Lauren Murrow
Culture

Questlove and the Art of the Subversive Musical Dig

The Roots---the house band of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon---are known for sneaking flyby jabs into 10-second snippets of walk­-on music.
Image may contain Questlove Human Person Musical Instrument Musician Electrical Device Microphone Hair and Drummer

The Roots—the house band of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon—are known for sneaking flyby jabs into 10-­second snippets of walk­-on music. We compiled the best of band­leader Questlove's cleverly subversive ditties for recent political guests.

  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 3
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Donald Trump

    [“20 Feet Tall,” by Erykah Badu](https://archive.org/details/WESH_20160112_043400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/1140/end/1200); “What More Can I Say?” by Jay Z
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 3
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Barack Obama

    [“Looking at the Front Door,” by Main Source](https://archive.org/details/WCAU_20160610_033400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/1140/end/1200)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 3
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Chris Christie

    [“Follow the Leader,” by Eric B. & Rakim](https://archive.org/details/WCAU_20150901_033400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/1080/end/1140); [“The Bridge Is Over,” by Boogie Down Productions](https://archive.org/details/WRC_20160402_033400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/2220/end/2280)
  • quotThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonquot Debut Episode
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Stephen Colbert

    [“Best Imitation of Myself,” by Ben Folds Five](https://archive.org/details/KNTV_20140308_073400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/1140/end/1200)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 3
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    John Oliver

    “[Just Last Week,” by Big K.R.I.T;](https://archive.org/details/KNTV_20140423_063400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/2460/end/2520) [“Last Week” (originally “One Week,” by Barenaked Ladies)](https://archive.org/details/WESH_20160128_043400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/2400/end/2460)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 1
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Rahm Emanuel

    [“Ugly,” by Chief Keef and Soulja Boy](https://archive.org/details/KNTV_20140604_063400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/2640/end/2700)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 3
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Ted Cruz

    [“I Happen to Like New York,” by Cole Porter](https://archive.org/details/WRC_20160415_033400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/2460/end/2520)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 3
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Bill O’Reilly

    [“Reagan’s Dead”](https://archive.org/details/WHDH_20151104_043400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/1560/end/1620) (originally “Raise the Dead,” by Mac Lethal)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 3
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Bernie Sanders

    [“Burn,” by Deep Purple](https://archive.org/details/WHO_20151209_043400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/1080/end/1140)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Season 2
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Jeb Bush

    [“The Leader of the Band,” by Lewis Taylor](https://archive.org/details/WCAU_20150617_033400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/51/end/111?q=Jimmy+Fallon+Jeb+Bush)
  • Rachel Maddow Visits quotThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonquot
    NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

    Rachel Maddow

    [“Dead Presidents,” by Jay Z](https://archive.org/details/WRC_20161104_033400_The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon/start/49/end/109?q=jimmy+fallon+rachel+maddow)
  • Image may contain Tie Accessories Accessory Clothing Apparel Coat Overcoat Suit Human Person Blazer and Jacket
    Dan Winters

    Read More

    [Check out more from the April issue's package on comedy in the Trump age.](https://www.wired.com/2017/03/the-comedy-of-politics/)
Lauren Murrow is a senior editor at WIRED, where she edits the features, Ideas, and the Opinion section. She also oversees 6x6, the magazine’s back page. Prior to joining WIRED she was the market editor at New York magazine and deputy editor at San Francisco magazine, covering technology, design, and ... Read More
Senior editor
TopicsComedymagazine-25.04
Read More
A Guided Tour of Donald Trump’s Renovated Washington, DC
Trump has remade the nation’s capitol in his own image. Ahead of the Fourth of July, WIRED guides you through the dizzying effects of DC’s makeover.
Hugo Lowell
20 Best Gifts for Men, Manly Men, and Menly Man Men
When you need something that’s as mannishly masculinized as you can get for the Man™ in your life, we have you covered.
Matthew Korfhage
Paramount Refused to Air an Ad Criticizing Its Merger With Warner Bros.
The commercial was submitted by the Freedom of the Press Foundation to run during Donald Trump’s UFC event. It criticized the $111 billion merger as a threat to the First Amendment.
Miles Klee
The Onion’s Infowars Parody Is Here. Alex Jones Is Going to Hate It
The satirical site is fighting to officially take over Infowars. In the meantime, CEO Ben Collins says the new show will mock “how fucking stupid” conspiratorial brain rot has become.
Miles Klee
The Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories—We’ve Tested More Than 100
Protect your expensive iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, or iPhone 17e with our favorite cases and screen protectors.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your Phone
Top up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.
Simon Hill
The Best Handheld and Wearable Fans That Belong in Every Summer Bag
Whether you’re at a festival, tennis match, or wedding, these hand fans and wearable cooling devices will make the heat way more bearable.
Kristin Canning
Tim Heidecker Wants to Turn Infowars Into Adult Swim for the Internet
Infowars’ would-be creative director talks Sandy Hook, comedy’s MAGA turn, and why the future of satire may look more like a streaming startup than a late-night show.
Katie Drummond
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
Even the Internet’s Favorite Pool Guy Doesn’t Know How to Fix the Reflecting Pool
Algae blooms, peeling paint, and a host of fixes from hydrogen peroxide to nanobubblers have made it hard to diagnose what’s wrong with the Reflecting Pool—let alone how to clean up the mess.
Molly Taft