Released over 40 years ago, This Is Spinal Tap is a certified cult classic that revolutionized the ‘mockumentary’ format whilst cleverly skewering typical biopics and the world of rock and roll in the process. Combining sharp, biting satire with elements of absurdism and deadpan, it was a resounding hit with critics scoring a near perfect 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans of the movie rejoiced when it was recently announced that, after over 40 years there will be a sequel which sees Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer reprising their roles as members of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap who are reuniting for one final show.
While we wait with bated breath to find out what the band have been up to over the last four decades and what shenanigans they will find themselves a part of in the build up to their final show, we take a look back at some of the funniest and most memorable quotes from the original 1984 masterpiece.
11
“You can’t dust for vomit”
Nigel Tufnel
While choking to death on vomit may sound like a particularly peculiar way to die, it is surprisingly common amongst rock stars, especially when drugs and alcohol are at play. Jimi Hendrix, Bon Scot (of AC/DC) and John Bonham (of Led Zeppelin) are all reported to have choked on their own vomit after heavy nights of drinking and/or using drugs. In This Is Spinal Tap, however, an absurd yet hilarious twist is added when it is revealed that former drummer Eric ‘Stumpy Joe’ Childs died chocking on someone else’s vomit.
Another Unsolved Case
The exact details surrounding the nature of his death are somewhat spotty due to the fact, as Nigel Tufnel states, “You can’t dust for vomit,” emphasizing the chaotic nature of their rock and roll lifestyle whilst humorously pointing out the limitations of evidence gathering in such an unorthodox situation.
10
“This miniature bread…”
Nigel Tufnel
Pop stars have long had the reputation of being divas and nothing better exemplifies this than some of the ridiculous requests they’ve made for their backstage riders — from Van Halen demanding a bowl of M&Ms with all the brown ones removed, to Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses reportedly requesting a giant rubber snake for the dressing room.
Nigel Makes a Specific Yet Fair Request
When it comes to Nigel, though, there was a very specific issue that was particularly bothersome to him about his backstage rider — the size of the bread. Sitting disconsolately beside a tray of particularly small sandwiches, he raises the issue with his manager, concluding that it was “miniature bread” and quite frankly, miniature bread is unacceptable, especially served to rock stars of Nigel’s caliber.
9
“It’s such a fine line between stupid and, uh…” “…clever.”
David St. Hubbins & Nigel Tufnel
During a press interview, when attempting to explain the artistic intentions of the band, David begins with what sounds like a fantastic philosophical statement about the nature of art, only to stumble over his words. He realizes he’s perhaps out of his depth, causing Nigel to jump in to make what is a painfully obvious and somewhat ironic statement about the fine line between stupidity and intelligence.
Profound Stupidity
It perfectly captures the band’s charmingly clueless self-perception, which highlights their inability to articulate even a simple thought, turning what should be a confident observation into an awkward, bumbling moment. The humor comes from the gap between their grandiose rock star self-image and their actual intellectual short-comings, a recurring gag that makes the characters endearingly ridiculous.
8
“Well, this piece is called ‘Lick My Love Pump.'”
Nigel Tufnel
In a surprisingly refined and tender moment, Nigel sits at a piano and delicately plays a smooth piece that he explains is influenced by classical greats like Bach and Mozart. When asked what the composition is called, he casually responds, “Well, this piece is called ‘Lick My Love Pump.'”
Audiences Are Momentarily Caught Off Guard
Expecting a lofty, poetic title to match the elegance of the composition, audiences are sold a dummy and brought crashing back down to the crass, juvenile Spinal Tap the world has grown so accustomed to. The line demonstrates how the band is undermined by their own immaturity and obliviousness.
7
“Well, I’m sure I’d feel much worse if I weren’t under such heavy sedation.”
David St. Hubbins
A member quitting the band can throw you for a loop at the best of times, but when the band is as chaotic and unstable as Spinal Tap, it can be catastrophic. However, when David discovers Nigel is leaving the band, he remains surprisingly calm, all things considered.
Keep Calm and Stay Sedated
David’s tranquility stems not from mastering the art of mindfulness but instead from the copious amounts of drugs (legal or otherwise) he is under the influence of. It’s a humorous quote that playfully pokes fun of the excesses of the rock and roll lifestyle and the band’s mental state.
6
“None more black.”
Nigel Tufnel
Once again, the band find themselves shrouded in controversy when the powers that be deem the artwork for their latest record too offensive. As a compromise, it’s decided that the cover will be all black — no text, no image — just solid black. When examining the artwork, they ponder how much more black it could be. The answer? “None, none more black.”
They’re Not Wrong
The comment is an example of the absurdist humor the mockumentary frequently leans into. Blatantly obvious but yet strangely profound, it also poses the dilemma of how to sign copies of the album for their die-hard fans.
5
“What day did the Lord create Spinal Tap, and couldn’t he have rested on that day too?”
Marty DiBergi
“Rock ‘n’ roll Creation” AKA The Gospel According to Spinal Tap — is it Spinal Tap’s magnum opus or a “pretentious, ponderous collection of religious rock psalms.” It would appear critical opinion would lean towards the latter, with one critic begging the question, “What day did the Lord create Spinal Tap, and couldn’t he have rested on that day too?”
A Divine Mistake
Rock stars and pretentiousness go together like leather pants and bad decisions. From Loud Reed’s “avant-garde” double album consisting of nothing but guitar feedback and noise to Kanye West releasing a track simply titled “I am a God,” it’s simply part and parcel of the scene, and Spinal Tap were certainly no exemption. Another fantastic example of the movie’s satire, the quote cleverly uses a clever biblical reference to poke fun at the self-important side of rock and roll.
4
“He died in a bizarre gardening accident.”
David St. Hubbins
Reports suggest that Spinal Tap has had anywhere between 10 and 20 drummers, all of whom have tragically passed away, many under mysterious circumstances. When asked about their first drummer, David states that he died in a tragic gardening accident, to which Nigel adds that authorities have said it’s best left unsolved.
The Joke Reflects a Disturbing Trend Amongst Rock bands
In This Is Spinal Tap, the running joke about drummers meeting strange ends mirrors a darker reality of the rock scene, where many bands saw their members (especially drummers) lost to the toll of relentless touring, substance use, and burnout, with John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and Keith Moon of The Who being some of the most known examples. Elsewhere, a staggering 13 members of legendary rock band Lynard Skynyrd have passed away. Even more disturbing is just how closely it foreshadowed the real-life death of Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, who fell ill after spraying and accidentally inhaling insecticide while riding a lawn mower in his garden in 1992, later dying of a heart attack.
3
“What’s wrong with being sexy?”
Nigel Tufnel
Brain power is not a trait one could ever attribute to the Spinal Tap boys, as evidenced repeatedly throughout the movie. One of the funniest examples, though, is when they’re confronted about their latest album cover being particularly misogynistic but when accused of being “sexist,” they mishear (or misunderstand) the word to mean “sexy,” with Nigel replying, “What’s wrong with being sexy?”
Despite Their Flaws, The Band Is Strangely Endearing
Despite their blatant sexism and frequent self-absorption, the members of Spinal Tap remain remarkably affable. David, Nigel, and Derek bumble through disasters with a mix of earnestness and oblivious charm, making their egos and missteps more endearing than off-putting.
2
“Making a big thing out of it would have been a good idea.”
Derek Smalls
One of the funniest moments in the entire film is the infamous Stonehenge debacle. Expecting a huge, awe-inspiring Stonehenge stage prop, the band are met with a tiny replica due to a miscommunication.
It’s a Big Deal
Understandably miffed about the whole situation, the band air their discontent. When it’s suggested that they’re making much too big a thing out of it, bassist Derek Smalls replies that, “Making a big thing out of it would have been a good idea.” This play on words further adds to the ridiculousness of the whole fiasco.
Source link
Add Comment