In order to write a parody of a great song, you have to write a song that's greater than its parody, making it a legitimately great song, which in turn parodies the song by celebrating its greatness.
Absolutely. That's where so much of today's parodies and spoofs fall flat. You have to love the original in order to effectively spoof it. Look at "Young Frankenstein" with Gene Wilder. It's hilarious and incredible fun because they had such reverence for the original Frankenstein movies, even going so far as to get the original laboratory equipment. As Mel Brooks said about it, if you make it real, it makes it more fun.
I've heard it suggested that it's only possible to do a good parody of a genre if you actually love and respect the genre you're parodying. Shows here.
@@Chairchuckee Yes. This music would have passed muster in the real folk era. It never goes over the top to the point of meanness. "A Kiss At The End of the Rainbow" really FEELS like 1963. I should know. I was there and loving every minute of it.
I know, right? Incredibly talented. And the fact they combine together to expand and reinforce their individual greatness. Dang, makes me want to not wander myself! Er, something like that. 😂
The 1964 Newport Hootenanny was their best early performance. Who could ever forget "Fluff the Magical Capybara" or "450 Miles"? 🎶 The answer my friend is lurchin' in the wind 🎵
My biggest regret in life is that I did some wanderin' in my youth. I even had an adventure or two. This song really brings home what a mistake that is. In fact, it wouldn't need to bring it home if I had just stayed there in the first place. Sigh... :)
Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, Best In Show, Waiting for Guffman, For Your Consideration, Mascots - These Mockumentaries with a lot of overlap in their casts are well done and great fun. Spawned by Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest who co-wrote the movie and played guitarist Nigel Tufnel went on to write, direct, and act in 5 of his own, which are favorites of mine. Spinal Tap was hard to match because it was not a familiar concept in 1984 and you might have thought you were seeing a actual documentary at first. With the others, you likely knew what you were seeing going in and you are in on the joke from the start. Nevertheless, they all work really well and are worth seeing.
This Is Spinal Tap probably gave them the idea that these were doable as feature films, but the ideas may have spawned earlier. They first performed as Spinal Tap in 1979 on a sketch comedy show The TV Show. Michael McKean also had a brief recording stint with Lenny and the Squigtones, based on the characters from Laverne & Shirley, in 1979. Christopher Guest supposedly played guitar as Nigel Tufnel on their album.
Yep. Michael McKean is fantastic. He wrote this and most of the music on A Mighty Wind. A very talented musician and actor. He's come a long way from his Lenny days on Lavern & Shirley.
I didn't like this song the first time I heard it. (not from this video, but from The Mighty Wind soundtrack). I couldn't figure out why you'd sing about NOT wanting to wander. Now I can't stop listening to it. This song is amazing and I love it, and this performance is glorious.
But that’s the joke. A Mighty Wind was a parody of folk groups. This song is the perfect parody of the type of songs being performed by folk groups in the 60’s. Just brilliant.
The music isn't really a parody. The lives of the musicians are parody, and if the music wasn't legitimately good, it wouldn't be plausible that the musicians had ever been successful enough to warrant a documentary/TV special. Also, if the music was bad, the movies wouldn't be as enjoyable to watch.
Fun fact. When they toured as Spinal Tap they would open for themselves as The Folksmen, get themselves boo'd off the stage, change costumes and come back out on stage as Spinal Tap. These gentlemen are hilarious.
The music written by these gentlemen, starting with their work on "This is Spinal Tap", not to mention the brilliant characters they created alomg with the ingenious ad-libbed dialogue which brought them all to life, is pure brilliance. Absolutely remarkable. ALL of Chris Guest's films are fantastic, but next to 'Spinal Tap', "A Mighty Wind" is a close second.
Really, it is amazing to see the range of your talents. Your music has been inspiring and entertaining for just about my whole lifetime. Love you guys! THANK YOU!
i am number 2, in my teens and 20s while i was playing guitar and dreaming of rock stardom i was sort of trapped at home taking care of my very sick father. now im almost 50 and working for a living paying that mortgage and those bills. never had the luxury to wander.
Oh gosh, this was really wonderful. It's probably one of the few times I'll be pleased with a Picardy third, too. I love this song and I love you all's (
So I'm watching A MIGHTY WIND for the FIRST time, somehow...and im laughing pretty good right away, but then about 24 min in, Mike, Chris, and Harry have a living room "jam session" and instead of laughing, im almost INSTANTLY diggin this song, to the point where I had to rewind it, AND look up the soundtrack to see if it's a real song. I love all music, if it's good, it's good, but I'm more or less mainly a Hardcore Rap and Heavy Metal fan, but I LOVE this song.... right off the top, it caught me, but when Harry hits that bass slide (in the movie), and then Mike comes in with the guitar, and THEN starts singin?? Come on! Not only did I not expect anything but a silly, funny song, but I fully didn't expect I'd be pausing the movie, looking up the song, and commenting how much I dig this shit, man!! Now I'm really looking forward to the rest of the music in the movie---whether it's good, or funny/silly!
From the absurdity of Big Bottom to the sublime. They write as good a folk song as any genuine folk artist. ...Shearer said something to the effect of " The best folk music was written in an office building on the upper west side"
This song is brilliant on several levels. Imagine writing an inspiring song about never going anywhere.
+stflaw You get it.
Rick moranis did a good one too.
In the spirit of "I'm an Old Cowhand."
@@rwulfsberg Excellent call. Very impressive.
I wouldn't know; I never heard this song.
In order to write a parody of a great song, you have to write a song that's greater than its parody, making it a legitimately great song, which in turn parodies the song by celebrating its greatness.
Absolutely. That's where so much of today's parodies and spoofs fall flat. You have to love the original in order to effectively spoof it. Look at "Young Frankenstein" with Gene Wilder. It's hilarious and incredible fun because they had such reverence for the original Frankenstein movies, even going so far as to get the original laboratory equipment. As Mel Brooks said about it, if you make it real, it makes it more fun.
wait.....what? is that a typo?
@@dirkremmington It's the good and fun side of postmodernism.
Yes, but this goes to 11
Harry Shearer is a really good bass player.
He is.
To quote an Alta ego, Excellent
Sublime...
The fish? Should have called Sandy Denny.
Do a double take he looks like Jack Bruce for a minute.
I realize this was written as a parody, but my God, the music and vocals are beautiful! Great song.
I've heard it suggested that it's only possible to do a good parody of a genre if you actually love and respect the genre you're parodying.
Shows here.
@@Chairchuckee Yes. This music would have passed muster in the real folk era. It never goes over the top to the point of meanness. "A Kiss At The End of the Rainbow" really FEELS like 1963. I should know. I was there and loving every minute of it.
Just realize this man I'm dense
@Chairchucker Baron Haden-Guest said actually played folk music when starting out...
Kinda my comment about "A Mighty Wind" at the time, you're laughing with them not at them.
Harry is the true star on this. Tearing it up, flawlessly, on the string bass.
These guys are not only good actors,,,they're funny, and they're good musicians and singers, too! Triple (or quadruple) threats. :)
If only they could dance!
@@DrMaquisapa But Oh how the little children of Stonehenge danced.
They are also great writers and Christopher is a mime as well as a director.
@@jpetersgoyanks Well.. Mime is money
I know, right? Incredibly talented. And the fact they combine together to expand and reinforce their individual greatness. Dang, makes me want to not wander myself! Er, something like that. 😂
A MIGHTY WIND - One of my favorite films OF ALL TIME
They have hardly aged since their fantastic performance at Woodstock in 1969.
The 1964 Newport Hootenanny was their best early performance.
Who could ever forget "Fluff the Magical Capybara" or "450 Miles"?
🎶 The answer my friend is lurchin' in the wind 🎵
I was there!
@@jimdavis8391I was one of their roadies. Great times in the early sixties.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Probably the lack of wandering
A pastiche of the highest quality. Better than many 'sincere' folk songs,
My biggest regret in life is that I did some wanderin' in my youth. I even had an adventure or two. This song really brings home what a mistake that is. In fact, it wouldn't need to bring it home if I had just stayed there in the first place.
Sigh... :)
that is just beautiful
Shoulda never done no wanderin'.
Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, Best In Show, Waiting for Guffman, For Your Consideration, Mascots - These Mockumentaries with a lot of overlap in their casts are well done and great fun. Spawned by Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest who co-wrote the movie and played guitarist Nigel Tufnel went on to write, direct, and act in 5 of his own, which are favorites of mine. Spinal Tap was hard to match because it was not a familiar concept in 1984 and you might have thought you were seeing a actual documentary at first. With the others, you likely knew what you were seeing going in and you are in on the joke from the start. Nevertheless, they all work really well and are worth seeing.
This Is Spinal Tap probably gave them the idea that these were doable as feature films, but the ideas may have spawned earlier. They first performed as Spinal Tap in 1979 on a sketch comedy show The TV Show. Michael McKean also had a brief recording stint with Lenny and the Squigtones, based on the characters from Laverne & Shirley, in 1979. Christopher Guest supposedly played guitar as Nigel Tufnel on their album.
Guest is the unsung hero. The way he weaves these comic geniuses into such disparate parodies is genius.
I watched "Tap" in previews in Dallas with Rob. Went back to work and raved about the movie. It has taken YEARS for me to be proven right.
" There was abuse in my family, mostly musical " 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Describing in sublime poetic detail all of the things he never saw. That’s good stuff
Those who disliked this would rather hear a toothpaste commercial than hear folk music.
Christopher guest is an icon
10 more people added to the list now in 2021!
5.
A group called The New Main Street Singers did a version of this song too!
That was one of the other groups from A Mighty Wind, just like these guys. Go watch the movie. Even if you've seen it a hundred times, see it again.
@@endymallorn Yeah, I think that was the joke :)
what a great great movie; so many layers
Sure, if you want some toothpaste version.
ROFL
"Smithers! Who are these random troubadours?!"
It's Lenny and the Squigtones, sir. Minus the Squigtones, of course.
And a six-fingered man playing the mandolin.
"I believe I know one of them, sir."
Burns, McGill, & Rugen Acoustic Band
@iamvonimmel Why, they’re the Folksmen, sir! Three of the shmoes from sector 7G…
It's easy to forget that this is their 'second job'. Crazy talent.
It's amazing what having no constraints will result in.
I'm glad I followed the random RUclips recommendations don't the Spinal Tap rabbit hole. These guys are magnificent musicians and songwriters.
I love Michaels voice, could listen to it all day.
The ones who get it, and also the ones tipping their hats to the realness, were there listening when Then was Nowtro.
Seriously done musical comedy. The best kind. Thank you.
the insane amount of talent these gentleman poses. I cant stand folk music, yet here I am.
MORE BASS!!! Fire the sound person. Seriously, it's the best part of this great song!
i've got tons of bass in my playback of this
Phenomenal musicianship, excellent writing and fantastic singing/harmonizing. Theses guys are the real deal.
Holy shit I'm watching Chuck McGill play folk music. I never realized that he was in This Is Spinal Tap and Mighty Wind. I need to lie down now.
Yep. Michael McKean is fantastic. He wrote this and most of the music on A Mighty Wind. A very talented musician and actor. He's come a long way from his Lenny days on Lavern & Shirley.
It is great to hear Guests real voice on these as opposed to the character voice he did in the film.
He’s amazing, isn’t he? I love his voice!
I didn't like this song the first time I heard it. (not from this video, but from The Mighty Wind soundtrack). I couldn't figure out why you'd sing about NOT wanting to wander. Now I can't stop listening to it. This song is amazing and I love it, and this performance is glorious.
But that’s the joke. A Mighty Wind was a parody of folk groups. This song is the perfect parody of the type of songs being performed by folk groups in the 60’s. Just brilliant.
Maybe write a song about not really wanting to hear songs about not wandering.
If I didn't know who the performers were, I would never have known this was meant to be a parody. Very well done!👏👏 👏
If their music is supposed to be parody how come it's so good? :)
cause it's real
+aliensporebomb That's the secret of good parody - it has to be done with extreme sincerity.
They're masters of their craft
Are you tryingf to imply that Weird Al's parodies aren't amazing?
The music isn't really a parody. The lives of the musicians are parody, and if the music wasn't legitimately good, it wouldn't be plausible that the musicians had ever been successful enough to warrant a documentary/TV special. Also, if the music was bad, the movies wouldn't be as enjoyable to watch.
turn it up to 11
It's been 40 years.and I've never did no wanderin....btw...Lenny and the Squigtones
I've done a little wanderin'... The road really does go from here to there.
Love, love this! Love these guys! Love the movie Mighty Wind!
This is like an honest version of The Highwaymen. Like "it's great out there on the lonely trails.. but I didn't go".
Wow, I love this!!!
I can't decide if they make a better Spinal Tap or a better Folksmen.... Either way... BRAVO!!!
Fun fact. When they toured as Spinal Tap they would open for themselves as The Folksmen, get themselves boo'd off the stage, change costumes and come back out on stage as Spinal Tap. These gentlemen are hilarious.
The brilliance is ASTOUND6
Dont forget The Thamesmen
@@emilywolter8221 is that true??
@@williamhughes9559 and the New Originals!
Thanks for the audition guys
We will let you know
Three of my favorite actors/comedians/musicians whether they're plugged in and going to eleven or these gorgeous acoustic picardy thirds.
The best moment is at 00:30 when Harry looks at Chris behind Micheal.
Classic band move.
This is supposed to be a parody song, but they perform it here with such earnestness and musical skill.
Love this song! Thankx A Mighty Wind was gr8.
skyemcleod1 love how cute you are sky! adorable....(7 years later lol)
Saw the show in concert at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, Pa - great!!
The music written by these gentlemen, starting with their work on "This is Spinal Tap", not to mention the brilliant characters they created alomg with the ingenious ad-libbed dialogue which brought them all to life, is pure brilliance. Absolutely remarkable. ALL of Chris Guest's films are fantastic, but next to 'Spinal Tap', "A Mighty Wind" is a close second.
They're actually really fine musicians, as are the members of Spinal Tap.
No way! What a coincidence! Do you think anyone recognizes them?
@@mattuw82 I don't have the statistics at hand but I'm sure some do and some don't. Of course, I'm also including the many drummers of Spinal Tap.
@@pallhe I bet they recognize each other though.
Really, it is amazing to see the range of your talents. Your music has been inspiring and entertaining for just about my whole lifetime. Love you guys! THANK YOU!
WOW!! Lenny and the Squigtones really improved over the years!! XD!!
Now I know what a Picardy third is - thanks iluvcheezitsheyhey
Nigel, David, and Derek have matured beautifully.
Still can't keep a drummer apparently?
This is just too good.
I love this. Great song and great performance.
The songs these boys have written over the decades are excellent, that includes Eugene Levy as well, such great tunes etc.
"They say the highway is one big road, and it goes from here to there..."
Could any lyric better capture the spirit of the traveling life?
their use of simile is just awesome
I wish I was at this gig.
Serious talent on that stage.
The mandolin part at the beginning is from the Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter'
Nice job vox arranger. Nice performance boys. Thanks.
Should have won the Oscar for best song no questions about it God bless you Eugene Levy
For comedians, these guys are great musicians!
i think McKean and Guest were actually musicians before they were comedians or actors
The Folksmen! Brilliant
I highly recommend this DVD.
The most Inspirational (Not truly Inspirational) song ever! ... incredibly hilarious
Great to see them.
This is what real talent looks like!
Makes me cry & laugh & choke... GREAT!
It is an awesome song and you did an awesome job singing it brother .
Sensational songwriters, all.
Hilarious and fantastic at the same time
I can relate. I never did no wandering either.
Positively surreal looking at that playlist in the description. How much of a jolt must it be to go from Folksmen songs to Spinal Tap and back? 😂😀😊
Beautiful.
Saw this tour in Baltimore's Lyric Opera House. Fantastic concert.
Brought up on the music of the original Kingston Trio( did world music before it was fashionable) who were brilliant . This is superlative!
So good.
There's something to be said for not wanderin'.
"a sailor's life is a life for him, never was for me..." hahaha
Excellent
Boy, how things change; I just see Jimmy’s mean brother now and I have to stop and say that this is the Folksmen bro!
Christopher Guest is a comedy genius
That Picardy Third!
i am number 2, in my teens and 20s while i was playing guitar and dreaming of rock stardom i was sort of trapped at home taking care of my very sick father. now im almost 50 and working for a living paying that mortgage and those bills. never had the luxury to wander.
You can hear the influence of spinal tap
love it! Great talent.
Saul goodmans brother has a great voice
So talented
“Sorry you had to see that.”
Oh gosh, this was really wonderful. It's probably one of the few times I'll be pleased with a Picardy third, too. I love this song and I love you all's (
I think it's time for a Spinal Tap reunion, I know these guys could do it. The are amazing performers.
next year!!
They need to find a drummer who will spontaneous combust.
Amazingly wanderless.
I'm English and I was convinced these guys were English for so many years!
Chris Guest is kind of sort of isn't he?
love it
So I'm watching A MIGHTY WIND for the FIRST time, somehow...and im laughing pretty good right away, but then about 24 min in, Mike, Chris, and Harry have a living room "jam session" and instead of laughing, im almost INSTANTLY diggin this song, to the point where I had to rewind it, AND look up the soundtrack to see if it's a real song.
I love all music, if it's good, it's good, but I'm more or less mainly a Hardcore Rap and Heavy Metal fan, but I LOVE this song.... right off the top, it caught me, but when Harry hits that bass slide (in the movie), and then Mike comes in with the guitar, and THEN starts singin?? Come on! Not only did I not expect anything but a silly, funny song, but I fully didn't expect I'd be pausing the movie, looking up the song, and commenting how much I dig this shit, man!!
Now I'm really looking forward to the rest of the music in the movie---whether it's good, or funny/silly!
Spinal tap just got better and better.
Does it still go to 11 when they play acoustically?
Heaven!!!!
That's a great mandolin riff! I could swear I've heard something similar before. Brenda's Iron Sledge?
Hazy shade of winter.
My god, Christopher looks nothing like the movie XD It took me a second to realize it was him.
How do they keep straight faces... this is hilarious, so absurd. Hya! Hya!
Almost weird seeing Chris Guest not in character
Imagine playing with two other guys for half a century, selling out theaters, and never technically having a "real band"
From the absurdity of Big Bottom to the sublime. They write as good a folk song as any genuine folk artist. ...Shearer said something to the effect of " The best folk music was written in an office building on the upper west side"
I see the nod to The New Main Street Singers. Touché...