The theme tune for “The Huge Bang Idea” is a fast-talking deluge of pseudo-nerdy references which are juuust incorrect sufficient to drive real-life nerds somewhat massive loopy. The complete model of the theme, not often performed in its entirety earlier than the present, included sufficient brainy references to be intelligent, nonetheless. It talks about bipeds evolving, the continent of Pangaea, and it incorporates the lyric “Australopithecus would actually have been sick of us,” which I deeply recognize.
The theme tune was written and carried out by Canadian rock band Barenaked Women, the authors of the famously wordy 1998 hit “One Week.” Gen-Xers can doubtless recite giant parts of “One Week” (Maintain it now and watch the hoodwink. As I make you cease, suppose. You may suppose you are Aquaman!), though solely dedicated Barenaked Women followers have memorized your complete factor. The band additionally had charting hits with “It is All Been Finished” (additionally from 1998) in addition to “Pinch Me” and “Too Little Too Late.” These listening to indie rock in 1992 doubtless heard their pleasant people piece “If I Had $100000” or their tune about Brian Wilson known as “Brian Wilson.”
All through the Nineteen Nineties, Barenaked Women had been continually current on the radio, and their songs had been featured in lots of movies, TV exhibits, and previews. Their tune “Pie within the Sky” was within the movie model of “Coneheads,” they usually may very well be heard within the “Stonewall” documentary, on “Associates,” “Get together of 5,” and “Spin Metropolis.” They carried out dwell on the short-lived “The Bizarre Al Present,” and turned up on the soundtracks to lots of the ’90s greatest teen motion pictures like “American Pie,” “10 Issues I Hate About You,” and “Drive Me Loopy.”
Barenaked Women are additionally nonetheless performing to this present day, and put out their most up-to-date album, “In Flight,” in 2023.
The origin story of Barenaked Women
The band has a enjoyable origin story: Barenaked Women shaped in Ontario again in 1988, by unique lead singer Steven Web page and guitarist Ed Robertson, buddies from highschool. They bonded once they realized they attended the identical Peter Gabriel live performance, they usually began enjoying music collectively at a teen summer season camp. Web page and Robertson liked to give you pretend band names to amuse themselves, and fake they had been snotty rock critics. Among the many pretend band names was “Barenaked Women.”
Because it so occurs, Robertson was about to compete in an area Battle of the Bands. Sadly, his fellow bandmates all broke up earlier than the competitors. When one of many contest organizers known as Robertson to ask if he would nonetheless be performing, he panicked, mentioned “sure,” and informed them that his band was known as Barenaked Women. Instantly after hanging up, Robertson known as Web page and requested if he’d prefer to be on this new band that he invented on the spot. Web page agreed.
The 2 youngsters did not rehearse in any respect, as an alternative taking to the stage on the Battle of the Bands to carry out no matter songs they already knew. That was sufficient to get them an invitation to open for one more native band known as the Razorbacks. By 1989, the pair had been prepared to begin making albums. It will not shock readers to be taught that Barenaked Women are recognized for his or her on-stage jokes and improvisational nature. Becoming for a band that basically improved its manner into existence. They finally invited Andy and Jim Creeggan, different buddies of theirs from music camp, to affix the band. Andy did not stick round, however one other drummer they knew, Tyler Stewart, linked up with them in 1990.
Till 2009, the lineup could be Robertson, Web page, Creegan, and Stewart. Keyboardist Kevin Hearn would additionally be a part of the band in 1995.
The place are they now?
The band skilled worldwide success for the higher a part of a decade, touring the world, and turning into large stars of their native Canada. 1998 was their greatest yr, however they continued to place out well-received music. They had been even briefly hooked up to an “Animal Home” Broadway musical.
Within the early 2000s, they determined to maneuver again to indie labels, nonetheless, maybe sensing that their profession had skilled a crest. In 2008, the band was beset by a collection of tragedies and private issues. Web page was arrested for cocaine possession, and Robertson unintentionally crashed a non-public airplane (fortunately, there have been no casualties). About the identical time, Robertson misplaced each of his mother and father. This was all in the course of the yr of the band’s twentieth anniversary, and every thing appeared to be collapsing.
In 2009, Web page left the band, a mutual choice for all of them. Barenaked Women, nonetheless, continued with out him, with Robertson, Creeggan, Hearn, and Stewart all keen to maintain the venture going. Web page solely returned to the band for a single present in 2018 for the band’s thirtieth anniversary. They’ve launched six studio albums since Web page’s departure.
In keeping with the band’s web site, they are going to be performing dwell on the River Rock On line casino in Richmond, Canada on February 14, 2025, and on the 5850 Fest in Idaho on March 22. Like all good musical acts, Barenaked Women by no means went away. The worst one would possibly say about them is that they’ve handed from the general public eye. You’ll be able to nonetheless purchase their data, CDs, cassettes (!), and t-shirts.
Given the recognition of “The Huge Bang Idea,” although, it is doable the band is resting comfortably on theme tune royalties. Additionally, sufficient time has handed that “One Week” is now a nostalgia hit, and it nonetheless exhibits up on TV infrequently; it was most lately in an episode of “Merciless Summer time.”
