Weird Al Yankovic is a one-of-a-kind musician who has been making us laugh for decades with his clever and hilarious parodies of popular songs. He first burst onto the scene in the 1980s with his iconic accordion and a head full of wacky hair, and he’s been a household name ever since.
One of the things that make Weird Al so special is his ability to poke fun at just about anything and everything, from politics to pop culture. His songs are clever and catchy, and they always manage to put a smile on your face. He’s not afraid to tackle controversial topics or to make fun of himself, which is part of what makes his music so endearing.
In addition to his hilarious parodies, Weird Al is also an accomplished musician in his own right. He’s a skilled accordion player, and he’s known for his impressive vocal range and ability to mimic other artists. His original songs are just as catchy and entertaining as his parodies, and they showcase his musical talent and creativity.
Over the years, Weird Al has released countless albums, music videos, and concert tours, and he’s won multiple Grammy awards for his work. He’s also made appearances on TV shows and movies, and he’s even hosted his own TV series. He’s truly a versatile and talented artist who has left a lasting impact on the music industry.
For an artist so accomplished that he a true icon and a beloved figure in the world of pop culture, it is only suitable that a biopic be made in his proceeding honor.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a biographical film about the life and career of musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic, played by Daniel Radcliffe. The film covers Al’s rise to fame in the 1980s with his hilarious parodies of popular songs, and it features a number of references to his most iconic and beloved tracks.
Here is a list of every Weird Al song referenced in the movie, with a brief description of each one:
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“My Bologna”
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“My Bologna” is a classic Weird Al song that parodies the hit “My Sharona” by The Knack. The song is a humorous ode to the humble bologna sandwich, and it features lyrics like “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R / My bologna has a second name, it’s M-A-Y-E-R.” The song became a fan favorite and even earned Weird Al his first record deal as it was included on Al’s self-titled first album in 1983.
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“My Bologna” is a defining moment in the movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. In the film, Al is struggling to find his place as an accordionist in Los Angeles, and he is encouraged by his roommates to write parody music. While making sandwiches, the song “My Sharona” by The Knack plays on the radio, and Al comes up with the idea for “My Bologna” right away.
His roommates, who lowkey worship him, are amazed by his creative genius and immediately record a demo tape and send it to a local radio station. The song becomes a hit and launches Al’s career as a musical comedian.
“I Love Rocky Road”
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“I Love Rocky Road” is another fan-favorite Weird Al song that parodies the hit “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett. The song is a hilarious tribute to the joys of eating ice cream, and it features lyrics like “I love Rocky Road, and I don’t care who knows / I scream for ice cream, any flavor that glows.” The song is a catchy and lighthearted celebration of all things sweet and delicious. It was released as a single in 1983 and included on Yankovic’s debut album.
In the movie, “I Love Rocky Road” is the song that helps Weird Al win over a tough crowd at his first live gig. As the film advances, Al is seen performing the song with his roommates as his backing band, and the audience is initially hostile to him. However, as soon as Al starts singing “I Love Rocky Road,” the crowd warms up to him and starts dancing along. After the show, Al is approached by his hero, Dr. Demento, played by Rainn Wilson, who offers to take him under his wing and dubs him “Weird” Al Yankovic.
“Another One Rides the Bus”
“Another One Rides the Bus” is a parody of “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, and it’s a humorous take on the experience of riding the bus. The song features lyrics like “Another one rides the bus / And he’s not even paid / Another one rides the bus / And he’s feeling kinda faint.” The song is a funny and relatable ode to the struggles of public transportation.
In the movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, “Another One Rides the Bus” plays a pivotal role in Al’s rise to fame. The scene takes place at a pool party hosted by DJ Dr. Demento, where a raspy-voiced DJ Wolfman Jack challenges Al to come up with a parody on the spot. Queen bassist John Deacon suggests using their hit song “Another One Bites the Dust” as inspiration, and Al is backed into a corner.
However, he manages to impress the party guests by spontaneously singing “Another One Rides the Bus,” a parody that becomes a massive hit for Dr. Demento’s show. The accolade of “Another One Rides the Bus” leads to Deacon inviting Al to perform with Queen at their Live Aid show, but Al being Al, declines the offer.
“Eat It”
“Eat It” is a parody of “Beat It” by Michael Jackson, and it’s a humorous take on the importance of proper nutrition. The song features lyrics like “You better eat it, just eat it / Don’t want to argue, I don’t want to debate / Don’t want to hear about what kind of food you hate.” The song is a catchy and entertaining reminder to clean your plate.
“Eat It” is a key moment in the movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, as it marks a turning point in Al’s career. At this point in the film, Al has already achieved a level of success with his humorous parodies of popular songs, but he finds himself feeling unfulfilled and longing for more. Demento, a radio DJ who has been a key mentor and supporter for Al, encourages him to branch out and try writing his own music.
To help stimulate Al’s creativity, Demento gives him some guacamole that has been laced with LSD. The resulting trip provides the inspiration for Al to write “Eat It,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s hit song “Beat It.” The song becomes a huge success, but Al is initially upset when he learns that Jackson has released his own parody of “Beat It,” called “Eaten Alive,” which triggers some of Als insecurities about fame.
Despite this initial setback, “Eat It” goes on to be a major hit for Al, and it even earns him his first Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording. The song is a key moment in the movie, as it demonstrates Al’s talent for both satire and songwriting, and it shows the importance of taking creative risks and following one’s passions.
“Like a Surgeon”
The movie takes some creative liberties with the real-life story behind the song. In the movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, “Like a Surgeon” is portrayed as a turning point in the relationship between Al and Madonna. The film depicts Madonna, played by Evan Rachel Wood, as a manipulative and scheming character who uses her seductive powers to try and control Al and further her own career. Despite initially rejecting the idea of writing a parody song, Al ultimately gives in to Madonna’s charms and writes “Like a Surgeon,” a parody of Madonna’s hit song “Like a Virgin.”
While the film’s depiction of the song’s creation and the relationship between Al and Madonna is largely fictional, “Like a Surgeon” is a real song by Weird Al and was released on his third album, Dare to Be Stupid, in 1985. In reality, the song was not written as a result of any personal drama or conflict, but rather as a clever and amusing ode to the ups and downs of the medical profession. The song features lyrics like “I’m through with the experts, they all disagree / I want a second opinion, I want a third degree,” and it quickly became one of Weird Al’s most popular and enduring tracks.
“Amish Paradise”
“Amish Paradise” is a parody of “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio, and it’s a humorous take on the simple life of the Amish. The song features lyrics like “As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain / I take a look at my wife and realize she’s very plain.” The song is a catchy and entertaining tribute to the Amish way of life.
In the movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, “Amish Paradise” plays a significant role in the narrative arc of Al’s relationship with his parents. After a falling out with Madonna, Al turns to his family for support and learns that his father was actually raised Amish before being excommunicated due to his love of the accordion. This revelation helps Al to understand and connect with his father, who has always been opposed to Al’s musical pursuits.
Inspired by this newfound understanding, Al takes his father’s handwritten lyrics about his Amish upbringing and turns them into a new song, “Amish Paradise.” The song is a parody of “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio and was released on Yankovic’s 1996 album Bad Hair Day. It became one of Yankovic’s more controversial singles, as he received permission from Tommy Boy Records to make the parody but not from Coolio himself, who initially opposed the idea.
“Now You Know”
This original song by Weird Al is a catchy and upbeat ode to the joys of learning new things, and it features lyrics like “Now you know, now you know / A little bit more than you knew before.” The song is a fun and lighthearted celebration of knowledge and discovery.
In the movie, “Now You Know” takes on a slightly different meaning as it serves as a self-aware commentary on the film itself as it comes on when the credits start to roll. In the song, Weird Al describes the movie’s ridiculous plot as being entirely true, with the exception of one small change. He jokingly claims that he really did play Live Aid with Queen and completely blew them off the stage.
The song also playfully reminds audiences that it is technically eligible for an Academy Award, poking fun at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the awards show. Overall, “Now You Know” serves as a fitting and entertaining finale to the biographical film, offering a final dose of Weird Al’s signature humor and wit.
