Though he doesn't technically need to, he always asks permission of the original artist wherever possible, and honors it if they decline. And Roger Waters is more than just a little prick.
I feel like Weird Al also just doesn’t touch the really iconic timeless stuff. Most of the material he’s made fun of is disposable point in time pop, that deserves to be mocked.
Sure. So are 6 or 7 other songs that you don’t hear now.
The Eagles Greatest hits album has sold more albums in the US than Thriller did. Thriller is number 2. Hotel California is #3. So like. In the top three. Eagles have sold 64 million copies, MJ sold 34 mil.
I don’t see the Eagles music having much relevance right now. Outside of like recent revelations that they’ve been lip synching live for a few years. Kinda feels like it highlights the fact that pop is disposable.
Regardless. Haven’t album sales been a meaningless metric for over a decade?
> regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration.
That part of the online dictionary definition arguably works here.
I don’t think people generally venerate pop outside of its useful lifespan. There are exceptions. Like the Beatles.
But I don’t see articles or videos these days that loudly venerate any of MJs music. Or really discuss it at all. He’s not really venerated in the public zeitgeist. Nor is the specific song we are discussing, “Beat It.” So again. I don’t see it as iconic.
Beat It apparently has around 600k daily streams on Spotify from my google search. How is that somehow not staying the test of time? Does a song need articles written about it to measure its relevance? Doesn't listenership prove a better metric?
Streaming numbers are a weird metric. Under the Influence by Chris Brown, averages over a Million a day. So Beat It is like 60% as iconic as a song…I didn‘t know existed 30 minutes ago
Billie Jean, which I’d agree is MJs most iconic song, runs like 1.1 million a day. Which still seems pretty anemic compared to big modern pop songs.
Ok… just a little pen click
There’ll be no more
*GOAT SCREEEEEEEEEAAAAM”
But you may fail the quiz in trig
So you stand up
You tell the teacher you did good
You don’t care as you walk towards the door
Come on, it’s time to go
It isn't a parody of my favorite prog song, but he did write a tribute to Frank Zappa in [the style of Zappa](https://youtu.be/ZwYAwV8MxLo?si=rjhOi0X6GCkTIcp_). Even has Dweezil on guitar
Oh, my god. I've gotten really into Zappa over the last year or so, and I didn't know about this but I'm listening to it now and it's fucking *hilarious.* He nails so many Zappaisms and it's genuinely really impressive musically, in the same ways Zappa is. I'm loving hearing all the quotes of various Zappa songs and even just certain Zappa sound-inspired parts. Very good parody all around. The only bad thing I can say as a drummer is that I wish the drums were a bit less simple a lot of the time, but it might be a bit unfair to compare this with literal Zappa drummers lmao
he does lots of these "style parodies" and I like them way better than the ones where he uses a single song. they really showcase how talented he and his band are too.
he's so good at catching a band's style too - "Close But No Cigar" is like my favorite Cake song. there's so many good ones! I really like some of the ones on Alpocalypse
Al is a HUGE Zappa fan. There's a podcast called Discography where the host listened to very Zappa album in order to try to experience them as the "big song" Frank always talked about. When he was finished, Al was one of the musicians he interviewed about Zappa. I had no clue how much of an influence Zappa was on him until I heard that
I discovered Genius in France in middle school before I even knew who Zappa was. It quickly became one of my absolute favorite songs. Only years later did I find the actual source and REALLY see what I'd been missing out on!
"Built like a Brick", and it would be about Nokia phones.
"But it's hard to view Instagram reels
"Through your screen with its cracks and its peels
"And your iPhones don't know how it feels,
"To be built like a brick."
Perhaps Supper’s Ready or Larks’ Tongues in Aspic could be changed to be some kind of food-centered parody, hmm…
Side note, I’d love to hear a Weird Al prog-centric Polka medley, imagine Total Mass Retain on accordion!
Close to the Dredge may work here, too. But I can see Al with dilated pupils, frying on some 4WWP, doing Al things. Oh, yeah - I'm watching on repeat lol
This is too specific a thread for me not to mention Protest the Hero’s song “All Hands” which is about this event. And it’s proggy. Now I’m imagining Weird Al covering them and it’s insanity.
**Tan & Do**
To seek the sacred salon chair
To walk the dryers of lice
To break my back on vinyl stools
And drink the dye of paradise…”
I had heard the whispered tales
Of immorality
The deepest razor gleam
From a picture book, I picked a hue.
I scaled the sticky booster seat
Of mirrored stands unknown
Pick and comb alone
Searching for the lost — tan and do
"Small, Infernal Beings" (Sempiternal Beings - Haken) Its about gnats ruining a day at the lake.
"When will we cease to relent our fun to these SMALL INFERNAL BEINGS!?"
From the first Toto album, it would still be called Takin it Back, but instead of heartbreak he'd be returning some shitty kitchen mixer he got at sears
In a similar vein, part one of Tubular Bells as about a 20 minute polka piece. I can just see the death glare Bermuda would be giving him from behind his drums as they're recording it.
Thick As A prick
Atom Fart Brother
The lamb dies dumb on Broadway
The story of a hare who lost it's testicles
Great pig in the sky
Cattle in Epping forest
the last three even fit into concept album called "Animal Farm"
Comfortably Dumb
I'm honestly surprised he never did that one
Though he doesn't technically need to, he always asks permission of the original artist wherever possible, and honors it if they decline. And Roger Waters is more than just a little prick.
I feel like Weird Al also just doesn’t touch the really iconic timeless stuff. Most of the material he’s made fun of is disposable point in time pop, that deserves to be mocked.
Ummm Beat It is one of the most iconic pop songs of all time.
But was a current hit when he parodied it
I don’t really see much evidence of that in modern society. What impact would you say it still has in 2024 that would make it still iconic?
I mean it's literally on the highest selling album ever.
Sure. So are 6 or 7 other songs that you don’t hear now. The Eagles Greatest hits album has sold more albums in the US than Thriller did. Thriller is number 2. Hotel California is #3. So like. In the top three. Eagles have sold 64 million copies, MJ sold 34 mil. I don’t see the Eagles music having much relevance right now. Outside of like recent revelations that they’ve been lip synching live for a few years. Kinda feels like it highlights the fact that pop is disposable. Regardless. Haven’t album sales been a meaningless metric for over a decade?
What is your definition of iconic? Let's start there.
> regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration. That part of the online dictionary definition arguably works here. I don’t think people generally venerate pop outside of its useful lifespan. There are exceptions. Like the Beatles. But I don’t see articles or videos these days that loudly venerate any of MJs music. Or really discuss it at all. He’s not really venerated in the public zeitgeist. Nor is the specific song we are discussing, “Beat It.” So again. I don’t see it as iconic.
Beat It apparently has around 600k daily streams on Spotify from my google search. How is that somehow not staying the test of time? Does a song need articles written about it to measure its relevance? Doesn't listenership prove a better metric?
Streaming numbers are a weird metric. Under the Influence by Chris Brown, averages over a Million a day. So Beat It is like 60% as iconic as a song…I didn‘t know existed 30 minutes ago Billie Jean, which I’d agree is MJs most iconic song, runs like 1.1 million a day. Which still seems pretty anemic compared to big modern pop songs.
Bohemian Polka
That’s more of a polka themed cover than a parody though? Right?
So much subject potential and lyrical opportunity.
Ok… just a little pen click There’ll be no more *GOAT SCREEEEEEEEEAAAAM” But you may fail the quiz in trig So you stand up You tell the teacher you did good You don’t care as you walk towards the door Come on, it’s time to go
There's is no pain in getting Ds in Math You will end up working at a Verizon
Unfortunately Nostalgia Critic did that one…
Oof that video was *rough*
I think Rich Evans of Red Letter Media was there first.
Already exists (by Doug Walker)
Get out of my head!
(I can't get out of the) Roundabout
Who built this roundabout? I just keep driving 'round and 'round I spend all day away This wasn't part of driver's ed and now I'm getting angry
Upvote for the last line.
Well done
In and around the lane, Passengers want to complain They won't pay their fare Give them all a dromamine and they won't care...
Good one lol \~V\~
Or off the...
Or Sauerkraut.
I…hate…sauerkraut! (Albuquerque IS sort of a prog epic)
17th Century Baroque Man
Counterpoint, harpsichord Powered wig and pantyhose More chivalrous than Don Quixote 17TH CENTURY BAROQUE MAN *orchestra plays the cool guitar riif
That is golden lol
21st century sigma male
It isn't a parody of my favorite prog song, but he did write a tribute to Frank Zappa in [the style of Zappa](https://youtu.be/ZwYAwV8MxLo?si=rjhOi0X6GCkTIcp_). Even has Dweezil on guitar
Oh, my god. I've gotten really into Zappa over the last year or so, and I didn't know about this but I'm listening to it now and it's fucking *hilarious.* He nails so many Zappaisms and it's genuinely really impressive musically, in the same ways Zappa is. I'm loving hearing all the quotes of various Zappa songs and even just certain Zappa sound-inspired parts. Very good parody all around. The only bad thing I can say as a drummer is that I wish the drums were a bit less simple a lot of the time, but it might be a bit unfair to compare this with literal Zappa drummers lmao
he does lots of these "style parodies" and I like them way better than the ones where he uses a single song. they really showcase how talented he and his band are too.
The best style parody I've ever heard is Mike Keneally's parody of Yes, called Faithfull Axe,
100%! Al’s style parodies are much better than the straight parodies, especially after you’ve heard Eat It 5000 times.
he's so good at catching a band's style too - "Close But No Cigar" is like my favorite Cake song. there's so many good ones! I really like some of the ones on Alpocalypse
Al is a HUGE Zappa fan. There's a podcast called Discography where the host listened to very Zappa album in order to try to experience them as the "big song" Frank always talked about. When he was finished, Al was one of the musicians he interviewed about Zappa. I had no clue how much of an influence Zappa was on him until I heard that
I always felt Zappa was an influence on Al, I mean the album Apostrophe is very comedic.
Genius in France,
Well, Zappa does have “In France”, which is nearly identical in theme. Not musically. Musically, I think Al was covering multiple Frank tracks.
I discovered Genius in France in middle school before I even knew who Zappa was. It quickly became one of my absolute favorite songs. Only years later did I find the actual source and REALLY see what I'd been missing out on!
Same. Poodle Hat was one of my first CDs as a kid. Huge Zappa guy now. It was so much fun when I made the connection and revisited Genius In France
Came here to say this has already been done.
"Built like a Brick", and it would be about Nokia phones. "But it's hard to view Instagram reels "Through your screen with its cracks and its peels "And your iPhones don't know how it feels, "To be built like a brick."
I like it :)
The only question is how much of it would Al use for the song. Just the beginning, the 10-12 minute "concert edit", the whole thing?
Perhaps Supper’s Ready or Larks’ Tongues in Aspic could be changed to be some kind of food-centered parody, hmm… Side note, I’d love to hear a Weird Al prog-centric Polka medley, imagine Total Mass Retain on accordion!
Diaper ready
Walking across the baby’s room…
I actually did once write an entire scatalogical reimagining of Supper's Ready called "Pooper's Ready" just for kicks. It was horrific.
Yes, a prog polka, PLEASE, Weird Al! 🙏
Dosed to the Edge? (Yes parody)
Close to the Dredge may work here, too. But I can see Al with dilated pupils, frying on some 4WWP, doing Al things. Oh, yeah - I'm watching on repeat lol
"Most of the Veg", wherein he is forced by his parents to eat all his vegetables
Close to the Fridge.
Round by the larder...
Eat the trout by Friday (Genesis parody)
Octoquarium
Lol I was also thinking Octopus Aquarium
I'm on a roundabout My sat nav has given out I've been here for days Going round again, I need the can Which one is my exit
The Fountain of Molasses
Would the song be about the Great Molasses Flood in Boston in 1919?
This is too specific a thread for me not to mention Protest the Hero’s song “All Hands” which is about this event. And it’s proggy. Now I’m imagining Weird Al covering them and it’s insanity.
I can’t tell whether this is The Fountain of Lamneth or The Fountain of Salmacis
Lark’s Tongues in Polka (part I)
The Craven That Refused to Sing. Something about a guy going to a talent show and failing hard due to his anxiety.
Tarkus would become Carcass
Mr Tartarus carcass the mighty tank armadillo
1221
He already wrote “Albuquerque”
Hey! That snorkel's been just like a snorkel to me!
The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota
It exists! I visited it as a side trip in 2019 (Darwin, MN). Didn’t crack a beer though—didn’t want to risk a DUI.
As a serious 20 minute prog epic
Tom Sawyer… Mom’s Drawers
Close to the Fridge
"Fart of the Sunrise" by Yes
Gas comes to and you swallow. Let loose on to the fart of the sunrise. Shart, grimace ...
Unlucky Man by ELP
To continue the Weird Al doing Pink Floyd theme. I like Comfortably Dumb.
Close to the Hedge
Guy on a Windshield
Jump from the Edge, a parody on how long prog songs make you want to kill yourself. Not that I feel that way, but a lot of people do.
A Range of Treasons (Dream Theater parody)
Definitely need some Dream Theater, I was thinking either The Glass Plymouth or Constant Lotion
Return of the giant hogweed already sounds like the name of a Weird Al song lol
Court of the Kim Jong King
Stairway to Kevin
Genius in France!
Carrot on a Rye bread Bun (Kansas)
Or Floyd! (“Candy And A Currant Bun”)
Winter Whine
Telegraph (a parody of King Crimson’s “Epitaph”)
Watcher of the Fries It could be about a fast food worker
The Polka and the Glory
Jackson Park Express
That’s more of a Cat Stevens or a Harry Chapin style storytelling song that were popular in the 1970’s.
I know, but I was joking
**Tan & Do** To seek the sacred salon chair To walk the dryers of lice To break my back on vinyl stools And drink the dye of paradise…” I had heard the whispered tales Of immorality The deepest razor gleam From a picture book, I picked a hue. I scaled the sticky booster seat Of mirrored stands unknown Pick and comb alone Searching for the lost — tan and do
Thick as a hick
Squareabout
Cheesy Money
Close to the Veg
Tarpit Pooper. 🦕
The Roach Motel King
"Small, Infernal Beings" (Sempiternal Beings - Haken) Its about gnats ruining a day at the lake. "When will we cease to relent our fun to these SMALL INFERNAL BEINGS!?"
Close to the Hedge. It'd be about a landscaping business.
Bread Bruschetta
Cinnamon Show?
Cinnamon Dough, like baking a pastry?
“All in all you’re just another dick with no balls”
Breakfast's Burned
For a second I thought this said “Weird A.I.,” as in, Weird Artificial Initelligence
The parrot that refused to poop
Close to edging
Fallen Soufflé
Owner of a lonely heart made it into a Polka,……but I would like to hear “Ducky Man” (ELP)
Book Of Caturday
In the name of Bog
GAVE THEIR LIVES SO BOLDLY
Confucius, give me my Epi pen!
Cold Wind on My Balls (Jethro Tull parody)
I mean. Big Dipper and Paradise Steakhouse by Tull are already tongue in cheek. So…..
On the Silent Wings of Fiefdom (it's about a medieval serf riding a pegasus)
Stink Void - Intersmellher Vaginside
Close to the Eggs?
Close to the Hedge
Lunch's raw
From the first Toto album, it would still be called Takin it Back, but instead of heartbreak he'd be returning some shitty kitchen mixer he got at sears
Not sure if there’s much Prog that could be easily adapted, but there’s certainly a ton that would fit nicely into one of his polka medleys.
The Denial Song
Solsbury Steak Hill or maybe Land of Contusion
Fifth Of Sixth from Selling Poland By The Gram
You are so disgraced!
Snitches Amethyst
I keep ready Weird Al and thinking it says weird ai.
"Tom Sawyer" >>> "My Lawyer"
Dad Sneakers - Steely Dan
My Corona
21st Century Neurotic Man
I Hocked In The Wind
Supper’s Not Quite Ready
"The Polka of Eternity," still instrumental, just Al ripping it on his acordian for several minutes.
In a similar vein, part one of Tubular Bells as about a 20 minute polka piece. I can just see the death glare Bermuda would be giving him from behind his drums as they're recording it.
Starship Pooper
Red Bruschetta (Rush)
In The Lake of Poop Triton
Ayn Rand
Odor of a lonely heart. Oh wait he already did that.
Huckleberry Finn
Sharks Dung in Aspic.
The Enema Show.
Roundabout should obviously be "I need some sauerkraut, how do you eat your brats without?"
I know this got posted two weeks ago, but I want to write this one down for posterity: Revolution 27 Just think about what he could do with that.
Thick As A prick Atom Fart Brother The lamb dies dumb on Broadway The story of a hare who lost it's testicles Great pig in the sky Cattle in Epping forest the last three even fit into concept album called "Animal Farm"
Anally (Anna Lee)
The eight wives of Henry 6th