5 Essential Tracks: Weird Al Yankovic | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

5 Essential Tracks: Weird Al Yankovic

Take a trip down memory lane.

40
5 Essential Tracks: Weird Al Yankovic
HuffPost

Parody is a dying art form these days, and so is playing accordion, (at least here in the States). But there is one man who does both of these things incredibly well and who has entered our collective pop culture through his diverse and wide-spanning body of work. So indulge me as I take a walk down memory lane and list (in no particular order),some of my favorite Weird Al songs.

1. Word Crimes

The anthem of Grammar Nazis everywhere, this hilarious send-up of "Blurred Lines" makes reference to everything from Oxford commas to the correct use of literally to "Lost." If there is any justice, this should be in use in every English classroom In America sometime soon.

2. Trapped in The Drive Through

Okay, this is more original than his usual work, but the template is lifted from R. Kelly's masterwork, Trapped in The Closet. Here, he transforms a winding story of infidelity, crime and disease into a simpler story of a man who just wants a cheeseburger. Hijinks ensue.

3. White and Nerdy


The only one of his parodies ever to crack the Billboard Top Ten, this song brilliantly captures exactly what it meant to be a geek before Big Bang Theory and the like made it cool again. Oftentimes, when I listen to Chamillonare's Ridin Dirty, I catch myself singing this version instead.

4. Eat It


The infinitely better and more quotable of his two food-centric M.J.parodies: an ode to finishing meals. This one still gets thrown around at the dinner table by my parents once in a blue moon. And because this was during the peak of his fame, he actually got Slash to re-record the guitar solo!

5. Yoda

And finally we arrive at my favorite Weird Al song of all time, the first and most popular of his parodies that also recap movies, which includes "Ode to a Superhero" and "The Saga Begins." Not only does the parody of "Lola" practically write itself, but he also correctly predicted how long Mark Hamil would be making these movies.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

71744
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

4796
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

8403
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments