Adam Levine, Kendrick Lamar strike comic gold in 'YOLO'

by Edna Gundersen, USA TODAY

Posted January 28, 2013

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Screengrab from Lonely Island's 'YOLO' video, featuring Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar. (Credit: YouTube)

With help from Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar, Andy Samberg's Lonely Island crew twisted the YOLO meme into a theme song for agoraphobics.

Titled YOLO, after the current catchphrase (short for "You Only Live Once") popularized by Drake's The Motto hit, the tune premiered Saturday on Saturday Night Live in a surprise return by SNL alum Samberg and his Island partners Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. Levine was the show's host, and Lamar was the musical guest.

Subverting Drake's theme to live life to the fullest, the track emphasizes safety, security and hiding from a world of constant danger.

Sample lyrics:

  • "Here's another piece of advice/Stay away from kids, their heads are full of mad lice"
  • "So don't 1980-force any plugs into sockets/Always wear a chastity belt and triple lock it"
  • "Board your windows up, the sun is bad for your health/And always wear a straitjacket so you're safe from yourself"

    • YOLO shot to No. 1 on iTunes' top 10 comedy songs chart. The video has been viewed 4.3 million times on YouTube.