Stephen Colbert brings freedom, 'Charlene' to Rock Band

by Justin McElroy { Sep 11th 2008 at 8:30AM }

Sure, Stephen Colbert's political humor is great, but we prefer his early work: The sensitive, touching and frequently unnerving pop he crafted as part of Stephen and the Colberts. The apex of their work, the semi-hit single "Charlene," is now available as a free download on Rock Band.

Right now, this standard of American synth-stalk-pop is only available as a free download on Xbox Live, but we wouldn't be surprised if it was also part of today's PSN update. In the meantime, see Colbert's softer side just after the jump.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

Tags: comedy-central, ComedyCentral, dlc, rock-band, stephen-colbert

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bnpederson @ Sep 11th 2008 8:37AM

Well, um... can't beat free I guess.

Deeznuts420 @ Sep 11th 2008 8:37AM

lmao that just made my morning, thanks.

Mike @ Sep 11th 2008 8:49AM

YES.

Taco_Hell @ Sep 11th 2008 8:49AM

Ah, what a great song, a national classic. Though it would have been even better if it was about Stephen Jr.

AwesomeTown @ Sep 11th 2008 9:03AM

This eclipses the entire Rock Band 2 catalog in my book.

Trizero @ Sep 11th 2008 9:04AM

Oh jeez, of ALL the times to run out of Xbox Live and switch back to Silver. Aah well, I'll buy a 3 month card tomorrow.

PS: This download can't be downloaded by Silver subscribers, usual "Gotta be gold, this is a timed exclusive" message applies here.

Will @ Sep 11th 2008 9:11AM

Well it'll only be a Gold exclusive for a week. No point in buying a membership if you're not going to use it.

sam @ Sep 11th 2008 9:09AM

Awesome. I think he's got a little too much makeup on though...

http://www.samalamadingdong.com

Kizzle @ Sep 11th 2008 9:10AM

Free is nice.

Ranus Studios @ Sep 11th 2008 9:11AM

God I love that man.

Anni @ Sep 11th 2008 9:31AM

SO awesome! Now I can't wait for the day when I'm playing Rock Band while Singin' in Korean.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Sep 11th 2008 10:14AM

Is it just me, or does Colbert look like RDJ in that pic?

sv2 @ Sep 11th 2008 11:42AM

Yeah, I seriously thought the same thing. :O

NvizioN @ Sep 11th 2008 11:54PM

He's missing the badass mustache/beard combo.
Other than that, yes.

Neebs @ Sep 11th 2008 3:50PM

Reminds me of Sid Vicious or Ric Ocasek.

McWeen @ Sep 11th 2008 10:19AM

I would love it if they keep releasing novelty songs for free.

JFink @ Sep 11th 2008 10:29AM

Great song? Or greatest song?

superberg @ Sep 11th 2008 10:32AM

Poor Stephen Colbert. Is it even possible for him to appear out-of-character in public?

Emily @ Sep 13th 2008 8:34AM

I suppose he could, but I think I read in an interview he did that he chooses not to come out of character in public. I guess it's part of his whole gimmick. Knowing the little bit that I do about the "real" Stephen Colbert, it would be interesting to see how like his personality he is.

Nadril @ Sep 11th 2008 10:35AM

I think I need help, I can't stop listening to this.

tentaclesex @ Sep 11th 2008 10:36AM

9/11 never forget

FoxHoundADAM @ Sep 11th 2008 10:37AM

COLBERT '08!

j.howlett @ Sep 11th 2008 10:43AM

can't blame the man for falling for charlene

Kersh @ Sep 11th 2008 10:55AM

I swear, he looks older there than he does on his show.

DCBlack @ Sep 11th 2008 11:23AM

They should release the show's opening credits music as DLC.

Brett from Atlanta @ Sep 11th 2008 11:33AM

You guys gotta read the back story of this song. It makes it that much better.

http://www.wikiality.com/Stephen_and_the_Colberts

pather @ Sep 11th 2008 12:02PM

I demand "Singin' in Korean".

Bass Masterson @ Sep 11th 2008 1:31PM

While I'll admit the guy can be funny (his speech at the White House was priceless), you have to realize that anybody who watches the Daily Show, Colbert, and Olbermann every day is incapable of rational thought about anything political. They're just passive vessels absorbing left-wing dogma.

Shane @ Sep 11th 2008 2:25PM

I admit NOTHING.

DWells55 @ Sep 11th 2008 3:34PM

I'm a Republican and I watch Colbert very often and The Daily Show almost as often. Whether or not I agree with their political views, both do a decent job of presenting the news as well as providing some quality comedy. Yeah, they're left-biased, but at least they're open about it, unlike the majority of the media.

OneTopJob6 @ Sep 12th 2008 12:44AM

Shorter Bass:

"I don't like anything I disagree with, therefore Jon, Stephen, and Keith are not funny/sharp."

OneTopJob6 @ Sep 12th 2008 12:46AM

DWells, would that be the SAME media that Jon and Stephen satirize for their lack of accountability to the (right-wing) government?

TrojanGuy @ Sep 11th 2008 2:06PM

This is epic.

T @ Sep 11th 2008 3:13PM

Gotta love free tracks. "Still Alive" and "Promised Land" were pretty fun. I'm looking forward to getting home and grabbing this off Live.

Keep the joke songs coming. If we're lucky, they'll hopefully have one of their Game-Generate challenges with stuff like the above (and Timmy for those who Exported)

IGLAW @ Sep 11th 2008 7:28PM

Stephen Colbert = Zoolander?

Waffle Slayer @ Sep 12th 2008 7:07AM

Talk about morning wood.

Steve @ Sep 13th 2008 2:09PM

I remember when this song first came out and then the Police shortly came out with that song "Every Breath You Take." I though, what a rip! They should be paying the Colbert's massive royalties. Well, Stephen had the last laugh. Where's your TV show, Sting?