HBO’s new comedy series “Hung” is two episode old, and according to HBO, a hit.
Here are some random and pointless thoughts. They will most likely tell you nothing about the show.
- The Title Sequence/The Theme Song – Very disappointing. The song is “I’ll be Your Man,” by The Black Keys. It’s a slow, blues riff, that could certainly stand on its own, but as part of the opening credits seems rather boring, especially when compared to other HBO opening themes, which are generally of the highest quality. Think about these other shows: The Sopranos, Band of Brothers, Entourage, The Wire. They are all excellently done. They’re catchy and cool. Their only problem is occasionally, they’re too long; probably because they’re so good that producers didn’t want to cut them. The True Blood theme scares the crap out of me. Even Sex and the City, which I didn’t watch, has an annoyingly catchy theme. I also can’t see that HBO logo pop up without starting to sing the Curb Your Enthusiasm tuba intro. Hung does not follow suit. It’s not just the song, but the actual opening sequence that’s flat. It’s just Tom Jane walking down the street, languidly taking off his clothes. That, mixed with the slow, mellow song which unfortunately fades to the background, makes for a title sequence that isn’t terrible, but just doesn’t live up to HBO standards.
- It takes place in Detroit; an interestingly and culturally relevant city for obvious reasons. Hopefully, this was done on purpose, besides just making the connection between the down and out protagonist and the down and out city in which he lives. They can probably make some statements about or an examination of the current economic crisis, which would be really cool to watch, just like The Wire did in the fifth season when it showcased the dying newspaper industry. But that type of commentary might be too much to ask for in a show about a guy with a big dick.
- The show has a voice over, which it probably doesn’t need, but works OK. In the first episode, the main character Ray, who does the narration, had trouble maintaining his mid-western accent. At first, I thought it was intentional and found it an interesting detail and pretentiously tried to find a reason for it. Then I realized it wasn’t on purpose. By the second episode, the issue is resolved. They kept the voice-over, but it’s done in a smooth and hilarious Detroit dialect.
Those are my notes on the show so far. It’s brand new, and it’s pretty good. The plot is developing slowly and I’ll stick around and see what happens. The show is OK and has some potential. I see it being a decent show and one that I’ll keep watching even though I know it’s not all that good; a lot like Californiacation (which also has a mediocre title sequence) .
July 19th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Your nuts the song is perfect, clean your ears out dummy…..
July 20th, 2009 at 4:33 am
The theme song is GREAT..the only reason I am on your blog is because I am looking for who sings it.
You must have no soul
July 20th, 2009 at 11:58 am
The theme is “I’ll be Your Man,” by The Black Keys. It’s a medium-tempo, pretty traditional blues riff.
For the record, I’m a huge blues fan. It just doesn’t do it for me in this case.
Also, and I didn’t make this clear enough, it’s not just the song, but the actual opening sequence that’s flat. It’s just Tom Jane walking down the street, languidly taking off his clothes. That, mixed with the slow, mellow song which unfortunately fades to the background, makes for a title sequence that isn’t terrible, but just doesn’t live up to HBO standards.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
If you would learn how to spell, I’d respect your review a whole lot more.
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 pm
The “Hung” theme song is fantastic. What would you prefer “It’s Raining Men”?
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 am
Initially, I would have agreed with your assessment of the opening of the show including the song choice, but it really grows on you. After watching a few episodes, you realize that the opening and song are perfect!
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I’m with the responders– found my way to this site after googling to find out the name of the “Hung” theme. Got to have it… love it! Works perfectly with the feel of the show, da blues! Everybody in this show is struggling to get by– even the motivational speaker is a fraud with a rented Jag. Detroit is the perfect setting and as for the title sequence, just the shots of the best chili dog restaurant in the western world (Lafayette Coney Island) brings a warm spicy smile to this displaced mid-westerner.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:19 am
i think that song is awesome! I’m looking for it right now!
August 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I’m only on here because I wanted to find out who did the theme song, too.
August 5th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Haha everyone is looking for the opening song! Four episodes in now and the show is great. I think that the show can deliver a commentary on the “current economic crisis” (judging by a lot of people I know, most people are wondering when the same started because they have always been broke.)
Though comedic and “about a guy with a big dick” the show is obviously relevant to many of the mid-west economic woes. It also references the larger problems inherent in maintaining the American Dream (what was it? can it ever be lived – obviously Ray was enjoying it in his younger days) and the modern family (Three-parent familys, sexually liberated older women who don’t like sex with their small husbands.)
Also implicated in the show is the rather depressing man-made idea of a career and how careers really stand up in economic upheavel. The spot-on delivery of the success guru is hilarious and painfully true and reflects the problems with our scheming, self-indulgent lives and the money-for-nothing mentality (in particular the kind of attitude that leads to a guy giving Madoff a spare $250 million to invest – y’know, because he really needs more money..and quick.)
Like the song says “I’ll be your man” – Put down the GQ, leave the manscaping behind and work like a man. Your clothes might get dirty, but your hands are clean.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I’m with all the other folks trying to find out who sings the theme. It’s a great throwback to the Stax & Atlantic sounds. Tom Jane walking, and getting more attitude as he sheds his clothes, works. So does that last moment when he peers back at the camera when you think the intro is over.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I love the theme song. the only reason i’m on your blog is because i was trying to find out who sings it. It’s raw just like Detroit
August 9th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I love the theme song. the reason i’m on your blog is because i was trying to find out who sings it. It’s raw just like Detroit
August 9th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
only here because of the google search for the song. sorry dude. you missed this one. Generation kill is a great theme song too though. Black rebel motorcycle club. also a sick band
August 10th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I’m with everyone else. The song will grow on you, trust me.
Checked out the rest of the site. Some great stuff. Really liked that Sockey video. I think you’re wrong about this Hung thing, but then again you wrote it after two episodes. How do you feel now? Enjoying everything else on the site. Thanks, keep it up.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Yep here for the song. Wow if you base your decision on the opening song then that is pretty dumb. Have you seen Six Feet Under? The opening piano riff was depressing as hell but I still wanted to watch the show. You’re crazy.
August 16th, 2009 at 7:44 am
So in the new series Vince is back on top, loving it so far and as alawys Ari Gold is brilliant!
August 17th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
“The True Blood theme scares the crap out of me.” Really!? I think that’s the cheesiest song HBO uses as an intro though I do like the show. I love the opening for Hung. Just came on to find out who it was.
August 17th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
“The theme song is GREAT..the only reason I am on your blog is because I am looking for who sings it.
You must have no soul”
EXACTLY!! I love the song and the series!
August 20th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Another one on here trying to find out the theme song lol
August 21st, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Here for the song
Just got it on iTunes and I’m jamming haha.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:46 am
I was just here for the song, too! Great song. Going to download it.
August 26th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
The theme song is cool. You just don’t have good taste to see that I’m afraid.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Love the song, Love the series!
August 30th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Couldn’t disagree with you more; the theme song caught me from the first few chords of the very first episode. The opening sequence of Jane stripping down to that music could not be more cool and is perfect for this incredibly entertaining series. My only criticism of the show? The title is hokey.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Whoever wrote the blog – you loose.
The song works perfect. I too am here because I was trying to find out who did the theme for “Hung”..I suspected it was The Black Keys. I was right.
Just admit you made a mistake. We’ll be very understanding if you do.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:28 am
hahahaha…I stumbled on here because I thought the theme song was awesome and wanted to find out who did it also. i agree with alst poster, you “loose”
September 4th, 2009 at 3:16 am
And I’m another one who wanted to know who play the song because i love it
Ill be your man
September 4th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Actually, I dont really like the title sequence either.
I fast forward past it everytime, I love the song, but tom jane walking is way boring.
Also love the true blood theme.
HATED the sopranos song,
still cant stand it.
HATE for that damn sopranos song.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I’m here with everyone else trying to find the song title though I already knew it was the Black Keys.
And you totally missed the point. It’s not a mellow blues song. It’s more than that. It’s slow and sexy and it has attitude. It totally fits the opening sequence and the opening sequence totally fits the show. Thomas Jane walking around shedding his clothes teasingly is sexy like a burlesque show.
Maybe you just don’t get it because you only like raunchy shit. Did you want him air humping to a crazy techno song, in a chippendale outfit?
September 7th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Okay, I came for the song too. It’s wonderful. Last week’s episode that I watched tonight had another great song sung by one of the coaches who also teaches band maybe? He complained about how the arts were being cut at the school. He was playing the piano as Jane was walking past and heard him in his classroom. Whoever picks the music for that show is excellent. Does anybody know the name of the song the band teacher was singing?
September 14th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I’m here also just because of the theme song. It’s fantastic.
Thanks anyway.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
The song doesn’t have to grow on me, it made me perk up in my seat after the first few notes. I lo-ove the “Hung” theme song, and the opening sequence. It is optimistic, hopeful. (If I’m not mistaken, it was directed by the Nebraskan director, Alexander Payne, who had the marvelous idea to set this series in Detroit.)
Coach Ray may be on the ropes, but he isn’t down. He is strutting in the Motor City and the women around him take notice of his presence. He’s got that Yankee swagger, a vestige of his earlier promise. He is a “happiness consultant” who has found a new meaning in his middle-aged life.
Because of “Hung” I got turned on to Dmitry Lipkin (the writer and co-creator), the Louisiana-reared playwright. I am now watching the cancelled FX series, “The Riches,” and I’ve become an Eddie Izzard fan, as well.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:35 am
This song is so hot and an absolutley a perfect opener for Hung. I love it!!! Msterry…that blues song the couch was playing and singing at the piano is called “I’m Going Down To the River” by Ray Charles. The couch rocked it though didn’t he? Great vocals on that guy!
September 16th, 2009 at 11:39 am
LOL, I just realized that I spelled couch not C-O-A-C-H :O. Oh well you get what I was saying anyway.
September 19th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Great theme song.. californication theme is also awesome! also looking for the music artist :p
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I’m glad you guys all responded in kind… saved me some trouble. I just watched 5 episodes today and that theme song has been kicking my ass! Fantastic…especially with the opening sequence.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:05 am
What songs have you composed, you jagoff?
September 28th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I love the show and am totally sold on the song. I would fast forward through Janes’ stripping down, but for the song. I like his walk and attitude.
September 29th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Lol dan and g – see what you have to do to get noticed? I recco you slam atleast one opening sequence per month. I’ll waive my consulting fee this time.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:14 am
The only reason I’m on this blog is because I did a google search to find out who sings the theme tune! It’s a really catchy, soulful, blues song. I’m loving The Black Keys work! I’m also loving Hung, opening credits and all!
December 12th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I love the theme tune to Hung, which is why I ended up in your blog!