DeniseI Heart (the brilliant and underrated) “Weird Al” Yankovic
Posted by Denise on April 24, 2009
Weird Al Yankovic: Actor, director, singer, songwriter, accordion enthusiast, performer. Brilliant, underrated, and handsome.
It saddens me that so many think of Al as “The ‘Eat It’ Guy.” Even some urban hipsters with whom I hang have called him “just a parody artist.” I have two major issues with this. Number One: Indeed, he is not just a parody artist, and Number Two: What’s that supposed to mean, “just a parody artist”? Do you think it’s easy? Would you say that Christopher Guest is “just” a mockumentary filmmaker because he is most famous for the films This Is Spinal Tap and Best In Show? Hell no you wouldn’t, and Weird Al deserves the same respect. It takes Al’s singular talent to create parody with scathing satire and a keen wit that’s also listenable.
Because Al is often erroneously seen as fluffy, I am sharing my top ten best original Weird Al songs. And by “original,” I mean songs that are not parodies of any one song (although the style of music may be inspired by a specific artist or genre).
11. Since You’ve Been Gone (1996)
Al has a myriad of terrific breakup songs, and this one is my favorite to sing along with in the car, not to mention that it showcases yet another of Al and the band’s amazing talents: singing a capella do-wop style. Sure, anyone can try it, but few can pull it off as mightily as Al and the band.
10. Trigger Happy (1996)
In the style of a zippy Beach Boys tune, “Trigger Happy” cleverly juxtaposes the happy-go-lucky, hanging at the beach feel of the music with lyrics that offer insight into the disturbing mind of a gun nut.
9. One More Minute (1985)
This song magically whisks the listener back to the time of sock hops, malt shops, and suicide doors. It marks the the moment the romance dies, not unlike Elvis’s’ “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” However, while Elvis’s backup singers never had the chance to sing “leeches,” Al also gives us the best line that Elvis never could: “I’m stranded all alone in the gas station of love / And I have to use the self service pump.”
8. Christmas At Ground Zero (1986)
While the song is brilliant on its own, the video (which is the first video directed by Al himself) adds even more. The label didn’t know what they were asking for when they wanted Al to do a Christmas song. What they got is a perfect little holiday ditty juxtaposed by horrifying images of nuclear holocaust which begs the question: how do we go about shopping, humming, and baking with unrelenting terror constantly hanging over our heads? But then again, how do we not go about our business?
Or, don’t ponder and just enjoy the song. Fun to sing along with.
7. Melanie (1988)
“I have to go through your garbage / Just to learn more about you.” Need I say more?
6. Dare to Be Stupid (1986)
This song has been described by Devo members as “the perfect Devo song.” The combination of Grandma’s cliches and commercial slogans is deeper than you think.
5. The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota (1989)
Al often ends his albums with a big ole extra long track. “Albuquerque” and ”Trapped in the Drive-Thru” are others of note, but “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota” is my favorite. And with good reason. It’s a funny jab at the campier sides of U.S. culture, but it’s not completely free of respect. In some ways, Al is picking on himself for getting some kitschy joy at the silly things.
4. Weasel Stomping Day (2006)
If you liked The Simpsons episode “Whacking Day,” you’ll love this catchy exploration of the Appeal to Tradition logical fallacy: “It’s tradition; that makes it okay.” Translation: the argument “this is how it’s always been done” does not hold water. And the use of music strikingly similar to the “Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner” commercials reminds me of another episode of The Simpsons, “Lisa The Vegetarian.” Remember the edutational film: ”I was a ’Grade-A’ moron to ever question eating meat.”
3. Truck Drivin’ Song (1999)
Al shows that he fully understands country music: the flavor, the themes, the passion, the joy.
2. You Don’t Love Me Anymore (1992)
In this beautiful, elegiac ballad, the narrator woefully ponders the subtle clues he’s picking up on that his partner might not love him anymore.
1. Frank’s 2000″ TV (1993)
A perfect little pop song that satirizes our cultural love of excess, television, and outdoing the neighbors. And I don’t say “perfect” lightly. There are only a few songs that I think are perfect pop songs: “Overkill” by Men at Work, “What’s So Funny (’bout Peace, Love & Understanding), and “Frank’s 2000″ TV.”
Helen said
“…brilliant, underrated and handsome…” This is most certainly true. Al is actually better looking in real life than he is in a lot of his photos. Even in the circumstances in which I’ve most often seen him up close (when he’s come out to meet fans after having worked his butt off for two hours onstage)he’s a fine-looking guy, and extraordinarily kind and courteous.
It’s hard to limit oneself to just ten original Weird Al songs. You got most of mine; I’m also pretty fond of “Hardware Store,” which will never be performed live most likely.
For me, one thing that “Trigger Happy” does is to lay bare the shallowness of a lot of the original Beach Boys lyrics. There’s not a lot of distance, really, between enthusing over an Uzi and pining over a 409. I love the Beach Boys, but Al helped me see that their amazing musical innovation was put into the service of some pretty puerile, material interests. I’m willing to overlook it, they were young, but still…
Denise said
Thanks, Helen, for your comments, especially your remarks on how you see “Trigger Happy.” Well said!
It was hard to limit myself! I really like so many others– “Close But No Cigar,” “Everything You Know Is Wrong,” “I Remember Larry,” “I’m So Sick of You,” and “Why Does This Always Happen To Me?” all almost made the list . . .
I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting Al, but I am sure that you’re right that he is kind and courteous. Should you see him again, tell him I said hi, and thanks again for commenting. Come back anytime!
Karma said
I swear I’ve seen him to “Hardware Store” live. Or maybe I dreamed it.
Great post–Al should be celebrated. Am jealous that the other poster has met him. All I can say is that he’s touched me and made eye contact when he came down into the audience. I don’t think that counts as a meeting, but I know it’s a soul connection.
My favorite country song of Al’s? Good Enough for Now–it’s one of the only honest love songs out there: “And I swear I’m never gonna leave you, darlin / At least till something better comes along.”
PS–”leeches” is the best Al line of all time (when the backup singers do it).
Stacey said
I’m also a longtime fan, and do think he’s underrated to some degree. Probably because of his mainly family friendly material, and a preponderance for parodies about food, i.e. “Eat It,” “Lasagna,” “Addicted to Spuds,” “My Bologna,” “I Love Rocky Road,” etc. Also, you haven’t listed any song-specific parodies, which is how people know him best. Every time he releases a new album, the first big single is something like “White and Nerdy,” or “Fat.” These things don’t tend to excite the “urban hipsters,” which is often another way to say “huge douchebag.” Viva la Al!
Denise said
Best song-specific parody list is forthcoming . . .