Jim Carrey Reveals His Top Two Rock Classics
Jim Carrey opens up about his all-time favourite rock tracks, the value of original versions, and shares stories from his career and passion for music.
When the festive season rolls around, it’s hard to avoid catching Jim Carrey in his iconic green get-up as The Grinch. The role, while memorable, came at a cost for Carrey, who reportedly struggled so much with the heavy prosthetics that he was ready to hand back his $20 million paycheque after suffering panic attacks on set. The make-up was so full-on that he couldn’t breathe through his nose, had massive contact lenses, and eventually needed coaching from a specialist in surviving torture just to get through filming. Not exactly the cheeriest Christmas tale, so if you’re watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas this year, spare a thought for Carrey and his ordeal.
Alongside Carrey in the film was a young Taylor Momsen, who played Cindy Lou Who. These days, she fronts the hard rock band The Pretty Reckless. The pair caught up again recently at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a good 25 years after their time on set. The Pretty Reckless performed a couple of their hits, including a rock version of ‘Where Are You Christmas’, the same song Momsen sang as a child in the film. She spoke warmly about Carrey, saying he looked out for her during filming and that watching him take his craft so seriously left a lasting impression.
“As a young person watching an artist at work and taking their craft so seriously, that left a really powerful, lasting impact on me as an adult now. And I’m excited to be able to tell him that as a grownup.”
Carrey’s Rock and Roll Roots
Carrey’s love for rock and roll isn’t just for show. At the Hall of Fame event, he had the honour of inducting Soundgarden, the legendary grunge outfit from Seattle. He recalled hosting SNL back in 1996, when Soundgarden were the musical guests. The band gave him a signed electric blue Fender Telecaster backstage as a thank you, after Carrey insisted they be the main act. He became good mates with the late Chris Cornell, Soundgarden’s frontman, and the gesture clearly meant a lot to him.
Carrey’s musical tastes run heavier than some might expect. He’s a fan of metal acts like Pantera and Cannibal Corpse, and when asked by Parade to name his go-to rock-out track, he didn’t hesitate.
“Right now, it’s Black Crowes’ ‘Hard to Handle.’ But it used to be ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, AC/DC. But you gotta listen to the original version with Bon Scott.”
Why the Originals Matter
‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ was released by AC/DC in 1977, closing out their album Let There Be Rock. The song, written by Bon Scott about a wild encounter on tour, has become a staple at their gigs for nearly five decades. Carrey’s insistence on the original version highlights his appreciation for the raw energy that Bon Scott brought to the band before his untimely death.
The Black Crowes’ take on ‘Hard to Handle’ is another favourite of Carrey’s. Their version, found on their 1990 debut Shake Your Money Maker, helped the album sell over five million copies worldwide. The track itself is a cover of Otis Redding’s original, but the Crowes’ rendition brought a new swagger that resonated with a fresh generation of rock fans.
Rock and Roll’s Lasting Influence
Carrey’s stories and song choices show just how much rock and roll has shaped his life, both on and off the screen. Whether it’s enduring gruelling make-up sessions for a film or championing his favourite bands, his passion for music is clear. For Carrey, it’s the originals that matter most, capturing the spirit and grit that define the genre.