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This album has A LOT to live up to.
“In 3-D” and “Dare to be Stupid” were two albums that made a strong foundation of Yankovic’s work. Also, both albums made it onto the Billboard charts, and well inside the top 100.
The big question is, “Can Al make lightning strike twice?” We’ll find out as now I review this album, one I distinctly remember as being an expired hand grenade in the war chest of song ideas.
1. “Living with a Hernia”: Kicking off PP, it is a parody of James Brown’s “Living in America”. The music video for this song was also filmed on the concert set of Rocky IV.
More or less the song is about living, well, with a hernia. “There’s nothin’… to discuss… because any day you might have to wear a truss!”
As you can see by the video, not only is it a parody of the song in style, but also a direct parody of Brown’s actual on-stage antics. Energetic, even well after the “gassed” point, and full of pip, this song is a pretty good kickoff to the album.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Living With A Hernia lyrics
2. “Dog Eat Dog”: I’ll admit, I know most Al songs like a bible. However, this one was quite fuzzy in my memory so I had to do some homeworked research.
The lyrics are original, yet the style is VERY much like Talking Heads, right down to the David Byrne tics with the different instruments. Also there’s a line directly ripped from “Once in a Lifetime”, so watch out for that!
Very quickly, this song is very much about Al’s character going up the corporate ladder, and making fun of everything along the way. Everyone from pencils, mugs, and straight up to the veins in the boss’ neck! I thought it was a clever nod, but mainly did nothing for me.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Dog Eat Dog lyrics
3. “Addicted to Spuds”: Another parody, this time of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”.
As you can imagine, this song is about Al’s love of that root vegetable, so versatile and yet all so tasty. “Your greasy hands, your salty lips, looks like you found the chips!”
The song is pretty straight forward, with no secret meanings, and yes, this is on the Food Album! It’s definitely a good contrast to the original, whereas at least emotions aren’t on the line in this track!
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Addicted To Spuds lyrics
4. “One of Those Days”: This is original.
And this is genuine Al torture song!
The main plot of the song revolves around Al’s character going through horrible, horrible events as if they were everyday annoyances.
Because the widget will be on the bottom, I’ll let you judge the lyrics for yourself.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - One Of Those Days lyrics
5. “Polka Party”: You know the deal. Here’s the damaged goods:
- "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel
- "Sussudio" by Phil Collins
- "Party All the Time" by Eddie Murphy
- "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie
- "Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin
- "What You Need" by INXS
- "Harlem Shuffle" by The Rolling Stones originally by Bob & Earl
- "Venus" by Bananarama originally by Shocking Blue
- "Nasty" by Janet Jackson
- "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco
- "Shout" by Tears for Fears
- "Papa Don't Preach" by Madonna
- "Ear Booker Polka" by "Weird Al" Yankovic
Maybe its just me, but this track seems kinda weak, or probably I just like the later polkas that much better. Like the two polkas before it, this one is mainly accordion that just so happens to have a back-up band behind it. There isn’t much to see or hear at least in my opinion.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Polka Party! lyrics
6. “Here’s Johnny”: Back to parodies, this one is of “Who’s Johnny” by El DeBarge . I can say for a fact that the title and lyrics of this song is a complete contradiction of the original, because EVERYONE knows who Johnny is (in terms of Carson), and the sidekick who announced him in the form of Ed McMahon.
As a matter of fact, Ed is the “guest of honor” in this song. “Here’s Johnny, he says, and laughs in his special way.” A good replication of that laugh is at the very end of this song too!
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Here's Johnny lyrics
7. "Don't Wear Those Shoes”: An original in terms of lyrics, but apparently from what I’ve researched, it’s style of music is a mix of The Kinks’ “Come Dancing” and “Father Christmas”.
No story here, pretty much a rant on the type of shoes that Al HATES. Heck, Al even makes a Godfather reference with as long as she makes him a offer he can’t refuse, just don’t wear those shoes!
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Don't Wear Those Shoes lyrics
8. “Toothless People”: A parody of “Ruthless People” by Mick Jagger (also the title track of the movie).
Very much a single-minded song of old people and being toothless. Not much to cover, just read the lyrics.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Toothless People lyrics
9. “Good Enough for Now”: This song is an original track, mainly of the “inspired styles” vein.
It has to do with the main character’s lover knowing he’s not the best, but he can do for now. Also, the lyrics design impending heartbreak and is in desperate need of a sequel for when it FINALLY happens. If anything, you could link “One More Minute” to this, and see what happens.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Good Enough For Now lyrics
10. “Christmas at Ground Zero”: You can imagine this song was not very popular after 9/11.
An original, it talks about apocalyptic (or “Alpocalyptic”) happenings just so happening on Christmas. “We’re gonna get nuked on this jolly holiday!”
The music video is funnier, as it is all stock footage of various Cold War faux-destruction videos. The end of that video features Al and some carolers being blown up! Hussah!
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Christmas At Ground Zero lyrics
In conclusion, this album is not very inspiring. After those two prior albums, there was a lot to live up to, and while this album isn’t bad, it just doesn’t cut the cheese either.
Fortunately, Al would take a hint here that perhaps releasing an album every year is just not he best idea (as his next album wouldn’t be until 1988).
There was some good songs sure, and it isn’t as bad as some people say, but that doesn’t mean I’m hailing it as one of Al’s better works. As a matter of fact, it’s only one of THREE albums (along with the UHF soundtrack and Poodle Hat) to not get certified Platinum by RIAA. OUCH!
For a cheap price though, it’s not bad for completists or for the legit good tracks on here.
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