I have literally been waiting over a year for Saturday Night Live to air a digital short based on “Boombox,” my number one favorite of all the gems on the Lonely Island‘s February ’09 album Incredibad. I won’t lie: I had begun to give up hope that I’d ever see this joke-rap masterwork given the visual treatment it so richly deserves.
So when I heard those pulsing synth chords coming from my TV this weekend, I was up and dancing before the words “Imagine in your mind a posh country club…” left Andy Samberg’s lips. What can I say? The music was way too powerful. Everything about “Boombox” the digital short was how I’d pictured it, especially Samberg’s choice haircut. They even got the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas to reprise his guest vocals on camera. No kidding, I like the hooks Casablancas sang for “Boombox” more than almost anything on his recent solo album. I only wish SNL hadn’t cut the song’s second verse and chorus (“Picture if you will a bunch of business men…”). Maybe they’ll show up on an extended DVD reissue some day?
Go ahead. Fix yourself a nice plate of boiled goose, slip on some fingerless gloves, and hit play below (some NSFW lyrics). Just remember: A boombox can change the world. You’ve gotta know your limits with a boombox. A boombox is not a toy. Share your “Boombox”-related cautionary tales in the comments, below.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
The Specials: Terry Hall and Lynval Golding on the ska-rock legends’ reunion shows—and why their absent keyboard player is a ‘Scrooge’
Craig Robinson from ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ sings ‘Jessie’s Girl’
OK Go depart EMI following criticism of the company, set up own label with two dogs
Adam Lambert ‘Unplugged’: Watch his VH1 performances here
Lady Gaga’s ‘Telephone’ video
I saw a Spanish guy doing the Bart-man! I too had been waiting a year for this video. Loved it.
Love Casablancas! Good job Lonely Island.
I loved it. Best part of the show I think.
This was awesome until the Elderly Folk start doing it.
But great that Julian Casablancas is in this song.
Are you kidding, the entire short depended on that ending – it was the payoff.
I loved this video! I got so excited when it started out that the friends I was watching it with started looking at me like I was crazy…all I could say was, “This is my favorite song off of Incredibad”
That was hysterical. I had to watch it twice to fully appreciate it. Loooove it.
I had bought the Lonely Island album, and wound up playing ‘boombox’ more than any other song! I WAS SO HAPPY to see the video. I jumped up and went “YEAH!”….then sat back down. Nobody else knew what was going on.
This was a masterpiece. Now I can start waiting for Punch You In The Jeans.
Julian really made the song for me… that attitude and the vocals are amazing…… then the old people started having sex and i almost threw it that was so disgusting….
Just another voice among the Rainbow Coalition of Dancing who’s been waiting a year for this video. It was almost frame for frame how I always imagined it would be (except *tear* no second verse). The addition of glitter put it just over my imagination’s top.
Does this remind me anyone else a lot of the Chappelle Show skit with John Mayer? I still enjoyed the song a fair amount, and it’s definitely a catchy tune, but I couldn’t stop thinking of how similar the two were.
yes! thats all i could think of
what kind of sunglasses is julian wearing? please help!
I have to say that Julian Casablancas is freaking y…
I liked Casablancas’s hair in this video… i just want to know how to make that hairstyle.
me too. loved the hairdo!
My life it complete now that this video exists. I giggled with glee when I heard the intro- shook my friend by the sholders and screamed at the top of my lungs, “You have no $%^&ing clue how awesome this is! You remember this for forever!”