Classic or Dud: Weird Al Yankovic

yeah he definitely tries to have the right parody at the right time with every new album but it only really clicks every few albums. "Fat," "Smells Like Nirvana," "White & Nerdy," those are the ones that brought him roaring back when it seemed like he was finally fading away. this album feels a little different just because so far it's not just one song or video driving it...maybe in a month we'll be able to say oh "Word Crimes" or "Tacky" is the big one but right now it's hard to call.

The eight videos in eight days gimmick put Mandatory Fun over the top. He was a top story on the music/entertainment blogs every day for a week, and he debuted his videos through a lot of different platforms, which ensured that the videos reached a large number of people, who would then share on social media. It helps a lot that the songs and videos were all pretty good this time around, and that the songs he parodied were all inescapable, massive hits. Anyway, couldn't be happier for the Vicar of Yanks.

he's just at a really good spot, I know Weird Al is beloved by all ages but it seems like people between the ages of 12-15 really really like him, and a lot of those people became celebrities or worked in the entertainment industry and meanwhile Weird Al's career is still going. that's also the reason why They Might Be Giants constantly draws big crowds even though they haven't had a real hit in forever.

lot of alsplaining going on in here

"amish paradise" was the one everyone liked when i was a kid iirc

jesus christ how old am I

also I hadn't noticed that "Word Crimes" cracked the top 40, lolololol

i still encounter people reciting the amish paradise lyrics now and then

I had graduated from college by the time "Amish Paradise" came out

I hadn't even reached rumspringa

lol crut

Pretty amazing that my two 7-year-old boys are giggling at Weird Al just like I was at their age. Ok, just realized I was more like 11, but still...

Weird Al just joined Madonna and Michael Jackson as the only people who've had new top 40 hits in the 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s

(have to throw that "new" in lest some one bring up whitney's death sales boost and bon jovi's "nerdy celtics fan" viral moment)

"amish paradise" was the one everyone liked when i was a kid iirc

― ciderpress, Thursday, July 24, 2014 9:16 AM (3 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

jesus christ how old am I

― Star Gentle Uterus (DJP), Thursday, July 24, 2014 9:17 AM (3 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

My cousin used to tape the Dr Demento show from the Vancouver BC station, which is naturally where I first heard Weird Al. Those tapes did much to form what I thought (and think) is funny.

Circa 1984 I had a picture of weird al taped to my wall and asked my mom for (knockoff) checkered vans.

I think it's great that kids of successive years have encountered him in virtually the same way.

Pretty amazing that my two 7-year-old boys are giggling at Weird Al just like I was at their age. Ok, just realized I was more like 11, but still...

― schwantz, Thursday, July 24, 2014 11:30 AM (3 minutes ago) Bookmark

seems like this is why this is weird al's "moment" -- parents are bonding with their kids about loving weird al

I guess I don't mean in the same way that I did, but in the stream of whatever's popular at the time

just noticed that the gangstas at the beginning of the "White & Nerdy" video are Key & Peele

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Year-End_Hot_100_singles_of_1984

"eat it" failed to make the year-end hot 100 when it came out, but look at this list and think about how few of these people could even dream to sell 100k in the first week now, let alone crack the top 40

Haven't had time to hear/watch any new Al, but also figure I won't know toonz being parodied

My cousin used to tape the Dr Demento show from the Vancouver BC station, which is naturally where I first heard Weird Al. Those tapes did much to form what I thought (and think) is funny.

Circa 1984 I had a picture of weird al taped to my wall and asked my mom for (knockoff) checkered vans.

I think it's great that kids of successive years have encountered him in virtually the same way.

― Dokken played here for a Ribfest and people were total assholes (Sparkle Motion), Thursday, July 24, 2014 12:34 PM (13 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I used to tape Dr. Demento too (1984-1985), and apart from the song parodies (Weird Al and otherwise) and general wackiness, it was also a window into whole other worlds: in one night I discovered George Carlin, Spike Jones, Spirit ("Fresh Garbage"), and (though I didn't realize it at the time) Harry Partch.

yes! the sheer range of music and comedy was just delightful. Even if I don't remember what else I heard, I certainly remembered the effect, and I had my ear out for whatever was strange from those days on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib2Vl7JEjfc

https://www.facebook.com/weirdal/photos/a.72964746004.106302.70358446004/10153750188011005/?type=3&theater

I still can't believe I found really nice vinyl copies of "Weird Al in 3D" and "Dare to Be Stupid" LPs last year. It was the coolest record shop in Atlanta, Wax N Facts.

His band is really good. Listening to them mimic the arrangement to "Beat It" is wonderful. Those albums are still as classic as they were when I was 10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BX56syrmWQ

classic for the spot on B-52s parody

I Was revisiting this album over the weekend and "Jackson Park Express" is hilarious

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdBF6h7oH5I
maura alert

"Cavity Search" is amazing. the mix itself is a little rough (it sounds like a demo, his vocals are loud, the bg very canned) but its still pretty rad. the lyrics are great. this is a very industrial take on the U2 original from the Batman Forever soundtrack. "Numb me/drill me" is very NIN. so is the easy listening ending w industrial drill sounds.

earlier i picked up a Devo reference in "Mr. Pompeii" it was a breakdown that sounded alot like the breakdown from "Pink Pussycat". love this song, the B-52s cover. Weird Al was kinda my gateway to punk lol. there was also a Clash cover ("Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" in the polka medley) on that LP. plus his voice, he embraces the nasal quality, he is a fucking punk.

Weird Al fivever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMwFZXujLJg

Stop Draggin' My Car Around

I'd rather listen to "King of Suede" than any Police song.

Adam, do you mean "Mr. Popeil"?

YOU COULD EVEN CUT A TIN CAN WITH IT
BUT YOU WOULDN'T
WANT TO!

still think "Dare to be Stupid" is a Top 5 Devo song

and I love Devo

I'm a forever stan of In 3-D and have to listen at least once a year. One of the first albums I bought with my own money, at Wal-Mart in Starkville, Miss., when it came out in '84. And I still hear new things and have new faves.

My earliest remembered favorite tune was "The Brady Bunch." I was determined to know every word, so I got a legal pad and kept pulling the needle back so I could write down every line.

My most recent fave is "Theme from Rocky XIII" maybe based on this line alone:

Never eats
while on the job
he heard it's good to stay hungry

Weird Al should really be in the Rock Hall.

'hardware store' is all-time

Nearly every song referenced in Polkas on 45 I first heard through that tune. Still the definitive version of Hot Blooded.

phil d otm
like if you take axl

I'd rather listen to "King of Suede" than any Police song.

the one I really dig is "Velvet Elvis". I really do appreciate how much effort goes into the guy's style parodies, to the point where if you're not paying attention you could easily mistake them for the real thing. I thought "Everything You Know is Wrong" was a real TMBG song for a while and was frustrated that I couldn't figure out what album it was on. I think he really does dig deep to uncover the essence of these dudes.

"Frank's 2000" TV" is a beautiful power-pop tune, no matter who wrote it or what the lyrics are about. Is that based on Toad the Wet Sprocket etc? I was never sure.

He has said he was going for an R.E.M vibe, though it reminds me of Matthew Sweet's "I've Been Waiting".

Adam, do you mean "Mr. Popeil"?

lol yes. btw i love the backing singers in this song.

"Dare to Be Stupid" is really good. still one of my favorite songs of all time. and it's an honorary Devo number:

In an interview on VH1's Behind the Music, Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh stated in reaction to the song that: "I was in shock. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. He sort of re-sculpted that song into something else and... I hate him for it, basically."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dare_to_Be_Stupid_(song)

to the point where if you're not paying attention you could easily mistake them for the real thing

I know I've annoyed friends by pulling this with "I Lost on Jeopardy."

I see I was on here 11 years ago praising "Mr. Popeil" complete with challopsy opinion that it was maybe better than some B-52s tunes haha.