Tenacious D Honour 'Red Dead Redemption 2' On First Single In Five Years

12 May 2023 | 10:58 am | Mary Varvaris

Tenacious D argues that video games "can be a true expression of huge ideas that belong in the pantheon of great works of art".

(Tenacious D by Travis Shinn)

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Tenacious D have returned with their first song in five years. 

An ode to escapism and fun, Video Games (not a Lana Del Rey cover) honours the most popular games of the last ten years, including Red Dead Redemption 2, Super Mario Bros, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Fallout 4, to name a few.

The comedy rock duo released their fourth album, Post-Apocalypto, in 2018. Video Games, released overnight on YouTube, arrives with a 3D animated video. It's their first music video since 2012. You can check it out below.

“It’s about growing up and leaving childish things behind… ,” Jack Black and Kyle Gass said in a statement. “But then realizing [sic] that video games are more than just mindless toys….in fact they can be a true expression of huge ideas that belong in the pantheon of great works of art!

“It’s about time someone defended the honor [sic] and integrity of this bold new horizon. Leave it to the greatest band in the world…Tenacious D!!!”

The video, directed by Chris “Oney” O’Neill and Adam Paloian (SpongeBob SquarePants and The Cuphead Show), was inspired by “throwing Jack and Kyle’s characters into different video game worlds; we tried to make use of every shot by cramming in gags and references to classic games from our childhood,” Paloian added.

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In July 2021, Tenacious D dropped a cover of an Abbey Road classic, You Never Give Me Your Money/The End. The comedy rockers released the cover as a charity single to benefit Doctors Without Borders.  

Almost immediately, their cover garnered the attention of an actual Beatle, with Paul McCartney jumping on the bandwagon and sharing the tune on his official Facebook page.

"This Tenacious D cover of our song is fantastic!" McCartney wrote. 

"It’s so imaginative and so well performed. What a great tribute to the original. Guys - I love it. Check it out!"

At the time of writing, there’s no news as to whether Video Games will be part of an upcoming Tenacious D album.