Format CD Length 4:06 | Genre Hard rock, comedy rock | |
Released November 11, 2002
(US and UK)
November 25, 2002
(Australia and New Zealand) Recorded The Boat in Silver Lake, Los Angeles Label Sony Music International | ||
"Wonderboy" is a song by American comedy duo Tenacious D. It was released in November 2002 as the second single from their self-titled debut album. The song peaked at number 36 in the UK and number 44 in Australia; the video, directed by Spike Jonze, was also well received.
Contents
Structure
Strings were played by Andrew Gross, a classmate of Jack Black, who penned the orchestral score for Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. He also played strings on several songs on this album.
Jack Black's friend Buckethead covered the song occasionally when playing live.
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 (The Mucky Muck Man), which is not seen in the video, but is mentioned in the song.
In the video, Wonderboy and Young Nasty Man are portrayed as Medieval/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. 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.
In 2002, Spike Jonze won an award from the MVPA (Music Video Production Association) for the "Best Direction of a New Artist" for his work on "Wonderboy".
Track listings
- "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
- "Wonderboy" – 4:07
- "Tribute (Channel V Performance)" - 4.34
- "Tribute" (Video) – 4:08
- "Wonderboy" – 4:07
- "Jesus Ranch (demo)" - 2:14
- "Tribute" (Video) – 4:08
- "Wonderboy" – 4:07