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Dare to be Stupid! a {Weird Al Yankovic} thread.

2

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  • AssuranAssuran Is swinging on the Spiral Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    My favorite Al song:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTGlUMvbhSw

    Al just did a podcast interview with Chuck Klosterman on Grantland.com.

    Assuran on
  • SchideSchide Yeoh! Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I've been a Weird Al fan for gosh, at least 20 years now, pretty much from when I first started listening to music. I remember getting cassettes of Even Worse and In 3D, listening to them in the car on long trips, etc. I got every new cd of his from then on until after Running with Scissors, and then unfortunately kind of stopped listening to him for the most part until after Straight Outta Lynwood came out. I suppose part of that was because I read about people saying they didn't like Poodle Hat and reading some down reviews.

    Of course, a couple years ago I saw that Poodle Hat actually had a Frank Zappa style parody in it, and I pretty much immediate went and got it. And now it one of my favorite albums of his, top to bottom. Certainly learned me a lesson about giving a shit what other people think. Genius in France is just brilliant.

    Anyway, I got Alpocalypse and listened to it the other day, and honestly it didn't do much for me. I like Craigslist because it's a Doors parody, but I really didn't like much else, and the actual direct parodies are of songs I can absolutely not stand, so that didn't help. Plus I didn't really laugh more than like twice. Afterwards I listened to Poodle Hat again and Couch Potato by itself still made me chuckle more. Ah well.

    Don't actually watch the video, just listen

    Schide on
  • Toxic ToysToxic Toys Are you really taking my advice? Really?Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Al TV is good.

    Toxic Toys on
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  • JacobkoshJacobkosh Gamble a stamp. I can show you how to be a real man!Moderator mod
    edited June 2011
    this is probably my favorite of his originals:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBF5bewa0ts

    Jacobkosh on
  • naengwennaengwen Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Still waiting on Gandhi II.

    naengwen on
  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    This song rings dear to my heart for just how many actor friends I have who work for Disney
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0cCRRFi1aA
    Its hysterically sobering and depressing


    edit: Oh my god, I had never seen the I Perform This Way music video. That was disturbing as fuck.

    dbl edit: Perform This Way is so goddamned good

    Skoal Cat on
  • ShutdownShutdown Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I got the new album a couple days ago and have been through it a few times (FYI, I've been a fan since I found Running with Scissors).

    The only thing it really lacks is that explosive 1 or 2 songs that become instant legends; however in a weird way I found the whole album felt great together; as something you'd listen from start to finish. So if you've ever liked Weird Al, this is an easy buy still because start to finish they're great tracks. Mad props to TMZ, Skipper Dan, Party in the CIA(*) and If That isn't Love.

    (*) Yeah, I have it on loud when I'm playing Black Ops, it's great.

    Shutdown on
  • RMS OceanicRMS Oceanic Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I believe James Blunt agreed to let Al do this parody, but his record label wouldn't let him put it on his album, so he released it as a free MP3.

    RMS Oceanic on
  • DevoutlyApatheticDevoutlyApathetic Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I have to say, Weird Al always getting artist permission for parodies is a classy thing.

    DevoutlyApathetic on
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  • JoolanderJoolander Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Didn't he start doing that after Amish Paradise because Coolio go mad?

    Joolander on
  • MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Coolio gave him permission. I remember seeing a big VH1 Weird Al tribute where Al's lawyer was like "Coolio can say whatever he wants to look cool for his fans, but he sure cashed the big check we wrote him."

    MegaMan001 on
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  • BasticleBasticle Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Forar wrote: »
    "YOU GET TO DRINK FROM...THE FIRE HOSE!!"

    childshoot.gif

    Basticle on
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  • MatthewMatthew Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Just saw this, Hysterical!
    I gotta see UHF in full, and soon.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfvLcozLwtE&NR=1

    Matthew on
  • StericaSterica Yes Registered User, Moderator mod
    edited June 2011
    Check?

    I am pretty sure you don't need permission nor have to pay royalties for parodies. Al does it because he wants to be on good terms with the industry. And no, he's always ask permission once he got popular. He thought he had permission to do Amish Paradise, but there was a communication issue. Similar to Gaga and thinking he was denied permission.

    Sterica on
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  • StericaSterica Yes Registered User, Moderator mod
    edited June 2011
    The polkas are, however, a different deal. He probably has to shell out some money for that.

    Sterica on
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  • The WolfmanThe Wolfman Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    It always blows my fragile little mind that Weird Al is still around. I can't think of anything else from back when I was a snot-nosed adolescence that's still relevant in the world.

    The Wolfman on
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  • a5ehrena5ehren AtlantaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Rorus Raz wrote: »
    The polkas are, however, a different deal. He probably has to shell out some money for that.

    According to Wikipedia the original artist can't deny the recording of a cover version, but the new artist has to pay royalties. Give how common covers are, this is probably easier for Al than the standard parodies he does :P

    a5ehren on
  • NocrenNocren Lt Futz, Back in Action North CarolinaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    emnmnme wrote: »
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwh1MWg1LLA

    I'll see your Hardware Store

    And raise you
    Everything You Know is Wrong

    E-bay

    and.... Albuquerque
    And I'll say that these were done mostly by a single person.

    Nocren on
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  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Everyone loves Charles Nelson Riley
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnapb-30hA&feature=BFa&list=TLQtbUwlJJFSc&index=18

    Skoal Cat on
  • QuickSnapQuickSnap Professional Beard Grower Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I've always been a fan of Weird Al's Polka medleys. They're probably what I look forward to most in his albums. Alternative Polka from Bad Hair Day back in 95 stands as one of my personal favorites.

    The "official" video that Al himself editied...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVWjThlEzts

    And the one that always sticks out in my mind when I listen to the song....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1tYHjpJEGE

    QuickSnap on
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  • SithDrummerSithDrummer Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Forar wrote: »
    All About the Pentiums:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpMvS1Q1sos
    This and Horoscope are my all-time favorites.

    SithDrummer on
  • JoolanderJoolander Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklUAoZ6KxY

    Joolander on
  • saint2esaint2e Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I just can't believe "Dare to be Stupid" is playing during a fight in the animated Transformers movie. Who decided to include that?

    saint2e on
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  • ForarForar #432 Toronto, Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    SithDrummer wrote: »
    This and Horoscope are my all-time favorites.

    "Just about as useless as jpegs to Helen Keller" gets me every time.

    Definitely something I enjoy about his videos; how often he mixes settings/genres. Like having a bunch of women dancing in a cubical farm, or... well, the entirety of Amish Paradise.

    Of his originals, Frank's 2000 Inch TV is probably my favourite.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBF5bewa0ts

    Forar on
    First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKER!
  • MetroidZoidMetroidZoid Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    This is how I found out about Albequerque

    And as it's been said, that 10 minute song is a frequent subject matter of many a joke among friends.

    MetroidZoid on
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  • Centipede DamascusCentipede Damascus Ho! Ho! Ho! Drink Coke!Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    this is an amazing song, definitely one of my favorites

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGM8PT1eAvY

    Centipede Damascus on
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  • DHSDHS Chase lizards.. ...bark at donkeys..Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    My favorite Weird Al song because it is so, so goddamn silly, I'm not sure if it's a "style parody" or just an original, but it's still hilarious:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGC09B810Yk

    DHS on
    "Grip 'em up, grip 'em, grip 'em good, said the Gryphon... to the pig."
  • BehemothBehemoth Compulsive Seashell Collector Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Centipede Damascus wrote: »
    this is an amazing song, definitely one of my favorites

    *don't download this song*

    'Cause you start out stealing songs
    Then you're robbing liquor stores
    And selling crack and running over school kids in your car!

    I love that line

    Behemoth on
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  • NocrenNocren Lt Futz, Back in Action North CarolinaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    saint2e wrote: »
    I just can't believe "Dare to be Stupid" is playing during a fight in the animated Transformers movie. Who decided to include that?

    Hell, I think it fits. Whenever I make a Burnout/Car-combat themed playlist, I make sure it's always included.

    Nocren on
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  • SanderJKSanderJK Crocodylus Pontifex Sinterklasicus Madrid, 3000 ADRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    My favorite Polka is the Angry White Boy one. All the Nu Metal stuff just gets hilarious polkastyle.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY-oili63QQ

    SanderJK on
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  • TOGSolidTOGSolid Drunk sailor Seattle, WashingtonRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I know Weird Al's latest album is quality Al...but...it's made me realize that there is a flaw with his act. If you happen to fall completely out of the loop on the current popular music scene then it'll have the incredibly huge downside of making Weird Al's latest stuff not particularly interesting. The lead track was good stuff, but only because I understood what he was going on about with Lady Gaga, but the rest of it?

    Who the fuck is Charles Nelson Reily? What the hell songs were he parodying? I didn't recognize really anything out of his polka medley save for Poker Face and that's only due to the wonderful mashup I saw of Cartman, Christopher Walken, and the original song on youtube ages ago.


    Good god I got old and I'm not sure when the fuck that happened. Oh well, I'll always have Al's older stuff to enjoy and you bet your ass I'll keep on rocking my White and Nerdy hoody.

    TOGSolid on
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  • KurnDerakKurnDerak Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I think the flaw in his act for you is a good strength for other people. I think that is the way it would go with any serious parody artists that aim towards current pop culture and such. To you he may be becoming less relevant with the music he parodies, but to other people he becomes more relevant as he parodies the current popular music. It is somewhat of a tough thing to go for as I imagine he wants to keep his current fans happy, but by keeping up with the times he can then get in touch with newer fans and A) keep himself relevant and B) spread humor through all new people.

    KurnDerak on
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  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    TOGSolid wrote: »

    Who the fuck is Charles Nelson Reily? What the hell songs were he parodying?

    Charles Nelson Riley was a celebrity back in the 70s. Odds are, you would know him from The Match Game.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Nelson_Riley
    The CNR song is a style parody of The White Stripes.

    I have also found myself singing to random songs I'd never heard before only to realize, "holy shit, this song is in one of Weird Al's polkas!"

    Skoal Cat on
  • TOGSolidTOGSolid Drunk sailor Seattle, WashingtonRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    KurnDerak wrote: »
    I think the flaw in his act for you is a good strength for other people. I think that is the way it would go with any serious parody artists that aim towards current pop culture and such. To you he may be becoming less relevant with the music he parodies, but to other people he becomes more relevant as he parodies the current popular music. It is somewhat of a tough thing to go for as I imagine he wants to keep his current fans happy, but by keeping up with the times he can then get in touch with newer fans and A) keep himself relevant and B) spread humor through all new people.

    Flaw was the wrong word to use. I guess I'm just a bit sad that he has gotten unrelevant to me on his latest album due to my having grown up with his music and it being one of those things that I've always kinda held close to me. Whenever I was in a shit mood I could always count on some Weird Al to perk me right up. He's a damn fine performer and his ability to evolve with the times is an amazing talent to have. His latest album hit me kinda hard mostly cause it felt like I was losing a bit of my childhood with it due to it being the first time I've ever went "ehhhhh" to an 'Al'bum (wakka wakka).

    I guess this is more of a "getting old sucks" complaint more than anything. I suppose it's also a "holy shit does the current mainstream music scene BLOW" complaint too.

    Regardless, I'll be rocking this hoodie for years to come:
    [IMG][/img]Picture008-1.jpg

    TOGSolid on
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  • SageinaRageSageinaRage Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I haven't heard any of the original songs he parodies on Alpocalypse, but I still really enjoyed them. I think it's a definite plus that you don't need to know exactly what he's parodying to enjoy it, but knowing can help you enjoy it more.

    It's hard for me to judge right now how strong the new album is, since I heard 5 of the songs months ago when I got internet leaks, but I think it's pretty damn good.

    SageinaRage on
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  • TOGSolidTOGSolid Drunk sailor Seattle, WashingtonRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I do have to say, the video for Perform This Way had me laughing my ass off even if it was slightly disturbing. I don't care if Al's head is kinda obviously CG'd in, there were still mental images in there that I coulda done without.

    TOGSolid on
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  • valhalla130valhalla130 13 Dark Shield Perceives the GodsRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I kind of feel the same way. I grew up with Al. One of my first Columbia Record Club cassettes was ...in 3D. (Whoah!!! I don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment!)

    The newer stuff to me isn't quite the same as the stuff was, and it is probably because I haven't kept up with the music scene now that it's all American idol winners and rejects. Although... "IN MY LAAAAAIG!!" is hilarious.

    valhalla130 on
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  • WulfWulf Disciple of Tzeentch The Void... (New Jersey)Registered User regular
    edited June 2011
    God yes. My admiration for Weird Al is without end. I've been a fan of his work since I first saw the cassette tape I could borrow when I got my first Library card. Food Album. Imagine my glee when I found out he had MORE cassettes :lol:

    Wulf on
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  • BursarBursar Hee Noooo! PDX areaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    Skoal Cat wrote: »
    I have also found myself singing to random songs I'd never heard before only to realize, "holy shit, this song is in one of Weird Al's polkas!"

    I will never sing the chorus to Goodbye Ruby Tuesday correctly because of Weird Al.

    Bursar on
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  • ObiFettObiFett Use the Force As You WishRegistered User regular
    edited June 2011
    I loved Weird Al as a kid but had no idea he was still doing albums and stuff.

    Lonely Island had become my Weird Al replacement, but some of his new stuff that has been posted in this thread is glorious and has made me realize there is no replacement for Weird Al.

    ObiFett on
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