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• Note: Yes, this FAQ is still incomplete!
  Particularily, the reference section is completely absent. It won't be finished for a while yet as I'm just a bit too busy at the moment and the reference section is turning out to be quite a big task.

• This FAQ was last updated on December 11th, 2003, and is currently still under construction.
• This FAQ is maintained by Michael Wybrow.
  • Send additions or corrections to teppic@bnl.samediff.net
• The current version of this FAQ can be found at http://bnl.samediff.net/faq.php.
• A non-frames (single page) version of this FAQ, for your off-line viewing convenience, will be made available whenever I officially finish this initial version.

1.01 - Who are the current members of Barenaked Ladies?

Ed Robertson, Steven Page, Tyler Stewart, Jim Creeggan, and Kevin Hearn

1.02 - Who is Andy Creeggan? or What happened to Andy?

Andrew Creeggan was BNL's keyboardist, he left the band after Maybe You Should Drive to return to studying music. He still performs and releases material with (his brother) Jim Creeggan as "The Brothers Creeggan". He also has a solo release titled "Andiwork".

1.03 - Who is Kevin Hearn?

Kevin Hearn is the keyboardist who joined BNL after the departure of Andy Creeggan.
He first appears on Rock Spectacle. During the recording of Stunt he became sick with Leukimia. Thanks to a bone marrow transplant from his brother, in late 1999 he successfully managed to (in the words of Ed Robertson) "kick the ass of cancer". He returned in time to record Maroon with the rest of the band.

1.04 - Who are Chris Brown and Greg Kurstin?

You may have heard these names during the Stunt tour. Both Chris Brown (Bourbon Tabernacle Choir) and Greg Kurstin (Geggy Tah) toured with BNL in Kevin's absence.

1.05 - What are the Ladies' Birthdates?

Andrew Creeggan - July 4th, 1971
Jim Creeggan - February 12th, 1970
Kevin Hearn - July 3rd, 1969
Steven Page - June 22nd, 1970
Ed Robertson - October 25th, 1970
Tyler Stewart - September 21st, 1967

1.06 - What are the Ladies' Full Names?

Andrew Burnett Creeggan
James Raymond Creeggan
Kevin Neil Hearn
Steven Jay Page
Lloyd Edward Elwyn Robertson
Tyler Joseph Stewart

1.07 - Are any of the Ladies married?

Yes,
Ed married Natalie Herbert on June 3rd, 1994. They have a daughter named Hannah (b. November 17th 1995) and a two sons, named Lyle (b. 1999) and Jonah (b. April 16th 2001).
Steve married Carolyn Ricketts on December 28th, 1993. They have two sons, Issac (b. November 19th, 1996) and Benjamin (b. December 1998).
Tyler married Jill _____, September 19th, 1998. They have two daughters Milagro ("Mili", b. April 2nd, 1999) and Hazel (b. April 16th 2001).
Andy is married to Natacha Hébert. They have a son Oscar (b. February 21st, 2005).
Jim married Anna Hill, July 5th, 2003. They have a son named Finn (b. November, 2004)

1.08 - Who is Tiny? or Who's the onstage chef?

Rob "Tiny" Menegoni is the guy dressed as a chef during the live shows, where he brings the stage props to life and sweeps up the Kraft Dinner debris.
Officialy he is Tyler's Drum Technician, hence in the credits of Maroon, Tyler thanks "Tiny for manservance".
Tiny also he plays shaker in Pinch Me, Tambourine in Falling For The First Time, Maracas in Off The Hook, and Bass Drum in Tonight Is The Night...

1.09 - Does Steven smoke?

Yes.

1.10 - Where did the band name come from?

"Ed and I were at a Bob Dylan concert, and we were in the last row of the stadium. We were bored, and pretended we were rock critics. One of the names we made up, was Barenaked Ladies... When Ed got us our first gig he told them we were called Barenaked Ladies, and after that there was no backing out. Because if we changed our name, how would the seven people that were there find us again?" - Steven Page

2.01 - What are the original lyrics for Break Your Heart?

The lyrics to this pre-BOAPS version come from a live show,
performed on April 4th, 1993 at Toronto's Massey Hall.
Differences from album version are marked in Bold.

The bravest thing I've ever done
Was to run away and hide
But not this time, not this time
And the weakest thing I've ever done
Was to stay right by your side
Just like this time, and every time
I couldn't tell you I was happy you were gone
So I lied and said that I missed you when we were apart
I couldn't tell you, so I had to lead you on
But I didn't mean to break your heart.

And if I always seem distracted
Like my mind is somewhere else,
That's because it's true, yes it's true
I like to dream that I'm alone, on my own and by myself
That means without you, yeah without you.
I've got this feeling I don't love you anymore
And I'm not so sure that I ever did right from the start.
I've got this feeling I shouldn't keep you informed
I guess 'cause I wouldn't want to break your heart

Pride is a sticky thing that makes me feel
Like I have to follow through
Even half-assedly, loving you
And truth is a word that I'd rather not use
'Cause it's always capitalised and it's only falsehood in disguise
Why must I always speak in terms of cowardice?
When I guess I should have just come out and told you right from the start
Why must I always tell you all I want is this?
I guess 'cause I wouldn't want to break your heart

And you said;
"What'd you think that I was gonna do,
Curl up and die just because of you?
I'm not that weak, you know
What'd you think that I was gonna do,
Try to make you love me as much as I love you?
how could you be so low?
You arrogant man,
What do you think that I am?
My heart will be fine
Just stop wasting my time"

And now I know that you will be okay, and that I've
got what I want and that's rid of you
Good bye.
And it's not cause I'll be missing you
That makes me fall apart
it's just that I didn't mean to break
No I didn't mean to break
No I didn't mean to break
Your heart

2.02 - What are the original lyrics for Same Thing?

The lyrics to this pre-BOAPS version come from a live show,
performed on April 4th, 1993 at Toronto's Massey Hall.
Differences from album version are marked in Bold.

What does it mean to wake out of a dream and be
Wearing some else's shorts?
I've been around the block, at least on my bike
I was prepared for the news but not for
A Full Scale War

I found me an answer, in a grocery store
I found me an answer in the form of an old man with
a cardigan on, this guy's got thirty years on me but
he stops and smiles just to say "Hello,
didn't I see you on TV?"

Must've been the same thing
Must've been the same thing
Must've been the same thing
Charlie Brown went through

I'm in a comic store
Lookin' for some mistakenly priced comic I could make
A fortune on and in walks the Fantastic Four
I say "don't go; That last issue was cool!"

Must've been the same thing
Must've been the same thing
Must've been the same thing
Mom and Dad went through

I'm in a jewelery store
Lookin' at a wedding ring the size of three or
four paychecks and in walks the girl next door
I say "I do!", It's funny how fast things change

Must've been the same thing
Must've been the same thing
Must've been the same

These things all end
Who asked you anyway?
You'll have to bend
Who asked you anyway?

Now I'm in a general store
Lookin' at a photograph of a smiling eight year old
He's got a fist the size of his younger brother now,
Tugging on his shirt saying "Let's go home!"

Must've been the same thing
Said it must have been the same

2.03 - What are the lyrics for Ballad of Gordon?

Words and Music by Barenaked Ladies.

There was darkness, there was light,
There was day and there was night,
There was wrong and there was right...
And then there was me.

You didn't even know me, but you treated me like dirt.
(And then there was me)
You didn't even know me, but you called me a jerk.
(And then there was me)

I'm from a planet near a star
You wouldn't know (it's very far).
The're calling me the man from Mars
And I think they're insulting me.

They tried to take my special suit.
They say my head looks like fruit,
What is fruit.
Put your hands up or I'll shoot!
I don't have hands...

Across the galaxy I flew,
Heard a peaceful message sent by you.
Now I find you're judged by color and size.
I can't believe what you call my...

I'm the guy who sails the sky, but I think I'd like to live here.
I'd like to share your mountains, share your trees, and share your rivers.
I've never seen so many people of so many colors.
I'd like to think that someday maybe I could call you brothers.
(And then there was we)
I'd like to learn about your pizza and your weather,
(And then there was we)
Then we could learn about how beings live together.
(And then there was we)

So if you're thinking about being a spaceman,
It don't matter if you're black or white
Or purple or blue or green or red
Or yellow with polka dots on your head
Or made of snow or made of wheat
Or looking like something that's kind of a treat.

I like your hat...

2.04 - What are the lyrics for McDonalds Girl?

Words and Music by Dean Friedman.

I leave from softball practice every night
It's getting dark, but the "Golden Arches" light up the way
I turn the corner at the traffic light
I count my money and then I rehearse what I'm going to say

"I'd like an order of fries, a quarter-pounder with cheese,
I love the light in your eyes, will you go out with me please?"

Chorus:
I am in love with a McDonalds girl
She has a smile of innocence so tender and warm
I am in love with a McDonalds girl
She is an angel in a polyester uniform

She doesn't try to impress anyone
She doesn't act all tough like all the other girls that I know
She don't treat me like a simpleton
She's not ashamed to be the only other virgin I know
When my hamburger's cold, I get up ready to go,
She's only fifteen years old, and I'm in love with her soul

She's got a gold tooth, you know she's hardcore
She'll show you a good time, then she'll show you the door...BOY!

Chorus

There she stands behind the register
She's taking orders from the Saddle River Little League
If they knew how much I wanted her
Their home-room teachers would have to send them home for a week

As I head through the door, the movement catches her eye,
My heart begins to soar, she smiles, she waves good-bye, good-bye
Good-bye, good bye

Chorus

Uno, dos, tres, quatro
Big Mac, Filet o Fish, Quarter Pounder, French Fries
Icey Coke, Thick Shakes, Sundaes and Apple Pies
Sing that song of taste
You can only find at one place: McDonalds

Chorus

2.05 - What are the lyrics to Teenage Wasteland?

Words & Music by Barenaked Ladies.

I first met Mellie in art class in high school,
And in a short brown bob she was better than Batemans Best
I never thought I'd ever see a miracle,
And who'd have though it'd be in an arcade

She moved like an angel
And she spoke like a memory
And she smoked like a chimney
And she completed dragon's lair on just one quarter
On just one quarter

I called her up but she wasn't home,
I knew she was downstairs but her dad didn't like me
And so I waited for what seemed like eternity
Called her back in ten minutes and disguised my voice

I spoke like an actor
And I moved like a burglar
And I lied like a carpet
And then I did a phony survey on her whole family
On her whole family

Nobody at school knew what I was trying to do
Right after art class I made History
'Cause when you love someone yeah and you don't even know
Know why

She moved like an angel
She spoke like a memory
Then she moved to Alberta
I'm gonna visit her at grandma's maybe next week
Yeah, maybe next week

Ok, maybe not next week
Maybe never
Maybe it doesn't matter
Maybe it never did
It didn't matter at all
She didn't even notice me

2.06 - What are the lyrics for the static parts of the Barenaked Rap?

Words by Steven Page & Jeff Pounsett, 1988.

Yo, go with the flow
My rhymes grow just like an afro
Do you wanna go? No!
You don't have no
Funny looking girls hanging off your arm
I grew up on a farm. Really?
Ya, I'm a farmboy, homeboy
Yo yo yo homeboy yo!
So give me pickles, cheese,
Chips, prepared mustard
Give me a grill boy, babe I'm gonna bust ya
Up with flavor down with leather
C'mon baby let's get it together...

Would you pull me, just like a stop on an organ
I'm Harry Morgan
Taller than Danny Devito
Ah neato
I gotta see you in a Speedo
Check my libido at the door if you please
Give me a Kleenex, I think I'm gonna sneeze

2.07 - What is said at the beginning of Enid?

"The silence, the terror, the pain, the horror, as your mom comes downstairs."

This was a teutonic vocal performed by producer Michael-Phillip Wojewoda to intentionally sound like Depeche Mode.

2.08 - What is Ed singing in the background of Enid?

"I can teach you how to dance, how to sing how to knit,
How to make things that you never ever made before.
Enid, I can teach you how to use cookie cutters,
To make crazy things out of Playdoh.
Little houses, little farms, little accessories for your mom,
For your Barbie set, for your friends and your family.
Enid, I can teach you how to snowmobile, cross-country ski, snowshoe.
But I don't want to!"

2.09 - What is said at the end of One Week?

"Birchmount Stadium, home of the Robbie."

Birchmount Stadium was officially named Home of the Robbie International Soccer Tournament in 1997 after organisers heard of three-year-old Robert Wimbs who was receiving treatment for Cystic Fibrosis from his mother. In the last 32 years the tournament has raised over $700,000 towords CF and Muscular Dystrophy research.

4.01 - What side projects have BNL members been involved in?

• Kevin Hearn has released two solo albums:
      Mothball Mint, and
      H-Wing.
  See KevinHearn.com.
  
• Andy and Jim Creeggan have released four albums:
      The Brothers Creeggan,
      The Brothers Creeggan II,
      Trunks, and
      Sleepyhead.
  See BrothersCreeggan.com
  
• Andy Creeggan also has released a single solo album:
      Andiwork.
  
• Tyler Stewart (as a member of Don't Talk Dance) has released a single album:
      Don't Talk, Dance!.
  

4.02 - Where can I find a list of rare BNL songs?

The SameDiff BNL Rarities List is an up-to-date list of BNL material from limited edition albums, singles (ie B-Sides), and compilation discs.

4.03 - Is McDonald's Girl a BNL song?

McDonald's Girl is not an original BNL song. It was played a lot by BNL in concert in their early years, hence people's confusion. It was written by Dean Friedman. Lyrics can be found here in the "FAQ lyrics" section.

4.04 - What is "Ballad of Gordon"?

The Ballad of Gordon (aka "And Then There Was Me") is a short video recorded by BNL in 1992 as a FOX public service announcement to promote racial harmony.
There is no commercial recording available (it aired only during Saturday morning cartoons), your best chance of getting hold of it is as an mp3 or mpeg. Lyrics can be found here in the "FAQ lyrics" section.

5.01 - What is the Pepsi-esque symbol on the newer Gordon cover?

That is a ball used to play street hockey, I guess they see it as a symbol of their childhood. The ball can also be seen inside the shoebox on the back and inside cover of the Shoebox EP.

5.02 - What is the Stunt Man?

The "Stunt Man"is the little guy on the album cover for Stunt.
He is made up of:
    Ed's ear, legs and feet;
    Steve's mouth and hands;
    Jim's left eye and nose; and
    Kevin's body and right eye.
Infact, there was a similar character of each of the ladies created for a promotional animation, along with an additional character known only as 'The Samurai' (Yes, he's the guy on the main page!).

5.03 - Why is Some Fantastic also listed as Ivory and Ivory?

Ebony and Ivory was a Stevie Wonder/Paul McCartney duet (one black singer, one white singer). BNL consider Some Fantastic to be a duet (sung by two white people) so they jokingly refer to it as Ivory and Ivory.

5.04 - What is Kosmic and how do I get to it?

Kosmic is a BNL FTP server generously run by a couple of guys named Bob and Jon. It contains live shows in .mp3 and .shn format, as well as b-sides and video clips. If you have an FTP client such as CuteFTP then you are able to upload and download files.

Kosmic has now been shutdown and is not likely to reappear anytime soon.

5.05 - Why does the Rock Spectacle CD have "FIN" on it?

This is believed to be in tribute to BNL's tour manager Craig "FIN" Finley.
Incidently, it is also french for "End"

5.06 - Do the band really record songs naked?

Yes, one for each album it seems, they say it helps inject the song with a kind of raw enthusiasm.
The tracks from each album are:
Gordon - King of Bedside Manor
MYSD - Intermittently
BOAPS - Back
Stunt - Alcohol
Maroon - Humour of the Situation

5.07 - What are the fonts used on the cover of Maroon?

The font used for "Barenaked Ladies" is Bauhaus Medium BT.
The font used for "Maroon" is Shelley Volante BT.