# "Weird Al" gives Pharrell the "Tacky" treatment **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107 "2014-07-14T21:40:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/81 "2014-07-17T14:40:51Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > On an unrelated note, Weird Al officially joins the ranks of “Does this guy never age or what?” > > He looks essentially the same (just without the 80’s 'stache) as when he first started his career. I think this is a combination of the fact that he looked older than he was when he was younger, and looks younger than he is now at 54 years old. Maybe it’s that crazy hair! Yup. I remember when he got rid of the mustache, lost the glasses and grew his hair out. The general reaction was something like “wait- he’s kind of handsome? What the fuck?!” ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/82 "2014-07-17T15:02:06Z")
It’s a shame that William Safire didn’t live to see “Word Crimes.” ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/83 "2014-07-17T15:09:49Z")
Handy is out: [https://screen.yahoo.com/weird-al-yankovic-handy-parody-133702425.html](https://screen.yahoo.com/weird-al-yankovic-handy-parody-133702425.html) [QUOTE=Weird Al Video] I got 99 problems, but a switch ain’t one. [/QUOTE] That is just too brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/84 "2014-07-17T15:45:50Z")
_Handy_ is amusing, but not particularly memorable. And his “big staple gun” is actually a Porter Cable FN250B finishing nailer. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/85 "2014-07-17T15:48:14Z")
Handy is fun, but the weakest of the four, I think. So far, I’d rank them Tacky and Word Crimes tied for the top, followed by Foil, and then Handy. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/86 "2014-07-17T15:51:10Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > _Handy_ is amusing, but not particularly memorable. > > And his “big staple gun” is actually a Porter Cable FN250B finishing nailer. I’m guessing the joke is that to the handyman, a nail _is_ a staple. (Think Tim Taylor) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/87 "2014-07-17T16:01:52Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Handy is fun, but the weakest of the four, I think. > > So far, I’d rank them Tacky and Word Crimes tied for the top, followed by Foil, and then Handy. I actually really like the original song, so that moves Handy up toward the top for me. My order would be: Word Crimes Handy Foil Tacky Tacky is fun with all the stars in it, but the song and lyrics are not as good as the rest, IMO. Nothing touches Word Crimes, though. That’s one of his best all time songs (up there with The Saga Begins and White and Nerdy for song parodies). ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/88 "2014-07-17T16:07:32Z")
Bought the album from Amazon. Lots of fun songs. I really like “First World Problems”. So funny! ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/89 "2014-07-17T16:12:20Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Bought the album from Amazon. Lots of fun songs. I really like “First World Problems”. So funny! How’s the polka? ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/90 "2014-07-17T17:15:02Z")
The time between “Fancy” and “Handy” (at least the time from when the former stated getting heavy play) seems quite short. Definitely shorter that “Royals”-\>“Foil” or “Happy”-\>“Tacky” Brian I like “Mission Statement” (works well if you ever worked for a big company) ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/91 "2014-07-17T17:25:36Z")
Handy was moderately amusing but the video didn’t make it particularly any funnier. The lyrics were just ok. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/92 "2014-07-17T17:25:45Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > I don’t know if he’ll do a video, but I just heard his new song “Mission Statement” > > And it’s done in the style of Crosby, Stills and Nash, even riffing on some songs like “Carry on” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” > > It’s on youtube here (for now) > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7HRXnOCnwA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7HRXnOCnwA) That may be my favorite one I’ve heard from the album. The combination of style and lyrics–and how well he makes it work–is priceless! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/93 "2014-07-17T22:30:30Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Nothing touches Word Crimes, though. That’s one of his best all time songs (up there with The Saga Begins and White and Nerdy for song parodies). Word Crimes is indeed brilliant, and will likely turn out to be the highlight of the new album. But for my money [Smells Like Nirvana](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklUAoZ6KxY) is the best parody he’s ever done. Here’s a link to [Teen Spirit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg) for comparison. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/94 "2014-07-17T23:21:40Z")
I’d like to discuss the difference between a song parody, and simply using the tune and similar lines for a totally different song. I never considered “Fat” a parody of Bad because it wasn’t satirizing or parodizing the original song in any way. The video arguably is a parody of the original music video of Bad, but the song itself has nothing to do with Bad other than using the same music. Weird Al does do genuine parody though, where he is satirizing or making fun of the original artist or song. “This Song Is Just Six Words Long” is a great example of a true parody. “Perform this way” is a great, fun-spirited skewering/parody of Lady Gaga. “Smells Like Nirvana” is another great parody that is making fun of the original artist, without being overly mean. Word Crimes is a brilliantly funny song, but it’s not really making fun of Blurred Lines at all, imho. Nor is Tacky or Foil or Handy. They are just fun songs that borrowed the tunes and riffed on the lyrics to make something funny. Maybe my definition of parody is off but I feel there is a useful distinction between the songs where Weird Al is actually poking fun (satirizing/parodizing) the original artist or song, and those that just borrow the music and some similarity in lyrics to make a funny but totally unrelated song. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/95 "2014-07-17T23:33:26Z")
I agree with your distinction in terms of it being a meaningful and relevant one, but I don’t think the term “song parody” recognizes any such distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/96 "2014-07-18T02:40:44Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Handy is out: > > [https://screen.yahoo.com/weird-al-yankovic-handy-parody-133702425.html](https://screen.yahoo.com/weird-al-yankovic-handy-parody-133702425.html) > > That is just too brilliant. How long before some contractor uses that in his ad, I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/97 "2014-07-18T03:06:24Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > How’s the polka? It’s actually really good. Might be my second favorite song on the album. You can hear it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6i_MXp9Dfs). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/98 "2014-07-18T03:13:08Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > I’d like to discuss the difference between a song parody, and simply using the tune and similar lines for a totally different song. I never considered “Fat” a parody of Bad because it wasn’t satirizing or parodizing the original song in any way. The video arguably is a parody of the original music video of Bad, but the song itself has nothing to do with Bad other than using the same music. > > Weird Al does do genuine parody though, where he is satirizing or making fun of the original artist or song. “This Song Is Just Six Words Long” is a great example of a true parody. “Perform this way” is a great, fun-spirited skewering/parody of Lady Gaga. “Smells Like Nirvana” is another great parody that is making fun of the original artist, without being overly mean. > > Word Crimes is a brilliantly funny song, but it’s not really making fun of Blurred Lines at all, imho. Nor is Tacky or Foil or Handy. They are just fun songs that borrowed the tunes and riffed on the lyrics to make something funny. > > Maybe my definition of parody is off but I feel there is a useful distinction between the songs where Weird Al is actually poking fun (satirizing/parodizing) the original artist or song, and those that just borrow the music and some similarity in lyrics to make a funny but totally unrelated song. > [@EllisDee](#): > > I agree with your distinction in terms of it being a meaningful and relevant one, but I don’t think the term “song parody” recognizes any such distinction. Actually there is a legal distinction between a parody and a satirical work. A parody gives the message to the audience that it both the original and not the original in order to comment in the original. Satire uses the work as a basis for commenting on something else. A parody is fair use and requires no authorization from the copyright holder. A satire is a derivative work. A satirical song doesn’t require authorization but must comply with the terms of a compulsory license for use of a musical composition. The license requires payment of royalties. The Supreme Court ruled that 2 Live Crew’s version of “Pretty Woman” was parody and thus no authorization from Acuff Rose or royalties to Acuff Rose was required. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/99 "2014-07-18T03:22:18Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > How long before some contractor uses that in his ad, I wonder? I had the same thought! About 2/3 of the way through when he says “call me…” I was like “Oh, this actually _looks_ like a local handyman commercial.” Funny thing: I was driving home tonight on a bit of a long trip and I thought “Oh, I haven’t seen today’s new Weird Al. I wonder what it is?” And then I started flipping through the radio stations and I heard “Fancy” (and Iggy Azalea) for the first time ever. Then I got home and saw this. The stars aligned! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107/100 "2014-07-18T04:14:53Z")
He sang Tacky on Conan tonight and it was pretty cool. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-al-gives-pharrell-the-tacky-treatment/693107.md?page=6)