The long-awaited sequel to 1984’s iconic comedy rockumentary Spinal Tap is finally here.

In a fittingly ridiculous turn of events, the intended release was meant to coincide with the original’s 40th anniversary, but was delayed by Hollywood strikes. So, barring any unexpectedly exploding drummers, the sequel should be released in September 2025.

The infinitely quotable and much-beloved spoof documentary, following the behind-the-scenes ups and downs of a self-deluded and hapless rock band, is not only comedy gold, but can also teach you a few things about producing unforgettable copy.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel

Spinal Tap has had such a massive influence on popular culture that it effectively birthed a whole new genre of deadpan mockumentary, with its ludicrous scenarios, improvised dialogue, and understated performances.

It’s been so successful that the fictional band’s name can now be used as shorthand for the pretentious, self-deluded excess of big rock and pop stars – for example, Metallica’s unintentionally hilarious tell-all documentary Some Kind of Monster has plenty of its own “Spinal Tap” moments.

But director Rob Reiner and the cast didn’t conjure their iconic film from thin air – the material for the script was already there for the taking.

Reiner said in an interview that Spinal Tap actually owed a lot to the pompous and unintentionally funny band documentaries of the time, such as Led Zeppelin’s The Song Remains the Same (1976) and the Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter (1970), which he then exaggerated for comic effect.

So, rather than try to reinvent the wheel with your writing, keep an eye on the news, pop culture, and trends that others may have missed. Then, add your own original twist, and turn it up to 11.

Speaking of amps that go up to 11…

In the most famous scene in the original, guitarist Nigel Tufnel shows the interviewer Marti his Marshall amps and their unique feature. While most guitar amp knobs go from 1 to 10, Nigel is proud to show that his go all the way up to 11. When Marti suggests why not just making 10 louder, Nigel counters with the flawless logic: “These go to eleven.”

The phrase “up to eleven”, meaning “up to maximum volume”, has spread so far and wide that it even entered the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary in 2002.

Coining a phrase so memorable that it enters popular culture is certainly something to shoot for, but simply putting a new twist on a familiar idea – drawing on your unique experiences, interests and perspective – can break your writing out of familiar patterns and habits and produce something original.

Attention to detail is crucial

In another iconic scene, while the band play the song ‘Stone Henge’, a foam replica of Wiltshire’s massive stone monoliths descends on wires and rests in the middle of the stage.

Unfortunately, there’s a mix-up over inches and feet that no one thought to check, and the supposedly impressive replica ends up being only 18 inches high.

Whether putting on a spectacular live show or writing marketing copy for your website, social media, and newsletters, attention to detail is crucial. That includes the content, formatting, layout, and spelling and punctuation.

That’s why it can make sense to hire professionals with experience of generating high-quality content to deadline, error-free.

Finding the right drummer for the job is harder than it looks…

Spinal Tap reveal in the film that they’ve been cursed with a run of bad luck when it comes to choosing drummers. From bizarre gardening accidents, getting eaten by pet pythons, failing to jump over a shark tank on a tricycle, or simply, inexplicably, exploding on stage mid-song, their drummers are often doomed to a short career with the band.

While marketing has fewer shark tanks to clear, your business’s reputation is still at risk if you share unpolished, inaccurate, or uninteresting copy. That’s why seeking help from experts who know the sector well can help ensure any catastrophes are avoided.

Get in touch

If you need polished marketing copy that can help your business thrive, or want to know who the Druids were and what they were doing, we can help.

Email hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 8965 300 to find out more.