# If I Say "It Goes Up to 11," Do You Know What I'm Talking About? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 16, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616 "2011-02-16T18:51:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/81 "2011-02-18T19:46:10Z")
> [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](#): > > If there’s no little guy in my olive, I will always blurt out, “It’s a complete catastrophe!” 🙂 “Oh, look, nobody’s home!” > [@tdn](#): > > It’s so funny that so many people remember this movie. But how many remember the sequel? > > All I remember is David talking about having to take a job coaching a girls soccer team. “I don’t get paid money, I get paid a stipend, which is like money, only… less.” I’m going to guess the title of it is, “This Is Still Spinal Tap”? No, you really can’t expect people in meatspace to get all the internet and movie memes that we are all so familiar with, unfortunately. I agree that Spinal Tap and Monty Python movies are much more than internet phenomena, but it seems to be us nerdy types who really enjoy them. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/82 "2011-02-18T20:36:40Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’m going to guess the title of it is, “This Is Still Spinal Tap”? The Return of, which was apparently made for TV. It was to promote their new album, Break Like the Wind. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/83 "2011-02-18T20:41:19Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > And for those that haven’t seen the movie, **[here is the relevant clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7rWiY5obI)**. Do make sure to watch it soon, this clip tends not to last that long. I haven’t seen _This Is Spinal Tap_, but I just might if the rest of the movie is like that clip. Is it? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/84 "2011-02-18T20:44:54Z")
I surveyed the people here at work today. 50% of them knew about turning it up to 11. There was one woman who threw her arms up and went “Woo Hoo! I know! It’s Spinal Tap!”…she then proceed to pull up the youtube video to show to her boss. I was surprised by one person who responded with a blank look–she attended the Tap/Folksmen Unplugged concert with some of us last year. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/85 "2011-02-18T20:45:57Z")
aa ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/86 "2011-02-18T20:47:57Z")
> [@choie](#): > > I believe that the backstage scene is a nod to _Don’t Look Back_, the 1967 Bob Dylan documentary, Dylan gets lost backstage after a concert in Manchester and somewhat desperately asks, “Where’s the door?!” > > I know this may be hard to fathom, but this film was a cult hit long before the SDMB or the WWW as we know it were around. In other words, it _was_ a “real world” reference. The Web broadened its popularity but the meme existed long before we called things ‘memes’. > > So there’s no need to get all “oh, these sad, pathetic SDMB nerds!” here. For pete’s sake, as alluded to above, the BBC itself uses it in their official player. “cult hit” is the important phrase. It was popular among a small minority of the general population. Therefore, we should not be surprised when most people in the real world do not “get” allusions to it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/87 "2011-02-18T20:49:17Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > I haven’t seen _This Is Spinal Tap_, but I just might if the rest of the movie is like that clip. Is it? Pretty much, yes. I can’t think of any scene that drags or is unfunny. Keep an eye out for the airport security scene. Also much talked about. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/88 "2011-02-18T20:54:54Z")
The commentary on the DVD is worth listening to–it’s all done in character. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/89 "2011-02-18T20:55:13Z")
Because seriously, that scene was funny. I think I’ll watch it today. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/90 "2011-02-18T21:16:43Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Because seriously, that scene was funny. I think I’ll watch it today. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/91 "2011-02-18T21:20:23Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The Return of, which was apparently made for TV. It was to promote their new album, Break Like the Wind. Huh, my title is funnier. > [@tdn](#): > > Pretty much, yes. I can’t think of any scene that drags or is unfunny. > > Keep an eye out for the airport security scene. Also much talked about. Heh - I chuckled out loud just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/92 "2011-02-18T21:24:23Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The Return of, which was apparently made for TV. It was to promote their new album, Break Like the Wind. I have the album and I think I might still have my video taping of that TV special. My fave bit in “Return of…” is that show’s rendition of “Stonehenge,” featuring the largest Stonehenge monument ever built for the stage. Rock and Roll!!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/93 "2011-02-18T21:51:25Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Heh - I chuckled out loud just thinking about it. I remember when it came out, certain scenes were talked about a lot. That was one of them. Also, the song where they come out of the giant wombs. And of course the one where they get lost. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/94 "2011-02-18T22:04:37Z")
I am 25, have never seen the movie, but I heard of this well before I was on the SDMB. I had no idea where it came from for the longest time, but I definitely knew about the joke. And, while I am a geek, there’s a pretty low geek population around here. I can count my geeky friends on one hand, and I know I didn’t learn about him. Oh, and I honestly don’t get the humor of that scene. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/95 "2011-02-18T23:23:10Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Because seriously, that scene was funny. I think I’ll watch it today. Let us know how you liked it. I think it’s awesome and own the DVD. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/96 "2011-02-18T23:31:19Z")
I just finished it and it was, indeed pretty awesome. The “This goes to 11” scene paled in comparison to one other, IMO: The scene where the guy is complaining about the tiny bread and can’t seem to wrap his brain around folding just the meat. It was hard to concentrate during certain parts because I kept asking myself “is that the guy from Beetlejuice (Jeffrey Jones)?” It wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/97 "2011-02-19T04:12:30Z")
It is indeed a fine line between genius and stupid, but the movie was definitely on the “genius” side of the line. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/98 "2011-02-19T16:30:33Z")
I just took another informal poll. 6 of us, all in the video production & broadcast field ranging in age from 35 to 60’s. Only one (other than me) recognized the reference and knew the movie. Four had no clue and said it didn’t ring a bell. I found that surprising considering our common occupations. Must be the backwater towns we live in. Movies take a long time to show up here after opening in the big cities. Just another group incompatible with SDMB cross-sections, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/99 "2011-02-19T17:38:06Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Movies take a long time to show up here after opening in the big cities. This one was released in 1984, so it shouldn’t be long now. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616/100 "2011-02-21T06:56:04Z")
For a while in the 1990s that movie was my go-to if I needed to laugh and laugh hard. I was living across the country with a couple of friends, but they were, actually a couple so sometimes it was awkward, and I was homesick. So I would go and rent Spinal Tap. Then my roommates gave me a copy for Christmas and I kind of wondered what they were implying. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-say-it-goes-up-to-11-do-you-know-what-im-talking-about/571616.md?page=6)