that David is not actually Spiderman and his moves don't work because he is simply dressed up as the superhero. The rest of the song continues the absurd and comedic storyline with mentions of a Sasquatch-like creature named Sassafrass, tranquilizer guns, and even some sexual humor.
Overall, the lyrics to "Spiderman" are a humorous and irreverent take on the superhero genre. The song doesn't take itself too seriously, and instead opts for ridiculous scenarios and playful humor. The lyrics are a perfect reflection of Tenacious D's comedic style and ability to create songs that are both entertaining and silly.
Line by Line Meaning
Spiderman, Spiderman
Introducing the topic of the song, Spiderman
Does whatever a spider can
Listing the various abilities of Spiderman
Is he strong? Listen bud
Asking a rhetorical question to highlight the strength of Spiderman
He has the radioactive blood
Providing an explanation for the source of Spiderman's strength
Hey there! There goes the Spiderman
Drawing attention to Spiderman's presence
Ohhh!!!!!
Expressing excitement or amazement upon seeing Spiderman
David Dark comin at 'em
Introducing a new character, David Dark
He's got fucking ultimate fighting championship moves!
Describing David Dark's fighting skills
Here comes Spidey
Referring to Spiderman
He's not fucking really Spidey
Implying that the person is not actually Spiderman
His moves didn't work because he's fucking Spidey!
Explaining the reason for Spiderman's ineffective moves
Spiderman doesn't look right
Noting that something seems off about Spiderman
He looks like cheap ass!
Commenting on the poor quality of Spiderman's appearance
Spidey wearing the nike shoes
Making a statement about Spiderman's shoes
I can see in the fucking BVDs
Indicating that Spiderman's underwear is visible
Outline...oh fuck Stay totally still!
Spotting a dangerous creature and warning others to stay still
Stay totally still
Reiterating the importance of staying motionless
It's fucking sassafrassquatch!
Identifying the creature as a sassafrassquatch
I've been searching for him for ten years
Implying a history of searching for the sassafrassquatch
And now's my chance to capture him
Anticipating the opportunity to catch the sassafrassquatch
I'm not moving on...fuck!
Bemoaning a missed opportunity to catch the sassafrassquatch
He's using the web! He's using the web!
Observing Spiderman using his web-slinging abilities
Using the Spidey! He's freezing the auidence!
Commenting on the effectiveness of Spiderman's powers on the audience
He's using the fucking Spidey
Reiterating the use of Spiderman's powers
Twa, it didn't hold 'em!
Noting that Spiderman's powers failed to work on some people
It fucking holds almost everbody
Stating that Spiderman's powers are effective on most people
But it didn't work on Sass!
Deducing that the sassafrassquatch is immune to Spiderman's powers
He fucking used a Matrix move!
Referencing a popular movie franchise in describing a move used by a character
Doosh!
Imitating the sound of an impact in a fight
Ha! Wanna fucking bowl?
Offering an alternative activity to fighting
What the fuck is going down? Somebody help us
Calling for assistance in a chaotic situation
He's got the tranquilizer gun!
Identifying a new weapon being used
David Dark's got the tranquil gun
Stating who is in possession of the tranquilizer gun
He shot him in the ass with tranquilizer gun
Describing the victim of a tranquilizer dart
But it didn't...(starts to laugh)
Indicating that the tranquilizer dart didn't have the intended effect
Why's he have his cock out? That's not right!
Expressing shock at a character exposing themselves
Here comes Sassafrass! He's fucking really pissed off
Observing the sassafrassquatch's angry demeanor
Now what the fuck is happening tonight?
Expressing confusion and disbelief about the current situation
It's looking like a fight!
Predicting a confrontation between characters
No! (starts to laugh a lot)
Reacting with humor to a situation that is not going as expected
You should've fucking known!
Chiding a character for a poor decision
Not to pull out your dick in front of Sass
Giving advice about what not to do in front of the sassafrassquatch
He'll rip that shit right off! Now you're fucking bummed
Warning about the consequences of exposing oneself to the sassafrassquatch
What are you doing..no, no no
Exclaiming in horror at a character's inappropriate behavior
Don't make him suck your chode! Ah Jesus!
Pleading with a character not to engage in further inappropriate behavior
He's sucking on his fucking chode!
Revealing that a character is performing an explicit act
He's gonna shoot your fucking load
Predicting what may happen as a result of the explicit act
If I know Sassafrass! He's gonna shoot the load
Suggesting that the sassafrassquatch might also be involved in the aforementioned act
Ahh! That's non-dairy creamer!
Reacting to a comedic plot twist involving a food item
What the fuck? Thats bad news Bears.
Describing a situation as unpleasant or unfavorable
That's a lot of cum! That's way too much Sass cum
Noting the large amount of a certain bodily fluid
Sassafrass...he hasn't fucking done enough
Speculating that the sassafrassquatch may continue to act in unpredictable ways
He's dragging him by the foot! He's getting him in position
Observing a character taking action against another character
I don't know what for!
Expressing uncertainty about the reasoning behind a character's actions
But I think it's finger licking! (laughs once again)
Making a joke about an ambiguous situation
The ultimate bomb, ya'll.
Building up to a climax or significant event
Aww, no. The ultimate fighting championship
Correcting a previous statement about the nature of an upcoming event
He's flinging shit! And he's taking a dump
Describing a character's gross and aggressive behavior
Ah Jesus. Wait a second, he's got him tricked!
Expressing surprise and a change of tone
The old stick for the fucking Sassafrass trick
Explaining a strategy used to fool the sassafrassquatch
Works every time. See if you can keep him alive
Recalling a successful tactic from previous encounters
That rips. Life is a great big hang up.
Reflecting on the challenges of life
Whenever there's a bang up!
Anticipating a difficult situation
You'll see Sassafrass and Spiderman!
Suggesting that the sassafrassquatch and Spiderman may cross paths again
Taking a shit on David Dark!
Metaphorically describing the outcome of the situation
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@CameronWasmund
I downloaded this from Limewire unknowingly like 8 years ago and haven't heard it again till now. "Spidey, Wearing them nike shoes." has somehow stayed with me through that whole time every time I hear the Spiderman theme.
@teaforonetearforone7459
Cure Optimism Same with me.
@pyrogreg8
I thought I was the only one who found this on limewire!
@shainarachelle
Same! That's why I'm here 🤣🤣🤣
@LasciviousLibra
Same here, hermano! "He looks like cheap ass, Spidey wearin' the Nike shoes!" THANK YOU!
@GrassValleyGreg
Napster like 20 years ago
@thishollowhill
I would DIE for the real footage of this performance
@sethstrattan7380
We need to find it
@Looptydude
I too downloaded this back in the day, and every time I wish I had been at the performance. You can tell the people's sides are splitting, it must have been glorious!
@filler01
I can only imagine what really went down on the stage during this performance.