This week with Friday Videos, we’re celebrating one of the greatest parody artists of my lifetime: Mr. Weird Al.
I think Adam knows every Weird Al song, and his music is part of every road trip. And it’s wild to think about Weird Al’s longevity as an artist, too. He’s been popular and creating comedy music since the mid-70s.
So I figured this week, I’d share some of my faves.
“Foil” – if you don’t know this one, can you guess what song he’s parodying?
“White & Nerdy” – This is one of my favorites, in part because Chamillionaire was so delighted with it:
After Chamillionaire won a Grammy for “Ridin,'” he found Weird Al to thank him for the parody, citing it as a big reason why his song won the Grammy that year.
My other favorite “Al Raps” video: “Amish Paradise.”
Finally: “Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*:”
Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits only allowed the parody if he were playing guitar (and Guy Fletcher on synthesizer, I just learned) which makes sense. Knopfler’s style is very distinct.
Friday Videos wish you a very silly, long-lasting weekend!
What’s your favorite Weird Al parody?
OMG, Foil is brilliant! I’m old enough to have enjoyed his early parodies, so how does he still look so young?! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I love Weird Al. His songs bring back a lot of great memories of listening to his CDs with my son while I drove him to school. (He had a lot of anxiety related to school, so listening to the same songs over and over helped him calm himself.) There are some songs where I know the parody better than the original, and sometimes when I hear the original I wonder why I can’t hear any accordion! LOL
Ooh, I like “This Song Is Just Six Words Long,” a parody of “I’ve Got My Mind Set On You.”
Love Weird Al. One of my favorites is One More Minute.
My favorite is The Hamilton Polka.
Having grown up in a certain era, I have always liked “Eat It”. And he looks like such a baby in the video!
I love Word Crimes! I’ve never actually heard the song it’s based on (Blurred Lines)
Weird Al is the best! If you haven’t seen the “biopic” starring Daniel Radcliffe, it is definitely worth a watch
My all time favorite, just because it’s so epic, and epically long:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcjgJSqSRU
Also love The Lost Rhapsody – he didn’t even have to change the lyrics! I think of it every time I’m going on a trip with just a carry-on…
Al is the best, bar none. Love him!
My all time favorites are “Mission Statement” (so spot on) and “Bob”. Hadn’t heard “Foil” before, so thanks, that was a delightful start to the day.
Love Weird Al!
I most clearly remember “Amish Paradise” and “White & Nerdy” – the latter because we kind of took it as a class anthem when I was in language school circa 2006. If the super nerds were to be found in the military, it was there.
Word Crimes is my all time favorite Weird Al song and the music video is great too! But I also have a soft spot for The Saga Begins, aka the American Pie song parody about Star Wars.