80s Icon’s Career Was On Life Support…This Solitary Rocker Saved Him! | Professor Of Rock
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- It was a dark, dark time back in the summer of 1989. Or at least it was for today’s featured artist. After conquering the 80s with his own unique brand of musical genius Weird Al Yankovic found that critics and audiences had turned against him. After his should’ve been a hit movie UHF bombed. From there things got even worse when his longtime A-list partner Michael Jackson Rejected his latest song parody. Al wondered if he Was he doomed to be a relic of the 80s? Or could he write a comeback hit for the ages? Enter Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. He recorded a send up of Smells Like Teen Spirit… He did it with a mouthful or marbles…It saved his career… The story is next on Professor or Rock.
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After an incredible run through the 1980s, Weird Al Yankovic entered what he called his dark period. It began in the summer of 89, with the release his tour de force, should’ve been a blockbuster, UHF. Before its release, the movie had actually tested extremely well with audiences. In fact, it was Orion Pictures’ best bet since the original Robocop. And people in the company, they were thinking Al’s movie could finally turn things around for the flailing studio. Because of this he was treated very well. But instead of turning Al into a bonafide movie star, UHF tanked, only grossing 6 million dollars worldwide. And from there Al’s career started to skid.
Al, would later say, "Every morning I would wake up to fresh strawberries next to my bed. Then, when the movie bombed, I woke up and...no more strawberries! The movie’s prospects weren’t helped by the fact that it opened in the middle of one of the biggest blockbuster summers ever... Batman, Lethal Weapon 2, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Do the Right Thing, Ghostbuster 2 and Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade all vied for moviegoers’ attention. Critics, not understanding Al’s particular brand of comedic genius, only made matters worse In time however, Al would be vindicated and UHF massed a significant cult following. In fact, on Rotten Tomatoes it even has a 77% Fresh rating from over 50,000 reviewers. But that day was still in the distant future, and for now Al’s professional prospects had come to a grind halt.
For a three-year period between 1989 and 1992, Al didn’t release a single album and really fell out of the public eye.
It was during this time, in a moment of desperation, that Al wrote another Michael Jackson food-related parody... His third after Eat It and Fat. This time around he targeted Jacksons 1991 world-wide smash Black or White... reworking it into ‘Snack All Night.’ According to Al’s drummer Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz it wasn’t Al’s best work... And in fact, the King of Pop actually told Al ‘no’ when he asked.
Said Yankovic, “I certainly don’t hold that against him. At the time, he was saying that “Black or White” was this big social, political statement and he wasn’t comfortable with [the parody]. I’d like to think that he was actually doing me a favor, saving me from myself. He was the adult in the room going, “Al, come on, really?
Poll: What is your pick for the FUNNIEST song of all time?
Dirty Deeds Done With Sheep by Bob Rivers is the greatest of all time!
Motley Crue - Brandon
Its funniness is unintentional, which makes it even funnier.
“Eat It” by Weird Al.
“I’ve Been Caught Stealing” by Jane’s Addiction.
Weird Al of course had lots of them. My favorites are Another One Rides the Bus and Christmas at Ground Zero, but I also quote They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha ha by Napoleon XIV, the 3 Stooges We Baked You a Birthday Cake is sung at every lap around the sun for each member of my family, and Bob Rivers has a bunch of Christmas albums that are absolutely incredible. Sled Zeppelin (takeoff of D'Yer Maker), Jingle Hells Bells (takeoff of My Favorite Things sung uncannily like Bon Scott) and every year at the Christmas blues open jam I do his version of O Little Town of Bethlehem, the lyrics to that classic song, in the melody and style of the Animals' House of the Rising Sun.
Dare to be Stupid, for the one opening line, "put down that chainsaw and listen to me."
While living in NYC I worked for a sound & light company. We leased amps and lights to everyone from corporate meetings to rock bands and everything in between. Weird Al was in town doing promos for this album and at one point asked for an Accordion. We didn't have one available but one of my great friends who was in a Spoken Word band I'd just helped sign to their label, played Accordion. So I frantically called him and he ran across the city in morning rush hour traffic with his Accordion for Al. He was so greatful not only for the effort but also, unbeknownst to me, my friend had a very rare Accordion and Al went nuts over it. We spent over an hour talking music and instruments after the promo, he was beyond generous! Al tried to pay for the loan of the instrument but my friend wouldn't hear of it. He wanted Al ti sign it but Al refused to "devalue" such a rare instrument. A couple of months later he and I both received a truckload of Weird Al swag. I've met a lot of musicians over the years but none have been as nice as Al.
I love this channel as much for the comments section and this is the reason why. Thanks for sharing this awesome little story.
I feel like there's probably 200,000,000 wholesome Weird Al stories out there. I love it.
Wow that must’ve been the most unique request to ask your friend. LOL! I’d be running across town too!!! I loved how he sang and played the accordion 🪗 in his parody of Another Bites The Dust. LOL
Perhaps at the time, Weird Al’s signature may have devalued the accordion, but I believe 30 years later it would not.
Thanks for the cool story!
Wow! Now THAT is a story!
I’m not the first to observe this, but Weird Al has remained culturally relevant (not to mention commercially successful) longer than most of the people he has parodied! Amazing stuff.
I know, right? He has made millions of people chortle for over 40 years! What a feat!
He has such longevity in a really tough business. Who's laughing last here? 🤣😅🤣
He's the court jester who reminds us all not to take it all so seriously. May he continue on for another decade or two.
And most of his parodies are better than the original.
Among the artists, many of them viewed it as if Al had done one of your songs, you had definitely "made it". Al was actually a measuring stick so to speak. He helped determine their sense of self worth🤣. He's a very rare bird. Lucky to tally 2 like him in a century.
Thank you Dr. Demento for giving this legend his start.
The first time I heard the Dr. Demento show, he played "Yoda"
Demento was all over my first video about Al!
@@maxaroni15 professor did a really good video about Al's and the doctors relationship. My bologna was my first weird al song
@@Dick_Dickerson417 Thanks. I’ll definitely check that one out.
I remember "Another One Rides The Bus" being on the show. I believe that was the first time I heard Al. I still have several 45's from the 80's.
As a Weird Al loving teen in rural America, I can't forget my farmer father cracking up at the line "A garage band from Seattle/Well it sure beats raising cattle."
UHF is a phenomenal picture…start to finish…it is filled with great parodies, original songs, and a super funny plot. Those that haven’t seen it are missing out in a big way. Al is a genius with a pretty awesome voice!! I’ve seen him live many times…and each show is filled with costume changes, skits, and great choreography. Weird Al = GOAT
It's become a cult classic and they're literally are people at meet and greets at least six or seven of them with the DVD! Mine, that I had him sign last time, no longer plays I've watched it so much!
@@ashleighg.3366 I pretty much have the movie and soundtrack memorized!!
@@thatonedude1003 for a while there I used to perform Albuquerque at college parties!
@@ashleighg.3366 😂…that’s a long song!!
@@thatonedude1003 the thing is in the CD insert they just apologized for not having enough space to list the lyrics and I'm one of those people that can get the lyrics out and memorize them if I read a long or sing along once or twice.
but doing it the hard way, I way harder to get that information and my brain has yet to give up a single piece of it even if you get me drunk and try to give me drugs which I won't take but that song I cannot help but flow to for all of this inside of it.
And it's something my sister sings to herself when she's on an airplane
I think not enough is said about Weird Al’s talented bandmates, how they play every musical style you can imagine, the core band members have been with him since his first album, and still are 40+ years later! And they do it entirely be ear, they don’t have access to the sheet music. I think that would make for a great video!
They make the music he’s parodying sound so similar to the point where I mistakenly think it’s the original song before I hear Weird Al coming in on the verses!
Great point! I always admired the musicianship behind Al that could pretty much replicate the originals.
Seeing the band life is amazing. They actually are that good. Plus, Al knows how to put on a show. Saw the band at an amusement park. maybe 300 people total, and he and the band brought their A game. Multiple costume changes, multiple encores, you name it. All for a tiny crowd. Man and the band are professionals, and walk the walk.
@@jeromethiel4323 I have seen him many times. Always great entertainment for the whole family. He doesn’t go blue, but he is not just kids only either.
I do not listen to as much pop as I used to, so I do not always recognize the actual newer songs that he is parodying.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Yep! Smells Like Teen Spirit came on the radio the other day and I was singing Weird Al's lyrics in my head instead of Nirvana's.
🎶And I forgot the next verse
Oh, well, I guess it pays to rehearse
The lyric sheet's so hard to find
What are the words? Oh, never mind🎶
Getting parodied by Al was like being roasted by Don Rickles. It was an honor and you knew that you had really arrived.
Dave Grohl said in an interview that the moment he realized Nirvana had truly made it big was when Weird Al called.
@@haolekoa737 That sounds like something that Grohl would say. One of the most humble stars you'll ever run across.
I remember the Barenaked Ladies saying that they hadn't realized that they'd finally hit it big until Weird Al called them up to parody one of their songs.
Chameleonair credits Al for making him go platinum!
You say that past tense... is it not still a "thing"?
I added him recently to what I like to call my "Chemo Playlist". Everything on the list is a song that makes me laugh or smile.
The other day during chemo I started singing Like a Surgeon while the nurse was accessing my port. She had no idea what I was singing. My oncologist, otoh, came over to check on me and said he had that song while growing up in Pakistan and loves Al.
I now like my oncologist.
Cancer sucks, fight on!
Great story. I hope you get into remission and stay that way!
Wishing for a speedy road to remission! F💩💩💩 cancer!
Al can be a light in darkness and fight on and let Al make us all grin and chuckle we now a genius when we hear him
I’ve got a chemo playlist myself, but I labeled it inspirational metal.
Back in 2006, Weird Al did a parody of James Blunt's song "You're Beautiful" and called it "You're pitifull". James Blunt initially gave his permission so Al recorded it for inclusion on his Straight outta Lynwood Album. Just before they went to press, James Blunt's management team revoked permission for the song, so Al couldn't include it on an album. So instead, Al made it available as a free download to anyone that wanted it.
We’ve gotta not just give accolades to Weird Al, but also to his band!! Their ability to dissect a song, then recreate certain nuanced tones & sounds…but to also sometimes to tweak those instruments to make it their own sound too!! From what I’ve heard, they don’t use any of the original music, so they’re recreating it all from scratch!!
I mean, come on, how awesome is that?!!
Its the most underrated aspect of his music. It takes a top shelf musician (or team of them) to do so many genres and sounds so well. Let alone dissect them and rearrange them as they do.
I complete agree.
And it's been the same band since the beginning
Please do a video on the controversies of Al’s parodies: Prince always saying “No”, Coolio being upset that his label said yes without consulting him (only to years later realize Al’s parody was a compliment), and Lady Gaga *freaking* out when she discovered her label had said “No” to a parody leading to her pulling rank and making them approve it as she recognized it as being the honour that it is!
Prince saying no always confused me. Michael Jackson, Joan Jett and later Nirvana were fine with him but the guy behind raspberry beret kept saying no?
@@Thomasmemoryscentral he took his music seriously. It used to drive me crazy that Prince said no so much, but he didn't want his music to be a joke and I respect that. That being said, he loved the fact that Al parodied Michael Jackson. There's audio of him laughing while describing the video.
Both versions outlasted the movie Dangerous Minds that the song was featured in.
There was also James Blunt's label refusing permission to release "You're Pitiful".
@@DinsdalePiranha67 and then when Al did the box set Atlantic Records said yes and James Blunt said no
Weird Al is probably one of the best musicians ever. He perfectly copies style, sounds, and tone. A chameleon of a musician. That’s what makes his parodies so great.
What’s so impressive to me is that he still performs with his original two core bandmates that he’s been with since his first album, and their ability to play so many different styles of music is not very frequently remarked upon, but is equally impressive! Rock, to jazz, to hip hop, to polka, and more! Who else can do that?! Three VERY talented individuals!
Dude has been making hit songs for 40 years with no scandals, very little drama, and still rocks a live show. How many other acts can say that?
What makes Weird Al's parodies so great is that *you don't need to hear or understand the original in order to find the parody funny.*
He’s a legend.
@@ScrapKing73 Is it sad to admit it? I still love his blithely lovable way to just love whatever music? Just for what it is, or might be?
I think Al’s most amazing parody is “The Saga Begins”, because the song it’s parodying had an unusually complex lyrical structure, and Al wrote the song without having seen the movie yet, so he had to go based on a bunch of leaks and rumours! I think that would make for a great Professor of Rock video!
Awesome song right there!
That song is the only reason I know what that movie was supposed to be about! Actually walked out of the theater..
For me, it's Word Crimes. Teaches some grammar, and utilizes an admittedly cool groove without the rapey stuff.
He made Saga Begins rather quickly BEFORE the movie even came out! He based most of the song from books and comics and only made minor changes after attending a charity pre-screening.
Don Mclean said that his son loved the song and played the parody so much he has to really concentrate when singing American Pie live so he doesn't accidentally start using Al's lyrics instead.
I remember hearing Weird Al on Dr. Demento... yeah I'm THAT old.
I love all his songs, especially the originals he composed himself.
After Coolio lied about not giving Weird Al permission for the parody "Amish Paradise," I wondered if he would rise again.
I'm glad he did!
My buddy is a roadie, and he said that unlike other musical artists, Weird Al stayed after the show and talked to the stage crew and thanked them for all their great work.
A touch of class from a guy whose first percussion back up amounted to a friend beating on his accordian case!
Best to you, Professor!
Same here lol
Me too. Remember when Al sent in demo tapes to Dr. D.
At the time, they weren’t even friends, literally just some dude Al met in the lobby before the show.
Me too. It was in the 70s I found him. Thank you Dr Demento.
I hope you got a chance to catch one of Al's Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour shows, and the Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent Ill-Advised Vanity Tour!
My daughters bought me tickets for Father’s Day a few years ago to see weird Al. What an awesome concert. Still ranks as one of the tops concerts I’ve been to.
UHF is one of the greatest kept secrets of 80’s shenanigans. It fit perfectly with the parody film genre, but one upped the others by having a coherent main story line that is caped in parody that only Weird Al could produce.
Ahhh yes, shenanigans. I have a feeling that they had a lot of fun making it.
Michael Richards is hilarious in that movie
"Supplies!" 😆
@@tristramcoffin926 “MY MOP!!!!!”
@@rl12345 “Stupid. You’re so stupid!”
My 15 year-old went to his first official "real" concert last week and it was Weird Al. I'm glad he's still around and making music.
Wow! How cool is that?
Better than my first real concert
@@lawrenceweitzel6809 what was yours?
Weird Al was my first concert 26 years ago. I see my 40th Al show later this month
@@AI-mg3hy Reba Jackson some cousin of had song centapede or she tried singing the song four times then walked off stage bad performance I was just stunned Weird Am would of been an Awesome first concert compared to that show it was like a drunk kereoke singer on a big stage
I believe many of us have a little "Weird Al" within us. You know, taking the lyrics of songs and changing or ad-libbing them? I've driven my wife nuts with these. You go, Al!
YES!
Hell yeah! When I was younger, my mom put on Weird Al stuff and it used to make me giggle like crazy! Ahhh…the good times.
My husband does that. It doesn't matter the genre, either. For a while we didn't have much choice in radio, and country was one of the few we listened to. My husband parodied Tracy Byrd's "Ten Founds with Jose Cuervo" as "Ten Rounds with Mr. Coffee." He also loves playing with lyrics from Jimmy Buffett.
Agreed. The next time that you take a shower, lather up and create yourself an epic beard of soap. Then, doing your best Eddie Vedder, belt out some Even Flow, only change the title lyrics to ... BEARD OF SOOOAAAP! Trust me -- it'll be a good time.
I make up new lyrics to songs and sing them at my cats. Ironically, I'm wearing a tank top right now that is a parody of the "Nevermind" album cover, but with a kitten diving for dollars. It's what I put on this morning, and then I saw this!
Always loved Weird Al. I had no idea he was ever in a slump. It seems like he's just always been there with his parodies which are so super great. Love you Weird Al!!
It's crazy to think UHF Didn't do well when it came out. I had it on VHS. Alone with his parody videos. Always loved watching those.
Al getting blacklisted because the movie wasn't a big hit shows problems with Hollywood. That it wasn't a big hit shows the problem with society :)
Here's a thought. Have Weird Al do the SuperBowl Halftime Show. That would be epic and a LOT better than the clowns and strippers they have had the past few years.
"Sports Song".
That is all.
Al would have to poke fun at all of the excesses and hypocrisy of the NFL. I don't think the league can handle that much truth on their big day.
@@jerryfick613 No he wouldn't. All he would have to do is play his hits and more popular songs. He wouldn't need to come up with any new songs or songs specifically aimed at the NFL or it's players.
You hit the nail on the head with “clowns and strippers”
This absolutely needs to happen! I'd even watch the game if Weird Al was doing the half-time show! "clowns and strippers" so true ... love it!
I think I mentioned this before in your other video about Weird Al, but I grew up in Lancaster, PA in the '90s, so when Amish Paradise came out, it completely shook up our town and took the airwaves by storm. The local pop station (FM97) would play the song by the hour, and at one point there was a controversy where one of the rogue DJs continuously played Amish Paradise nonstop for several hours straight until he was fired from from the station.
That's one of my fave Weird Al parodies, next to White and Nerdy. We need somebody doing parodies today.
At first I thought it was a parody of “Almost Paradise” from the Footloose movie, but I was wrong. He was parodying “Gangsta’s Paradise”.
My favorite weird al song and video!
Just to add fuel to the fire, this, as far as I know, is the only parody Al did which required not one, but two permissions -- One from Coolio, and one from the song's original writer, Stevie Wonder. I think "Amish Paradise" was Al's peak, and that's considering I've been following his music since "Another One Rides The Bus".
@@dmfalk Another One Rides the Bus! Omg, I feel old now! 🤣
I remember when smells like nirvana debuted on MTV. Back when they actually played music on music television. The good old days. Also UHF was a really funny underrated movie
Agree on all points.
MTV is just not MTV anymore. They don’t even bother to play music, just trashy reality TV crap.
I love UHF! Still have it on VHS and DVD.
I have UHF on VHS I think it's time to watch it
Once everyone “stopped being polite” and “started getting real”, MTV started it’s sharp decline 😔
When I lived in Asheville, NC in the mid 90s I was walking into a restaurant downtown and there was this guy sitting outside playing guitar that looked just like him. I even thought to myself about how this guy was really pulling off the look. Then, a couple of hours later, some friends came by the house and said "You'll never believe who we just ran into downtown!" It turns out he was playing in Asheville that night and I walked within a foot of him and didn't even stop to say hey. Really bummed me out. I've been a huge fan since forever.
I passed Alice Cooper in the hallway of San Antonio Int'l Airport while I was working and it was only me and him for hundreds of feet, nobody else around.
As we pulled even about 10 feet apart all I could say was, "Duuude", and he turned and smiled.
Lots of people thought al was making fun of others music. He was not. Having al reimagine one of your songs is an honor. This dude has been making funny videos and songs longer than most bands. He is a true talent
Weird Al and his live band are as tight as they get. The musicianship is incredible.
This is said to be the moment when Nirvana realized they "made it." While Kurt approved of it while on the set of SNL. That speaks volumes.
Woah... You are so totally right!
It was ironic that the birth of Grunge was also the rebirth of Weird Al, while other 80’s bands fell hard by the wayside.
I love Weird Al. I have seen him multiple time including being in the front row. One thing no one ever mentions is how great his band is, both in the studio and live. They have to perfectly mimic songs constantly switching styles and instruments. Sometimes they only have a few days to learn a song and acquire the gear they need for the recording.
And they nail it every single time!
Indeed! i've read many times where other professionals are surprised to learn he recreates the music from scratch, and not just singing over the instrumental of the original recording.
And then ol' Mark Knopfler says the only way Al could parody Money for Nothing is if he (Knopfler) could lay down the guitar track 😆 Al's guitarist had practiced it and could nail it, but Knopfler insisted 😂 lots of interesting stories, not surprising given Weird Al's 40-year career I guess. Can't wait for the Roku movie for more lurid details 🤣
Weird Al is an underrated musician, able to mimic just about any style/genre. I wonder how he would have done being a "serious" musician. Glad he wasn't though. His parodies are too valuable. They are probably so good because of the respect he has for the artists he parodies.
The entre band is amazing and are often treated with disdain because they do "parodies' and not real music. Even Al himself has gone to bat for them as they are really great band.
Also he's one of the very few who actually managed to stay in the music industry without getting into any major scandal. The only news worthy stuff I came across with Weird Al was "Today in History" segment in my local new radio station. "Today in history... Weird Al got his first accordion lesson."
But Al has original music on all his 5 decades of albums as well as parodies. His original song in the style of one of his favorite bands, Devo, is the best.
@@Swonder1972 Dare to be stupid?
@@MNbenMN You are the smart one...
Glad you gave a small nod to Al's original songs. I've bought every album of his when they came out and have listened to his parodies hundreds of times, but now that I'm over 50 I find myself going back to his original songs more and more. "You Don't Love Me Anymore" is really fantastically written once you listen past the over the top lyrics.
I loved One More Minute. “I’d rather have my blood sucked out by leeches…” So many great lines in that.
"Dare to be Stupid" is high-key amazing, even today.
@@TheFu3lman Mark Mothersbaugh said he "hated" Yankovic for pulling off such an amazingly great parody of Devo on his first try. He said that Al had written "the perfect Devo song".
@@BrBill I don't doubt that one bit. It's sublime when love letters go both ways and everyone involved are in on it.
I was working at a movie theater that summer (my first, with all those blockbusters) so our group of friends/coworkers saw everything for free- we watched UHF 3 or 4 times, and more than once always meant that movie would live on in our tirelessly quoting the movie. To this day, we’re still friends and we still quite those movies, including UHF. We hold it in as much prestige as those blockbusters, and that Spring also held Weekend at Bernie’s, Major League, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Thank you, Adam, and thank you, Al!
In the end, Al did have the last laugh as UHF had become a cult classic!
Agreed
I was in my bedroom listening to the cassette tape of Smells Like Nirvana when a friend of mine phoned me and told me about Kurt's suicide. Al is an absolute legend. He's an incredibly versatile musician. I hear he's also a really nice guy and that goes a long way in this world. What a great choice for an episode.
Wow…that must have been a very shocking experience.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Honestly it was kind of... I didn't know what to make of it. It didn't really sink in when I heard my friend say it. I remember saying, "He what?? Oh come on! He did not!" Then I turned on the radio and it was being reported and I turned on the TV and it was being reported. It was hard to process. We didn't know as much about stars personal lives as we do now. I don't think we really knew anything about Kurt's drug use. We didn't know much about what happened in Rome. We had no idea there were huge internal problems with the band. We didn't know of the anti-Courtney camp. We knew very little about the reality surrounding Nirvana and Kurt. It took a few days for the news to really sink in, but even then, you're so young you don't fully appreciate the scope of the loss. It took a while before I realized what the cost was to people who knew him and what we as fans lost in potential masterpieces. It was like a train wreck in slow motion. It took ages to unfold but when it was all said and done, the wreckage was just awful.
@@OTOss8 Wow. Same thing happened to me with Eddie Van Halen.
He visited a friend of mine who was recovering from cancer on Sunday, September 1st, 2019, around five hours before he was scheduled to be on the stage in North Little Rock, AR. His sister went on a massive media blitz trying to get his attention, and somehow he saw it and paid him a visit for about twenty minutes. Absolutely class act.
He didn't have to visit my friend. But he did, and just hours before he performed.
Legend.
I was (and am) a huge Weird Al fan. I saw UHF in theatres multiple times, and bought it on its original home video release. It didn’t fail due to me, that’s for sure! Great video Professor, thank you!
Al deserves to do a Super Bowl halftime show. He could probably get 8-10 of the original artists to do their songs with him. And yes, this is a hill I'm ready to die on.
Here after this year's Super Bowl show(?) Fortunately, I turned it off at halftime. I am on that hill with you!
You KNOW Dave Grohl would be up for it.
I’m on that hill ready to die with you. It would be the best half time show ever.
That would literally be the first time I've ever turned on a football game.
@@JoshuaTootell The Super Bowl is all about the halftime show and the commercials. It's the only reason I watch it.
My first concert was Weird Al. It's a concert I will never forget. Seeing him in the fat suit performing Fat was the highlight of my young life at the time. The man is a comedic genius and I will always find myself going back to his music at some point when I need a laugh. When the time comes for Weird Al to leave this world, I feel that the most fitting tribute to him would be having a concert and artists he has parodied over his career perform his version of their songs.
mine too....met him after the show and was talking with him as he signed autographs. It came to finally do mine and he was rushed off and looked me in the eyes and said "I'm sorry". Years later me and my friends met him after a show for the Bad Hair Day tour and we talked for like 20 minutes in front of his tour bus and got this autograph finally after 4-5 years to go with his band's autographs from the Off The Deep End tour (the first time)
“He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life…” - Homer Simpson
I have loved the movie UHF ever since I ironically watched it on a UHF station many times in the late ‘80’s & early ‘90’s when it would be used as a Weekend Afternoon Movie Filler that was very common back then. Definitely a movie ahead of its time.
...and HOW! ..Just told Prof. I still have me VHS copy...I gotta get me Buddy to transfer it to DVD....
It bombed? I loved that movie, I was in college at the time and I saw it twice in the theaters. I bought the sound track! I saw all those summer movies.
So sad it bombed at the box office.
Goodness, that IS ironic! 😂😂😂
So you'd say it was a supplies?
I say this without irony or sarcasm, Weird Al should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I used to hide a radio in my bed in Sunday night and listen to the Dr Demento show. Al was always the highlight of the night for me. Al has a long history of great music and success. I’m happy to see him make a transition to playing music that isn’t a parody.
Weird Al and his band put on an amazing show. Weird Al has more energy than most 20 year olds. If you have never seen them then you are truly missing out.
I totally agree! My very first concert was seeing Weird Al at the UP state fair! It was awesome! If I remember correctly, it was during the Bad Hair Day Tour. But there was so much positive energy at that show, I've been hard pressed to find another show that could match it. The only things that were close was seeing ween last fall, system of a down between the mesmerize and hypnotized albums, and slipknot at the end of the subliminal verses tour (vol 3 tour). Each of them was close, but not quite as positive...
"UHF" was a blast, made back in the days when Hollywood comedies were allowed to be funny. Michael Richards' performance is absolutely hysterical and well worth the price of admission all by itself. The dorks currently at SNL could learn a lot from a viewing of this picture. Thanks for the video, Prof.
SNL and most "comedians" would rather be political than funny. If you watch monologs of late night TV talk shows, you will hear a slight chuckle, then "Yeah! Woo!" rather than sustained laughter.
My, where did you get that lovely spatula?
@@djm5687 Yep. It's sad, but true.
@@Weaseldog2001 "Spatula City! We sell spatulas...and that's all!" 🔧
@@Weaseldog2001 The Wheel of Fish killed me. "You so stupid!" ruclips.net/video/KezvwARhBIc/видео.html
I've been following Al's work for... almost 40 years. I love his parodies, but his stylistic originals are what really set him apart. One of his most creative efforts is "Bob". Do yourself a favor, listen to it, and then spend an hour or two thinking about the work it took to create a song that A) mimics the style of Bob, B) conforms to the linguistic limits set, and C) still sounds damn good.
I think Al’s most amazing parody is “The Saga Begins”, especially since Al wrote the song without having seen the movie yet, so he had to go based on a bunch of leaks and rumours!
@@ScrapKing73 He did an amazing “American Pie” parody right there.
May a moody baby doom a yam
And the song almost makes sense. That's hilarious!
Seems we r in the same generation. The generation that counts the years since a childhood/teenage memory and shock ourselves at how high that number is.
I am proud to be a part of that cult following. My mother introduced me to Weird Al Yankovic's music, and then later his movie UHF. To this day it's one of my all-time favorite movies. I've bought the movie several times. I've had it on VHS, DVD, and a few years ago I bought the movie on Blu-Ray. It's such a fun movie!
You were disparaging Al's lack of single sucess but forgot to mention his last album, Mandatory Fun, went to #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. With his contractual obligations to Sony fulfilled, he hasn't released an album since then. But what a way to go out, reaching #1 after 30 years!
He had to reach #1 though, as it was Mandatory (written in invisible ink in the fine print of the contract), or they keep your soul, otherwise it was Fun.
Al's got a great live show, a fan club (where the Storm Troopers come from), video segments that tie things together and provide wardrobe change time... it's theater. Band is still top notch and Al remains a focused and gracious artist to work with. Touring is lots of work but I think he'd rather tour than deal with record labels.
@@raygunsforronnie847 I've seen his shows more than any other musician. There's always something new and fresh every tour!
And he won a Grammy for it!
Who was disparaging? He said it was criminal that his singles don't chart higher.
I was a huge Weird Al fan in the 80's and still am today! I loved UHF. Its no surprise it wasn't a hit. His kind of comedy might be too quirky for the mainstream. I'm trying to get my kid into Al now.
Also, can we not give Al praise for his rap skills?!? I mean the man can rap and he virtually never ever gets credit for that. One of the moments that I never forget is when Al was on the Gong Show, and he hit the gong on one of the contestants and they nearly got into a fight on live television. It was hilarious. I love Wierd Al, he is a genius and as everyone has already pointed out, his band is incredible as well.
I was lucky enough to see Al perform this song in concert when he was touring for Straight Outta Lynwood. What an amazing show! That guy is an amazing performer, no matter what he's doing.
I saw Al live a few years back. I laughed so much through the show. It was terrific!. Anytime I hear one of his songs' original pieces, I usually sing along with Weird Al's parody lyrics.
He’s the master of joking, for sure.
I always liked how the video for “you don’t love me anymore” is a direct sequel to that of it “smells like nirvana”. He was also able to work in a parody of Extreme, because while the “you don’t love me” didn’t copy “More Than Words” the video sure did.
As a kid of the 90s and teen of 2000s, it's mind blowing to me that there was ever any doubt about Weird Al.
I am grinnin' like an idiot watching this. Weird Al is pure joy. If you've never seen him live... Do It!!!
I agree 100%
He’s awesome. I always have a laugh watching his stuff.
I'm a bit of a self proclaimed audiophile. I love that the production of his albums is such high quality. He released his albums in a hi-res 24bit format, ironically so did Nirvana but with the advent of streaming services most dont care to cater to that small niche of listeners like me. It proves "Al" gives the fans what they want.
I always mention this to people when they claim streaming or LPs are superior to CD's. Streaming are often compressed files and LP's sound the way they do because of the forced mixing options they need to adhere to. Cd's were often lossless and higher quality than stuff we put out now on streaming services.
Only audiophiles like us, seek out downloadable audio albums, which isn't always that easy.
His album Mandatory Fun hit number one. I love this guy. I took my kids to see him in concert. He's amazing.
I can't believe you did a whole video on Weird Al. Thank you, thank you. This song and the Bedrock Anthem are by far my favorite Weird Al songs. Great job being respectful of both Nirvana and Weird Al. Thanks again. You brought a smile to my grumpy face after a crapy day.
Always love Weirld Al since his appearances in the Dr Demento show. Every time he did a parody, I had to relisten to the original as well. His songs helped out every artist he parodied. Best musician ever 😃
Smells Like Nirvana is probably my favorite song of Al’s. His one attempt at grunge actually really good. Also, I love the way he got almost all the same people from the Nirvana video to appear in it.
Is't that a stroke of brilliance!
I know, right? It’s really cool!
Weird Al has recorded "I'll Sue Ya", and other "grunge style" songs.
I understand he's gotten a lot of people to participate in his parody videos e.g. Living with a hernia. James Brown was fully in board as well.
@@amyrussell860 Living With A Hernia is hilarious! 😆
I loved all of Weird Al’s and his country counterpart Ray Stevens silly songs. Like A Surgeon & Guitarzan are always the top of my favorites.
Ever listen to Cletus T Judd? he does some good country parodies too.
@@fryloc359 Yes I did! As well as rodeo music… lol 😂 ‘Well it’s 40 below…’
I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow weird Al and his music. Memories of laying on the floor of my room in front of my boom box listening to Dr. Demento and hearing another one rides the bus for the first time. And everything else he’s done sense. I wonder if he’s got another album left in him I sure hope so.
Made me laugh read what you wrote.....I too listened to Doctor Demento and I recall Weird Al singing "Gotta Boogie" also!!!
Al has stated he's not going to ever do another studio album, but he is still recording and releasing tracks.
@@caseyomah thank you for the info
I was living in Japan from 1989 to 1992. There was no Internet at that time and I was isolated from what was happening outside the country. I came back to Canada in 1992 and saw "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on MTV for the first time. Instantly loved it and went around telling everyone about this 'new' band. They all went, "Dude, where have you been for the last year?"
I was in Germany for late eighties and had no idea what the Simpsons was til getting back in 91. Ha.
I don't remember much of early childhood. But I know I loved Weird Al my whole life. The more I learn about him, the more there is to love. He seems like a great guy!
Ok, life is weird. I haven't thought about Al for years, but just yesterday introduced my son to this very video. How serendipitous.
That's awesome.
Adam is psychic!
I've seen Al in concert twice, for the Running with Scissors and Mandatory Fun tours, and I think I'd be hard pressed to think of a better show. His energy is amazing, his band kicks ass, and his fans filled both venues to bursting with really positive people.
Many of Weird Al's parodies were my introduction to the original pop classics that he lampooned. That all started with this particular parody when my eldest brother's friend brought over a VHS tape which had this parody's video clip on it
Weird Al is a genius!!! I like many of his parodies more than the original!!
Going to see him live in September!!!
A couple years ago, a muzac song was playing in a store, and, as often happens in my head, it stuck and I was singing it for the rest of the day. It was hours later that I realized I was singing the Weird Al version. And I'm 57. Way to go, Al.
Imagine a world without all the music Weird Al has worn since UHF, such as “Smells Like Nirvana”, “You Don’t Love Me Anyone”, “Jurassic Park”, “Headline News”, “Amish Paradise”, “The Saga Begins”, “It’s All About The Pentiums”, “Pretty Fly For A Rabbi”, “White & Nerdy”, “Perform This Way”, “Word Crimes”, “Mission Statement”, “Inactive”, and too many more to list! Not a world that I would want to live in!
The world would be a little less hilarious…
My personal opinion is that "Stuck in the Drive Thru" is his opus. But then again, if I'm gonna be honest, all of his song parodies were.
So glad you don't feel the need to apologise for loving Weird Al! I have only been to about a dozen concerts in my life and Weird Al was the best, by far. Everything he does, he gives it 100% and this video really illustrates that commitment. Loved him since Polka Party!
I always enjoyed Weird Al's music and it definitely helps me remember those times in the 80's and 90's. I was deeply saddened for him when I learned of the tragic and unexpected passing of his parents. Weird Al didn't let that keep him from making great music. He really is someone to be admired for his body of work and his personality.
Weird Al was, and still is, my gateway drug to new music, and smells like Nirvana may have been the first. I didn't come across it until the late 90s, but boy when I did, grunge became my thing. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Al's interview parodies are absolutely hilarious. From classics like his Ozzy interview to more recent ones like the Kevin Federline interview...Al is hysterical. I still like saying "Now what the hell is hammysink?"
I was a Nirvana fan when this video came out back in the day and I loved it. My favorite part is, and was, the guitar bend where Al actually bends the guitar neck. I don’t know why but that always cracks me up.
When UHF came out the critics annihilated it so of course I knew immediately I was going to love it, and I was right; saw it several times in the theater. That movie is pure ridiculous, hilarious fun. Funny thing is I'm not a big fan of Smells Like Nirvana, I don't hate it but I don't think it's in league with his best tracks although the video itself is great.
The truly good musicians have always understood that a sign of their best work has been if a Yankovic parody exists. As Nirvana astutely observed, it means they have achieved true musical ascension.
And while there are signs the critic community may finally be coming around as well, Al has already gained the understanding and recognition by most of his fellow musicians of his true genius.
Thanks so much for doing these videos on Weird Al! I am subscribed, and I watch all of your videos. I’m just so glad that you recognized Al’s tributes to the artists in his parodies. Two things, one: wish you had mentioned one of Al’s original songs, and one of my favorites, called One More Minute (“I’d rather clean all the bathrooms in Grand Central Station with my tongue, then spend one more minute with you!”)… HILARIOUS! Second: IMHO, I think the unsung heroes with Weird Al is his BAND! They work hard to get the sounds of the original songs just right so the parodies are dead on & really showcase Weird Al’s talent. With them behind him, he has really been able to make terrific songs, and sometimes bringing original songs back to life because his parodies. My new favorite is White & Nerdy, especially since my Donny Osmond is in the video! “Living With A Hernia”, “Ricky”, “Like A Surgeon”, “ EBay” … and the list of great parodies goes on. 😊
I had my teenage angst in my mid 20's. Kurt was already gone and I despaired that I hadn't found his music sooner. Weird Al ties me back into a mindset that I wish we all could remember. Never take yourself too seriously.
I'm glad UHF is one of those movies that has become quite beloved. I watched a few months ago and laughed my ass off. It's just goofy fun. And we need more of that these days.
I've been a Weird Al fans since Dare To Be Stupid came out. I'd say despite Off the Deep End being good, the 90s were still not his best decade. In fact, I'd argue his output since 2000 has been his best with Mandatory Fun being a genuine classic. I'm finally getting to see him live in September for the first time ever in my life. Naturally I bought the VIP ticket so I can meet him and be in the front row. There's literally no other musician in the world I'd do the VIP package. He is that special in my heart.
I absolutely LOVE UHF! It's one of my all time favorite movies! Some people just don't have a sense of humor. I'm a real fan of Weird Al! If I like someone, I want to know about them and all of their catalogue. I'm not someone who just follows the latest trends, or what's popular. Have you ever reached out to Al to do an interview? I bet he would definitely be game!
Bobos been eating .. yappys dog treats
You get to drink from the FIRE HOSE.
@@PoboyMusic ....with just a hint of cheese.
Badgers......we don't need no stinkin' badgers!
HAHAHAHAHA, anything involving Weird Al is a treat. Loved UHF when I was a kid and I love it a hell of a lot more as an adult.
The man is a living legend and a Nerd God!
I drive my wife crazy when the Kinks' Lola comes on and I always revert to singing Yoda. She gives me a death stare, but honestly, I met him in a swamp in Dagobah just works for me. It is those contributions that I love about Weird Al
I'm taking my son to see Weird Al next month. He doesn't come to Birmingham very often, so it will be the first time for both of us. Al is a truly gifted musician, and it finally feels like he's being recognized for it.
Ah, Adam, thank you again. You not only know how to unearth historical facts, but also to nail their significance up to a philosophical level. Man, how do I admire you? Let me count the ways... ❤️
What a great video! Oh the memories. Man I love UHF! Quotes from that are still part of my family's vernacular. "What's in the box? NOTHING! Absolutely nothing! Stupid! You're so stupid!"
Weird Al is a staple for us. From his music to the cartoon Milo Murphy's Law.
You get to drink from the FIRE HOSE! YAAAYYY!
The box quote gets referenced so much in my life youd think it was from star wars.
"Weird" Al is an amazing musician! I have seen him live 5 times! He never dissapoints.
How could you forget to mention Metallica's Enter Sandman in the polka! I laughed so much at that part!
Before I realized there was ghost track on the CD, I fell asleep listening to the album with headphones on. I woke up in a cold sweat when the hidden track played! 😂 😆 Pure genius! "weird" Al is a God!
Yes that and Dr Feelgood are the best parts of that Polka for me.
Al is finally being appreciated more nowadays but it's a shame that more people don't recognize his talent, his hard work, and his dedication.
He's the funny haha goofy food song man sure, but the man has a career that spans just about every genre of music out there. He puts in serious time and dedication to his craft. He might not always produce a banger hit but I dare anyone to say seriously that Al does a half ass job.
I've always been a fan of the bass and Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust" is one of my favorites. I also appreciate "Another One Rides The Bus" and thought it was a great parody. My son even came to appreciate Al's talent and humor. I'm 63 and he's 29.
One of the first albums I ever owned was Weird Al's debut, with Another One Rides The Bus and I Lost On Jeopardy :)
Classic Weird Al!
....YEEEEEESSS!! ....."I Lost On...." is me FAVE Weird Al tune, along with "One More Minute'!
I Lost on Jeopardy was in his second album, In 3D.
I was just showing my kids both of those songs the other day!
For sure
At the end of your video, you asked if I wanted more Weird Al content. The answer… yes, yes, yes! :-D
Thanks Professor for putting Weird Al out there seen them twice greatest show ever hands down must see and I've been to a lot of concerts over 30 years keep up the good work I love learning singers the groups and the songs keep up the good work
Al and his band are so underrated. Not only are they funny as hell, but so talented. The best one for me is Albuquerque
This was so enjoyable! I love when Adam talks about what he didn’t like back in the day. Tastes change and it’s so refreshing to hear a point of view! Thx Adam
People sleeping on UHF. It's not fine cinema. It's silly fun. I can't imagine anyone going to a Weird Al movie and not expecting what was delivered. I love that movie, and I still find opportunities to quote it nearly every day.
“Supplies!!!”
Off The Deep End also includes one of my favorite Weird Al originals - "You Don't Love Me Anymore." He even made a music video for that one, and it saw a fair amount of play on MTV.
a 20 minute love letter to Weird Al? i'm in.
Al is the only concert i've ever paid money to go to
This is my absolute favorite parody of Al's. I cannot ever watch this without screaming with laughter. The sound effects on the breaks are the best. 😆 he's amazing.
One of my favorite Weird Al orginals is "Frank's 2000" TV" - "Robert DeNiro's mole has gotta be 10 feet wide!". Then there are the great parodies like "Jurassic Park" (to the tune of "MacArthur Park"), "White and Nerdy," "Amish Paradise," "Living in the Fridge," "Foil," "Tacky," "Achy Breaky Song," etc.
Weird Al is parody genius. One of my favorites is The Saga Begins. He tells the entire plot of the Star Wars movie in the lyrics. Brilliant! 😄
He is one of a kind. Nice to see your comment today Catherine!
I love that one! Also, “Eat It” and “My Bologna” were the ones that made me laugh the most.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 😉❤
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Just watched/heard My Bologna for the 1st time! Comedy gold! 🤩
@@maxaroni15 And then I heard it again for the first time in three years when I was watching Stranger Things!
Love Weird Al he's done some great parodies. The first one I heard by him was Eat It and the second I heard from him was his parody of Like A Virgin, Like A Surgeon so funny loved his stuff from that moment on But another really good parody you should do video on if you haven't already is Cheech Marin's parody of Born In The USA called Born In East L.A the video is so funny.
"Like a Surgeon" is supposedly the only Weird Al song title not invented by Al himself. The story goes that Madonna herself asked Al somewhat sarcastically if he was going to do a song called "Like a Surgeon", and the title stuck.
Weird Al is a music legend. When he decides to retire from touring, music fans will lose something special.
"Dare To Be Stupid" an intentional nod to the Weird Al song and album of the same name!