'Start Me Up' as performed by The Folksmen (Sept. 2003)

[@dodger2829]

The brilliance of these three men is that this performance works as both satire AND real folk music. Incredible.

[@TowGunner]

Your comment has to be satire.

[@freetomato]

Brilliant court jesters! I bow down.

[@Jason-qx1ce]

Three men?

[@keithmills778]

@@Jason-qx1ce Harry Shearer on bass, Michael McKean on guitar, and Christopher Guest on mandolin. Same three guys who were in "Spinal Tap."

[@privatepenguin3137]

One of them is clearly a lovely woman.

[@elijahFree2000]

The Stones have a cover version of this.

[@bigwoogc]

LOL😅

[@YorkyOne]

It's rubbish though.

[@schoenbc1]

😅

[@Davidtibi4353]

Hilarious comment bro😂😂

[@cujimmy1366]

Home run.

[@ClueSign]

This is the weirdest phase of Spinal Tap's career, but I admire their committment.

[@noahyes]

imo the weirdest phase was the glam metal phase...;)

[@butcherboy2008]

When Spinal Tap was a thing in the 1980s, they used to open for themselves as The Folksmen.

[@ClueSign]

@@butcherboy2008 Wish I could have seen that.

[@tynebar]

It's not Spinal Tap, though.

[@annanutherthing4373]

@@tynebar … but it is Spinal Tap guys - Christopher Guest and others

[@Prikryl70]

I saw Spinal Tap in concert in NYC, and The Folksmen opened for them ❤

[@SS-yw7vo]

Usually it's a puppet show

[@user-wj3ho9hf5e]

The thing that makes this so funny is that these guys are really good musicians. This is just brilliant.

[@reginaldforthright805]

No it’s absolute crap

[@lindsey6187]

Michael McKean is a genius

[@ollieox9181]

Absolutely true: the guy has had an enviable career as a character actor. Lenny from Laverne & Shirley. David from Spinal Tap. Here as Jerry. Chuck from Better Call Saul. Talented guy.

[@noahyes]

but so are christopher guest and harry shearer!

[@demonicsweaters]

One of the most brilliant performers of all time. The dude is an absolute legend.

[@charlesandrews2360]

I'll never be able to listen to the original again without dying laughing

[@jamesschaidt1096]

These fellas are GODS amongst men !

[@jasonstegallco.960]

Actually, I was NEVER able to listen to the original without laughing (Mick & Keith could be brilliant satirists without realizing it sometimes). But still, this was awesome!

[@Paul-zm1hb]

Me too!

[@scottybeegood]

Best cover of a rolling stone song ever!

[@alexbowman7582]

Nope, Otis Redding’s Satifaction which had an influence on the Stones.

[@ronaldbharvey]

With a little bit of Queen thrown in there

[@canadianroot]

Tongue in cheek, I realize, but check out Canadian band Streetheart’s version of Under My Thumb. Just incredible.

[@RoopDaddy86]

Funny. But seriously, Streetheart has the best Stones cover ever performed: It’s arguably much better than the original.

[@canadianroot]

@@RoopDaddy86 Thank you. If they'd been American (the lament of many Canadian bands....to wit, Max Webster...Kim Mitchell's guitar tone was exquisite) they'd have made it much bigger. The extended instrumental in Streetheart's version is off the charts. Superlatives escape me.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

The whole song just waiting for the line "make a dead man come." Then they sang it eight times.

[@ReadingRambo152]

A Mighty Wind is such an underrated film

[@petermorris9818]

As is Best in Show.

[@monkeytennis7477]

That mandolin tho 🔥🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🥰

[@alvarhanso6310]

He really takes it to 11.

[@paulcolbourne9112]

Comedy is often best when played straight and serious. I love that these guys sat down and worked 'Start Me Up' out as a folk song. Not as easy as it seems. This little joke took time and energy. It delivers for the entire song.

[@HailAnts]

Having Harry Shearer 'transitioning' during this time was hilarious! Still is!

[@monkeytennis7477]

He/she looks like Carol Channing 😂🎉

[@stephentaylor8339]

@@monkeytennis7477 OMG! YES!!!!

[@garryrc]

I remember listening to Harry on KSAN. His short show was "The Last Heterosexual". Which would close with "I might not be gay, but I'm happy!"

[@adamkane4217]

This is the greatest moment in the history of television.

[@SourceOfWill]

It's good but this is the greatest moment in the history of TV: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnXbdYx_hrFphMU However it is 2023-08-18 and the Fulton, Georgia Trials have not yet aired. History is still in the offing.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

I guess you've never seen Hee-Haw.

[@thatthingthatisaid65]

Fk Neil Armstrong. This is a giant leap for musical integrity.

[@micheller6804]

​@@MrJoeybabe25Or the moon landing....

[@buckhorncortez]

I never thought Nigel Tufnel could do anything without an amplifier turned up to 11...

[@garethwilliams5809]

When I first saw this I thought that the only song I know called Start Me Up was by The Rolling Stones, had to check the lyrics to confirm that that was what they were singing, such is their genius. Who else can't keep their eyes off of Harry's character

[@theborg4143]

M m mm mm mm mm mm mm mmm

[@HalinPhilly]

It's that Karen wig that gets me.

[@samman188]

"make a dead man cum" was a nod to Shave Em Dry by Lucille Bogan where she sings that, that is.... er.... not the most graphic line in her tune

[@mightymartianca]

As much as anything it's the folk phrasing, it renders it almost unrecognizable.

[@cautionTosser]

nice gams

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

These guys are so immensely Talented in ; writing , producing, playing AND Singing, comedy, acting....

[@TowGunner]

…………….. and cringe.

[@cisium1184]

They're poor singers. Genius comedians though.

[@debraarnold3703]

Hysterical. Longing for another film by Christopher Guest.

[@sseacre]

A Mighty Wind will always be a huge favorite! And The Folksmen are a huge reason! ❤❤❤❤😊

[@bostonaudi]

Having seen Spinal Tap live - twice - I can attest that these guys can actually play!

[@mitchell9110]

I somehow missed seeing it but there was a tour where The Folksmen opened for Spinal Tap.

[@johnbastille5483]

One of my favorite groups from the 60s...I remember their inimitable style on "Hootenanny."

[@mypalfootfoot9591]

Back in the day, my friends and I would hang out in my room, get high smoking banana peels and listen to the Folksmen for hours. My parents thought they were commies but we didn't care, we were wild and free with moonbeams to spare!

[@TheWingus]

I noticed that their later albums were different though, by the time “Wishin’” came out I had to punch my own hole on the record!!

[@matthewwelch4305]

@@TheWingus Well that was more of a production issue with that cheap record company - they made the records all right, but they didn't punch that hole in them. It may have saved a bit of money, but very few consequently heard those records. Even though the material on the records themselves were quite good...

[@garysuarez9614]

I liked "Saying Something." I know it was a departure from their format but true genius will be expressed, no matter its popularity.

[@hbwhitmore878]

Went through 7 records before I got that hole centered. It was worth it though, oh yes, it was worth it.

[@roderickantony7770]

The most underrated folk band of the time and ahead of their time having the first trans bass player, i believe.

[@adrianrust3229]

Wait a second... Marta Shubb isn't a woman?!?! 🤔😁

[@namcat53]

The Spinal Tap brilliance expands far beyond its origins. We are so lucky to have seen these guys. They're up there with Firesign Theatre and Monty Python.

[@roughcutguitars]

"EVERYBODY!" :-D Immeasurable level of genius. Every moment tops the one before it.

[@MISTERASMODEUS]

Omg this is hysterical. Such brilliant satire of a folk genre

[@noahyes]

how did i not know this existed? what a great way to promote that film.

[@wayneanderson8034]

I can never listen to this song again. It gets stuck in my head & I can't get it out.

[@JasonNation72]

Happy 20th Anniversary to this genius rendition!

[@alexanderSydneyOz]

It is priceless the way they managed to blur the concept of whether the two bands are just satire, or not.

[@randycox3522]

Would love to hear the Schmenge (sp?) brothers version.

[@chrisshugart6189]

"A Mighty Wind" is what started it. They ruined folk forever. You can't listen to any of that genre without thinking of these guys. Pure genius.

[@setadriftonfishandchips]

They did this as an SNL sketch in the 1980s. Long before A Mighty Wind

[@shoveldr]

They would have the Folksman open for Spinal Tap on tour, people wouldn't realize it was the same people and boo them off stage.

[@FlamingoKicker]

Kind of ahead of their time. Starting out as a parody of the Kingston Trio and then transitioning (literally and figuratively) into Peter, Paul and Mary.

[@monkeytennis7477]

Burn 🔥🔥😂

[@SidewaysSurfDrinksHQ]

Genius level off the chart here. As usual with these guys…..👏

[@Nikkithedog-t6b]

I wish they had done the folk interpretation of the Tap classic Sex Farm, or possibly Big Bottom.

[@aaronhazelwood6489]

Fun fact: this band is also Spinal Tap. I wonder if that mandolin goes to eleven?

[@davidappleby7214]

Nigel may have modified it to infinity

[@glenbard657]

And two of them were in Lenny & the Squigtones before that.

[@aaronhazelwood6489]

@@glenbard657 Right!

[@jakesmet9426]

Christopher Guest is and does everything that well, hes such a gift, and Im honored we share a bday exactly 40 years apart, and have even come across the same amazing Collings F5 Mandolin, rumored to be the first choice for the infamous STONE HEDGE gag, but opted for a F4 with an oval soundhole. So the F5 Collings made its way to recently deceased Memphis virtuso Tommy Burroughs, which Ive been lucky enough to play music with, and at gigs he'd ALWAYS let me play that INCREDIBLE mandolin!!

[@submandave1125]

Going even further back, Nigel Tufnell played lead guitar for Lenny and the Squigtones, too.

[@TonysMusic1974]

His mandolin goes up to 11!

[@rabbiboazmarmon7723]

Christopher Guest can only play that mandolin solo because he’s got six fingers…

[@adrianrust3229]

Your comment is brilliant!

[@TomPage51]

That’s one more

[@mitchgawlik1175]

Conan should have brought out Spinal Top next. Shearer, McKean and Guest, what a comedy trio.

[@joebobgrizzler9963]

I was lucky enough to be there.. on that riverboat dinner tour.. in Cincinnati.. on the Ohio.. when the Folksmen covered "Givin' the Dog a Bone". The richness of their harmony was breathtaking.

[@pommie5093]

Simply brilliant.

[@StephenS-2025]

Come.....by yahhhhhhhh. Beautiful.

[@kensellar]

A world away from Spinal Tap, these guys are funny because they play it straight. Being really good musicians adds to the humor. I'd love to see them do Angry today!

[@eduardopena5893]

"A Might Wind" was a great film. I loved all the allusions to real life counterparts in it.

[@angelofverdun456]

This is amazing!

[@johnsmith6586]

I heard that these guys once opened for Spinal Tap and got booed off stage. Now that's hilarious.

[@paulaneary7877]

Freaking HILLARIOUS! I love it!

[@joefelice5062]

Talk about finishing!

[@2cupojoe136]

😂

[@jonathanhadden7157]

I saw them perform this LIVE! What was *SO* hysterical was that *THEY* were the opening act for SPINAL TAP at Carnegie Hall! They even shared their bewilderment at the selection making no sense to them, but they couldn’t pass up a chance to play Carnegie Hall! 🤪 (For those that didn’t get the joke, they are ALSO Spinal Tap)!

[@mc3067]

It would be great to hear their renditions of some tunes from "Red, White & Blaine."

[@GeorgiaGrowGuy]

i was watching shearer doing an interview on the beat farmers last night. He is a music lover.

[@jsmcguireIII]

I was blown away by a mighty wind.

[@BigAli81]

It’s pretty spectacular in fairness 😊

[@TheMrCompletely]

When they sang "you make a dead man come" I really felt that

[@sahgentpeppah]

Genius

[@roblane66]

This is brilliant!!!

[@markd1810]

That was fantastic! I had no idea.

[@jackzaccardi1896]

This pure brilliance !

[@RoshChodesh13]

MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@robertmilne4304]

Outstanding.

[@topologyrob]

That's just brilliant

[@brettharlow7010]

Genius.

[@sstace69]

It's funny but also good at the same time 😂

[@RoryLynott]

Knocks me on my ass each and every listen.

[@EricJurkovich-js9kc]

Badass those 3 men badass

[@Gustav1353]

This is a better version than the Stones song!!!

[@kenlodge3399]

Golly, where have I heard that song before - I just can't place it !?!

[@kmlgraph]

They should be the opening act for Rolling Stones.

[@georgegeysen6499]

Hilarious ... and brilliant.

[@Tractorsandnonsense]

That arrangement at 1:14-1:25 is amazing

[@fredparker1734]

Spectacular,in it's genius.

[@frankfurther3828]

More!

[@johnshilljejr3799]

How great was that!

[@faeryglamer]

Count rugen playing the mandolin like an angel..

[@donl9571]

Advantage with the 6 fingers

[@faeryglamer]

@@donl9571 oh well done lol

[@jurgostuff]

Marta's hair was just beautiful.

[@VenusSantaCruz]

Listen to what the Flower People say. I love both versions of this song 🤣🤣🤣

[@phillypressboxradio4971]

Epic!

[@RataStuey]

I saw Spinal Tap in London in 2009 and didn’t realise that the Folksmen were the same guys.. they played their own support band

[@johngore7744]

That was great. I’ve been a Stones fan since 1967 and Start me Up was never one of my faves. Now it is. Lol. How about Happy.

[@creamnsugar6771]

The song “Happy” is in my top 3 Stones tunes!!

[@m444ss]

Brilliant.

[@gtrdoc911]

Did they finish with " you make a dead man kum ba yah"? LOL.

[@bobdavis4848]

Yah! LOL

[@the_g9456]

what genius did I just watch? lol.

[@maestromecanico597]

It’s simple but at the same time only this trio could have pulled it off.

[@hpblack1953]

I need a joint.

[@monkeytennis7477]

Mee too 😵😂

[@TopJimmyWinn]

Thats amazing, im gonna have to learn a version of this on my geetar

[@DavidFobare]

They used to have a drummer, but he spontaneously combusted in a gardening accident.

[@joshuaweston6531]

This was funnier than I expected 😄

[@JTSunriseMusic]

Their drummer exploded and they went folk

[@mitchgawlik1175]

Spontaneously combusted is the proper term. Wasn't the drummer Stumpy Joe?

[@JTSunriseMusic]

@@mitchgawlik1175choked on vomit, they are not sure who’s

[@richstex4736]

@@mitchgawlik1175 I was always fond of the Fishing Musicians' saying, "he blowed up real good".

[@csmith1298]

Well, to be fair, you can't exactly dust for vomit.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Peter Paul and Mary drank the kool aid and became satirical. Love it.

[@markhayward7400]

I like this better than the Rolling Stones original!

[@christianradioE5]

They originated in the film A Mighty Wind.

[@ponyboygarfunkel1675]

That performance makes me laugh and laugh.

[@gregm766]

This is way, way funnier than it should be.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@paulnolan4971]

Comedic Musical Genius on show, again.

[@cosimomichaelocchipinti2511]

Spinal Tap hootanany. Great spoof on a popular Rollijng Stones tune. Didn't recognize the Tune at first.

[@VAPIDISM]

Superb, I turned it up to eleven.

[@henryzhao4622]

If Chuck McGill had a healthy family life with his mom and Jimmy

[@VinceHiggins-OTW]

OMG. the bass player is Harry Sherer in drag :)))))

[@richstex4736]

He'd be arrested in several states these days.

[@jamesschaidt1096]

Sick ! 🎼👍🤣

[@gtfblade]

Are you telling me that a stone just happens to roll like that? No! *He* orchestrated it! Mick!

[@joshDammmit]

THIS IS SPINAL TAP