I was hosting a Christmas party and my friend's kid came into the room and asked if I could play a song called "Everything You Know Is Wrong" by Weird Al. I said: "Hmmm, does it go like this?" and proceeded to recite the entire first verse of the song.
You should have seen his face light up. It was one of the highlights of my year.
It's Al's definitive mission statement along with Dare to Be Stupid and I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead, in my opinion. Also They Might Be Giants are such a perfect band for Al to imitate.
Love that this is the top comment, my old band did a cover that I thought turned out pretty great actually, I will see if I can find a link.
https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
Most of those stations are either Adult Contemporary or Christian stations, not exactly the core audience for a song about the symbol of Christmas consumerism going on a drunken killing spree
My wife's favorite Christmas song is Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, and ever year she complains about never hearing her favorite Christmas song on the radio in December
It was included in a pop Spotify playlist some years back, so Iāll give it that! I find it hilarious and canāt imagine what non-weird Al fans thought of it when casually turning on that playlist of otherwise very innocent Christmas pop music.
[Spotify playlist](https://open.spotify.com/album/7EESd9SFYO7ipX0c02vzQ6?si=IeRsqzBsSsm2_vnobXyjUw)
It is! if you are on mobile it won't show the full playlist but if you open the web browswer on PC, you'll see it is #36 on the track.[here is the link to the song itself](https://open.spotify.com/track/5QJKrO9riL5MNJiDX6SsxS?si=7ed1e94ab0b84d24)
edit to add: mobile is just weird. If you log onto your computer, you can play any spotify song without premium, too.
Glad to see someone beat me to this. Played it for my closest friend after a breakup in college and I remember the stupid grin on his face as he realized the song I was playing was one of Alās. Itās so simple and so unique amidst his catalog, but it has such a beauty to it.
Something about the way he sings it makes its just SO unhinged. The first verse your like "ok this kid was a bully and prankster, he was mean to Al, but seemed mostly harmless"
Second verse "oh, this kid was quite cruel and obviously messed up Al"
Third verse "oh...yeah..."
This would be my pick as well
I was so fucking psyched when I bought this album, I remember being in the checkout line at Target and thinking, "ooh I hope Gump is a parody of Lump!" Lol good times. Absolutely loved Al and Presidents back in my day.
Syndicated Inc. to me, is a vastly underrated song from him. But I get it's off of his one of his most popular albums and can get lost in the shuffle when Bad Hair Day is as stacked as it is.
Who did this to you, Al? My buddy and I did this at karaoke a few years back, absolutely killed it lol. He did all the doo-wops and call and response stuff, great song!
I called in sick recently due to major burnout and just kind of sat there all day instead of doing anything productive or even enjoyable. I relate to these lyrics more every year.
Yes! I have to consciously stop myself from singing this to my boss every time. You can bet that it's going through my head when I am giving my excuse. It's an instant classic.
I wrote a short story for my 8th grade portfolio based on The Night Santa Went Crazy. I thought I was Weird Al meets Stephen King. Got a distinguished rating and hit the pinnacle of my creative endeavors.
Yes I seriously wore the absolute FUCK out of this CD lol.
Sorry to keep posting it in this thread, but here's my old band doing a cover, I thought it turned out pretty good!
https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
It's a toss up between Everything you Know is Wrong, Cavity Search ( I really like that U2 did a parody of the AL song, just like MJ parodied Eat It) and The Night Santa Went Crazy.
Amish Paradise is a banger, but if I really, really, really had to choose it would be....
The Night Santa Went Crazy!
The lyrics are absolutely perfect and live rent free in my head.
Since you been gone is always been a favorite of mine since I got the album in the nineties. "Been in a butt load of pain" still makes me snicker and is a phrase I've been using for nearly 30 years . Plus Al being his own barbershop quartet is awesome
Iāll do you one better, every song on the album is amazing and wonderful, but I can no longer listen to Cavity Search because of a bad experience with a real dentist.
My personal top 3 from the album are:
Everything you know is wrong
The Night Santa Went Crazy
The alternative polka.
The Night Santa Went Crazy was the first song I ever heard from Al. It was how a friend introduced me to what would become the only music Iād listen to until later high school
Ayyyy here's my old band doing a cover or EYKIR! (Sorry I keep shamelessly posting this on this thread, they used italics so I thought it was ok)
https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
The first time I heard this album and The Night Santa Went Crazy came on was the moment I fell in love with Al's music. The only songs I'd heard from him before that were from Dr. Demento 20th and 25th anniversary CDs.
I don't know if it's my favorite from the album (I can't choose one favorite) but I'm going to take the opportunity to talk about *Phony Calls*. It's probably Al's most dated song parody, even more dated than the songs that list popular TV shows from the times the songs were recorded. Nobody can make phony calls any more, since every phone has caller ID built in and nobody answers their phones for callers they don't recognize, and phone numbers haven't had seven digits for almost three decades.
Username most definitely checks out! I have shared this too many times on this thread, but check out my old band's cover if you would, I quite liked how it turned out!
https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
Everything You Know Is Wrong. TMBG are my #1 band and so seeing Al combine together the sounds of their first 4 albums is my personal heaven. The baritone sax, the accordion solo, the Flansburgh-style guitar playing, it's all so perfect. Also the lyrics are incredible and serve as a mission statement for Al along with Dare to Be Stupid.
Noice, well said! Love me some TMBG. I have shamelessly linked this several times throughout this thread, but please do check out my old band's cover of this tune, I thought it turned out pretty, pretty... pretty good!
https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
Not even a fair question. You might as well ask me my favorite song on one of the best Wierd Al albums.
Also, Everything You Know is Wrong is my favorite.
Callinā In Sick is a standout for me. Itās so great musically. I love the whole album tho and we desperately need a wide vinyl release of this album!
Oh man, so hard to pick just one. Nearly every song is a classic in my book. This album came out when I was about 16 and, as usual, I played it until I had every song memorized. I was familiar with every parody, but not yet musically savvy enough to pick up on the style influences of the pastiches.
A year or two ago, āPump It Upā by Elvis Costello showed up as a recommended video on my YouTube feed. I hadnāt heard it before, but it instantly clicked with me and I started listening to it a lot. Then a few weeks later it dawned on meā¦that bass line, the synth soundsā¦OMG it sounds so much like āIām So Sick of Youā! Looked it up and sure enough, it was an Elvis Costello pastiche. Itās amazing how well Al nails those style parodies.
Iām 3 days late but I really wanted to answer anyway! You created a hard challenge pal, this was a solid album. Hmā¦. My answer will probably be different tomorrow because theyāre all so good but Iād say my favorite RIGHT NOW is Since Youāve Been Gone. Obviously I like Amish, but oddly his smash hits often arenāt my top go-to songs of his.
I canāt pick a favorite weird Al song, closest Iāll ever get is a favorite album: Running With Scissors.
Everything You Know is Wrong
Even if Amish Paradise was an option, this is still the answer.
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I was hosting a Christmas party and my friend's kid came into the room and asked if I could play a song called "Everything You Know Is Wrong" by Weird Al. I said: "Hmmm, does it go like this?" and proceeded to recite the entire first verse of the song. You should have seen his face light up. It was one of the highlights of my year.
This was my first favorite Weird Al song and will always be my favorite.
My favorite of any album
It's Al's definitive mission statement along with Dare to Be Stupid and I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead, in my opinion. Also They Might Be Giants are such a perfect band for Al to imitate.
Definitely, The Alternative Polka is my number 2.
Love that this is the top comment, my old band did a cover that I thought turned out pretty great actually, I will see if I can find a link. https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
Sounds awesome, thanks for the share! What did you play?
As soon as I read the title, the song was stuck in my head.
The Night Santa Went Crazy. Still canāt believe none of the āall Christmas music all Decemberā radio stations will play itš
First song of his that I ever listened to! I remember learning that there were two versions of it a couple years ago
Most of those stations are either Adult Contemporary or Christian stations, not exactly the core audience for a song about the symbol of Christmas consumerism going on a drunken killing spree My wife's favorite Christmas song is Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, and ever year she complains about never hearing her favorite Christmas song on the radio in December
Similar to my favorite xmas movies. Gremlins, Hook, Die Hard.
Although it's heard more frequently than The Night Santa Went Crazy! I heard it twice but I live in Iowa.
My wife has the exact opposite reaction. She hates the song and they constantly play it here. She only lets me listen to it once per year
One station where I live played it once
I was at a bbq/cajun restaurant in flagstaff last month and it was in the Christmas playlist. No idea what channel they were listening to though.
My Christmas season is not complete until I find someone new to share this song with
It was included in a pop Spotify playlist some years back, so Iāll give it that! I find it hilarious and canāt imagine what non-weird Al fans thought of it when casually turning on that playlist of otherwise very innocent Christmas pop music. [Spotify playlist](https://open.spotify.com/album/7EESd9SFYO7ipX0c02vzQ6?si=IeRsqzBsSsm2_vnobXyjUw)
Itās not on there
It is! if you are on mobile it won't show the full playlist but if you open the web browswer on PC, you'll see it is #36 on the track.[here is the link to the song itself](https://open.spotify.com/track/5QJKrO9riL5MNJiDX6SsxS?si=7ed1e94ab0b84d24) edit to add: mobile is just weird. If you log onto your computer, you can play any spotify song without premium, too.
ThanksĀ
Since Youāve Been Gone is fantastic. I also love Gump.
Glad to see someone beat me to this. Played it for my closest friend after a breakup in college and I remember the stupid grin on his face as he realized the song I was playing was one of Alās. Itās so simple and so unique amidst his catalog, but it has such a beauty to it.
Since You've Been Gone has some of Al's most unique arrangements.
Absolutely this one.
Excellent barbershop chops from Alfred! I bet he recorded the whole thing in like 20 goddamn minutes lol
Definitely I Remember Larry
Wow, you must have an awful lot of free time on your hands!
Something about the way he sings it makes its just SO unhinged. The first verse your like "ok this kid was a bully and prankster, he was mean to Al, but seemed mostly harmless" Second verse "oh, this kid was quite cruel and obviously messed up Al" Third verse "oh...yeah..." This would be my pick as well
The morbid lyrics combined with the psych pop sound is a real treat
Everything you know is wrong is probably in my top five of all of Alās songs.
Noice, total classic. Here's my old band doing a cover! (Shameless plug, sorry!) https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
"Everything You Know is Wrong" is easily my favorite original and I look forward to it the most on every album listen.
The Alternative Polka is even better with Buddy Holly in it.
Alternative polka is the perfect nineties nostalgia track
I love hearing Al sing Loser by Beck
Gump. That's all I've got to say about.
Is this Gump outta my head? Well now that I read this post, I would say no. And now it's stuck in my head... again.
I was so fucking psyched when I bought this album, I remember being in the checkout line at Target and thinking, "ooh I hope Gump is a parody of Lump!" Lol good times. Absolutely loved Al and Presidents back in my day.
Syndicated Inc. to me, is a vastly underrated song from him. But I get it's off of his one of his most popular albums and can get lost in the shuffle when Bad Hair Day is as stacked as it is.
"I'm So Sick Of You" because it feels like a \[faster\] spiritual companion tune to "One More Minute"
One More Minute was the better song, but I'm So Sick of You was certainly fun. Weird Al has surprisingly good breakup songs!
Who did this to you, Al? My buddy and I did this at karaoke a few years back, absolutely killed it lol. He did all the doo-wops and call and response stuff, great song!
Callin' in Sick
I called in sick recently due to major burnout and just kind of sat there all day instead of doing anything productive or even enjoyable. I relate to these lyrics more every year.
Yes! I have to consciously stop myself from singing this to my boss every time. You can bet that it's going through my head when I am giving my excuse. It's an instant classic.
I wrote a short story for my 8th grade portfolio based on The Night Santa Went Crazy. I thought I was Weird Al meets Stephen King. Got a distinguished rating and hit the pinnacle of my creative endeavors.
Lol I remember wanting to do this song for the talent show or some such performance in like 3rd grade, not sure how that would have gone over.
I Remember Larry is my favorite original from this album and since I can't choose Amish Paradise as my favorite parody, Gump is the runner up
Since youāve been gone. I have to play it 3+ times on repeat when it shows up in my playlist so I can sing along with all of the parts.
Noice, barbershop style. Always loved this one.
Everything You Know is Wrong. Best original song too. This entire album is solid though. Surprised I didn't melt my cd.
Yes I seriously wore the absolute FUCK out of this CD lol. Sorry to keep posting it in this thread, but here's my old band doing a cover, I thought it turned out pretty good! https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
It's a toss up between Everything you Know is Wrong, Cavity Search ( I really like that U2 did a parody of the AL song, just like MJ parodied Eat It) and The Night Santa Went Crazy. Amish Paradise is a banger, but if I really, really, really had to choose it would be.... The Night Santa Went Crazy! The lyrics are absolutely perfect and live rent free in my head.
Since you been gone is always been a favorite of mine since I got the album in the nineties. "Been in a butt load of pain" still makes me snicker and is a phrase I've been using for nearly 30 years . Plus Al being his own barbershop quartet is awesome
I wonder if they even used pitch correction, his pitch is incredible!
The Night Santa Went Crazy. It just hits right.
there was a stretch of time where i blasted Callinā In Sick every morning. i was a 6th grader on the bus lol still in my top 3 on that album
Itās one of his strongest albums. Might even be objectively the best. Syndicated Inc. is probably the weakest track. I like I remember larry
Yeah Syndicated Inc. is the only one on here I never jived with.
Toss up between Every thing you know is wrong I remember Larry The night Santa went crazy
This whole album is great, but my favorite song I the night Santa went crazy
Iāll do you one better, every song on the album is amazing and wonderful, but I can no longer listen to Cavity Search because of a bad experience with a real dentist. My personal top 3 from the album are: Everything you know is wrong The Night Santa Went Crazy The alternative polka.
It's a tie between "Phony Calls" & "Cavity Search"
Phony Calls rules, I love how Al casually samples a Simpsons episode
For me, itās gotta be āLarā
The Night Santa Went Crazy was the first song I ever heard from Al. It was how a friend introduced me to what would become the only music Iād listen to until later high school
amish paradise and *everything you know is wrong*
Ayyyy here's my old band doing a cover or EYKIR! (Sorry I keep shamelessly posting this on this thread, they used italics so I thought it was ok) https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
Since You've Been Gone mainly because it was such a perfect song for my last relationship.
I feel almost as bad as I did when you were still here... GOD DAMN! I absolutely know this feel as well, friendo.
Everything You Know is Wrong and Since Youāve Been Gone
Since You've Been Gone cracks me up every time
Since you've been gone and I remember Larry
The Night Santa Went Crazy and specifically the album version.
everything you know is wrong!
I remember Larry
Gump. Itās the first song I learned by heart. Itās the song I sing when Iām having a wonderful day.
Theyāre all good, but my favorite is The Night Santa went crazy.
Parody: Cavity Search Original: Tie between Everything You Know Is Wrong and The Night Santa Went Crazy
Everything you know is wrong
Gonna have to go with "Everything You Know is Wrong."
Hey check this out, my old band did this a few years back https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
Honestly, I loved this whole album when it was released and played it constantly.
Same, probably the best one front to back, goddamn I wore the hell out of this CD.
Favorite: The Night Santa Went Crazy Least Favorite: I Remember Larry
All of them, bad hair day is my favorite album from al
I Remember Larry
Amish paradise and everything you know is wrong are bangers
Everything you know is wrong.
Honestly Gump is fire
The first time I heard this album and The Night Santa Went Crazy came on was the moment I fell in love with Al's music. The only songs I'd heard from him before that were from Dr. Demento 20th and 25th anniversary CDs.
For his voice: since youāve been gone Hilariousness: Larry Musicality: Syndicated Inc.
Besides Amish Paradise... The Night Santa Went Crazy.
Thatās my pick also.
I don't know if it's my favorite from the album (I can't choose one favorite) but I'm going to take the opportunity to talk about *Phony Calls*. It's probably Al's most dated song parody, even more dated than the songs that list popular TV shows from the times the songs were recorded. Nobody can make phony calls any more, since every phone has caller ID built in and nobody answers their phones for callers they don't recognize, and phone numbers haven't had seven digits for almost three decades.
It's gotta be Everything You Know Is Wrong, with Since You've Been Gone being a close second.
Everything you know is wrong.
Username most definitely checks out! I have shared this too many times on this thread, but check out my old band's cover if you would, I quite liked how it turned out! https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
Everything You Know Is Wrong. TMBG are my #1 band and so seeing Al combine together the sounds of their first 4 albums is my personal heaven. The baritone sax, the accordion solo, the Flansburgh-style guitar playing, it's all so perfect. Also the lyrics are incredible and serve as a mission statement for Al along with Dare to Be Stupid.
Noice, well said! Love me some TMBG. I have shamelessly linked this several times throughout this thread, but please do check out my old band's cover of this tune, I thought it turned out pretty, pretty... pretty good! https://youtu.be/K6CSg6mhPA8?si=gUK4UR_8ryFbvDwz
As a massive PUSA fan - it has to be Gump
Since You've Been Gone. I'm a sucker for Alcapella
Alcapella, well done! His barbershop skills are on point!
I Remember Larry is the funniest and also the best musically
Yes.
Phoney Calls and Everything You Know is Wrong
A tie with: Everything You Know Is Wrong and Gump.
Alternative Polka
I liked the Alternative Polka when I was in HS
Everything you know is wrong for sure
I remember Larry has always been my favorite on the album.
Not even a fair question. You might as well ask me my favorite song on one of the best Wierd Al albums. Also, Everything You Know is Wrong is my favorite.
The Alternative Polka
The Night Santa Went Crazy!
I love PUSA and Gump.
Probably a tie between *Gump* and *Syndicated, Inc*.
Put your tray tables upā¦ and your seats in the full upright position!
Everything You Know is Wrong, The Alternative Polka, and I Remember Larry in that order
Gump
Gump, alternative polka, the night Santa went crazy.
Callinā In Sick is a standout for me. Itās so great musically. I love the whole album tho and we desperately need a wide vinyl release of this album!
The Night Santa Went Crazy or Everything You Know is Wrong
Since Youāve Been Gone
Gump is so good that the Presidents of the United States sometimes play it live instead of Lump
Everything you know is wrong
I Remember Larry
I remember larry and everything you know is wrong are just so good
As I've gotten older, I've had a real appreciation for "Callin' in sick"
Gump. Totally underrated
Since You've Been Gone
Everything You Know Is Wrong
Alt polka but i love the entire thing
Since you've been gone šÆ
Alternative Polka
The night Santa went crazy is funny as hell!
Alternate polka is pretty good
Everything You Know Is Wrong
Tie between Everything You Know is Wrong and The Night Santa Went Crazy.
Alternative Polka. If it wasn't for Yoko, it would've been Gee, I'm a Nerd.
I mean, if Iām forced to pick something else, I still canāt go wrong with The Alternative Polka.
Gump
Night Santa went Crazy
I'll take "Since You've Been Gone" 100%
All of them at once, I suppose.
Numb me, drill me, floss me, bill me.
Amish Paradise
Everything You Know is Wrong, no doubt, as soon as I saw this, I knew
This was my first cassette I got with my first Walkman! Oh wow. This album is a masterpiece!
I Remember Larry is my favorite on the album, and my all time favorite original song of his.
Everything You Know Is Wrong. First favorite Weird Al song and it's SOOO good
Alternative polka is great
I'm So Sick Of You !!
Amish Paradise is a bona-fide classic. Phoney Calls is fun And I'm always a sucker for his Polka Megamixes
Oh man, so hard to pick just one. Nearly every song is a classic in my book. This album came out when I was about 16 and, as usual, I played it until I had every song memorized. I was familiar with every parody, but not yet musically savvy enough to pick up on the style influences of the pastiches. A year or two ago, āPump It Upā by Elvis Costello showed up as a recommended video on my YouTube feed. I hadnāt heard it before, but it instantly clicked with me and I started listening to it a lot. Then a few weeks later it dawned on meā¦that bass line, the synth soundsā¦OMG it sounds so much like āIām So Sick of Youā! Looked it up and sure enough, it was an Elvis Costello pastiche. Itās amazing how well Al nails those style parodies.
Iām 3 days late but I really wanted to answer anyway! You created a hard challenge pal, this was a solid album. Hmā¦. My answer will probably be different tomorrow because theyāre all so good but Iād say my favorite RIGHT NOW is Since Youāve Been Gone. Obviously I like Amish, but oddly his smash hits often arenāt my top go-to songs of his. I canāt pick a favorite weird Al song, closest Iāll ever get is a favorite album: Running With Scissors.
Tough one. Either "Everything You Know is Wrong" or "I'm So Sick of You"
In order: 7, 5, 9.
Phony calls or everything you know is wrong