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.
Video Games
Tenacious D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yeah)
Alright, ready?
One, two, a one, two, three
I don't play video games no more
I never play video games
Except for a little bit of God of War
Maybe a once in a while a little bit of Fallout 4
But that's okay, not right now, I got things to do
'Cause I don't play video games no more
Never play video games
But Red Dead Redemption 2, that is not a game
It's an incredible journey through old American history
Fighting for your life and fighting for your family
Try to live your days with honor and integrity
That's not a game, that's an adult thing
That's not a game at all
That's like fuckin' Shakespeare
You know I don't play video games no more
Tiny bit of video game
I guess I still play fuckin' video game, yee-haw
That it, that's the one
It's on the album
In "Video Games," Tenacious D addresses the idea of growing out of playing video games. They claim that they "never play video games" and instead have "things to do." However, they do admit to playing God of War and Fallout 4 once in a while. Despite this, the duo asserts that Red Dead Redemption 2 is not just a game. They describe it as an "incredible journey through old American history," where the player is fighting for their life and family and trying to live with honor and integrity. The song concludes with the realization that they do still play video games, after all.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the idea that playing video games is immature or a waste of time. Tenacious D argues that games like Red Dead Redemption 2 have a level of complexity and emotional depth that transcends the typical video game experience. By acknowledging that they still play games despite this, the duo seems to be saying that it's okay to still enjoy gaming even as an adult.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you plugged in?
Asking if the listener is prepared to hear about the singer's relationship with video games
(Yeah)
Affirmative response from the listener
Alright, ready?
Confirming that they have the listener's attention
I don't play video games no more
The artist has stopped playing video games entirely
I never play video games
The artist wants to make it clear that they are not a gamer
Except for a little bit of God of War
The singer has played this game briefly, but not much else
Maybe a once in a while a little bit of Fallout 4
The singer has played this game occasionally, but not currently
But that's okay, not right now, I got things to do
The artist has priorities that are more important than gaming
'Cause I don't play video games no more
Reiterating that the artist has stopped playing games
But Red Dead Redemption 2, that is not a game
The artist is making an exception for this particular game
It's an incredible journey through old American history
The game's storyline is geared towards exploring America's past
Fighting for your life and fighting for your family
The player's character goes through intense struggles to protect those they love
Try to live your days with honor and integrity
The game encourages ethical decision-making
That's not a game, that's an adult thing
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a more mature type of gaming experience
That's not a game at all
The game is on a different level than traditional video games
That's like fuckin' Shakespeare
The artist finds the game's storyline to be on par with legendary literature
You know I don't play video games no more
Repeating the statement to remind the listener
Tiny bit of video game
Admitting to playing games occasionally
I guess I still play fuckin' video game, yee-haw
The singer is not entirely opposed to gaming, and expresses excitement about it
That it, that's the one
Acknowledging Red Dead Redemption 2 as the exception to the artist's gaming habits
It's on the album
Confirming that this song is part of their album
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jack Black, Kyle Glass
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@c.i.c.276
Lyrics:
I don't play video games no more
Never play video games
Expect for a little bit of God of war
Never play video games
Maybe once in a while, a
Little bit of Fallout 4
But that's okay
Not right now
I've got things to do
'Cause
I don't play video games no more
Never play video games
But Red dead redemption 2
That is not a game
It's an incredible journey
Through Old American history
Fighting for your life, and
Fighting for your family
Trying to live your days with
Honor and integrity
That's not a game, that's an adult thing
That's not a game at all
That's like fuckin' Shakespeare
Gigigix6
You no i don't play video games no more
Tiny bit of video game
I guess I still play
Fuckin' video games!
@JGCruz3d
This is beautiful, every single shot is fantastic. I can't stop watching it.
@SuperSonic04395
❤❤❤
@MuffinManWasTaken
@lShowSрееd shorts 🅥 nope :)
@mechinilla4464
@lShowSрееd shorts 🅥 What
@user-fn5xu2ee4n
Just imagine amount of time and effort that was put into this. This is not just some donut!
@ryab3432
fucking real life soyjak
@zaakilol6913
I just noticed Kyle Gass is using The Pick Of Destiny. This is so awesome.
@1hyugaclan1
Oh snap. I didn't notice that.
@giomarrodriguez2810
Oh shit i re watched this after reading this
@_Tzer
Okay and i am looking for any brutal legend references.