By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
In an ode to also-rans everywhere, Chance the Rapper spent this week’s Saturday Night Live monologue extolling the virtues of the second-best things, people and places in life.
The exuberant song was spurred by the fact that it was his second time hosting the late-night sketch show (and the first pulling double-duty as both host and musical guest). “To honor my hometown, I’m going to do a song about Chicago, the Second City,” he announced at the top of the show. What followed was a tune that paid homage to Pepsi, Adam Carolla, Redbox and Bing, as well as Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s spinoff series Angel.
Read the complete lyrics to the monologue rap below, then press PLAY on the video at the top of the post to hear it for yourself.
Now, I love Chicago, the city that fathered me
Called the Second City, but that doesn’t bother me
I’ve gotta tell ya, I think it’s the reverse
‘Cause sometimes, the second-best is better than the first
Sometimes, the second-best is better than the first
Like, I don’t like Google, I use Bing
I like french fries from Burger King
When it comes to Harry Potter, people give me grief
‘Cause I prefer Percy Jackson: Lightning Thief
I only drink Pepsi, never Coca-Cola
Jimmy Kimmel’s fine, but I love Adam Carolla
And Robin Gibb? Favorite Bee Gee
I hate Mario, love Luigi
I’m the kind of guy that likes the second-best better
I’m the kind of guy that likes the second-best one
I like DMC better than Run
‘Cause I’m the kind of guy that likes the second best, son
Cast member Kyle Mooney then joined Chance, saying he could relate, because he’s from San Diego, “kind of the Second City of California.” And though the host was dubious, Mooney joined in.
Now me and Chance, we live that thug life
‘Cause we like Antz more than Bug’s Life
Sense and Sensibility‘s better than Pride and Prejudice
Never had Nintendo, but I rocked a Sega Genesis
Yo I like Scrappy more than Scooby-Doo
I don’t like Chili’s, but I love Chili’s Too
I like the Clippers, the Nets and the White Sox
I don’t have Netflix, I like Redbox
I use DHL for my overnight shipping
And my favorite Bulls player? Scottie Pippen
I like Hanukkah more than Christmas, and I don’t like islands, but I love isthmuses.
After some debate about whether isthmuses could be considered second-rate islands (“for the purposes of this song, yes,” Mooney argued), the pair went in for the final verses.
Instead of Starbucks, you know what I do?
I go to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Caribou
Lunchtime, I don’t have to think it over
I skip Chipotle, head to Qdoba
Some people like Mase more than Puffy
I like the show Angel better than Buffy
And my favorite show about ’90s teens
Wasn’t Saved by the Bell, it was California Dreams
Yeah, I’m the kind of guy that likes the second-best better
I think Chicago is better than the rest
I take seconds at dinner and second glances
I believe in second chances
I love my wife and my family is true
A month ago, we welcomed Daughter Number 2
Now I’m in New York, it’s great to be alive
I’m back for the second time hosting Saturday Night Live!
What did you think of SNL‘s monologue this week? Hit the comments with your reactions.
What about his poor first child? Haha
False. No one likes Scrappy more than Scooby-Doo.
Awesome!!
So great.
California Dreams FTW! So much better than Saved by the Bell!
Yes!
Angel was better than Buffy, though.
Not at all though season 4 put a dent on the show as a whole
Angel also ruined Cordelia’s character unnecessarily and then avoided letting her actual return in season 5 be permanent to make up for it
As a whole Buffy was the better show though I love Angel just as much too
what they ultimately did with Cordelia alone , Conner fiasco included totally moves it down for me
Agree 100% especially about Buffy Season 4 it was enough to make me stop watching altogether. I tried getting back into it during Season 5 when friends told me it had gotten better but by that time the characters had changed so much it just didn’t carry the same appeal to me and I gave up. The first 3 seasons of Buffy were pure magic though and some of my favorite television I’ve ever watched.
I like the show Angel better than Buffy too, lol. Cordelia Chase is my favourite TV character of all time <3 And I agree with everything you said – I will never buy Joss Whedon is woke after what he did to Charisma Carpenter during her pregnancy. She was the heart of the show and season 4 cut that out completely – and suffered as a result. Plus, the Connor storyline was disgusting and Angel/Cordelia was the greatest love story never told.
Agreed.
I loved California Dreams! And, while I also loved Angel, Buffy is still better. :)
Bravo, sir! I mean I definitely prefer Buffy to Angel but way to bring it for the snl monologue!