# Weird Al's non-parody songs-- know any good ones? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828 "2006-08-23T00:24:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/1 "2006-08-23T00:24:08Z")
Someone asked what song is [Don’t Download This Song](http://www.dontdownloadthissong.com/) and I thought of You Don’t Love Me Anymore-- but I’m not sure whether it’s a parody or not. Then I thought of Nature Trail to Hell and then drew a blank. Two questions-- Is You Don’t Love Me Anymore a parody of a song? Any other non-parody Weird Al songs? ---
**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:** [August 23, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/2 "2006-08-23T00:33:10Z")
Plenty. On “Running with Scissors” the following are original: My Baby’s in Love with Eddie Vedder The Weird Al Show Theme Germs Your Horoscope for Today Truck Drivin’ Song Albuquerque (Out of 12 songs, 6 are parodies and 6 are not) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/3 "2006-08-23T00:41:33Z")
He has a lot of songs that aren’t direct parodies of any particular song. But a lot of the original are parodies, still - style parodies. They’re meant to sound like a particular artist, or a typical example of a genre. Don’t Download This Song sounds to be a style parody of We Are The World and similar songs. It’s too far off the original melody to be a direct parody of WAtW, but it’s clearly inspired by the style. [This wikipedia page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_by_%22Weird_Al%22_Yankovic) says which songs are originals, and which are parodies - at least on the commercial releases. The non-commercially released ones seems to have spottier coverage there. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/4 "2006-08-23T00:57:29Z")
“One More Minute” is an original. So is “Midnight Star”. Both are from the album _Dare to be Stupid_, the title song of which is also original. I’m pretty sure about “Gonna Buy Me a Condo”. And, of course, “Christmas at Ground Zero”. The polka quodlibets that he creates from snippets of pop tunes should be considered originals, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Cherry\_Garcia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Cherry\_Garcia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry_Garcia)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/5 "2006-08-23T01:03:53Z")
“Dare To Be Stupid” is a Devo-style song, but not actually a parody of a specific Devo song. “Dog Eat Dog” is an original done in the style of The Talking Heads. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/6 "2006-08-23T01:17:46Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] “One More Minute” is an original. So is “Midnight Star”. Both are from the album _Dare to be Stupid_, the title song of which is also original. [/QUOTE] [nitpick] “Midnight Star” is from _In 3-D_. [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/7 "2006-08-23T01:44:20Z")
Hardware Store, from Poodle Hat, is one of Al’s best original creations. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/8 "2006-08-23T01:55:43Z")
[QUOTE=N9IWP] Plenty. On “Running with Scissors” the following are original: My Baby’s in Love with Eddie Vedder The Weird Al Show Theme Germs Your Horoscope for Today Truck Drivin’ Song Albuquerque (Out of 12 songs, 6 are parodies and 6 are not) Brian [/QUOTE] Just to nitpick - 5 parodies, 6 originals, and a polka medley. That’s the typical Al-Bum breakdown these days. His last three albums follow that pattern. Odd number tracks are parodies or the polka medley, even tracks are originals. ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/9 "2006-08-23T01:59:55Z")
“You Don’t Love Me Anymore” is not a parody. The video for it is a parody of another video, but I forget what. My favorite Al original is “Everything You Know Is Wrong.” I also love “Dare to be Stupid,” “Hardware Store,” “Dog Eat Dog,” and “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota,” among others. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/10 "2006-08-23T02:04:53Z")
[QUOTE=N9IWP] Plenty. On “Running with Scissors” the following are original: My Baby’s in Love with Eddie Vedder The Weird Al Show Theme Germs Your Horoscope for Today Truck Drivin’ Song Albuquerque (Out of 12 songs, 6 are parodies and 6 are not) Brian [/QUOTE] Isn’t Germs a parody of “Terrible Lie” by NIN? Or perhaps not an exact note for note but at least a style parody. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/11 "2006-08-23T02:05:23Z")
About half of all the songs on each “Weird Al” album are originals. I hosted a “Weird Al” Tribute show this past April. The show featured Comedy Musicians performing cover versions of “Wierd Al” songs. Of all the performers booked _only one of them_ chose to cover one of Al’s parodies (_The Saga Begins_ a parody of Don McClean’s _American Pie_). Original “Weird Al” songs performed at the event: [ul] [li]The Check’s in the Mail[/li][li]Bob[/li][li]Good Enough for Now[/li][li]One More Minute[/li][li]Midnight Star[/li][li]Dare to be Stupid[/li][/ul] Some try to qualify the “style parodies” as if they aren’t really originals since they are written to mimic another atist’s style, though not actual direct parodies of a particular song. I would strongly disagree. The style parodies most definitely represent skilled original songwriting. In fact, such accurate mimicry displays a mastery of songwriting _craft_ to be envied by other songwriters. Many songwriters who have received accolades as great artists wouldn’t be able to pull off such an exercise in craft. Some would, justly, suggest that the successful result of the style parody lies heavily upon the producer. The producer must have a great understanding of the instrumentation, effects, studio choices for the band being imitated. But I will point out that Al, himself, has produced his 6 most recent albums. He is truly overlooked as a great musician. The song I always point to when someone tries to write him off as a novelty act, ignoring his musical talent, would be the great _Hardware Store_ ([currently song #3 on his MySpace page](http://www.myspace.com/weirdal)), written and produced by Al. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/12 "2006-08-23T02:12:17Z")
“Airline Amy,” “Taco Grande,” and “When I Was Your Age” are all original. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/13 "2006-08-23T02:14:21Z")
[QUOTE=ErinPuff] “You Don’t Love Me Anymore” is not a parody. The video for it is a parody of another video, but I forget what. [/QUOTE] Yep. The song is an original, the video is a parody of _More Than Words_ by Extreme- a video that, at the time, was being played on MTV about 6 times every hour. [QUOTE=OpalCat] Isn’t Germs a parody of “Terrible Lie” by NIN? Or perhaps not an exact note for note but at least a style parody. [/QUOTE] Style parody. Original songwriting. Also, funny that “Don’t Download This Song” _is available for FREE Download_ on Al’s MySpace page!!! **ErinPuff** , _The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota_ is one of the best songs written by anyone ever!!! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/14 "2006-08-23T02:14:52Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] “Airline Amy,” “Taco Grande,” and “When I Was Your Age” are all original. [/QUOTE] Taco Grande is a parody of Rico Suave by Girardo. I do envy your inability to recognise it, however. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/15 "2006-08-23T02:17:06Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] “Taco Grande” [/QUOTE] A parody of Geraldo’s _Rico Suave_ ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/16 "2006-08-23T02:18:10Z")
Tip of my hat to **Tengu** the faster typer. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/17 "2006-08-23T02:20:16Z")
And if we combine our posts the right way, we’ll actually get Gerardo’s name right. \<\_\< ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/18 "2006-08-23T02:48:35Z")
“Happy Birthday” is one of my favorite Al originals. And in addition to his early “Christmas at Ground Zero” he did a more recent original Christmas song, “The Night Santa Went Crazy” (in its regular and extra-gory versions). ---
**Author:** ![Cherry\_Garcia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Cherry\_Garcia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry_Garcia)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/19 "2006-08-23T03:07:10Z")
A song off his first album, “I’ll Be Mellow When I’m Dead,” is one of my all-time favorites. And B. B. King is quoted as saying “Generic Blues” is the best blues song he’s ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828/20 "2006-08-23T03:15:20Z")
[QUOTE=Tengu] And if we combine our posts the right way, we’ll actually get Gerardo’s name right. \<\_\< [/QUOTE] Although I am getting the giggle envisioning Geraldo Rivera performing “Rico Suave.” 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-als-non-parody-songs-know-any-good-ones/369828.md?page=2)