Music
ByThomas NewmanPosted onUpdated on
Jack Black and Kyle Gass have been rocking out together since 1994 when Tenacious D was created as a part of Tim Robbins’ “A Night of Comic Relief” benefits. Tenacious D is best known for the song they performed on their HBO series: ‘Tribute.’ The song received heavy radio play and topped Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts. The trio has not released an official album since 2012, but they have been active in live performances from time to time. In 2014, they performed for a year-end gala hosted by billionaire Joe Ricketts’ organization, The Ending Spending Fund. In 2016, Tenacious D released their first live album: ‘Tenacious D Live.’ The album was exclusively available on vinyl and digital download, but a CD version was announced in 2017. In February 2018, Tenacious D teased a new song from their upcoming film “Post-Apocalypto,” due in November 2018. In the teaser, Jack Black and Kyle Gass are seen performing a snippet of the song while sitting in front of an animated backdrop that depicts the band members fighting off characters from their upcoming film. The music video for ‘Post-Apocalypto’s first single, ” Post Apoc Blues,” also premiered in early 2018. The video continues the theme of their previous videos, where Tenacious D battles off villains to save the day. Below is a list of 10 Best Tenacious D Songs of All-Time:
10. Roadie
‘Roadie’ is the first song on the 2002 Tenacious D album ‘The Complete Masterworks.’ The song is a tribute to all hardworking roadies who work diligently behind the scenes. In 2003, this song was used as a theme for MTV’s reality show “The Road Rules.” “You know those guys who change your tires when you’re stranded on the side of the road? Those never get any credit.”
9. Classico
‘Classico’ is the first track on Tenacious D’s 2012 album ‘Rize of the Fenix.’ This song pays homage to Jack Black and Kyle Gass’s love for soccer, also seen in their HBO series. A promo video featuring an animated cameo by Tim Robbins was released at this recording. Jack Black and Kyle Gass have been seen in attendance at recent FC Barcelona games.
8. Rize of the Fenix
Rize of the Fenix is the title track and second song on Tenacious D’s 2012 album ‘Rize of the Fenix.’ The song was used as a promotional single before this release, but it is now considered one of the greatest songs in the band’s repertoire. A music video for Rize of the Fenix was shown during the 2012 HBO unique ‘Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.’
7. Wonderboy
Wonderboy is the first track on Tenacious D’s self-titled 2002 album, Tenacious D. It was featured in the film ‘School of Rock’, where it served as the basis for the climactic showdown between Jack Black and school bully Freddy Martin (played by Lucas Papaelias). The music video was made to promote this release and featured some of the same footage while including some new footage.
6. Master Exploder
Master Exploder is the second track on Tenacious D’s self-titled 2002 album, Tenacious D. According to Jack Black, this song was written about God. The lyrics go: “Hey there, Mr. Christian / That’s a pretty nice watch you got there / I’ll bet that cost a lot of money / And I’ll bet you got a lot of change in your pocket / A’course not a nickel’s worth of difference between you and me.”
5. Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)
Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown) is the second track on Tenacious D’s self-titled 2002 album, Tenacious D. The song is about an encounter with Satan. The lyrics go: “Satan, I’ve come to bargain / You see me standing in your hallway / Whad’ya say we make a deal?” When Jack Black first learned of the comedic potential of this theatrical track, he said it “was like the best thing I’d ever heard.”
4. **** Her Gently
‘F*ck Her Gently’ is the fourth track on Tenacious D’s self-titled album, Tenacious D. It was featured in the film ‘The Cable Guy, where it is used as part of its soundtrack. The song is about a male prostitute with sexual intercourse with women for money. The lyrics go: “F*ck her gently / F*ck her gently / Take that bitch by her hand.
3. Kickapoo
The only single from the soundtrack for the movie “Bio-Dome,” “Kickapoo” reached #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart and remained there for several weeks. In addition, “Kickapoo” won Best Video at the 1996 MTV Music Awards and was featured in Beavis and Butthead. The show’s creator Mike Judge went on to direct the video for “F**k Her Gently,” which featured Beavis and Butthead.
2. The Metal
In 2013, “The Metal” was the second single off their third studio album. It reached #1 on iTunes Rock charts and Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. The song also earned a Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance nomination at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards but lost to Halestorm’s ‘Love Bites (So Do I).’ ‘The Metal’ video was nominated for the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rock Video.
1. Tribute
Released as a single in 2001, “Tribute” is Tenacious D’s most successful song and has earned the title of being an ‘epic tribute.’ It reached #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, and it remained there for four weeks. ‘Tribute’ was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 2002 Grammys but lost to “Elite” by Deftones. The album version of ‘Tribute’ is over 8 minutes long, but it was shortened to about three and a half minutes for radio play.
Conclusion
Though Jack Black’s voice is not something to brag about, he has made it work for him. From playing rock star Lee in School of Rock to comedy relief Kenny Powers of HBO series Eastbound and Down, Black has proved that he can act. His comedic timing is genius, and his songwriting skills are on full display, whether with Tenacious D or on his own. Black will not be stopping anytime soon with a new album coming soon, and we have much to look forward to.
