Who would’ve predicted Jack Black covering Britney Spears in 2024?
The comedic rock duo, Tenacious D, comprising Jack Black and Kyle Gass, surprised fans by releasing their rendition of Spears’ debut sensation “…Baby One More Time” as part of the soundtrack for Kung Fu Panda 4. The cover, teased on social media last week, finally hit the airwaves on Friday.
“Ask and you shall receive…” proclaimed Tenacious D on social media, sharing a link for fans to stream their guitar-laden, rock-infused take on Spears’ 1998 chart-topper.
Last week, the duo, with Black at 54 and Gass at 63, gave a sneak peek of their rendition in a social media video, rocking out to the tune. At the video’s conclusion, Black, the versatile actor, comedian, and musician, raised his fist to reveal the word “BABY” emblazoned across his fingers.
Accompanying the teaser, Black shed light on the genesis of Tenacious D’s Spears cover during the Los Angeles premiere of Kung Fu Panda 4, where he reprises his role as Po.
“Yeah. So, people don’t know … I don’t even know if I’m allowed to say. I’m just going to give you the scoop, but the director, Mike, said, ‘Hey. We’d love to have a Tenacious D song …,’ said Black. “That’s Mike right there … ‘at the end credits. Will you do a song?’ ”
“I was like, ‘Can we do Britney Spears?’ And he was like, ‘Yes,’” he added. “And he said that he wanted ‘…Baby One More Time’ because it’s kind of in the vein of Kung fu.”
Black further revealed that he and Gass “cranked out a Tenacious D version of, and it’s going to be at the end credits.”
Fans of the duo and Spears alike can now enjoy this unexpected collaboration, blending the worlds of rock and pop in the whimsical style that defines Tenacious D.
