As most of us are painfully aware, not all ’80s icons are still churning out high-quality musical parody. But the great ”Weird Al” Yankovic — humorist, parodist, polkaist — has remained remarkably consistent over the years, though some would argue that the notorious shave-and-Lasik of 1998 was a misstep from which he’s never recovered.
It occurred to me this morning that Al is the only artist I’ve bought consistently since 1986. This probably says more about me than it does about Al. But, if his sales figures are any indication, it says something about a lot of us. So today, I’m moved to praise Al’s "White and Nerdy," his riff on Chamillionaire’s "Ridin’." I listened to it in passing before, but… man, it’s actually good, isn’t it? I mean:
"Shopping online for deals on some writable media
I edit Wikipedia
I memorized Holy Grail really well
I can recite it right now and have you ROTFLOL."
Am I wrong (or white? or nerdy?), or does that actuallty possess the fabled "flow"? (In both Javascript and Klingon?) Al’s the elder statesman (and really the only "serious" practicioner) of song-parody, a field that ranks just below roadie’s-apprentice on the music-biz respect-o-meter. He is King Dork of Nerd Mountain (Ben Folds is Secretary of State), and "White and Nerdy" is, in many ways, the apotheosis of his art. Like a bird-chested man in glistening plastic pecs, the song takes possession of an edgy gestalt the singer can’t possess; then it blunts that edge, but blunts it with skill, with respect, with a tip of the hat to the artist who originally created it. I’ll always feel a little sorry for those who resist a good Yankovizing. Me, I’ve got it in my will: I would like my life polka-parodied by Al. It’s better than having your head frozen.
Keep it weird, Al. We laughed in ’86. We’re laughing now. Either we’re idiots or you’re a genius. Or, most likely, both.
Weird Al is great. His song parodies are not only hilarious, they’re smart, creative, and pay a twisted tribute to the songs and artists he’s parodying. Despite the fact that he’s been around for 20 years, I still think he’s underrated, or at least underappreciated. Either way, as someone who is equally white and nerdy, I tip my hat to you, Weird Al!
funny stuff
Eat it. Eat it. Open up your mouth and feed it
Have a banana
Have a whole bunch
it doesn’t matter
what you have for lunch
just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it
Don’t sleep on “Trapped in the Drive-Thru,” the undisputed epic from “Straight Outta Lynwood.” It’s even ridiculous-er than “Trapped in the Closet.”
I think I was 7 when I first heard Weird Al – I thought “Eat It” was the funniest thing I ever heard, and I loved “Like a Surgeon” too. As a kid it was okay to like him, but as I grew older it was something shameful that I had to keep secret. But now I will proclaim to the world – I am white and nerdy and I love Weird Al!!!
Scott — please tell me someone has hipped you to the musical goodness of Jonathan Coulton (Re Your Brains, Code Monkey, Skullcrusher Mountain, Baby Got Back, so much more at jonathancoulton.com). Truly as good an intersection of musicality and nerdiness as TMBG, Weird Al, etc., and in some ways more listenable and accessible. He’s a Contributing Troubador to Popular Science, but also writes great relationship songs … but then also of course writes great relationship songs *about science.* Check it out.
Al has been cranking out novelty hits for well over 20 years. He’s like the LL Cool J of parody. Cutting edge lyrics. And he’s not a half bad rapper. He’s got mad skillz! All About the Benjamins Baby!
Weird Al actually produced a lot of Ben Folds’ songs.
Is everyone 7?
I can’t help it and I don’t wanna: I luuuuuv me some Al! Is he innovative, brilliant, or groundbreaking? Rarely, if ever. But his good-natured, profanity-free skewering of pop music is just plain fun, and occasionally his originals transcend that of “just another comedy song”.
Gimme a solid pop-music polka montage every couple of years and I’m sold. Polka your eyes (and mine) out, Al!
I adore Weird Al. He does song skewering in a way that most comedians aim for but never quite achieve. He’s taken it to an art form (well, art if you squint your eyes). He pokes fun at others and himself in the process.
Once he came out with “My Bolonga” which was his first release, I was hooked. This guy is what what Steve Allen was to poltical satire, and has gone way beyond what comedian song parodist Spike Jones did in the Fifties and Sixties. Only someone with an amazing sense of humor and a wild imagination would have come up with those parodies! UHF is a giggly cult classic.
I’ve been a fan of Al for pretty much my entire life. When I was born, I was singing “Another One Rides the Bus.” Of course, everyone only heard “Wahhh! Wahhh!” But I knew what I was saying.
Not only is Al immensely talented and a certified genius, but his band is equally as amazing. The quality and craftsmenship they put into each song, even the little sound effects that are barely audible in the background. They are all brilliant. I saw them live a bunch of years back, and it’s still the greatest live show I’ve ever seen. If that makes me a nerd, then I shout it proudly out to the heavens!!!
That video (and song) was brilliant! I loved the cameos by Donny Osmond and Seth Green.
I’ve never bought a Weird Al album even though I’ve known about him since “I Lost on Jeopardy” but I might get this one.
I haven’t heard much of Weird Al, but ‘White and Nerdy’ is hilarious. At least Chamillionaire is laid back about the parody, unlike Coolio (and in a lesser extent, Eminem, which is odd, considering how bad he trash talks about some celebrities/artists…come on, you practically pissed on Kurt Cobain’s grave on your single “Cum On Everybody” and you’d take it personally if Weird Al parodies you?)
The fact that Weird Al Yankovic is taken seriously worries me.