I dunno if he'll ever top White n Nerdy
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 19:37 (ten years ago) link
was trying to think of any other early '80s artists that try as hard to stay on top of the zeitgeist and could only come up with duran duran
U2?
― MarkoP, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 19:50 (ten years ago) link
this is easily his best since Poodle Hat
― i also enjoy in line skateing (spazzmatazz), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 19:55 (ten years ago) link
U2 def
― da croupier, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 19:57 (ten years ago) link
Hi, Al!!Was the video for Tacky really a single shot, or was there some seamless edits?alyankovic 997 points an hour agoWhile it looks like there MIGHT have been an edit somewhere, I absolutely guarantee you, that was all done in ONE CONTINUOUS SHOT. That was a bit of a challenge for me, because I start the video on a 5th floor fire escape, and I reappear on street level wearing completely different clothes. That means - for EVERY TAKE - as soon as the camera was off me I had to run down 5 flights of stairs WHILE CHANGING MY CLOTHES so I could be on camera again at the end. Definitely got my workout THAT day!http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2as5t1/this_is_weird_al_yankovic_amaa_ask_me_anything/
alyankovic 997 points an hour ago
While it looks like there MIGHT have been an edit somewhere, I absolutely guarantee you, that was all done in ONE CONTINUOUS SHOT. That was a bit of a challenge for me, because I start the video on a 5th floor fire escape, and I reappear on street level wearing completely different clothes. That means - for EVERY TAKE - as soon as the camera was off me I had to run down 5 flights of stairs WHILE CHANGING MY CLOTHES so I could be on camera again at the end. Definitely got my workout THAT day!
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2as5t1/this_is_weird_al_yankovic_amaa_ask_me_anything/
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:20 (ten years ago) link
I respect Weird Al for being such a hard working guy!
― when you call my name it's like a prickly pear (Crabbits), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:21 (ten years ago) link
Let's remember he also memorized/mimed the entire last verse of "Amish Paradise" backwards for that video.
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:21 (ten years ago) link
al is a better singer than pharrel
Why is it a surprise or noteworthy that someone who can accurately mimic the phrasing and flows of a wide range of disparate singers and rappers would be a better singer than a producer who barely has a voice and has problems staying in tune or in rhythm?
― Star Gentle Uterus (DJP), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:26 (ten years ago) link
Great story from the AMA (in response to the question "Do artists ever request parodies"):
That happens sometimes in social settings - an artist will make a comment at a party or awards show like, "Hey Al, when are you going to do a parody of one of MY songs?" I don't know if they're being polite or making conversation, but that's always nice to hear. Actually, last year I was in New York doing a satellite radio tour, and Graham Nash was in the very next room... and it just so happens I had just recorded my CSN pastiche "Mission Statement" (which is on the new album). So I walked over to say hi... he sees me, and the first words out of his mouth are, "So, when are you gonna do a parody of 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes'??" I whipped out my iPhone and played "Mission Statement" for him. Instant request! (He loved it, BTW.)
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:36 (ten years ago) link
Nash vmic offering one of Stills' songs to Weird Al.
― cwkiii, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:39 (ten years ago) link
haha
― Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:41 (ten years ago) link
'Handy', 'Foil' and 'Sports Song' have all made me legit lol so far
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:47 (ten years ago) link
Actually, last year I was in New York doing a satellite radio tour, and Stephen Stills was in the very next room... and it just so happens I had just recorded my CSN pastiche "Mission Statement" (which is on the new album). So I walked over to say hi... he sees me, and the first words out of his mouth are, "you know I invented the song parody."
― da croupier, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:53 (ten years ago) link
omg yes
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:54 (ten years ago) link
we need to have a Stephen Stills bingo card
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:55 (ten years ago) link
Hey Al! I'm a huge fan and have been ever since my older brother introduced me to The Food Album when I was little. You've been a big influence on me since I was young and I loved your last AMA so I thought I'd show up early for this one! I messaged you on Facebook yesterday but I'm sure you have tons of mail to read and might not get to it for a while so I'm here to say hello.My question is a lame one, but important to me and a good number of your fans: Have you begun considering taking crypto-currency for your records (i.e. BitCoin, LiteCoin, and DogeCoin)? There's a great payment processor called GoCoin that allows you to easily take all three. I know that you are currently selling through iTunes, Amazon, and MyPlay Direct, but do you ever talk to them (mostly MyPlay Direct, the smallest but most malleable of the three companies for sure) about accepting new digital currencies?
My question is a lame one, but important to me and a good number of your fans: Have you begun considering taking crypto-currency for your records (i.e. BitCoin, LiteCoin, and DogeCoin)? There's a great payment processor called GoCoin that allows you to easily take all three. I know that you are currently selling through iTunes, Amazon, and MyPlay Direct, but do you ever talk to them (mostly MyPlay Direct, the smallest but most malleable of the three companies for sure) about accepting new digital currencies?
― guwop (crüt), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 20:56 (ten years ago) link
can't wait for Al's bitcoin song
― Star Gentle Uterus (DJP), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 21:11 (ten years ago) link
been around the world don't speak the languagebut the bitcoin don't need explaining
― da croupier, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 21:14 (ten years ago) link
I was thinking more "it's going down, I'm yelling bitcooooooin"
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 21:18 (ten years ago) link
i got one more bitcoin without yai got one more bitcoin without yai got one more bitcoin without yai got one more one more biiiiitcoooooin
― maura, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 21:47 (ten years ago) link
why you gotta be so rudedon't you know it's money toowhy you gotta be so rudeit's a virtual currency
― da croupier, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 21:52 (ten years ago) link
all of you OTM
― Star Gentle Uterus (DJP), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 21:52 (ten years ago) link
Can I buy fedoras with this virtual coinsay yes, say yes, cuz i need to knowyou say you'll never accept bitcoin till the day that you dieplease shop Target, but the answer is no!
― da croupier, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 21:57 (ten years ago) link
The Faux Fighters jammer is so perfect. Bemuda Schwartz nails Taylor Hawkins drum style
― dilligaf escape plan (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 23:07 (ten years ago) link
you could say it's
THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST
― dilligaf escape plan (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 23:08 (ten years ago) link
lol
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 15 July 2014 23:08 (ten years ago) link
lol.
― maura, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 23:15 (ten years ago) link
these bitcoins ain't loyal
― relentlessly pecking at peace (President Keyes), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 03:13 (ten years ago) link
played a mix of nothing but the polkas this afternoon...pure blissnew one is a jam
― it's not a fedora, it's a trill bae (m bison), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 03:23 (ten years ago) link
Yessss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0TEJMJOhk
― maura, Wednesday, 16 July 2014 15:09 (ten years ago) link
that is perfect
― Star Gentle Uterus (DJP), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 15:15 (ten years ago) link
Where's the National Medal of the Arts for this dude, seriously?
― how's life, Wednesday, 16 July 2014 15:20 (ten years ago) link
so goddamn awesome
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 15:54 (ten years ago) link
i hope weird al lives forever
― chikungunya manatee (Sufjan Grafton), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 16:22 (ten years ago) link
what if he does
― guwop (crüt), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 17:20 (ten years ago) link
poor Weird Al, cursed to watch all he loves age and die around him
― Star Gentle Uterus (DJP), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 17:21 (ten years ago) link
Weird Al lives forever to parody an Oasis song
― relentlessly pecking at peace (President Keyes), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 18:01 (ten years ago) link
I just realized the first B-52's song I ever heard was probably "Mr. Popeil".
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 16 July 2014 22:19 (ten years ago) link
al is a better singer than pharrell
― katherine, Tuesday, July 15, 2014 11:28 AM (1 minute ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― mattresslessness, Tuesday, 15 July 2014 17:30 (Yesterday)
Even Moby sings better than Pharrell.
― Moka, Wednesday, 16 July 2014 22:36 (ten years ago) link
whoa hey now
― guwop (crüt), Wednesday, 16 July 2014 22:47 (ten years ago) link
I waited all day to watch that video, we're in a place in this house where the dinner hour is pretty high fucking octane
thank you weird al for an absolutely perfect remedy
― Now I Am Become Dracula (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 17 July 2014 00:20 (ten years ago) link
Carl Wilson:
Fallon and Yankovic both seem childish when you compare them with the deftness of musical satirists such as the hip-hop-appropriating, adults-only, Saturday Night Live-sponsored Lonely Island, with half a dozen near-classics already behind them (including better grammar humor than “Word Crimes”); or understated New Zealand style-synthesizing-virtuosi imports Flight of the Conchords; or the polymath improvisational genius Reggie Watts.
Now, I love Carl, but "Weird Al" < Lonely Island, Flight of the Conchords?! WROONNNNG!
― You know something? He *did* say "well, yeah" a lot. (cryptosicko), Thursday, 17 July 2014 01:54 (ten years ago) link
Fallon and Yankovic both seem childish when you compare them with the deftness of musical satirists such as the hip-hop-appropriating, adults-only, Saturday Night Live-sponsored Lonely Island, with half a dozen near-classics already behind them (including better grammar humor than “Word Crimes”)
Cursing! Rapping! You know, grown-up stuff! Totally unlike the childishness of singing corporate jargon in perfect CSN harmonies.
I can't think of a single Lonely Island song I've ever wanted to hear (or video I've wanted to watch) twice. Meanwhile, I've watched the "Foil" video about a half dozen times today.
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Thursday, 17 July 2014 02:13 (ten years ago) link
Dude presumably meant kid-friendly more than childish
I mean, the idea that Andy samberg isn't childish
― da croupier, Thursday, 17 July 2014 02:32 (ten years ago) link
I like Lonely Island a lot and the suggestion that they are better than Weird Al makes me stabby
― Star Gentle Uterus (DJP), Thursday, 17 July 2014 02:35 (ten years ago) link
otm that is so wrongheaded I can't even
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 17 July 2014 02:38 (ten years ago) link
Ok if you're going to damn weird al for not going for the throat, I'd advise not making a running of gag of different words in place of Weird
― da croupier, Thursday, 17 July 2014 02:40 (ten years ago) link
Running gag, rather
― da croupier, Thursday, 17 July 2014 02:41 (ten years ago) link
i'm pretty sure lonely island themselves would scoff at the idea that they're better or more adult than weird al
the turn at 'o and btw i cracked the code' in 'foil' is so great. how i know i'm old: his classic rock parodies consistently my fave now - 'bob', 'craigslist', 'mission statement'.
― balls, Thursday, 17 July 2014 02:41 (ten years ago) link