Tribute (song)
Encyclopedia
"Tribute" is a tribute to "The Greatest Song in the World" and is the first single of Tenacious D
's self-titled debut album
. It was released July 16, 2002.
"Tribute" was the most requested video on Kerrang! TV
in 2002. The song is a tribute to what Gass and Black refer to as the "greatest song in the world," which Tenacious D themselves came up with, but have since forgotten. It was later released as a downloadable track for the video game Rock Band
.
. During earlier performances of this song Kyle Gass
played the opening to "Stairway to Heaven
". The two songs are both in A minor and have very similar chord progressions, and critics have said the songs sound alike. A slightly different version of the song first appeared on the band's TV show
on HBO.
Given the "Stairway to Heaven" interlude in the original TV series version, it might be suggesting the best song in the world is indeed that song, but the lyrics make clear that the song Tenacious D is playing sounds nothing like the song they came up with to please the demon (specifically, "This is not / The greatest song in the world, no / This is just a tribute"). However, since the following lyrics are "Couldn't remember / The Greatest Song in the World, no, no /" it's possible that the best song was, in fact, "Stairway to Heaven" and they couldn't remember that it was what they played.
In an interview the band claimed that the inspiration from the song came after Jack Black
played Metallica
's "One
" for Kyle Gass, describing it as "the best song in the world", leading to a failed attempt to themselves write an even better song, and a discussion of the meaninglessness of labeling any song that way. "Tribute" was written to make the claim that the greatest song in the world had, in fact, been briefly theirs but they had forgotten it, as a paean
to the impossibility of reaching musical perfection.
In Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, it is implied that the climax of the movie, a rock-off challenge between Satan
and Tenacious D told through the song "Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)", is indeed the incident chronicled in "Tribute", and that the portion of "Beelzeboss" performed by Tenacious D is the song receiving tribute. After defeating Satan, JB and Kyle recall the incident once more, describing it as, "the greatest song in the world." Unfortunately, they are unable to remember how it went. Also in the song Beelzeboss, they mention that they know the demon's weakness, referred to as their "rocket sauce", which is what they use in their HBO television series to defeat the demon. However, unlike the demon in the television episode, Satan says they are "Fuckin' lame" and tries to take KG to Hell after all, while the demon asks if they are angels. However, considering that they do not remember the song, they may have forgotten this as well. This was confirmed in a commentary with Jack Black for the movie. The two events are however could be unrelated due to the many inconsistencies; the event happening twice because the band's nature would be to forget something important such as the greatest song in the world. The event involving Satan may further be a tribute to the event in "Tribute."
, features Jack Black and Kyle Gass, in a cheap shopping mall karaoke
booth, rewired to record their tribute to their encounter with a demon and the song they sang for him, which saved their lives.
The video cuts between footage of the pair walking down the "long, lonesome road" and the encounter with the demon played by Dave Grohl
. The demon also performs the electric guitar solo in the music video. After the solo, Jack Black jumps out of the booth and starts shouting the lyrics at passers-by and dancing flamboyantly. Passersby include cameos from Lynch and Ben Stiller
. A policeman, played by Jason Reed
, takes Black and Gass away. At the end an old lady, played by Linda Porter
, picks up the now-recorded CD and cackles, her eyes turning red.
Although the video had huge success on UK television - readers of Kerrang! magazine voted for their Top 10 rock videos with "Tribute" coming fifth - the song was never actually released there as a single. Tribute was nominated for two Music Video Production Association
Awards: "Alternative Video of the Year" and "Directorial Debut of the Year". In addition, it was a nominee for best video in the 2002 Kerrang! Awards.
" by the Charlie Daniels Band
.
album Bluegrass Wrecks the Music of Tenacious D: This Is Just a Tribute.
Australia and New Zealand CD single (Epic Records #672893.2)
Promotional CD (Epic Records #56731)
Tenacious D
Tenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
's self-titled debut album
Tenacious D (album)
Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single...
. It was released July 16, 2002.
"Tribute" was the most requested video on Kerrang! TV
Kerrang! TV
Kerrang! TV is a digital television station owned by Box Television, which is loosely connected to the magazine, Kerrang!. As of 2005, all of its programme content is music videos, the majority of which is open scheduled, for text requests from their playlist....
in 2002. The song is a tribute to what Gass and Black refer to as the "greatest song in the world," which Tenacious D themselves came up with, but have since forgotten. It was later released as a downloadable track for the video game Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
.
History
Tribute was the first song Black and Gass played live as Tenacious D. The song, like many other songs that were recorded on Tenacious D, was originally played on the TV seriesTenacious D (TV series)
Tenacious D, is a TV series that ran on HBO in 1997, 1999, and 2000. It featured the fictional accounts of the real band Tenacious D, which is composed of members Jack Black and Kyle Gass...
. During earlier performances of this song Kyle Gass
Kyle Gass
Kyle Richard Gass , also known as KG or Kage, is an American rock musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is a member of the bands Tenacious D and Trainwreck. In Tenacious D , Gass plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, and also plays the role of Black's comic foil in most of their comedy...
played the opening to "Stairway to Heaven
Stairway to Heaven
"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band's untitled fourth studio album . The song, running eight minutes and two seconds, is composed of several sections, which...
". The two songs are both in A minor and have very similar chord progressions, and critics have said the songs sound alike. A slightly different version of the song first appeared on the band's TV show
Tenacious D (TV series)
Tenacious D, is a TV series that ran on HBO in 1997, 1999, and 2000. It featured the fictional accounts of the real band Tenacious D, which is composed of members Jack Black and Kyle Gass...
on HBO.
Synopsis
The song chronicles the band members' encounter with a demon who demands the duo play "the best song in the world" or have their souls devoured. Having nothing to lose from trying, they make up a song on the spot, and it "Just so happened to be / The best song in the world." According to Black, "needless to say / The beast was stunned." The demon then asks Gass and Black, "Be you angels?" The musicians reply, "Nay / We are but men."Given the "Stairway to Heaven" interlude in the original TV series version, it might be suggesting the best song in the world is indeed that song, but the lyrics make clear that the song Tenacious D is playing sounds nothing like the song they came up with to please the demon (specifically, "This is not / The greatest song in the world, no / This is just a tribute"). However, since the following lyrics are "Couldn't remember / The Greatest Song in the World, no, no /" it's possible that the best song was, in fact, "Stairway to Heaven" and they couldn't remember that it was what they played.
In an interview the band claimed that the inspiration from the song came after Jack Black
Jack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
played Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
's "One
One (Metallica song)
"One" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the third and final single from their fourth album ...And Justice for All. "One" was also the band's first Top 40 hit single, reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" for Kyle Gass, describing it as "the best song in the world", leading to a failed attempt to themselves write an even better song, and a discussion of the meaninglessness of labeling any song that way. "Tribute" was written to make the claim that the greatest song in the world had, in fact, been briefly theirs but they had forgotten it, as a paean
Paean
A paean is a song or lyric poem expressing triumph or thanksgiving. In classical antiquity, it is usually performed by a chorus, but some examples seem intended for an individual voice...
to the impossibility of reaching musical perfection.
In Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, it is implied that the climax of the movie, a rock-off challenge between Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
and Tenacious D told through the song "Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)", is indeed the incident chronicled in "Tribute", and that the portion of "Beelzeboss" performed by Tenacious D is the song receiving tribute. After defeating Satan, JB and Kyle recall the incident once more, describing it as, "the greatest song in the world." Unfortunately, they are unable to remember how it went. Also in the song Beelzeboss, they mention that they know the demon's weakness, referred to as their "rocket sauce", which is what they use in their HBO television series to defeat the demon. However, unlike the demon in the television episode, Satan says they are "Fuckin' lame" and tries to take KG to Hell after all, while the demon asks if they are angels. However, considering that they do not remember the song, they may have forgotten this as well. This was confirmed in a commentary with Jack Black for the movie. The two events are however could be unrelated due to the many inconsistencies; the event happening twice because the band's nature would be to forget something important such as the greatest song in the world. The event involving Satan may further be a tribute to the event in "Tribute."
Music video
The music video for "Tribute," directed and edited by Liam LynchLiam Lynch (musician)
Liam Lynch is a musician, puppeteer, writer and director. He co-created, co-wrote, played the music for, directed, and produced MTV's Sifl and Olly Show....
, features Jack Black and Kyle Gass, in a cheap shopping mall karaoke
Karaoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
booth, rewired to record their tribute to their encounter with a demon and the song they sang for him, which saved their lives.
The video cuts between footage of the pair walking down the "long, lonesome road" and the encounter with the demon played by Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
. The demon also performs the electric guitar solo in the music video. After the solo, Jack Black jumps out of the booth and starts shouting the lyrics at passers-by and dancing flamboyantly. Passersby include cameos from Lynch and Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller
Benjamin Edward "Ben" Stiller is an American comedian, actor, writer, film director, and producer. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara....
. A policeman, played by Jason Reed
Jason Reed
Jason "JR" Reed , is an American actor and musician, originally from Corvallis, Oregon. He grew up in Las Vegas, NV where he graduated from Bonanza High School...
, takes Black and Gass away. At the end an old lady, played by Linda Porter
Linda Porter (actress)
Linda Porter is an American character actress. Porter has appeared in numerous feature films, television programs, advertisements and music videos...
, picks up the now-recorded CD and cackles, her eyes turning red.
Although the video had huge success on UK television - readers of Kerrang! magazine voted for their Top 10 rock videos with "Tribute" coming fifth - the song was never actually released there as a single. Tribute was nominated for two Music Video Production Association
Music Video Production Association
The Music Video Production Association is a music industry trade organization, based in Los Angeles, that is made up of producers, directors, and other professionals involved in the creation of music videos....
Awards: "Alternative Video of the Year" and "Directorial Debut of the Year". In addition, it was a nominee for best video in the 2002 Kerrang! Awards.
Critical response
Some critics described the plot of the song as being similar to the song "The Devil Went Down to GeorgiaThe Devil Went Down to Georgia
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" is a song written and performed by the Charlie Daniels Band and released on their 1979 album Million Mile Reflections....
" by the Charlie Daniels Band
Charlie Daniels
Charles Edward "Charlie" Daniels is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is known primarily for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has performed and written. Daniels has been active as a singer...
.
Cover versions
"Tribute" has been covered by the Dust Bowl Cavaliers, on their 20062006 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
album Bluegrass Wrecks the Music of Tenacious D: This Is Just a Tribute.
Track listings
CD single (Epic Records #673519 2)- "Tribute" – 4:08
- "Cosmic Shame (live)" – 4:28 Recorded at the Cox ArenaCox ArenaOfficially Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl, located on the San Diego State University campus in San Diego, California, is the home of the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball and women's basketball teams. Viejas Arena opened its doors to the campus and community in July of 1997 and seats 12,414 for...
in San DiegoSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
on November 20, 2001. - "Friendship" – 2:00
- "Tribute (Video)" – 4:08
- "Wonderboy (Video)" – 4:07
Australia and New Zealand CD single (Epic Records #672893.2)
- "Tribute" – 4:08
- "Cave Intro" – 0:46
- "Jesus Ranch (demo)" – 2:14
- "Kyle Quit the Band (demo)" – 2:10
- "Explosivo (Mocean WorkerMocean Worker-Background:Philadelphia native Adam Dorn is the son of famous jazz and R'n'B producer Joel Dorn. He grew up around the jazz and R&B discs his father produced for Atlantic Records in the '60s and '70s. As a 15-year-old, he sent a fan letter to bassist Marcus Miller...
's Megamix)" – 5:02
Promotional CD (Epic Records #56731)
- "Tribute" – 4:08 (Radio Edit)
Chart performance
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
25 |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
4 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
9 |
| Certifier | Award |
|---|---|
| RIANZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
Gold |
| ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
Platinum |
Personnel
- Jack BlackJack BlackJack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
(vocals/acoustic guitar) - Kyle GassKyle GassKyle Richard Gass , also known as KG or Kage, is an American rock musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is a member of the bands Tenacious D and Trainwreck. In Tenacious D , Gass plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, and also plays the role of Black's comic foil in most of their comedy...
(backing vocals/acoustic guitar) - Page McConnellPage McConnellPage Samuel McConnell is an American multi-instrumentalist most noted for his work as a songwriter and keyboardist with the American rock band Phish....
(keys) - Dave GrohlDave GrohlDavid Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
(drums) - Warren FitzgeraldWarren FitzgeraldWarren Fitzgerald is an American punk rock musician, guitarist, songwriter, and record label owner.-Overview and business:Warren Fitzgerald is most famous for being the current guitarist of The Vandals...
(electric guitar solo) - Alfredo OrtizAlfredo OrtizAlfredo Ortiz is an American drummer, was the former drummer for New York group Morningwood and Los Angeles rockers Red Exiles. Previously Ortiz has toured with the Beastie Boys as a drummer and percussionist, and appeared in their film, Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! In previous years, he has lent...
(additional drums) - The Dust Brothers (production)
- Ken AndrewsKen AndrewsKen Andrews is an American musician and producer, based out of Los Angeles, California.Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington, and attended film school in Los Angeles before his band Failure received a record deal from Slash Records.He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist, and...
(mixer)