A true “Weird Al” Yankovic fan might prefer a Top 27 list, but even that might be too short to cover the career of the crown (clown?) prince of parody. How can you sum up the oeuvre of a man whose musical career often outlasts that of the acts he sends up?
Weird Al is best known for his parodies of popular music, but don’t discount his original novelty songwriting either; indeed, as both the fanbase and the artist’s sensibilities mature, many are growing to appreciate the man’s true original talent beyond the mimicry that made him famous.
To be fair, this list will be divided half-and-half between original songs and hit parodies. So grab your accordion and play along to the top 10, just in time for the new “Straight Outta Lynwood” album, in stores September 26…
ORIGINALS
(1) Hardware Store
“Poodle Hat” may have been a hit-and-miss album, but fans and critics alike singled out this gem as worthy of the price all by itself. Fun, frenetic and freewheeling, this tribute to the joy in the mundane at impossibly hyperkinetic vocal pace is pure energy and pure Al spirit.
(2) Dare to be Stupid
Invoking the spirit of Devo into a fitting anthem for a generation, the cheerfully nonsensical lyrics and upbeat catchy feel truly gives one little choice but to befriend mashed potatoes and be a coffee achiever, as instructed.
(3) UHF
Much like “Dare to be Stupid”, this theme for Yankovic’s cult classic film creates a sense of community and enthusiasm around what it celebrates, this time a rather silly TV station…
(4) One More Minute
… yet those who prefer the darker side won’t be disappointed. One could not make a list of top Al songs without including a representative from his surprisingly varied love-gone-wrong collection. The earnest, mainstream tone of the music perfectly counterpoints the increasingly gory tone of the lyrics for a decidedly cathartic listening experience.
(5) The Night Santa Went Crazy
A Christmastime staple on any station brave enough to go the novelty route. Fans dedicated enough to track down the ‘Extra Gory Version’ on the “Amish Paradise” single will get a new lyrical twist toward the end, delivered with Yankovic’s trademark charm. Again, it’s the quality of the musical production that makes this work; leave the lyrics aside and this song could stand up against any Grandma-friendly Christmas schmaltz.
PARODIES
(1) Amish Paradise
Yankovic has remarked that he likes the rap trend because rap music, so dependent on lyrics, provides the opportunity to really let his wordsmithing shine. Looking at the rhymes he manages to find for “Mennonites” here, it’s not hard to see why. Don’t miss out on the video, either.
(2) The Saga Begins
An essential for “Star Wars” fans, this retelling of “The Phantom Menace” to Don McLean’s “American Pie” manages to come off with the same easygoing grace as the original despite a rather complex plot to follow.
(3) Smells Like Nirvana
It’s not hard to imagine why Kurt Cobain was so excited that Nirvana was going to get sent up by Weird Al. This classic piece of Al parody does not disappoint. For whatever reason, this reviewer’s favorite touch comes with the live tour, when a couple of cheerleaders in black dresses come out to wave red pom-poms; it’s attention to detail that makes Al’s parodies work so well, and that work ethic extends to everything.
(4) Fat
You can’t do a list of Al songs without including at least one about food. It’s a little disconcerting how well he manages to incorporate Michael Jackson’s vocal mannerisms, screeches and what-have-you into something that vaguely makes sense.
(5) Headline News
One of the lesser-known parodies due to its not appearing on any album, this twisted take on the Crash Test Dummies features a spot-on mockery of the front man’s low-pitched drawl, but its best moment comes at the end, where the arrangement incorporates some, um, new instruments (let’s just say that loud belches are at the normal end), to create an equivalent of Spector’s Wall of Sound for novelty music.
Well, that takes care of the best of the “Weird Al” Yankovic catalog, from both his original work and his famous song parodies. Bases covered.
Wait… we didn’t mention a single polka medley.
Aw, no.
