I admit to being a Weird Al fan. I think he is an amazingly talented satirist. Most people only recognize him for his song parodies. Eat it, Yoda, and Saga Begins come to mind.
Personally, I am a huge fan of his Style Parodies. These are original songs that just happen to sound like “A doo wop song” or “The B-52s” or “Devo” without satirizing any one song.
His newest album is due to hit the streets in just over a week. From what I’ve heard on it so far… it may be his best to date.
I discovered this last night when theferrett embedded the video for “White and Nerdy” (Lyrics here, should pop up in a different window)
{Spoilers behind a cut at the end of this post}
But this isn’t what brings me to post today. Oh, no no no no no.
In probably the most vicious thing he’s written since “One More Minute” or “You Don’t Love Me Anymore“, Al has made a statement about the music industry in “Don’t Download This Song”
The song is unbelievably powerful on its own. Style, lyrics, music. But that just wasn’t enough. Al brought in animator Bill Plympton. Plympton is the creator of the award winning “How to Kiss” and “25 ways to quit smoking” and ever disturbing “Your Face”
With Plympton’s often surreal and usually disturbing imagery the song reaches an even higher level.
Al has provided a better version of the video and a place to download the song for free on an elbum e-card as well as his MySpace
Lyrics can be found here. (should pop up in a different window)
.
Oh Yes, the spoilers for “White and Nerdy…”
The red head nerd showing off his action figures collection I believe is Seth Green.
The really white nerd dancing behind Al is said to be Donny Osmond…
The trivial pursuit card:
G: In what city is the largest ball of twine build by one man?
E: What is the deal with Lindsay Lohan? I mean, serously?
H: F.D.R. – was he faking it?
AL: On what page does Harry Potter die in the next book?
SN: What is the melting point of a gorilla’s head?
(?): How many Wicket Men are there on a 43-Man Squamish team?
The MySpace “White and Nerdy” friends list includes: Bil Gates, Napolean Dynamite, Mr. Peabody, Albert Einstein, Screech, Frodo, Pee Wee Herman, and ?
Edit: Corrected team information thanks to happysteve and added a link.
43-Man Squamish Team which is a MAD Magazine reference.
Also, the motherly like woman is Judy Tenuda. Yep, that’s Donny Osmond. And the Wikipedia entry that Al was editing was “Atlantic Records”, the record company that prevented Al from putting “You’re Pitiful” on this album. 😉
You know…
I am thrilled that the first comment on this came from you. I am honoured to know a truly close and personal friend to Al 🙂
Thanks for the fill in.
Now, when do we get to see you in one of his videos :?)
Re: You know…
Heh, I wish. Although Al did put out a request a while back for extras in his video, but I was too old (looking for 18-24 year olds) and did not live in the greater LA area.
Looks like the best I can get is the brief mention of me in the Weird Al Show DVD commentaries. And being in his top 24 friends list on his myspace page. 🙂
AND OH GOD IT GETS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD LIKE NOTHING YOU WOULD EVER BELIEVE!!! 😛
Are you on his myspace? He friended me back! I squealed like the world’s oldest fangirl.
Wow…I had already hear the song (Limewire) but had no idea there was a Plympton video to go along with it. That’s great stuff.
The song “You’re Pitiful” got leaked a few months ago. It’s really funny and also at Limewire.
Didn’t watch the video, I’m at work, but I read the lyrics to “don’t download this song.” I’m confused. Is he serious? Is he actually anti downloading? Or is this meant as a parody? “Gold encrusted swimming pools don’t grow on trees.”
Its really weird, because there’s an article circulating the web about how legal download sites screw artists, and Weird Al is the test case.
Here’s the article:
http://digitalmusic.weblogsinc.com/2006/06/14/weird-al-yankovic-says-digital-is-a-raw-deal-for-some-artists/
I LOVE Wierd Al. I got his autograph one time while in line for the Sick and Twisted festival of animation. I think “When I Was Your Age” will always be my favourite, though. 🙂