History YMMV / BarenakedLadies

* CoveredUp: Their cover of Music/BruceCockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" was the band's first Top 40 hit in Canada and is regarded by many listeners to be better than Cockburn's original.

** The band fired Steven Page due to his drug issues. Page was not fired; he left due to tensions within the band, his own declining mental health and the culmination of it all making it "not fun anymore" to remain. While he and Ed Robertson hadn't seen eye to eye for a while, he didn't want Page to leave and wrote "You Run Away" to mourn Page's departure.
** The idea that the band belonged to Steven Page and that Ed Robertson "took over", either as owner, frontman, lead singer, what-have-you. The fact is that he was already all of those things, sharing those roles with Page. In fact, the band exists because Robertson invited Page to perform with him at a competition, so if either was "more" of the group's owner, it was Robertson. It is also not true that Page was the primary lead singer. He did tend to do more lead vocals than Robertson, but many of their singles from the beginning all the way up to Page's departure heavily featured Robertson (Grade Nine, Be My Yoko Ono, If I Had $1000000000, Lovers in a Dangerous Time, One Week, Get in Line, Pinch Me, Falling for the First Time, Another Postcard, Maybe Katie, For You, Testing, 1, 2, 3, Easy) and many of them even downplayed Page, not to mention that in the last three albums recorded during Page's time with them, Robertson did a slim majority of the lead vocals (balanced out with more [[StepUpToTheMicrophone stepping up to the microphone]] from Jim Creeggan and Kevin Hearn, the latter of whom has essentially become the new co-frontman in the post-Page era). On top of that, nearly all the albums (with the exception of ''Maroon'') featured Robertson on at least half the songs, but even where ''Maroon'' was concerned, he only did vocals on two songs, but both were released as singles.

** Creator/HarrisonFord, [[BrokenRecord Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford,]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D-WVlRohQk Harrison Ford...]]

** '''IT'S BEEN'''[[note]]The LyricalColdOpen that starts "One Week", which is known for among other things being a RunningGag on ''Podcast/ComedyBangBang''[[/note]]

** Creator/HarrisonFord, [[BrokenRecord Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford...]]

* The first thing the singer of "If I Had $1000000" says he would buy is a house. Canada is currently [[https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-housing-crisis-will-take-years-solve-finance-minister-2023-09-16/ experiencing a housing crisis]].

** The idea that the band belonged to Steven Page and that Ed Robertson "took over", either as owner, frontman, lead singer, FaceOfTheBand, what-have-you. The fact is that he was already all of those things, sharing those roles with Page. In fact, the band exists because Robertson invited Page to perform with him at a competition, so if either was "more" of the group's owner, it was Robertson. It is also not true that Page was the primary lead singer. He did tend to do more lead vocals than Robertson, but many of their singles from the beginning all the way up to Page's departure heavily featured Robertson (Grade Nine, Be My Yoko Ono, If I Had $1000000000, Lovers in a Dangerous Time, One Week, Get in Line, Pinch Me, Falling for the First Time, Another Postcard, Maybe Katie, For You, Testing, 1, 2, 3, Easy) and many of them even downplayed Page, not to mention that in the last three albums recorded during Page's time with them, Robertson did a slim majority of the lead vocals (balanced out with more [[StepUpToTheMicrophone stepping up to the microphone]] from Jim Creeggan and Kevin Hearn, the latter of whom has essentially become the new co-frontman in the post-Page era). On top of that, nearly all the albums (with the exception of ''Maroon'') featured Robertson on at least half the songs, but even where ''Maroon'' was concerned, he only did vocals on two songs, but both were released as singles.

* FaceOfTheBand: Steve and Ed shared this title for the former's entire time in the band, Steve moreso simply because he was a more frequent and distinctive lead singer.

** The idea that the band belonged to Steven Page and that Ed Robertson "took over", either as owner, frontman, lead singer, FaceOfTheBand, what-have-you. The fact is that he was already all of those things, sharing those roles with Page. In fact, the band exists because Robertson invited Page to perform with him at a competition, so if either was "more" of the group's owner, it was Robertson. It is also not true that Page was the primary lead singer. He did tend to do more lead vocals than Robertson, but many of their singles from the beginning all the way up to Page's departure heavily featured Robertson (Grade Nine, Be My Yoko Ono, If I Had $1000000000, Lovers in a Dangerous Time, One Week, Get in Line, Pinch Me, Falling for the First Time, Another Postcard, Maybe Katie, For You, Testing, 1, 2, 3, Easy) and many of them even downplayed Page, not to mention that in the last three albums recorded during Page's time with them, Robertson did a slim majority of the lead vocals (balanced out with more [[StepUpToTheMicrophone stepping up to the microphone from Jim Creeggan and Kevin Hearn, the latter of whom has essentially become the new co-frontman in the post-Page era). On top of that, nearly all the albums (with the exception of ''Maroon'') featured Robertson on at least half the songs, but even where ''Maroon'' was concerned, he only did vocals on two songs, but both were released as singles.
** Some have attributed Steven Page openly referring to Ed Robertson simply as "my guitar player" during banter on their children's album ''Snacktime!'' as evidence that Page's frustrations included seeing the band as "his" and Robertson simply as the guitarist who worked for him. The actual like is "Ancient Chinese city, huh? My guitar player, some hotshot." This is a riff on an old commercial for water softener, in which a the wife of a Chinese laundreymat owner snickers at his invoking an "ancient Chinese secret" with "my husband, some hotshot."

** '''IT'S BEEN'''[[note]]The LyricalColdOpen that starts "One Week", which is known for among other things being a RunningGag on ''[[Podcast/ComedyDeathRayRadio Comedy Bang! Bang!]]''[[/note]]

** "Box/Set" has a lyric about the first disk being a greatest hits album, meaning "If you are a fan / Then I know that you've already bought 'em." Three years later, Music/MichaelJackson would release his ''Music/HistoryPastPresentAndFutureBookI'' double album, the first disk of which was a GreatestHitsAlbum, which many fans complained about because it meant buying songs they already owned just to hear his new studio album.
** Their debut album ''Gordon'', an early record of [[AlternativeRock a musical trend that was growing in popularity]], features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box/Set" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradise'', their only album in which Brian Wilson wasn't involved and which was panned for [[LifeImitatesArt making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children]], such as dance-pop production ("Disk six, a dance remix/So I can catch the latest trends!") and {{piss take rap}}s, both of which had long since gone out of style by the time the ''actual'' [[AlternativeRock musical]] [[GangstaRap trends]] of the time were catching on. Not only would this [[CreatorKiller cause the elder band to peter out]] while the new, younger band would go on to a long and prosperous career, but their biggest hit would be a (much more warmly received) dorky rap song! It's both eerie and kind of meta.

** Quite a few songs become awkward after Steven Page's departure, including "Alcohol", "Bank Job," "War on Drugs" and "Call and Answer," the last of which was actually the last song he ever performed live as a member of the band.

* FaceOfTheBand: Steve and Ed shared this title for the former's entire time in the band, Steve moreso simply because he was a better lead singer. Even after his departure, even hardcore fans have a difficult time remembering the names of the other three members.
* FanNickname: Their 1990 independent demo tape ''Barenaked Lunch'' is commonly referred to as ''The Purple Tape'', while their self-titled 1991 tape is referred to as ''The Yellow Tape''.

* SignatureSong: In Canada, it's "If I Had $1000000." In America, "One Week."

* FirstInstallmentWins: ''Gordon'' tends to be the bands highest-scoring album amongst critics and is also considered by the majority of fans to be their strongest work.

** Their debut album ''Gordon'', an early record of [[AlternativeRock a musical trend that was growing in popularity]], features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box/Set" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian Wilson wasn't involved and which was panned for [[LifeImitatesArt making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children]], such as dance-pop production ("Disk six, a dance remix/So I can catch the latest trends!") and {{piss take rap}}s, both of which had long since gone out of style by the time the ''actual'' [[AlternativeRock musical]] [[GangstaRap trends]] of the time were catching on. Not only would this [[CreatorKiller cause the elder band to peter out]] while the new, younger band would go on to a long and prosperous career, but their biggest hit would be a (much more warmly received) dorky rap song! It's both eerie and kind of meta.

* SignatureSong: In Canada, it's "If I Had $1000000." In America, "One Week."
* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped:
** "Falling For The First Time." PerfectionIsImpossible, and that's okay.
** "War On Drugs." The stigma towards mental illness is literally killing those living with it.

** Chickity China, the Chinese chicken.[[note]]One of many memorable lines from said song.[[/note]]

* HarsherInHindsight

* HilariousInHindsight

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped

** "Box Set" has a lyric about the first disk being a greatest hits album, meaning "If you are a fan / Then I know that you've already bought 'em." Three years later, Music/MichaelJackson would release his ''Music/HistoryPastPresentAndFutureBookI'' double album, the first disk of which was a GreatestHitsAlbum, which many fans complained about because it meant buying songs they already owned just to hear his new studio album.
** Their debut album ''Gordon'', an early record of [[AlternativeRock a musical trend that was growing in popularity]], features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box Sex" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian Wilson wasn't involved and which was panned for [[LifeImitatesArt making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children]], such as dance-pop production ("Disk six, a dance remix/So I can catch the latest trends!") and {{piss take rap}}s, both of which had long since gone out of style by the time the ''actual'' [[AlternativeRock musical]] [[GangstaRap trends]] of the time were catching on. Not only would this [[CreatorKiller cause the elder band to peter out]] while the new, younger band would go on to a long and prosperous career, but their biggest hit would be a (much more warmly received) dorky rap song! It's both eerie and kind of meta.

** Chickity China, the Chinese chicken.[[note]]One of many memorable lines from said song[[/note]]

** Their debut album ''Gordon'', an early record of [[AlternativeRock a musical trend that was growing in popularity]], features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box Sex" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian Wilson wasn't involved and which was panned for [[LifeImitatesArt making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children]], such as dance-pop production ("Disk six, a dance remix/So I can catch the latest trends!") and {{piss take rap}}s, both of which had long since gone out of style by the time the ''actual'' [[AlternativeRock musical]] [[GangstaRap trends]] of the time were catching on. Not only would this [[CreatorKiller cause the elder band peter out]] as the new, younger band would go on to a long and prosperous career, but their biggest hit would be a (much more warmly received) dorky rap song! It's both eerie and kind of meta.

** Their debut album ''Gordon'', an early record of [[AlternativeRock one of the most popular musical trends of the 90s]], features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box Sex" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian Wilson wasn't involved and which was panned for [[LifeImitatesArt making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children]], such as dance-pop production ("Disk six, a dance remix/So I can catch the latest trends!") and {{piss take rap}}s, both of which had long since gone out of style by the time the alt. rock boom came along. Not only would this [[CreatorKiller cause the elder band peter out]] as the new, younger band would go on to a long and prosperous career, but their biggest hit would be a (much more warmly received) dorky rap song! It's both eerie and kind of meta.

** Their debut album ''Gordon'', an early record of [[AlternativeRock one of the most popular musical trends of the 90s]], features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box Sex" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian wasn't involved and which was panned for [[LifeImitatesArt making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children]], the most notorious being Mike Love's {{piss take rap}}s, among other trends which were long dated by '92. Not only would this [[CreatorKiller cause the elder band peter out]] as the new, younger band would go on to a long and prosperous career, but their biggest hit would be a (much more warmly received) dorky rap song! It's both eerie and kind of meta.

** Their debut album ''Gordon'', one of the first albums of the early 90s AlternativeRock boom, features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box Sex" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian wasn't involved and which was panned for [[LifeImitatesArt making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children]], the most notorious being Mike Love's {{piss take rap}}s. Not only would the elder band peter out as the new, younger band would go on to a long and prosperous career, but their biggest his would be a (much more warmly received) dorky rap song! It's both eerie and kind of meta.

** Their debut album ''Gordon'' features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box Sex" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children), and was one of the first albums of the early 90s AlternativeRock boom. One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian wasn't involved and which was panned for both trying to shamelessly sell nostalgia for the band's glory days back to it's older fans and failing to appeal to modern musical trends with {{piss take rap}}s and misguided production. And just to make it even more meta, the new not only goes onto a long, prosperous career while the elder statesman band peters out by the mid-90s, but the new band's biggest hit would include dorky rapping. It's kind of eerie.

** Their debut album ''Gordon'' features the songs "Brian Wilson" (a heartfelt tribute to the long-suffering Beach Boy) and "Box Sex" (about a washed up pop star making tacky creative moves to both stay relevant and appease dyed-in-the-wool boomer fans and their children). One month later came Music/TheBeachBoys' ''Summer In Paradies'', their only album in which Brian wasn't involved and which was panned for both trying to shamelessly sell nostalgia for the band's glory days back to it's older fans and failing to appeal to modern musical trends with {{piss take rap}}s and misguided production. A scrappy, new, young band recording two songs, in [[AlternativeRock a genre that]] ''[[AlternativeRock was]]'' [[AlternativeRock growing in popularity at the time]], both of which apply to a band who had just released a distinctly nostalgic album which killed their reputation while the younger band was beginning what would be a long, prosperous and well-regarded career. And just to make it even more meta, the young band's biggest hit would include dorky rapping. It's kind of eerie.

** Creator/HarrisonFord, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford, Harrison Ford...

** This line from "Box Set" seemed to predict the complaints about Music/MichaelJackson's ''Music/HistoryPastPresentAndFutureBookI'', a half GreatestHitsAlbum (meaning fans already had half of the songs) and half new studio album released three years later.
-->"Disk one, it's where we begun\\
It's all my greatest hits\\
And if you are a fan then\\
I know that you've already got 'em."