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RedDeerGuy1's avatar

Do you like Weird Al Yankovic music?

Asked by RedDeerGuy1 (24882points) October 28th, 2022

I find that the only place to find his music is on YouTube.

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17 Answers

elbanditoroso's avatar

His early stuff was sort of funny. But he developed into a one-trick-pony, almost repeating himself, and sort of got boring. Parody needs to be fresh, and he stopped being fresh.

Entropy's avatar

I do. I think most musicians produce songs that have very boring and repetitive lyrics. Every song is about sex, heartbreak, or drugs. If it’s country it might be about your pickup truck. If it’s rap, it will be about money or violence.

That’s why musicians like Weird Al or Jonathan Coulton who put humor into their lyrics are amazing even though their actual pure musical ability is… just so-so. I also love when musicians do historical events like Sabaton or the Youtube channel ‘History Teachers’. Even a band just doing a one-off song like ABBA’s Waterloo or Boney M’s Ra-Ra-Rasputin are more attractive to me because the lyrics are more interesting. Though technically, Waterloo isn’t really about Waterloo, just using Waterloo as a metaphor.

flutherother's avatar

I haven’t heard of him in a long while. I was never a fan of his though some of his parodies are quite amusing.

Blackwater_Park's avatar

Something people don’t realize is just how extraordinarily talented he really is. I’m not into parody type music, but I do respect his creative and musical ability. It’s not “so-so” sometimes his parodies are actually performed better than the original musicians could do it. Several have openly admitted it.

Smashley's avatar

I grew up soaked in silly music, from Tom Lehrer Monty python to the arrogant worms. Middle class white kids in really white areas weren’t cool enough, or maybe we were too cool to be into pop music, not brave or worldly enough to try hip hop, and only did grunge metal or rock if we wanted our parents to search our sock drawers for weed. Also we were anti southern bigots so country was right out. Weird music was about our only outlet for a while, and Al was definitely the king. Funnily enough, some of his original songs, rather than straight parodies, were the most popular. Then when we found out about UHF (“it has Kramer in it!”) and we’re calling each other “you so stupid!” for months. The best part about Al as a kid was that connecting to him made you feel proxy connected to the mainstream. Jurassic park blew up the theatres, there was Al. Coolio had a mainstream breakthrough hip hop hit, there was Al.

Yeah, it all seems campy and hack now, but his musical talent and stage presence are undeniable, and weird kids had never had a role model like Weird Al before.

zenvelo's avatar

Nope. Not that clever.

raum's avatar

As a kid, I liked his music well enough to not change the radio station. But not enough to buy any his albums.

Growing up, I liked his music more. But mostly out of nostalgia for music from the 80’s and 90’s.

This morning, I thought my kids might get a kick out his music. But they were less than impressed. I think internet humor these days is more extreme and Weird Al is pretty mild in comparison.

That said, I got a kick out of White and Nerdy. And have to admit that I felt a little called out on some of the lyrics. Haha

raum's avatar

My inner wannabe Trekkie laughed at these lyrics.

I’m fluent in Java Script as well as Klingon

Only question I ever thought was hard
Was do I like Kirk or do I like Picard?

Demosthenes's avatar

Weird Al was very popular when I was in high school because of “White and Nerdy”. I don’t listen to Weird Al for the music itself, but I do find some of his songs funny.

LadyMarissa's avatar

I have NEVER been a huge Weird Al fan; however he did hit one out of the park every now & again!!! Don’t think I ever liked him enough to buy one of his albums, but did still enjoy hearing his parodies on the radio. When he faded away I didn’t ever think…OMG, I wish Weird Al would come out with something new.

Since he started making his comeback, I don’t think I’ve heard anything that he’s done.

raum's avatar

For the people who said he petered out after his initial hits, I’d have to disagree.

I grew up with “Weird Al in 3D” (1984). But listening to “Straight Out of Lynwood” (2006) for the first time this morning, I’d say his craft has improved.

Also looking at Spotify, the top five songs are from five separate albums spanning 1996–2017.

Didn’t expect to fangirl for Weird Al today, but that’s pretty impressive.

KNOWITALL's avatar

We used to, Eat It (Michael Jacksons Beat It) was fun. We just don’t seek it out anymore,I suppose. I’ve always thought he was talented though.

4U2ThinkUpon's avatar

The music he uses is actually from other musicians and parodied by him.
I like his poke at humor in his videos.
Everyone could use a good laugh .

rebbel's avatar

One was fun, especially because it reached the charts, but other than that it’s something I feel most of us did when we were around our teen years.
Making up words to butcher up songs that we in the hit lists.

Don’t think I’ve ever did so much as used one laughter muscle.

filmfann's avatar

He was amusing, self-deprecating, and immensely talented. I don’t own any of his records, but I don’t change the station when something of his comes on.

Tropical_Willie's avatar

Big talent; even Micheal Jackson thought so for “Eat It

kevbo1's avatar

When I was a kid, I won a “Top Ten at 10” call-in contest on the radio. The prize was all ten albums that featured each of the songs. When I went to Record Bar to claim my prize, they had all ten albums except Whitney Houston, so they said I could choose any other album. I got Dare to Be Stupid.

“This is the Life”: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N1n5XqwUkYw still tickles my funny bone.

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