Weird Al Yankovic Appreciation Thread

[Balok's Decoy]

I think we should all take some time to appreciate one of our national treasures, Weird Al Yankovic.

During my formative years, I was a devout Weird Al fan. He basically shaped my sense of humor from the time I was a kid through my teenage years. In particular I remember wearing out our copy of the Permanent Record greatest hits collection, which I didn't realize until recently is pretty rare nowadays. As I got older I listened to him less and less. But just this past month I've rediscovered Weird Al, gone back and listened to the old stuff I loved so much as a kid and now I'm listening to his newer material for the first time. He's so great.

One of his lesser known but brilliant songs is The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota. This song has only gotten funnier with age. Such a good take on squeaky-clean country/western music like Gordon Lightfoot, and Midwestern middle class vacationers.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

And I LOVE his parody of Talking Heads. He just nails the David Byrne impression:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

And I loved all of Weird Al's cameos on Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job, in particular this one:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Anyway, I could keep going with my favorite songs and appearances, but I'll kick it over to you all now!

So let's talk about Weird Al! Favorite songs? Favorite albums? Videos? Memories?

 

[marillion]

The list is too large to narrow it down too much.. But I've been a fan since the beginning. What I REALLY appreciate is his attention to detail and surrounding himself with excellent musicians.

During his live show, he always plays a cover song straight and always nails it. I think he's a fantastic performer.

 

[UncleRogi]

My fav was and is "Christmas at Ground Zero", but the connotations since {then} preclude
my openly sharing this, except with you Board Folk. Al won't do this parody anymore...
for good reason.

(The song came out FIRST)

 

[Balok's Decoy]

My fav was and is "Christmas at Ground Zero", but the connotations since {then} preclude
my openly sharing this, except with you Board Folk. Al won't do this parody anymore...
for good reason.

(The song came out FIRST)

Yeah that one has unfortunately not held up. The Night Santa Went Crazy also falls under that category.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

When I was 12, Permanent Record is the only thing that was on in the car.

My favorite songs of his tend to be the ones that are silly on point and not just about food, like Albuquerque or Sports Song. Or his ones with some darker connotation like Melissa.

 

[DrCorby]

While I first encountered The Weird One through his parodies, I've come to really appreciate his original work a lot more. A top pick for me is "You Don't Love Me anymore", with the increasingly-absurd abuse crooned in a low-key, plaintive ballad. Hilarious! And the icing the cake is the video appearance of Robert Goulet, enduring plenty of his own tortures...

 

[StarCruiser]

He has an odd ability to remain relevant no matter how much music has changed. Case in point:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Push The Button]

Truly unique, there is no one else quite like him. He always reminds me of my high school days in the mid 80s.

 

[1001001]

UHF is an under-appreciated comedy classic.

 

[Velocity]

Word Crimes is a favorite, and so is Tacky, and White And Nerdy and....so many. He is clever with word play and he is also a good mimic.

 

[UncleRogi]

He has an odd ability to remain relevant no matter how much music has changed. Case in point:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Someone should send this to the RNC...



EDIT: I take that back...best sent to the AACUXYZP....I hate politics

 

[Random_Spock]

He has an odd ability to remain relevant no matter how much music has changed. Case in point:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

That's my favorite Weird Al song. First time I heard him was at camp back around the time of the Bad Hair Day cd/tape came out. It was my first one I ever got (after camp that is). Some of the boys at camp were playing it and I got hooked.

I love his lyrics and creativity.

This one is pretty cool. Making light of both Bob Dylan and palindromes at the same time!

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

UHF is an under-appreciated comedy classic.

View attachment 4484

One of a fairly small number of DVD's I replaced with blu-ray. I guess that tells you how much I like the movie

As far as the music, his 80's output was tops for me. Knowing and liking all the original versions of those songs made it easy to relate to Al's versions. Plus heavy play on MTV for his vids.

Eat It
Fat
Like A Surgeon

I was a little disappointed that Al wasn't related to Frankie Yankovic. It seemed like a given.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

Like A Surgeon and...

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[1001001]

Eat It

"if it's getting cold, reheat it!"



This one was pretty good too.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Balok's Decoy]

"if it's getting cold, reheat it!"



This one was pretty good too.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Another One Rides the Bus still makes me laugh. It's a quintessential Weird Al song. Perfectly goofy with excellent use of the accordion.

 

[Santaman]

UHF was great, I like his music as well, he has that special nose for things so it always works out.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I've never heard that Bob Dylan one. That's pretty perfect, they sound kind of like the metaphorical stream of consciousness narratives of Dylan albums in the mid 60s.

 

[Velocity]

Dare To Be Stupid is a good parody of Devo. Mark Mothersbaugh loved it.