The Greatest Video Essay in the World

[@LemonCurry.]

"Perfect is good, done is better" - you don't know how much I needed that message to stop procrastinating.

[@shawa666]

Don't let Perfect be the enemy of Good.

[@notyrpapa]

Hank Green said something along the lines of 'you have permission to be sh1t'. I find that helpful when creating. It's easier to make something crap and then make it better.

[@MikMaio]

A mediocre novel can be made better and reviewed. A bank page will remain bank. This motto always helps me 😊

[@sofaking1627]

I've lived by that for years.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

Tribute has the same vibe as "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." What a great insight into divine and infernal inspiration.

[@JetstreamGW]

It also avoids the error that song makes, since the Devil totally kicked Johnny's ass.

[@ChairmanPingu]

@@JetstreamGW I'm no fiddle expert but learnt recently that the devil's technique was apparently very easy and relatively basic, it was just fast and meant to sound more impressive. Whereas johnny demonstrated a range of fiddle techniques that take an insane amount of skill. So to the masses the devil would seem to have won but both the devil and johnny know that's not the case. (No hate btw)

[@fnjesusfreak]

@@ChairmanPingu Charlie Daniels said it was all just a bunch of smoke.

[@s0mniosidae]

All jokes aside, it is cool to see you back.

[@JamesWjRose]

The phrase I heard is; "Perfect is the enemy of Done" Thanks kindly for all your work

[@neekondrums]

I think the way I heard it was, "Perfection is the enemy of 'good'," but they all mean the same thing. I think the idea is that there always seems to be a tipping point where continuing to refine a thing starts having diminishing returns, and you start making it worse instead of making it better. So, yes, finish the thing and move on. You won't really know how good it is until you put it down, spend some time away from it, and see it with new perspective. At that point, you can learn from it and apply that knowledge to future endeavors. You won't learn those lessons, though, if you never actually commit to declaring something complete and moving on. True perfection doesn't likely exist, anyway, because it's defined by perspective, which is changing from person to person and from moment to moment.

[@tocide]

perfectionism as the ultimate form is impossible, there are only raw or standard

[@AnonymousAccount514]

I like enemy of Done better

[@iandodd7828]

“Perfect is good. Done is better.” A good mantra for creatives. Another favorite of mine: “Strive for perfection. Tolerate excellence.” - John Sexton, American photographer

[@tukoijarrett9155]

Another one: "If you're really committed to doing something you have to be willing to do it poorly"

[@DTheAustralian]

This is, quite literally, a tribute.

[@soloflare9696]

A tribute to a tribute

[@GBomb9704]

@@soloflare9696to the greatest song in the world

[@jonesy279]

“There shined a shiny demon” is one of my favourite bad lines in music. It’s perfectly dumb, yet feels so good! Excellent work as always mate!

[@_The_Archive_]

Fun Fact: In The Pick of Destiny movie, the word 'f*ck' and its derivatives are said 106 times

[@AugustRx]

How's that fun?

[@thedeceptivekhan]

If you have to ask you'll never know.

[@pepesilvia429]

​@@AugustRxhave you tried saying that word? It's a pretty good-feeling word

[@antigrav6004]

The blade runner tears in the rain monologue is only 42 words, imagine what they could have done by replacing a few of those.

[@DMminion101]

This timing is above and beyond, because in exactly one month from now, first of May, I'll see this band play a concert for my first time. And what a Tribute this is!(but watching it on Nebula)

[@wcrb15]

"Greatness is lost in the act of creating" that line really sticks with me. I hate that this is the reality of life, but it's definitely true

[@ChrisWood]

I was at a talk Stephen King did promoting "Lisey's Story", and he said something that I will never forget: "Amateurs wait for inspiration. The rest of us get up and go to work."

[@Jacko_Fakename]

11:30 If you are really getting in to it you can see this message is also expresed in the song itself: Jack and Kyle didn't plan out how they are going to write this magnifisent masterpice, they just played the first thing that came to their head and it just so happened to be the best song in the world.

[@Stray7]

Look into my eyes and it's easy to see one and one make two, two and one make three, it was destiny.

[@asliwins337]

I watched this on Nebula but came over here so I could comment on how much I enjoyed the video. Thanks for all your work!

[@LeSensuel]

3 minutes into the video and I actually thought you’d just talk about making the best video essay ever, without actually getting to the point! But I love that you’re actually talking about the D!

[@artninja637]

"Greatness is a fleeting and terrifying thing." What an incredible line.

[@nmlss]

An artist I admire a lot, Jake Parker, once said "finished, not perfect", and since the day I heard it for the first time, I printed that quote and put it on the wall in front of my desk, surrounded by the art of other artists that inspire me.

[@Imaginationkeys]

you almost made me cry, man! If it's not the greatest, sure is a great tribute essay

[@Imaginationkeys]

"My best work doesn't come from seeking greatness."

[@marieldowns5674]

It’s so interesting that somethings this creative and well-made isn’t immediately recognized as being such. It’s how the best art is.

[@plotmaker]

As usual, your video has gifted a gem that truly resonates with me: "Perfect is good, Done is better". Even the economy of just six words embodies the sentiment being expressed.

[@CorbCorbin]

Finished, not perfect.

[@brynbarker4997]

I’m commenting on my girlfriends account but my old best friend did an essay on this exact topic back in high school, you reminded me of him today so thank you. We loved tenacious d.

[@gruba_____717]

FLEE-GOO-GEE-GOO absolutely is a direct reference to an important moment in rock and heavy metal history - the 1970 song Hocus Pocus by Focus, which uses the same kind of vocal stylings in lieu of actual lyrics. The song is a pivotal proto-metal track, and has been covered by greats like Iron Maiden and Helloween, as well as Vandals and Marillion, and has even been featured in the movie Baby Driver.

[@syntheticreality549]

If this is about Tenacious D I will be so damn happy😭

[@AugustRx]

it's not :(

[@xiancastillo]

It is.

[@quincy9908]

Sorta

[@maciek19882]

Kinda

[@readymade83]

An unexpected surprise and it is great to hear you making new content. Feel free to drop more when the mood strikes.

[@jerryvahnknight218]

Thanks for mentioning the Zep tribute from the show! That version and the show are all too often overlooked. The show was 100% a genius work of art. I wish the movie had the same level of writing. They should have brought in Davis Cross and Bob Odenkirk for a higher elevation of writing and depth, like the show! Missed opportunity!!

[@StaffyLeeMusic]

Opens KZbin and sees new Polyphonic video. *Literally squeals with excitement* Back or not, thank you for checking in. You do you, and we'll all be here ready for these beautiful video essays, if and when you create them. Oh, and congrats on the book!

[@holzgmbh7508]

this sounds a hell of a lot like something somebody would say, who made a deal with the devil to achieve great video essays, but now has to discourage other people from going for greatness...

[@raheelshayaan]

i'm a graphic designer. recently i've had this idea for a piece that could potentially be my most creative, and groundbreaking (for me atleast) the fear that i won't be able to bring what i have in my head onto the screen has been keeping me from attempting to design it. what i think is my greatest idea could become my most mediocre work. but "perfect is good, but done is better" has now fired in me the notion to get cracking and bring the idea to life the way it deserves to be. thanks!

[@toastytoes5867]

Amazing. I'm in a Tenacious D cover band in Halifax called Denacious T and we spread the word of The D. I will now assign this video as homework to our followers

[@BryceRogers_]

The profundity you encapsulate in even the most innocent of Tenacious D jokes.... I'm impressed. Cheers!

[@christopherthompson9578]

I also love the quote (and I forget who originally said it so apologies) “inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us sit down and do the work” in a similar vein it has helped me understand my value as a maker even when inspiration isn’t hitting and feeling like a fraud when it seems like people are just plucking good ideas out of thin air

[@EpilepticHouseplant]

Tribute just got a little boost in views i bet. I still listen to it regularly. As a musician myself i have always considered it a masterpiece in its' own right.

[@notoriousstrikes4284]

I'm glad you're doing better mentally for yourself homie. Love your content and knowing huge expectations can only lead to disappointment is a great lesson. Proud of you writing the book :)

[@mk48066]

Opening with iconography of an E30 BMW... right on!

[@tjg555]

This video was insightful and enlightening. It clarified thoughts I've always had about greatness and reminded me of a quote, which I'll approximate here: "You are not responsible for completing the work, but nor are you free to abandon it." I'd love to see you come back, but either way, don't abandon the work of illuminating music as a crucial and vital aspect of human existence.

[@monsterguyx6322]

So glad to hear from others who recognized the excellence of this song.

[@Phono_Wizard]

I've never pre ordered a book before but I love your art and your thoughts so much I had to. I'm excited for the release day when I can crack it open and see what awaits. I've been following your work here on youtube for a long time I genuinely enjoy every faucet of your thought provoking work. Congrats on finishing your book. Publishing a book is something I always wanted to do as well. This video has inspired me to start work on my story again. I Thank you for that. And thank you for analyzing a song from one of my favorite bands and giving it a touch of profound meaning. That makes the song that much more special.

[@PeterBParker593]

Thank you for this reminder. I think a lot of us creatives struggle with fear of failure, or we compare ourselves to our favorite artists and think we can never be that good, so why bother? But I always remind myself that all those influential songs, books, etc that live in the public conscious started off as a simple idea. And if their great works started off as a simple idea, so can ours.

[@kraklakvakve]

I had a smile on my face the entire time of this essay. It was not the greatest smile in the world, but it was a solid tribute.

[@clouddd8053]

The whole time u were making your intro I was feeling reminded of that song, s-tier segue into the video’s main topic

[@PattPlays]

Over easter, a family member told me I might like this one video essayist. Showed me the channel on her phone. One glance.. real name for channel name, face and body are half the thumbnails.. They were long game reviews.. n-no.. th-thats not.. sigh.. Only editors get editors. Thank you pseudium. PS: a different video essayist recently made a video that had shit takes and was labelled as 'reddit bait'. I'm glad your channel doesn't make an ass of itself to attract a lower hanging fruit of eyeballs and still consider themself art. Thou are art. Genuine art.

[@Jess-zw1ku]

We are witnessing an artist going to the next level in his work.

[@caryrodda]

Good to see you back. Hopefully you'll be inspired to get back into regular posting. But as a former musician, I can definitely relate to burning out creatively, so I get where you're coming from.

[@ChristianLemon]

Weird, last night I thought about this song and watched the video for the first time in 15 years. The next day, this video comes out.

[@someman7888]

The king is back

[@HankAndStuff64]

The movie Whiplash actually has a similar message to this. Its director's intent was for it to be a cautionary tale, subtly showing why one shouldn't be motivated by perfection.

[@solarpunk_future]

8:49 I absolutely love this description of greatness. I think the reason nobody can ever make 'the greatest' of something is because the language of the divine is like the concept of infinity-we all understand it to some extent, but trying to put it to words that accurately describe it is like trying to speak a language only the universe can hum at decibels lower than that of black holes. and I think that's beautiful-the incomprehensible (I have a small obsession with nonsensical things, I think we all do, honestly) I think that's also why humanity is obsessed with death, because it's the closest thing to divine we will get: the greatness of becoming nothing and everything all at once. BUT! do not have a crisis, for we are the universe's moment of greatness. we are the little, feeble things of divinity that emerged to the universe in the same way it does with us. between sprawling galaxies and giant maws of black holes and brilliant swirls of clouds that house the birthplace of tiny, impossibly long-living stars. we are that small fraction of divinity that is there and gone, we are what the universe will make tribute of, have you not seen it already in the way her supernovae are like eyes and hearts and skulls? (apologies, I hold the title of a rambler. but do think of yourself as important, and have yourself a wonderful day, maybe get a treat or sit outside and just exist, the choice is yours.)

[@JJ-wi2uw]

Big Log by Robert Plant [The Principle of Moments (1983)] is a great song for driving on the freeway at night.

[@ourkidof91]

I’ll definitely buy the book, these are some of my favourite videos on KZbin. You have a fantastic talent for this, keep it up.

[@Lotschi]

If I didn‘t have discovered Tenacious D last week I wouldn‘t have understood the joke in the thumbnail. This is an amazing video! But maybe not the greatest!

[@workingorder2189]

And when the world needed him the most he returned.

[@captaincreativity5122]

I need to know the name of the song that starts at 6:09 ... Or is that just a tribute too? Good video

[@Milton-ij9eg]

The tenacious d story reminded me of voodoo Chile by Hendrix and how upon being asked to play it again, they couldn't remember the exact way it went, so voodoo child was born. lol

[@calebwinter7118]

As a New Zealander I hope you had the best time here! Nonetheless a great video and glad that you’re back! 🇳🇿

[@thehearingaid]

This is not the greatest comment in the world, this is just a tribute. 😈

[@papadem]

The image at 1:20 reminded me of a short story by Marios Hakkas: «a skull full of flowers».

[@rizeorfall]

“Cradle the inspiration. It’ll leave you writhing on the floor”

[@aishwaryatiwari6894]

Thank you for all that you do! You've been instrumental to me in my quest for knowing more and more about rock music. It is saying something, when English is actually my second language. At any rate, good to see you back and I look forward to seeing more of the beauty I am sure you'll create. Will surely order the book, congratulations for that!! Much love from India!

[@johnjjohningtoniii2439]

Man, it would have been really great if those brake calipers didn't rotate with the wheels in that BMW. That is what really holds this video back from greatness.

[@kastro99]

the way you tell stories is amazing

[@kaitlyn__L]

I put this off in case it was silly, I love that it was actually serious about a silly song. Thank you

[@jamesbiering2589]

Great to hear u enjoyed makin this video and ive always been a fan since i found ur channel. Made me think of lotta things a lotta different ways over the years thanks for all ur content

[@Fezza60]

This is all round brilliant, both the video and news about the book. Really made a gloomy day MUCH better 🙂

[@PDeNigris]

Book pre-ordered. Can't wait!

[@andremendes1559]

like Jeff Rosenstock said "perfect always take so long because it don't exist". missed you

[@JeanPhilippeBoucher]

I think we tend to pursue greatness as if it was a quality or a trait in a created piece or idea, but in practice it's more of a moment or experience that's only indirectly attached to the thing itself. As in, you can only experience the greatness of a deepening connection for a moment before it becomes mundane. (unless you somehow find ways to go even deeper or forgets that connection, such as when rewatching a movie after many years.) That explain to me why capturing greatness "raw" often doesn't turns out genuine, and why tributing an experience of greatness you had and framing the experience itself as the core of the product works much better.

[@JeanPhilippeBoucher]

In many ways I think some of the classic pieces that age so well are already fundamentally tributes to something -- and then imitators will often miss the mark by trying to build up a similar piece thinking the way to do it is to aggrandize the piece itself instead of using it as a vehicle to channel the greatness of something outside of it. Just some thoughts that came to me after watching, it's a nice essay!

[@YoniIsrael]

I have a saying that i might heard or read somewhere sometime "perfecton is a destantion we need to inspire to reach with the full knowtion that we will never reach it" it is like palying Icy Tower, you know there are endless tiles, but you must get to that next tile, and the one after it and the one after it...

[@PeanutSpring3]

I have had that feeling before. So many great tunes that have rolled through my head that dissapeared minutes later. And awesome to hear you wrote a book! I like your essays enough I might actually pick it up and read it!

[@levmatta]

At the very beginning I was waiting for the word "tribute", really happy that the D is a big part of the "The Greatest Video Essay in the World". By the way -- great subject (you nailed it).

[@soodonym]

As a New Zealander... Thanks for coming. Hope you had a good time. Did cool stuff and didn't get fleeced as a tourist traps.

[@Gunman0803]

Poly I just wanna say thank you for doing all that you do, as an aspiring Musican with dreams that seem a lot bigger than his skills at times, your work inspires me and helps me feel seen as an artist who also spends a lot of time thinking about how to create and how people I look up to did their own art.

[@jebbloch4868]

That opening... slow clap. 🙌

[@jon79jon]

Gday from Australia, Noah good to have you back. Sounds like a spark was reignited, all can say is enjoy the process and the work will be good.

[@ShankatsuForte]

I hope there will be an audiobook version that you narrate :D

[@ThunderApache]

Man is back❤.

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

Is there any chance you could do a video on Jacques Brel and his influence in the English speaking world of music (Scott Walker, David Bowie etc.)?

[@veikkajoensuu]

You are a genius. The title of the best video essay definetly belongs to you. I'm happy to see you post again!

[@augustosolari7721]

It reminds me to the romantic idea of the Absolute, something that is beyond our grasp and we won't ever be able to reach, but it is there and makes you strive to reach it.

[@Xarahel]

I have felt SO many chills, sir. You weren't chasing for greatness here, you said. And I can promise you that, in fact, this video is, actually, one of the GREATEST I have ever watched in my life. Because this little but BIG travel through concepts very hard to explain in words for anyone... Even you made that, me, here in an Spanish little town located in North Africa, felt SO complete and lucky because before watching this, I have lived one of the creative proccess more weird, even crazy but powerful, but, I had no other way in my mind: I had to write a poem in half an hour of something that, really, felt it was going to be absolutely impossible. Not in half an hour, sure. That is why, now that I had it ended and waiting to be read for the person, the first one, which opinion will mean my poem has some greatness or it is something for what I should be killed or... I don't know what it is, but now it's done. THANK YOU for making sense and showing me how we feel, how we try to catch something that... You are so right. Congratulations, because you created something that will help to all creators. And that, sir, is even beyond GREATNESS.

[@paulgill2042]

Are you going to write a book about each country's music? Or just America? Does that include Canada and Mexico or South America? Looking forward to reading it.

[@HJ-pm2dx]

Orpheus and Eurydice. The gods can bless you, making you the greatest. You can be so great you can turn death to your whims. But at the end of the day (your journey) you are human, and all these gifts will not change that. Your greatest weakness-your doubts and eagerness. Congratulations on the book.

[@robgronotte1]

I thought you had retired! Good to see you back, good luck with the book.

[@andreawallenberger2668]

I see Polyphonic, I drop everything.

[@Zillah82]

Congrats on the book! I'm excited for it.

[@namawibe]

Congrats on the book! Ordered and excited to read it!

[@JammerDead]

YOU WROTE A BOOK MY DUDE, IM SO PROUD ❤🎉, DEFINITELY GETTING MY COPY

[@creepingjesus5106]

The closest I've come to what I could ascribe 'greatness' came from playing so much, so often, that I went into automatic and some feeling of tremendous elevation and elation picked me up. You don't seek greatness, you hang around paying your dues, and it might just find you. Once in a while.

[@eddiemachetti6862]

Its simply great to create for artists. Everyone else procreates and consumes crap. Nice video. Thanks for sharing. 🤘🏽

[@rubennollet4623]

Hi, a practical question: will you be distributing the book to bookshops in Europe as well? I never buy online because sites like Amazon are the death of true bookshops…

[@BrendanSmallButera]

What a Tribute!!

[@milotandy7019]

Excellent essay, as always. Question: will there be an audiobook edition of your book forthcoming?

[@harleyestrada6476]

I am building a recording arts program for the high school I was just hired at and I plan on using your book for the music history part of the program.

[@MrTheBaron]

He's back! And with a book too!!!

[@shaddixamigo]

will the book be available for Amazon Europe as well?

[@jayrigger7508]

"i am not that pretentious"

[@owenp1996]

I haven't thought of tenacious d in years. This weekend they popped into my head and I showed my girlfriend. Now this! Wild.

[@jackmyers1755]

Hey Polyphonic! Are you going to do a Nebula series on Pink Floyd's The Wall? Not track by track of course, as that would be torture. More like dividing the album into acts, since that will gell well with the storyline. Great video by the way mate!

[@blackroses6315]

OH MY GOD IVE WAITED MY WHOLE FOR THIS ESSAY

[@mirlomaltes]

In Spanish the saying goes lo perfecto es enemigo de lo mejor (what is perfect is an enemy of what is best). Great video as usual

[@therichesthobo5753]

Crazy to hear you were in my small hometown of queenstown I hope you had a great time!

[@CoreyJohnson193]

AMAZING! I need to get this book...