# Are there any parody artists besides Weird Al? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 5, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226 "2026-03-05T16:00:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/21 "2026-03-05T17:30:17Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > How much of their music was specifically _parody_ (i.e., humorous/reworked takes on other songs or artists), versus general comedy? The Wurzels had 2 main hits. ‘I’ve got a brand new combine harvester’ which was a rework of ‘brand new Key’ and ‘I am a cider drinker’ which was a rework of ‘Paloma Blanca’. I’ve seen them live twice, once in 1976 and once in 2000. Those were the only songs they played both times. (in 76 I was 4 and didn’t have much choice. In 2000 they were playing on a ferry to Ireland and it was a choice between listen to them or swim. I chose poorly.) The Grumbleweeds I’ve got confused with the Barron Knights. Similar TV show with comedy sketches, but a lot of parody songs too. One about the office xmas party set to the tune of ‘daytrip to bangor’ sticks in my head. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/22 "2026-03-05T17:33:34Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > And the Two Ronnies had a parody medley in every episode. Back when the BBC Orchestra and the Musicians Union held an iron grip over the Light Entertainment Department. You don’t shoot anything around here without including a song or two. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/23 "2026-03-05T17:35:48Z")
I think I am seeing far too many "were there"s in a thread asking for "are there"s. I agree that, currently, Randy Rainbow is the best example. Gemtracks has a list of the top parody artists, but I don’t know which ones (if any) are current. [49+ Top Parody Artists + Songs (2025 UPDATE) - Gemtracks Genres](https://www.gemtracks.com/resources/song-genres/view-genres.php?genre=parody) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/24 "2026-03-05T17:37:58Z")
On recent American TV, you’ll find “style parodies” aplenty: _Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Schmigadoon!, Galavant_, and _Documentary Now!_ (at least in the “Co-Op” episode). ETA: also John Mulaney’s Broadway parody medley sketches on SNL. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/25 "2026-03-05T17:40:58Z")
Bart Baker had a Youtube channel with parodies but it looks like he hasn’t updated new material in years. [https://www.youtube.com/@BartBakerOfficial/featured](https://www.youtube.com/@BartBakerOfficial/featured) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/26 "2026-03-05T17:41:55Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Documentary Now! I checked, and I don’t think any of those are current. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/27 "2026-03-05T17:42:26Z")
Homer Did you ever get the parody songs I sent you?? Weird Al Yes Homer Which one was better, “Livin’ La Pizza Loca” or “Another One Bites the Crust”? Weird Al They were pretty much the same, Homer Homer Yeah, like you and [Allan Sherman](https://genius.com/18315213/The-simpsons-homer-and-marge/Allan-sherman). ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/28 "2026-03-05T17:43:58Z")
I somehow thought _Schmigadoon!_ was still in production - turns out I was thinking of the stage adaptation that’s about to transfer to Broadway: > **[Schmigadoon! (musical)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schmigadoon!_(musical))** > > Schmigadoon! is a stage musical adaptation of the first season of the musical television series Schmigadoon!, with book, music, and lyrics by Cinco Paul. The musical includes songs from the TV series and original songs written for the stage. The plot follows two New York City doctors, Melissa Gimble and Josh Skinner, struggling with their romantic relationship, who find themselves trapped in a magical town similar to the setting of a Golden Age musical, populated by colorful people who f The mu... ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/29 "2026-03-05T17:45:35Z")
O.k.-switching that to the “I’m not dead yet!” file. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/30 "2026-03-05T17:46:43Z")
Good timing on their part to jump ship from the Kennedy Center 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/31 "2026-03-05T18:13:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think I am seeing far too many "were there"s in a thread asking for "are there"s. You’re not wrong. To be entirely fair, the thread title doesn’t really specify “current,” though the actual OP does, indirectly, by asking about parody artists on YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/32 "2026-03-05T18:35:12Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > In the UK in the 70’s and 80’s we had the Grumbleweeds and the Wurzels There was also the britpop era Shirehorses…. > **[Shirehorses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirehorses)** > > The Shirehorses were a spoof band comprising two BBC Radio DJs from Manchester, Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley, known collectively as Mark and Lard. > As part of their BBC Radio 1 shows, the pair produced pastiches of chart songs, such as "You're Gormless", a parody of Babybird's "You're Gorgeous", "Lardy Boy", a parody of Placebo's "Nancy Boy", and "Why Is It Always Dairylea", spoofing Travis's "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?", using the band names 'Baby Bloke', 'Gazebo' and 'Dave Lee Travisty'... IMO they missed a trick by not reforming during the Oasis reunion shows 😉 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/33 "2026-03-05T18:36:42Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > …_Documentary Now!_ (at least in the “Co-Op” episode) There’s also the two-part _Gentle and Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee_ ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/34 "2026-03-05T19:42:12Z")
Flight of the Conchords might count. They started as a tv show almost twenty years ago and currently tour internationally playing large venues. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/35 "2026-03-05T20:22:07Z")
I think Bo Burnham, a comedy genius in his own right, may be a spiritual successor to Weird Al, though he’s a lot more crass and cynical. His ability to parody multiple genres of music to a degree that indicates serious musical talent is reminiscent of Al’s songs that sound like they were written by a certain band. He doesn’t do direct song-to-song parodies like Al, but when I hear stuff like “Panderin’” which could be seamlessly inserted into basically any bro-country soundtrack, I think, this guy understands genre (and comedy!) He’s parodied so many genres. He is wildly popular among Millennials and Gen Z. If you do not know who Bo Burnham is, please get started on finding out right away. I knew he was a genuis when I saw him do _Words, Words, Words_ and he was 19 years old. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/y7im5LT09a0/maxresdefault.jpg "Bo Burnham's Country Song | Netflix Is A Joke") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7im5LT09a0) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/36 "2026-03-05T21:18:55Z")
I love a lot of Bob Rivers’ stuff. He isn’t quite as witty as Weird Al, but IMHO one point in which he actually exceeds Al is in exactly replicating the sound of the original. Before the lyrics start (or even after, if you aren’t paying close attention), could you tell that [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq4923QuUyA) is not Baba O’Reily, that [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5bH5jGhN_I) is not D’yer Mak’er, that [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSfJYi6oVwA) is not Love Shack, or that [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o9N_voWegw) is not Night Moves? ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/37 "2026-03-05T21:46:59Z")
**Stan Freberg** did parodies of popular songs in the1950s. His take on Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat” is among my favorites. He also did original comedy bits, often political, and take-offs on TV shows like the Lawrence Welk Show. If you ever had to sit through the Welk show at your grandma’s house, Freberg’s “Wunnerful Wunnerful” will crack you up. Song parodies were just part of the Freberg repertoire. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/38 "2026-03-05T21:47:41Z")
If we’re including humorists who aren’t one-to-one parodies, I’m going to plug Rachel Lark. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/JzFc8kTSn3Y/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/JzFc8kTSn3Y?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDJzFc8kTSn3Y ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/39 "2026-03-05T21:51:56Z")
This is not the same thing at all because they don’t change the lyrics but The Cleverlys are damn tight for a band that plays bluegrass versions of popular songs. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Z9s57UBMWdk/maxresdefault.jpg "The Cleverlys "Gangnam Style"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9s57UBMWdk) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226/40 "2026-03-05T22:46:12Z")
Not mentioned yet, but they definitely belong in the conversation: _[Dread Zeppelin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dread_Zeppelin)_, the Elvis/ Led Zeppelin cover band with a dash of Reggae thrown in for good measure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-parody-artists-besides-weird-al/1028226.md?page=3)