Wonderboy
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| “Wonderboy” | |||||
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Australia and New Zealand CD Cover
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| Single by Tenacious D from the album Tenacious D |
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| Released | November 11, 2002 (US and UK) November 25, 2002 |
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| Format | CD | ||||
| Recorded | The Boat in Silver Lake, Los Angeles | ||||
| Genre | Comedy Rock | ||||
| Length | 04:06 | ||||
| Label | Sony Music International | ||||
| Writer(s) | Jack Black, Kyle Gass | ||||
| Producer | Dust Brothers | ||||
| Tenacious D singles chronology | |||||
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| Tenacious D track listing | |||||
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| Alternate covers | |||||
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| UK CD cover | |||||
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| US CD cover | |||||
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"Wonderboy" is the second single from Tenacious D's self-titled debut album. It was released December 24, 2003. The song peaked at #36 in the UK and #44 in Australia; the video, directed by Spike Jonze, was also well-received. The song has the similar harmony of Baby Hold On by Eddie Money
The lyrics of the song (particularly the line "That's levitation, Holmes.") are frequently referenced on ESPN's Sportscenter, most often by Stuart Scott, when a basketball player gets big air on a dunk.[1]
Strings were played by Andrew Gross, a classmate of Jack Black, who penned the orchestral score for Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny.[2] He also played strings on several songs on this album.
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[edit] Music Video
The lyrics of the song tell the tale of the superhero Wonderboy (Black) as he forms an alliance with his lute-wielding arch-rival Young Nasty Man (KG) and forms the band Tenacious D. Wonderboy's powers are not revealed in the song but according to the lyrics we know that Young Nasty Man has powers that are "comparable" to Wonderboy's. Young Nasty Man has a variety of seemingly telekinetic powers, such as flight via levitation, "mind bullets" via telekinesis (with an apparent range of at least 200 yards and enough force to "kill a yak"). and "the power to move you". The song also mentions Wonderboy's castle made of clouds, the use of swords, and an attempt to destroy a hydra, which is not seen in the video, but is mentioned in the song. [3]
In the video, Wonderboy and Young Nasty Man are portrayed as Ice-Age/Mythological skill-and-strength heroes, climbing a snowy mountain. At the end of the video they fight a monster (which is off-screen but its flaming breath can be seen) and Wonderboy perishes, having been run through by his own sword. The fates of Young Nasty Man and the monster (presumably the fire-breathing hydra mentioned in the lyrics) remain unknown.
The video was directed by Spike Jonze under the alias of Marcus Von Bueler.[4] The producer was Vincent Landay and K.K. Barrett was the stunt director. The production company was Satellite Films. The music video was first aired during the week beginning October 29, 2001.[5]
In 2002, Spike Jonze won an award from the MVPA (Music Video Production Association) for the "Best Direction of a Music Video" for his work on "Wonderboy".[6]
[edit] Cover versions
"Tribute" has been covered by the Dust Bowl Cavaliers, on their 2006 album Bluegrass Wrecks the Music of Tenacious D: This Is Just a Tribute.
[edit] Track listings
- US CD single (Epic Records #673351 5)
- "Wonderboy" – 4:07
- "Cosmic Shame (live)" - 4:28 Recorded at the Cox Arena in San Diego on November 20, 2001.
- "Kyle Quit the Band (demo)" - 2:10
- "Wonderboy (Video)" - 4:07
- Australia and New Zealand CD single (Epic Records #673286.2)
- "Wonderboy" – 4:07
- "Tribute (Channel V Performance)" - 4.34
- "Tribute" (Video) – 4:08
- UK CD single (Epic Records #673351 2)
- "Wonderboy" – 4:07
- "Jesus Ranch (demo)" - 2:14
- "Tribute" (Video) – 4:08
- Promotional CD (Epic Records #XPCD2756)
- "Wonderboy" – 4:07
[edit] Chart performance
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart[7] | 24 |
| Australian ARIA chart[8] | 48 |
[edit] Credits
- Jack Black (vocals/acoustic guitar)
- Kyle Gass (backing vocals/acoustic guitar)
- Page McConnell (keys)
- Dave Grohl (drums)
- Alfredo Ortiz (additional drums)
- Andrew Gross (strings)
- Dust Brothers (production)
- Ken Andrews (mixer)
[edit] References
- ^ Mulvanny, Mark. "A site for those who worship SportsCenter", USA Today, 2003-12-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ Starpulse News Blog. "'Jack Black Has High School Friend Pen Score To 'Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny'", Starpulse News Blog, 2006-12-10. Retrieved on 2006-12-22.
- ^ Tenacious D - "Wonderboy" Lyrics. Retrieved on May 14, 2007.
- ^ mvdbase.com - Spike Jonze Videography
- ^ Tenacious D - "Wonderboy". Retrieved on January 23, 2007.
- ^ mvpa - music video award winners 2002. Retrieved on January 24, 2007.
- ^ UK Albums chart. Everyhit.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
- ^ Tenacious D. australian-charts.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
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