You know that feeling when you're flipping through channels and everything feels like a reboot of a reboot? That's exactly what Steven Page was hitting on back in 1998. Barenaked Ladies It's All Been Done isn't just a catchy jingle from the Stunt album; it's a cynical, brilliant, and surprisingly deep look at the exhaustion of being "original."
Most people remember the video. You know, the one where the band is stuck in an 18th-century hotel room with a bunch of weird stuff happening? It was a staple on MTV and MuchMusic. But honestly, if you look past the upbeat tempo and the "woo-hoo" backing vocals, the lyrics are kinda dark. It’s a song about the realization that every romantic gesture you’ve ever made and every song you’ve ever written has already been done by someone else, probably better, a hundred years ago. It’s the ultimate Gen X shrug.
The Weird History Behind the Track
When the band went into the studio to record Stunt, they were at a weird crossroads. They were massive in Canada but still a bit of a cult "novelty" act in the States. Then "One Week" happened. That song was a juggernaut. But "It's All Been Done" was the follow-up that proved they weren't just the guys who rapped about Sailor Moon and Harrison Ford.
Steven Page wrote it. He’s often credited as the more "theatrical" or "melancholy" half of the primary songwriting duo with Ed Robertson. Page has mentioned in interviews that the song was inspired by the feeling of being in a new relationship but feeling like you’re just playing out a script. It’s meta. It’s a pop song about how pop songs are repetitive. That’s some high-level irony for a band often dismissed as "the funny guys."
The recording itself has this raw, almost 1960s garage-pop vibe. It doesn't have the slick, over-processed sheen that a lot of late-90s radio hits had. Producer David Leonard kept it lean. The drums punch through, and that signature distorted guitar riff is simple but effective. It’s basically three chords and the truth, which is funny considering the song claims the "truth" has already been told.
Why the Lyrics Still Sting 25 Years Later
"I'll meet you on the patio / We'll find a heavy chair."
That opening line is so specific and mundane. It’s classic BNL. They take these tiny, everyday moments and make them feel monumental. But then the chorus hits. It’s a heavy-duty realization: "It's all been done / It's all been done / It's all been done before."
We live in an era of "Everything is a Remix." In 2026, we’re surrounded by AI-generated art and endless movie sequels. In that context, Barenaked Ladies It's All Been Done feels like a prophecy. Page sings about how "if I put my fingers here / it will help you disappear." It’s sort of a commentary on the mechanics of music—how certain chord progressions are designed to trigger specific emotions. We’re all just being manipulated by the same twelve notes.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
The song also touches on reincarnation, or at least the feeling of it. "And if I fail I'll fall apart / Maybe I'll get a second start." There’s a desperation there. If everything has been done, what’s the point of trying? The song doesn't really give you an answer. It just invites you to sing along to the futility of it all. It’s catchy nihilism.
The Music Video's Bizarre Legacy
The video was directed by Doug Aitken. It's legendary for being filmed in one continuous take—or at least appearing that way—as the camera pans across a hotel suite. You see the band performing, but there are also these surreal interruptions. A maid comes in. A guy is wearing a giant bird head.
It was a huge hit on the VH1 and MTV countdowns. It showcased the band’s personality without them having to act like "clowns," which was a label they were desperately trying to shake at the time. They wanted to be seen as serious musicians who happened to be funny, rather than a comedy troupe with guitars. Looking back, this song was the bridge that helped them transition into the adult contemporary mainstays they eventually became.
The Stunt Era and the Peak of BNL-mania
You can't talk about this song without talking about the album Stunt. Released in July 1998, it was a monster. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. Can you imagine a Canadian alt-rock band doing that today? It seems impossible.
"It's All Been Done" was the third single (after "One Week" and before "Call and Answer"). It didn't reach the number one spot like "One Week," but it had more "legs." It stayed in heavy rotation on AAA radio for years. It’s the kind of song that people who "hate" Barenaked Ladies usually admit is actually pretty good.
- Release Date: September 1998 (as a single)
- Writer: Steven Page
- Billboard Performance: Reached #7 on the Adult Top 40
- Album: Stunt (4x Platinum in the US)
The band’s lineup at the time was the "classic" one: Page, Robertson, Tyler Stewart, Kevin Hearn, and Jim Creeggan. Shortly after the album's release, Hearn was diagnosed with leukemia. This put a huge strain on the band during their biggest moment. Some fans argue that the "sadness" beneath the surface of tracks like "It's All Been Done" became more apparent once the public knew what the band was going through behind the scenes.
The Myth of the "One-Hit Wonder"
There is a common misconception that BNL is a one-hit wonder because of "One Week." That is factually wrong. "It's All Been Done" was a massive radio hit. "Pinch Me" hit the Top 20 a couple of years later. "If I Had $1,000,000" is basically an alternative national anthem in Canada and a cult classic worldwide.
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
The reason people think they are one-hit wonders is likely because of the sound of their hits. They don't have a "brand" sound. "One Week" is a rapid-fire pop-rap song. "It's All Been Done" is a 60s throwback rock song. "Call and Answer" is a sweeping, heart-wrenching ballad. This versatility was their greatest strength, but it also made them hard to categorize for the casual listener who just wants a "vibe" to stick to.
Breaking Down the "Woo-Hoos"
Musically, the song is a masterclass in simplicity. It’s in the key of A Major. The verses use a basic I-IV-V progression (A, D, E) that is the backbone of almost all rock and roll.
Wait. Isn't that exactly what the song is about?
By using the most "done" chord progression in history, the Barenaked Ladies were proving their own point. They were intentionally using cliches to talk about cliches. The "woo-hoo" backing vocals are a direct nod to The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" or Blur’s "Song 2." They weren't stealing; they were acknowledging the shared language of rock.
When Tyler Stewart kicks in with that straightforward 4/4 beat, it’s not meant to be flashy. It’s meant to be familiar. It’s meant to feel like a song you’ve known your whole life, even the first time you hear it. That’s the "It's All Been Done" magic.
Why Steven Page Left (And Why It Matters for This Song)
In 2009, Steven Page left the band. It was a "mutual" decision that devastated the fanbase. For many, Page was the soul of the band, while Ed was the heart.
When the band performs "It's All Been Done" now, Ed Robertson takes the lead vocals. He does a great job—he’s a pro. But there’s a specific "Page-ness" missing. Steven had this way of singing the chorus with a mix of joy and absolute exhaustion that is hard to replicate. He sounded like a man who had seen everything and was just tired of the rerun.
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
The song has become a bit of a bittersweet anthem for fans of the "classic" lineup. It represents a time when the band was firing on all cylinders, conquering the world, and managing to stay creatively sharp despite the pressures of fame.
Actionable Takeaways for BNL Fans and Musicians
If you're a songwriter or just someone who loves dissecting 90s alt-rock, there are a few things you can actually take away from the success and structure of this track.
First, lean into the "mundane." Don't try to write about grand, sweeping metaphors all the time. Write about the patio chair. Write about the "burgundy" shirt. Specificity creates connection. People don't relate to "love"; they relate to the feeling of sitting across from someone and realizing you've both said these exact things to other people before.
Second, don't be afraid of the "obvious" melody. A lot of indie artists today try so hard to be "original" that they forget to be "good." "It's All Been Done" works because it embraces the familiar. Use the three chords. Use the "woo-hoos." If the song is catchy, people will stay long enough to hear the deeper message in the lyrics.
Lastly, acknowledge your influences. The Barenaked Ladies didn't pretend they invented this sound. They wore their influences on their sleeves. In a world of "it's all been done," the only thing left to do is be honest about where you're coming from.
To really appreciate the nuance of the track, you should go back and listen to the Stunt version side-by-side with a live version from their Talk to the Hand DVD. You'll hear the subtle shifts in how they play the bridge. Also, check out the acoustic versions Steven Page has done in his solo career; they strip away the "pop" and leave you with the raw, existential dread that makes the song so special.
If you're looking to learn the song on guitar, focus on the rhythm of the A to D transition in the verse. It’s all about the "bounce." Don't overthink the solo—it’s short, melodic, and serves the song rather than the ego of the player.
The legacy of "It's All Been Done" isn't just that it was a hit; it's that it gave us permission to stop worrying about being "new" and start focusing on being "real." Even if someone else said it first, they didn't say it like you.
Next Steps:
- Listen to the isolated vocal track of the chorus to hear the intricate three-part harmonies between Page, Robertson, and the Creeggan brothers.
- Watch the 1999 Juno Awards performance to see the band at their peak energy.
- Compare the song's structure to 1960s "British Invasion" tracks to see exactly where the band was pulling their inspiration from.