The Story In The Song – Tenacious D – Tribute

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2002 – Tenacious D I recently did a feature on The Charlie Daniels Band classic, The Devil Went Down To Georgia, and that is the very song this hit pays tribute to. Both songs feature Satan challenging people to a music contest with a threat to take or in this case eat their souls if they lose. Jack Black and Kyle Gass rashly accept the challenge despite being musically unskilled. The Devil plays a fantastic set just as in his losing fight with Johnny in the original song, and Tenacious D somehow outclass him by playing a completely improvised song that is the best thing ever sung. Later however, they are unable to recreate their great song, so the song they sing now is just a Tribute to their great victory. The video features the comedy duo crammed into a karaoke booth, which they butcher to record their own material. Outside, a crowd gathers to listen until a lady in the shopping mall summons the police who arrest the singers. The old lady then reveals that she is the devil or at least another demonic figure. A very funny innovative video even after multiple viewings. It also features two significant cameos. The devil in the contest itself is played by Dave Grohl, of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame. His make up is incredibly well realized. The other cameo I by actor / comedian Ben Stiller who can be seen walking through the crowd gathered round the karaoke booth clutching a shopping bag and looking startled when he gets jostled. Perhaps one day there will be a song paying tribute to Tribute too – it is worthy of it. The song on Youtube Arthur Chappell