Whenever I mention “Weird Al” Yankovic to one of my friends I get two responses: “Is he still around?” and/or “You still listen to that guy?”  The answer to both questions is “Yes” and I don’t appreciate your tone.

Ever since the early 80’s, Al has been there to lampoon, skewer, & cut-down-to-size that most bloated of monstrosities: the professional musician (but in the nicest way possible).  He always gets permission for his parodies and most artists agree without hesitation.

But Al’s parodies have never been my favorite of his fare.  They may have gotten me in the door as a mere youth but his original songs and style parodies (songs that take on the overall oeuvre of an artist instead of a specific track) have kept me coming back.  In fact, I argue his original material has only gotten stronger as the years have drifted by.

Another thing I prefer about the style parodies is their lasting quality.  A specific song parody has a shelf-life as long as the single it lampoons, but the style parody lasts as long as the band it references remains in the zeitgeist.  It can mean different things to different fans.  It’s malleable and therefore long-lasting.

So with the release of The Essential Weird Al Yankovic this week, I thought it would be nice to look over my 11 favorite Weird Al originals of the last 26 years.

Since in comedy to analyze is to kill, I’ve kept it short and added links!

“The Check’s in the Mail”
1983, “Weird Al” Yankovic
The boppy little ditty from Al’s first LP takes every slimy business cliche and gives it a beat.  In a 60’s big band motif (with accordion), the song’s protagonist dodges calls, bills, and general decency in an oddly endearing second person narrative.

“This is the Life”
1985, Dare to Be Stupid
Al’s offering to the Michael Keaton comedy Johnny Dangerously provides that underrated film with some period appropriate montage music & lyrics.  It’s not the funniest song in Al’s catalogue but it is one of the catchiest.

“Dog Eat Dog”
1986, Polka Party!
This Talking Heads style parody is the highlight of Al’s least-successful album.  Here is where you can clearly see him simultaneously lampoon the office world and David Byrne at the same time. A feat unseen since Spike Jones took on Hitler and the bilabial fricative.

“The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota”
1989, UHF: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff
I was lucky.  I had only recently unearthed my dad’s copy of Verities & Balderdash by Harry Chapin. Since I had heard songs like “30,000 Pounds of Bananas” and “Six String Orchestra,” I got this song immediately. Along with my friend & school bus-mate Neil Casey knowing all the words, this is a seminole song of my childhood.  Still think I’m lucky?

“You Don’t Love Me Anymore”
1992, Off the Deep End
Admits the sensitive rock of the early nineties with it’s silk shirts & black and white videos, there was this ballad.  This wonderfully absurd ballad.  My mom laughed out loud on the line: “You shoved my face down on the barbecue grill / Now my scars are all healing but my heart never will.” Bringing generations together.

“Since You’ve Been Gone”
1996, Bad Hair Day
When I saw Al live at Kahunaville in Wilmington, Delaware with my girlfriend (he added for a little street cred), this was the opening song.  Some consider it a rehash of Al’s hit single “One More Minute”. But if it is I prefer this version for it’s brevity and a-capella. [By the way, if you get to see Al live, it's amazing. In addition to the show he puts on, he does parodies he never released on CD, like a mash-up of Green Eggs and Ham and U2's "Numb".]

“Hardware Store”
2003, Poodle Hat
I’ve always loved songs with lots of words that come fast and furious. From the patter songs of Gilbert & Sullivan to this little ditty about a guy who’s really, really, REALLY excited about the hardware store opening in his neighborhood. I will learn all the words, oh yes, I will.

Poodle Hat 1996, Bad Hair Day
“Close But No Cigar” 2006, Straight Outta Lynwood
These style parodies of Nirvana and CAKE respectively are examples of Al not only writing music that could easily fit on either band’s album but lyrics that give fans of Kurt Cobain and John McCrea something additional to laugh at.

“Skipper Dan” / “CNR”
2009, Internet Leaks
Both of these songs are from Al’s latest non-compilation EP and are the reason I wrote this posting in the first place. The first an edgy look at a fully-schooled & unemployed actor working the Jungle Cruise Ride at Disneyland, the second a fable about Charles Nelson Reilly told in the style of The White Stripes. Both have a high place on my iPod’s rotation and both made me laugh out loud.

I will leave you with the video to “CNR” made in collaboration between Al & the fine folks at Jib-Jab.

Hav you already seen FESTIVALE? Why not come to the Wilmington Fringe Festival & bring your iPod. That way, you can listen to Patrick’s commentary to the film! Huh? Huh? Yeah . . .

Download the current Unknown Penguin Podcast on iTunes or here to get Patrick’s commentary. Press play when the “Unknown Penguin Pictures” logo fades up at the start of the movie.