BBB Reviews: Poodle Hat

Just like how Weird Al waits for the “next big thing”, it took me quite a while to get to this review right off of “Running with Scissors”.

As we left you, Al went to Albuquerque to have a strange adventure full of inadequacies and pathos. 11+ minutes and without the full lyrics in the CD liner, ‘Albuquerque’ was a sweepingly epic track to conclude what was a sweepingly epic album.

That was 1999.

Now we come to 2003 and Poodle Hat, an album which knows full well it has something to live up to.

Originally, I felt really mixed about the album. While I thought it started out strong, some of the songs in the middle were songs I didn’t particularly enjoy, like ‘Wanna B Ur Lovr” and “Ode to a Superhero”.

However, there’s a reason why I do these reviews subjectively. With a lot of these albums, it’s like I’m viewing them for the first time with what they were “supposed to be”, as in I finally researched what was their influence.

Speaking of influence, Al’s record over the last decade and a half of making albums has been based off of the “next big thing” as noted to earlier. For ‘Scissors’ it was parodying the first prequel Star Wars flick. As for the ‘Poodle’, it was a red-hot Eminem.

Without further ado, let’s jump into it. By the way, that was Al’s legitimate poodle on his head!

1. Couch Potato: Imagine instead of basing a plot of a movie, base the plot off your tube with the extreme amount of programming available.

“Lose Yourself”, the original by Eminem, was literally a plot interpretation of the hit movie “8 Mile”, which Marshall Mathers stars as pretty much himself.

“Couch Potato” is, at least in my translation, what if Alex from ‘A Clockwork Orange’ was forced to watch TV all day in substitution of trying to cure his violent tendencies.

Basic plot of the song is simple. “Look, if you had, one shot, to sit on your lazy butt, and watch all the TV you ever wanted. ‘Til your brain turned to mush. Would you go for it, or just let it slip?”

Right off the bat it’s a great parody because that first part immediately goes for the subject matter, as for the next four minutes, Al batters that first verse in. Until I did some research, I literally never thought of it that way before! That’s what the ‘Slim Shady’ did in the original as well!

No popular shows/channels of the time are spared of ridicule. Ranging from ‘Sopranos’ to ‘NASCAR’ to even ‘Will & Grace’, Al’s character sits in that chair and watches that stuff like a whore on the street corner. “Network execs with naked ambitions, next week on FOX watch ‘Lions Eat Christians’!” I’m surprised that show hasn’t been made yet. Or isn’t that Spartacus?

I’m also almost convinced that the last line uttered in the song, “...you can watch anything you want to man,” was originally going to be an end piece for the music video.

Which was sadly denied by Eminem himself.

With that action, “Poodle Hat” became the first and only Yankovic album to not have a music video promote it. Even with this devastating blow, Al has no ill will towards the man. It should also be noted that while the video was not given a go, using “Slim Shady” on the later polka track was. I guess sometimes things work out.

Of all the Al opening tracks, this one may very well be the most underrated one. That’s saying something, considering there have been some STRONG start-off tracks in the past. It’s a parody that aims for not only the subject material at hand, but also the parodies the structure of the original right down to the core. This author doesn’t know if that was the intention, but that’s just scribing. Two thumbs up here!

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Couch Potato lyrics

2. Hardware Store: To follow a successful romp of a parody, time to make a ruckus original!

Al’s character, quite simply, is in absolute adoration of a hardware store opening up close to home. Perhaps it could be a sign of Billy Joel’s “No Man Land” coming into fruition?

In any event, Al is a hobo of unshaven dirty mess. He’s been waiting since last June (the album was released in May 2003) to wait on line so he can be that “every 27th customer can get a ball peen hammer free!”

Stepping in the store, he finds people with name badges, stuff, and well, more stuff!

As you’ll see in the lyrics widget, there is a very impressive sequence where Al rattles off a rapid-fire list of items found in said store. It sounds like it has a relation to George Carlin’s later “Technology Man” sketch from “Life is Worth Losing”.

Since I listened to this album originally back in my old hometown, I related to this song a lot on the basis of a crop of new stores opening. Expansion if you will. That’s how the Billy Joel reference fits, because of “modernization”.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Hardware Store lyrics

3. Trash Day: The song who gave it’s life to this parody is “Hot in Herre” by Nelly.

And the two songs, unlike the lead-off, could not be any different.

While the original deals with how to be a “gangsta” so to speak, this parody deals with a person who should be on an episode of “Hoarders”.

To term it lightly, the house is a mess just short of condemning. Imagery like rotten food, rats running amok, and obnoxious odors permeate the lyrics.

That’s about it truly. All set to a hip hop theme that’s as clean as the song is dirty.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Trash Day lyrics

4. Party at the Leper Colony: While the lyrics are original, the styles are completely “tribute”.

For one, there’s a major dash of Bo Diddley in the equation. If you don’t know who he is, here’s a Wikipedia link (with sources at the bottom).

In addition, Bruce Springsteen rhythms are spoken of too. Most notably, there’s a hint of “She’s the One” from Born to Run as instrumentals in the opening.

Let’s add a third unspoken layer, shall we? “Magic Bus” from The Who feels like inspiration too, as I can recognize that sequence anywhere.

To the song, and wow is it awfully punny.

When you see the word ‘Leper’ in the song title, there will be automatic reference to limb losing. That is in here in spades. “Let’s give ‘em a hand...”. ARGH!

The main plot is around people “giving” their limbs at a party. No more, no less.

Not the best song, but one for a cruel laugh or two.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Party At The Leper Colony lyrics

5. Angry White Boy Polka: What is a “Weird Al” album without the traditional polka spiel? With that in mind, here’s the mug shot of the songs used:

• "Last Resort" by Papa Roach
• "Chop Suey!" by System of a Down
• "Get Free" by The Vines
• "Hate to Say I Told You So" by The Hives
• "Fell in Love with a Girl" by The White Stripes
• "Last Nite" by The Strokes
• "Down with the Sickness" by Disturbed
• "Renegades of Funk" by Rage Against the Machine, originally by Afrika Bambaataa
• "My Way" by Limp Bizkit
• "Outside" by Staind
• "Bawitdaba" by Kid Rock
• "Youth of the Nation" by P.O.D.
• "The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem
• "Poodle Hat Polka" by "Weird Al" Yankovic

This one stands near the top of all polkas ever done. Not only does it follow a theme of angry white boys down to a ‘T’, but someone made a flash video years ago that gave this song a fresh breath of air.

As a whole, a highly recommended polka. Sounds dark and grungy in some places, but it reflects the source material accurately.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Angry White Boy Polka lyrics

6. Wanna B Ur Lovr: I remember not liking this song much on my first listen-through, and I realize why.

This song just DRAGS!

At a six minutes and fifteen seconds (6:15), this is the second longest track on the album. A track that could have conveyed its message in about 60% of the time.

A style parody of Beck, the song is mostly about a geek who tries to pick up women with some of the worst pick-up lines imaginable.

While I don’t mind “cringe-worthy” lyrics, I do mind if they’re just stretching out time for the sake of it. “I’m a Groovy Guy” from the first album is a better execution on the same basic principle. If anything, I was happy this song ended and even happier when the next one started.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Wanna B Ur Lovr lyrics

7. A Complicated Song: Ahh, this is more like it!

A parody of Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated”, this is the traditional torture song that appears on every Al album!

Avril’s song had a very much centered narrative for her piece, while Al’s has seven variations of the same thing. Every one of them, torture to experience, and torture to describe.

Firstly, we got a delicious problem. The host of the party Al goes to orders NINETEEN extra-large pizzas. No one shows up, so Al swallows his pride and takes all of them home to eat. Here, Al is ‘constipated’ and needs his bowels ‘evacuated’. That’s gross.

Next up is a problem inadvertently incestuous. Al dates a girl and they fall madly in love. Nothing appears to be wrong until Al finds a tattoo on her thigh that is suspiciously like his. Turns out both are cousins, and thus they are ‘related’. He thinks they should go to Alabama where this sort of thing is ‘tolerated’. 

Concluding our problems is a gory one. Al tries out a roller coaster, and well, he doesn’t read the instructions. STANDING UP ON THE RIDE, he gets “decapitated”. It’s such a drag, because he can’t yodel or read “Sports Illustrated”. In extension, he wonders why did he get all “mutilated”. While his neck is in joy in a pleasant breeze, he hasn’t been the same since he was “separated” from his head.

I love this track primarily because it’s Al doing one of the things he does best: disgusting torture songs, but this one had a “-ed” theme.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - A Complicated Song lyrics

8. Why Does This Always Happen to Me?: Ben ‘folds’ into the style parody of his work by contributing piano! With some of the stuff I’m about to describe, I’d imagine there were TONS of takes being done!

As mentioned, it’s a original in lyrics, but a style parody in heart. The main narrative of the track is about a guy whose life is “disturbed” by “minor inconveniences”.

Firstly, there’s an earthquake in Peru. Devastating at an 8.2, some thirty thousand people were crushed to death while more were buried alive. So what was the problem? Apparently ‘The Simpsons’ was being recorded, and the station cut in for coverage. That’ll piss people off!

Next up is a major wreck on a highway. 12 cars involved, and everyone in the automobiles were killed. Blood, gore, guts, et al. So what pisses Al off? Two things. First, one of his co-workers owes his five bucks, and because he died in the wreck, he’ll never get it back. Secondly, Al will be late to work. Oh well, better call the boss! Hey, this blogger had to do that two months ago post-Irene!

Last up is a horrible boss. Al’s at work, and apparently, the printer has run out of toner. Time to get a new case, but Al’s got work to do! The boss keeps egging him on about it, so Al decides to stab the guy. Big problem here? It’s not that we was goaded into doing a store run, but that the knife is ruined! Never be as sharp as it was, or as cut-worthy. Poor Al, can’t catch a break, can he?

I forgot how funny this track was. While not the out-right torture track because most of the events happen out of the character’s perspective, it is still unpleasant and disturbing to listen to. That’s just fine with me!

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Why Does This Always Happen To Me lyrics

9. Ode to a Superhero: The original song that provided the parody is a timeless classic. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel (the album now re-released in a new ‘Legacy Edition’), is about good ol’ William’s life experiences before in the grungy and seedy bars he frequents in performance.

This parody is to Piano Man what American Pie was to Star Wars: a summary of the plot in song form.

What made this one feel so bland however?

To me, I thought the “sling us a web, you’re the Spiderman” bit was clever, but very little else. Maybe it’s just me and I hold the original to very high esteem, but this just didn’t fit. Maybe the lack of a music video hurt it, as the Star Wars parody was helped tremendously by one. As both a Weird Al and Billy Joel fan, this one just didn’t work out right, and for one of Joel’s signature songs, it’s a shame.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Ode To A Superhero lyrics

10. Bob: An original song, but the style is prevalent from the very first second.

A disguised tribute to Bob Dylan and his song-writing abilities, the whole track is done in palindromes. There’s no real narrative to speak of, but the track is humorous in its sound and lyrics, so that’s always a plus.

While the album had no music video to promote with, there was a music video from this song made for the AL-TV special and later the music video DVD. This marks the only music video made for the album, and the only album to have one video at all.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Bob lyrics

11. eBay: A parody of Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way”, the song revolves around Al buying a whole bunch of obscure stuff on the famous seller-driven site.

Outside of “It’s All About the Pentiums”, there hasn’t been a lot of Al’s repertoire covered in technology. Especially one where HTTP is involved.

It’s a treat listening to this, because as much as I was annoyed by the original, this one mocked it and more. Some of the items are dreamy (snow-globe, Dukes of Hazzard ash tray), while a Beanie Baby from Norway seems a little weird.

For a penultimate track, good work by Al.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Ebay lyrics

12. Genius in France: Before typing those words, I took a big breath.

I have REALLY mixed feelings about this song.

One day I’ll love it and the other I’ll loathe it like the bottom of the barrel.

It’s a Frank Zappa cover with Frank’s son Dweezil playing that opening guitar solo that should have been a separate track.

Because this album was released in 2003, I think this song may have been done in political protest. If you may recall from this period, France decided to pull out of Iraq claiming it didn’t support the war on terror... when originally the country said they’d be large and In charge.

So Al in the meantime, pretty much mocks the French for about nine minutes.

The main narrative feels simple: Al, as dumb as a bag of rocks (and all comparatives of the saying), travels to France, and pretty much dominates the country.

Like ‘Lovr’, this song wouldn’t be so opinion-invoking if it was like half the length.

Most of the song dragged worse than a WWE match with two men weighing 500 pounds apiece!

I’m not kidding, there’s a whole minute where nothing but sound effects and non-sensical blabber take over. I wish I was making this up! The next album “Straight Outta Lynwood” successfully mocks a country (Canada), but embraces the culture too.

I’m wrapping this one up quick: Either you’ll love it or hate it, but whatever the opinion is, it’ll probably decide your love of the overall album.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Genius In France lyrics

 

IN CONCLUSION:  This album is sadly still amongst the bottom of the Al album talent pool, but even then, it’s still better than most artists’ best work.

It seems like 3/4 of the album is classic Al, but that rotten 1/4 is unique enough to drag it to hell. I can’t remember a song as offensive as ‘Genius’, as annoying as ‘Lovr’, and as dragging as both of them! ‘Leper’ wasn’t great shakes either.

The other songs though are at least good to excellent. As an album though, its inconsistent, and the good songs aren’t collectively strong enough to bring this album out of the gutter. Indeed, a few sour apples spoil the bunch.

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A General Announcement Post

 

(Forza 3 picture if anyone was wondering)

I figured I’d try something new with the blog, and that’s pretty much make here-and-there announcements concerning future blog posts and other topics that may be covered.

First off, let me state that there are two “sections” I have awfully neglected in the last four months or so. Those two are the Weird Al Album Review Archive and The 30 Days of WWE Challenge Page. Ever since I became gainfully employed again back in July, I haven’t had the time to focus on those pages, and instead focused on what got me the most views on this here blog: wrestling lists/reviews.

As for Weird Al, I do plan on going ahead with Poodle Hat and hopefully get a post up Friday some time. As one of his lesser albums in my mind, it should be interesting to see if the opinion on it changes. I still believe “Genius in France” is by far the most overwrought song Al has ever done.

As for the ‘30 Days’, that one will be a little tougher. I am contemplating putting multiple days together and do that once a week until it is completed. I still have the original MS Notepad file with the days/selections, so it’s not like it’ll be off the top of my head.

Speaking off the top of my head, I plan on doing a special Thanksgiving post slated for one week from this coming Friday. It won’t revolve around wrestling, or NASCAR (even though the 10-year anniversary of ‘that’ New Hampshire race is coming), or even cartoons.

Instead, it will involve a special originally aired on Food Network in 1999 and has sought regular holiday rotation on cooking channels since. It’s far from the traditional “throw things in a pan and cook” style that most shows envelop, and actually holds up quite well despite the fact it is over 10 years old. Although the show it’s based off of is now officially retired (BOO!), the influence the program brought to my family will never go away.

Before wrapping this up, allow me to shill some DVD’s up for pre-order that look quite tempting. Apparently from places I go to, I can really do a sell job, so let’s see what I can do here. Remember that any product purchased through the links helps this blog, so anything done is greatly appreciated.

For the wrestling fan, there is the new Stone Cold DVD set, which has multiple discs of matches in addition to a BRAND NEW DOCUMENTARY that chronicles the life of the Rattlesnake. Not only is there a new documentary, but there are rarely-seen promos finally seeing the light of day! Lastly, Austin and Jim Ross do alternate commentary for the historic battles at Wrestlemania 13, XIV, and X-Seven!! That alone could be worth the price of admission. Hitting the street just after Thanksgiving (November 29th), this disc set looks to be HOT for the holidays! Here’s the link for the pre-order.

Just before that, a major Blu-ray release for the lover in classic animation. There is a new Looney Tunes release coming entitled the Platinum Collection. Three discs in total, it features well-known cartoons getting high-definition transfers (off of STUNNING restorations used mostly for the Golden Collections of yore), and has a whole disc of special features. While it may look like a bunch of repeats to most (save for a few new cartoons), the high-definition transfers and the “collector’s edition” (which includes certificate of authenticity, drinking glass, replica cels, etc.) looks worth it to me. This disc set, which comes in a digi-book format, hits the market on November 15th. Here’s the link for that bad-boy.

One more consideration, this time for an actual theatrical movie that’s RECENT. The smash sequel to a very much smash original, The Hangover Part II presents the theory of, “what’s not broke doesn’t need fixing.” In a nutshell, put in the crazy plot of the original, replace Doug’s wedding for Stu’s wedding, and put in exotic Thailand instead of gambling Las Vegas. While critics complained the movie felt a little too familiar, there was certainly nothing wrong with kicking back and laughing at stuff you feel bad laughing at. In a sense, I thought that while it wasn’t perfect per se, it was still an enjoyable romp that brings on the laughs and horrible Billy Joel parodies. If you’re interested in checking this out, click here. Or hell, if you don’t own the original that’s nearly a modern-day classic, do yourself a favor and get a copy here.

And that’s enough of that! See ya’ll back here on Friday for a new entry!

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BBB Reviews: Running with Scissors

Wait, wait, wait. Hold on a second. Is that really…naw it can’t be!

Oh yes kids it is.

You see, when I last left you with Bad Hair Day, Al was sporting his signature short/curly hair with a pair of spectacles to match.

However, both are those are gone. In 1998, Yankovic got LASIK eye surgery, and therefore his vision became 20/20 which in turn ditched the glasses. Couple that with extending out the prized follicles, and there you have it.

A nerd/geek/poindexter turned into the vegan hippie he inspires to be. That’s the breaks little man!

Anyways, back to the album.

The last album was released in 1996, and because this is now 1999, this is yet another time where there is a 3 year gap in between albums. This time by however, it wasn’t a hip/current song that kick-started the barn-burner popularity of the album.

Actually, it was a dual case of, “what’s old is new again.”

As you’re about to read, Al made a fantastic marriage of Don McLean and Star Wars, and thus had an LP that shot up to #16 on the Billboard charts. So without further ado, here is RUNNING WITH SCISSORS!

BBB Reviews: UHF: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff

Instead of ‘Even Worse, Al’s last studio album actually was a rebound. Hitting a good spot on the Billboard charts, it seemed as if a creative surge was pounding through Al, and good music was the order of the day.
Little did the unsuspecting public (outside the Tulsa area primarily) know that Al and his long-time manager Jay Levey were planning on making a movie!
Shot for about five million dollars in 1988-1989, the movie known as UHF performed just well enough to earn the budget back and then some. Of course with any movie comes a soundtrack, and thus a jumbled mix of sounds and themes from the album about to be reviewed today.
Now before you all start thinking this is a bad album, I’m telling you it’s NOT! Judging by this list made not too long ago, I ranked this album #4 of all the albums Al ever made. Some of it sympathy but most of it deserved, UHF is a highly underrated set of Yankovic’s lyrical children. So now to the album!
1. Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*: Of all the parodies that Al ever did, surprisingly this one caused a lot of commotion.
The parody of “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits apparently was forced to have that Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies* title due to lawyer wranglings. In any case, at least a music video was able to be made from it!
Another thing to take note at is Mark Knopfler also did guitar for the track. Al quipped on DVD commentary that there was no duplicating the loose feel Mark had.
To set up the song as it was in the movie, you have Al’s character George Newman looking at old footage, mainly of said ‘Hillbillies’. The footage then delves into a computer-generated jam where Al voices Jed Clampett, explaining primarily the plot/purpose of the show.
As you can imagine, some of the lyrics from the show’s original theme do pop up here. “Swimming pools, mova-mova-mova-movie stars!”
Al always had a knack of starting albums strong, and bah gawd this is no exception!

On the actual track, Mark Knopfler lends his guitar making abilities due to Al thinking it would provide a looser feel to the tighter parodies that Al’s own band would create. Also, no lyrics widget unfortunately due to those BS copyright laws. I’ll also state that the single to this song was also released ONE DAY before I was born! :)

2. “Gandhi II”: It’s one of several tracks on the album that’s not really a song, but instead a small snippet of the movie.
Made for Channel 62 in the primetime slot, Gandhi II is “Mr. Passive Resistance” thrown around 180 degrees. Instead of having “peace”, Gandhi shows up with vengeance and ass-kicking on his mind. WATCH THIS!

“I’ll have a steak…medium rare…”

3. Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near Mars: This song is an original, but at the same time feels VERY familiar.
While the beats are a little different and the lyrics are a little different, you can’t help this song just by the song title feels a lot like “Slime Creatures from Outer Space”. Just like the song mentioned, it revolves around creatures, this time hamsters, coming to Earth and terrorizing the land. Really, there’s nothing much to note besides that.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Attack Of The Radioactive Hampster From A Planet N lyrics
4. “Isle Thing”: This song is indeed a parody, that of “Wild Thing” by Tone Loc. It also is appears to be the first rap/hip-hop parody Al has done up to this point in his career.
In the song, Al’s fling introduces him to a show, we might have heard of it, called “Gilligan’s Island”. After this basic premise, it seems like the main character cannot stand the show at all. Sounded stupid, with Gilligan even stupider than that. Hey wait, wasn’t that the ORIGINAL complaints of the show?
Also, it seems that Al not only parodied the song, but also Tone Loc’s voice and referred to another one of his songs near the end, that of “Cold Funky Medina”.

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Isle Thing lyrics
5. “The Hot Rocks Polka”: After taking a break from polkas in “Even Worse”, Al is back. This time however, he attacks one band instead of a bunch of the most relevant people at the time.
The target? ROLLING STONES BABY! Also notice that the title of this polka refers to a greatest hits album the Stones had at this time.
Here’s the loot:

• "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)"
  
• "Brown Sugar"
  
• "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
  
• "Honky Tonk Women"
  
• "Under My Thumb"
  
• "Ruby Tuesday"
  
• "Miss You"
  
• "Sympathy for the Devil"
  
• "Get off of My Cloud"
  
• "Shattered"
  
• "Let's Spend the Night Together"
  
• "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
  
• "Ear Booker Polka" by "Weird Al" Yankovic

The main “polka” sound behind the music got heavily revamped, and it would be used in many of Al’s later (and better) polkas. Although the selection of songs is limited to one band, it’s actually a BADLY underrated track. All of those songs were done impeccably, and I couldn’t have agreed more with the book-ends of the track. I give this polka TWO THUMBS UP!
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - The Hot Rocks Polka lyrics
6. “UHF”: An original song, a style parody of “State of Shock” by The Jacksons, and with a lot of different people being parodied/stylized in the music video. I’m not going to go deep into that, but just the song itself.
One of very few “title tracks” Al ever did, UHF feels like a shameless self-promotion of selling to in-movie characters. “Don’t change the channel, don’t touch that dial, we got it all on UHF!”
Also, there are two versions of this song. The one on the album is essentially a “long-cut”, where two larger instrumental jams are stretched-out/faded later, as opposed to the singles version where those jams were cut short, and thus the running time went from a shade over five minutes down to a shade under four minutes!

Turns your brain to cottage cheese!

Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Uhf lyrics
7. “Let Me Be Your Hog”: Mindless 0:17 rambling. On the DVD commentary, Al noted how he wanted to get "Kung Fu Fighting" in the movie. This should have occurred in the scene where Uncle Harvey, in his pool, was awaiting a call from Big Louie concerning a debt. The royalty price was way too high for the movie's budget ($12,000), so Al instead went to the studio and yelled out this piece.
8. “She Drives Like Crazy”: A parody of “She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals.
It’s a pop rhythm with Al’s character complaining about how badly his girl drives. Simple as that.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - She Drives Like Crazy lyrics
9. “Generic Blues”: While this song is lyrically original, the inspiration behind it doesn’t require a lot of imagination.
Think of it as Al’s love-letter to the “Blues”, pretty much that style of both rhythm and song made in Chicago back 30-40 years before this tune was even made! Add in your usual Al torture elements, and a classic is made!
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Generic Blues lyrics
10. “Spatula City”: Another commercial from UHF.
Apparently amongst the first footage shot for the movie, it’s about a store that sells, well, SPATULAS!

“Okay kids, let’s go!”

11. “Fun Zone”: This song is an instrumental theme to the “Stanley Spudowski’s Clubhouse” program in the movie. Apparently, it’s also the theme used at the beginning of EVERY Al concert, and it’s also the music you hear on the main menu of the Weird Al Yankovic - The Ultimate Video Collection. Also FYI: did you know that this song is also the theme for “Welcome to the Fun Zone”, a show originally written to replace Saturday Night Live?
12. “Spam”: This song is a parody of “Stand” by R.E.M., and revolves around, you guessed it, SPAM!
Essentially it’s an ode to that luncheon meat. While Al notes it’s made of ham and pork, there could also be mystery meat in there? What thoughtful lyrics! He also tells us about the tab on the can, which is pretty weird, but okay…..
It was a song destined for the Food Album. Ironically, Al would be a vegan after UHF.
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - Spam lyrics
13. “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota”: A style parody of “30,000 Pounds of Bananas” by Harry Chapin. This was #6 on my count down list I did, and here is what I wrote then:
(before anyone asks, no, they didn’t go to Spatula City)
This song gives birth to a somewhat-tradition of Al’s: Put your longest song LAST on the record! At nearly seven minutes, this song feels as long as the road trip the characters of this song make, as you guessed it, they travel to Minnesota to look at the biggest ball of twine in the whole wide world! A song I wish was somehow worked into the movie, it sounds like something promoted on that channel! The imagery, that of kids jumping around in the back seat asking “are we there yet” is some old-time nostalgia, that of 20 years to the former. And who wants to eat pickled weiners and diet chocolate soda? Yum? I DON’T KNOWWWWWWW! As the dad character, Al wonders (in paraphrase) of what the hell the point was with this ball of twine? After the gift shop expenditure, time to go home, and there is seven minutes gone! 
Lyrics | Weird Al Yankovic lyrics - The Biggest Ball Of Twine In Minnesota lyrics
In conclusion, this album is pretty underrated. Al is all over the map musically, Rap, rock, hip hop, pop, and even CHICAGO BLUES, get torn to shreds, but torn to shreds like a pork butt roasted in a BBQ joint.
Sadly though, this would be the second in three albums that wouldn’t rank high/not get certified ‘Platinum’ by the RIAA. It’s a shame, because while the audience of the movie exploded about a decade after release, this album never did. Please, do yourself a favor and get this! Even BB King says ‘Generic Blues’ is one of his favorite blues songs of all time!

BBB Reviews: “Weird Al” Yankovic (self-titled first album) (Revised 2018)

Before I begin the review, let me state for the record that this was actually the LAST album I bought of Al’s. That’s right, I purchased Straight Outta Lynwood before this. (Editor's Note 2018: I did manage to buy the other albums in a timely fashion after this.) After listening to this CD for the first time on my 18th birthday (which was in 2007), I thought it was a solid record, though it was only some 23 minutes long.

So here goes nothing (with lyrics widgets), “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC!

1. “Ricky”: The lead-off track on the very first album is indeed a parody. That song in question is “Mickey”, by Toni Basil, a music video that apparently looked like it was performed by drunk cheerleaders.

Anyways, back off a tangent, this song is primarily a two and a half minute synopsis on the plot of the show. Al, playing Ricky Ricardo, pretty much owns his whiny yet lovable wife of Lucy, played by Tress MacNeille. Or at least that’s how it is played in the music video. The highlight of the song in my opinion, other than the obvious retread of the famous opening theme at the end, is when Lucy is trying to persuade Ricky to let her go to the club capped off with that signature “cry”. That sounds like a plot for at least one show a season!

This song however definitely showed Al’s comedic talents, and would help him branch out into the stratosphere. For now, like Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, this song is mild-mannered and unassuming.

Weird Al Yankovic - Ricky lyrics | LyricsMode.com

2. “Gotta Boogie”: Don’t let the opening synthesizer/drum riff in the opening fool you.

This song is not about boogie, in terms of dancing.

This song is about boogie, the one that comes out of your NOSE!

For a song just a scratch over two minutes long, there isn’t much to say. There’s not much variation in the instrumentals, and there is definitely not much variety in the lyrics. Moral of the story: just put it in a tissue and put it in the trash! 

3. “I Love Rocky Road”: Ah, the song that launched “The Food Album”. Or so I think…

This track is a parody off the famous tune, “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett. Instead of talking about punk taking over the jukeboxes, this one revolves around Al talking about, “chocolate’s getting old, (and) vanilla just leaves me cold.”

Al’s fascination with this ice cream is quite irregular. He keeps quarts in the locker at school, yet when he hears the ice cream truck, he starts to drool. Paradise for him would be locking him in the freezer and throw away the key. Soda jerkers know him by name, and he doesn’t care about tooth root.

Also the music video to this is pretty well known too (as seen in the link for the, gasp, Music Video Collection!) However, you’re treated to a live version instead!

And no, Al did not get pelted with ice cream in this performance!

4. “Buckingham Blues”: This song fits the coronation of “Weird” in Al’s name to a ‘t’.

The song, an original in lyrics, has a bluesy-folk riff in the background while the song is sung as if it was “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp. Replace Jack and Diane with Chuck and Diane… and um…yeah…

This three minute+ song revolves around the socialite lifestyle of Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Wales. Yes, the same Princess Diana that unfortunately lost her life in that auto accident in Paris back in 1997 attempting to get away from the Paparazzi.

With the “Jack and Diane” analogy, that was really only in the first verse in the song as everything is totally sarcastic. Al riffs on Chuck not knowing what his job entails while whatever Diana wears is on the six o’clock news. That’s just a case of the Buckingham Blues! Not a bad track I must say, pretty good satire.

5. “Happy Birthday”: Full of pip and pop, this original song revolves around anything BUT a ‘happy’ birthday.

Among topics “yelled” (Al talks very fast in this song and it took me a couple of takes to get it all in), are poison-filled skies, the ‘monkeys’ at the Pentagon about the press the button and cause World War 3, and essentially everyone dying.

Yep, another tradition is born: typical gore/death song on an ‘Al’ album. Not much beyond that, but it’s a start.

6. “Stop Draggin’ My Car Around”: Written apparently by Tom Petty but used/sung by Stevie Nicks, this song is a parody of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”. However, unlike a figurative drag in the original, Al is talking about a literal drag.

The unfortunate drag of a tow truck.

Between parking in a loading dock, the owner of a bar not liking the car, and then just finally not paying on time (though the check was in the mail), Al gets to see his ‘64 Plymouth finally being towed away for good. Poor guy, always seems to have hard luck!

In addition, the choice of following the original’s beat of a slower pace makes all the pain the main character suffering all the more unbearable. That and, well, what engine does it have?

7. “My Bologna”: A song that was famous on the Dr. Demento show long before Al made this album, it is a parody of “My Sharona” by The Knack.

In a fast-paced ditty (a shade over two minutes), Al sings about what seems to be his favorite cured lunch meat. Mentioning the pace, the original song was at a much more moderate tempo than this, as Al sounds to be out of breath at times. (Editor’s Note 2018: The demo version from ‘Medium Rarities’ has a tempo closer to the song it parodies.)

In addition to the pace, this song predominantly features the song of Al’s accordion, an instrument who is as signature as Al’s mustache at the time. Although Al would undergo a lot of cosmetic and aesthetic changes throughout his career, the accordion never truly left (though it’s appearances would be heavily toned down after this album).

8. “The Check’s in the Mail”: An original, and another traditional Al song of problems with the lady-folk.

Al is divorced, and while he has a new chick (that the old chick can “talk” to just to avoid Al), the old one wants to suck his accounts DRY. As in, she won’t wait for the check to come in, she wants to SUE, and SUE NOW! I wouldn’t be surprised if that old chick’s name was ‘Sue’.

This song has issues most men will relate to, mainly the litigation and avoidance themes. In the grand scheme of thematics, this song didn’t fit too well.

9. “Another One Rides the Bus”: For a first album, I must admit Mr. Yankovic really bit off a lot from that creative tree. 

The song he parodies here is by far the most famous of all the other songs featured on the album."

Taken off of “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, this song was originally featured on the Dr. Demento show in 1980, and was also the debut of Al’s television performances in 1981 as he was on “The Tomorrow Show with Tom Synder”. The latter of the two can be seen on the Music Video Collection in the special feature section.

Back to the song, it’s a crazy-sounding track. Substitute guitars for percussion sound-effects and accordions, and that is the overall jist of the aural presentation. As a matter of fact, the hysterically low budget of the track helps it become a much more effective parody  once you realize Al was a unknown at this stage in his career.

The lyrics are not much to comprehend: it’s about the different types of passengers encountered on a crowded public bus. With that in mind, here is the music video from the DVD. Perhaps you might just buy it!

10. “I’ll Be Mellow When I’m Dead”:  An original track, it’s a bizarre branch of the Al song tree.

Usually Al is a free spirit, yet he attacks that very ideal in this track as he doesn’t care for jacuzzis, incense, Perrier, sushi, 

amongst other “in desirables”.

Despite the attacks of that style, the song is not instrumentally “designed” like its theorem. As a matter of fact, and quite hilariously, it sounds like almost every other track with it being mainly accordion based. For the longest song in the album (3:39), there’s not much more discussion then what I just wrote.

11. “Such a Groovy Guy”: An unusual topic graces this original, that of being a narcissistic bastard.

He raves about his style, his approach, yet his lady doesn’t think so.

With pouring chocolate pudding down your lady’s pants, that is something I can rest assure you can hold you back from getting action.

Knowing his crap doesn’t stink, the lady folk leaves him while Al wonders what did he do that was so wrong. It was quite obvious, but the narcissism derails his thought process. All Al needed to complete this “look” was the jumpsuit he used from the “Living with a Hernia” music video.

12. “Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung”: Here it is, the finale. Apparently, this original was quite a hit in bars where Al used to sing this tune.

The story behind it is simple, yet effective: Al visits Mr. Frump in the hospital every day. He tells Mr. Frump his stories and troubles in life, but because Frump is in a iron lung, really can’t speak. So in that sense, it’s as if the guy from the song prior is getting some meditation from a guy who “agrees” with him.

Speaking of the iron lung (yes, the pun is intentional), the sound effect for Frump’s “vocals” revolve around percussion and deep breathing. Hmm, sounds like a low budget thing doesn’t it?

CONCLUSION: This album is definitely a stepping stone in Al’s career. While his voice wasn’t fully honed out yet, the creativity and his “spin on things” definitely made this album better than most first outings from other singers. From here, Al can only go up from here, and not just in quality. Also in…DIMENSIONS……