Jack Black Channels Aerosmith’s ‘Back in the Saddle’ for ‘SNL’ Return
“You know what this song does to me,” Black says after doubting his ability to host again
Jack Black rejoiced in his return to Saturday Night Live after nearly twenty years away, singing about the occasion to the tune of Aerosmith’s “Back in the Saddle.”
Black, who most recently hosted SNL in 2005 and was the show’s musical guest with Tenacious D the following year, began his monologue by announcing he would actually have to “quit” due to the pressure. That is, until the riff to the 1976 track got the School of Rock star in the right mood.
“How dare you play that riff? You guys!” he reacted. “You know what this song does to me.”
After the song kicked in, Black recapped some of his films since his last appearance on the late night show, and then headed into the studio audience.
“I bet this guy did not know he’d be on TV,” he sang to one audience member. “And if you want to rock and roll, you best be following me.”
Black then introduced a marching band, which made their way down from the top row behind him.
The actor then ran into a few SNL cast members, botching their names while admitting in his song, “It’s been a while since I’ve watched this show.”
On stage once again with the marching band, Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner, and Marcello Hernandez, Black belted out the final lines:
“SNL is 50! And I’m 55! The older we get, the more we feel alive!” he screamed. “‘Cause I’m back!”
