Originals vs. Weird Al: You Decide

in Discovery-it3 days ago

Greetings and salutations Hivers. Today let’s go into another Three Tune Tuesday post.

As always, thanks to @ablaze for making this series. Lots of people participate in it! Follow the tags to find a ton of good music recommendations.

Today I thought we’d have some fun. I have on my mind three Weird Al parodies. I thought we’d look at the original song of each one and then the parody version, then you guys can tell me which is better.

There are of course so many great Weird Al parody hits. This list could easily be very long. But I will try to limit myself to three.

Sound fun? Awesome — let’s go.

I’ve Got My Mind Set on You (George Harrison) / This Song is Just Six Words Long (Weird Al)

This one’s kind of meta. George Harrison’s cover of James Ray’s old tune is catchy as hell, but it also repeats a lot. That is somewhat typical Harrison; he was an amazing song writer but his lyrics always fell more on the spartan side. This song was an extreme example of that. Weird Al seized on that and took the idea to its absurdist extreme, parodying how repetitive some pop lyrics can be.

Weird Al’s version literally only has six unique words; he stretches and bends that idea for a full-length track. It’s both a joke and a music nerd’s observation.

And the parody:

Which do you prefer? George’s driving rhythm or Al’s lyrical absurdity?


Lola (The Kinks) / Yoda (Weird Al)

Classic Kinks. A story song about a man and a mysterious woman(?) he meets in a bar, “Lola” has one of the catchiest choruses in rock history and a sense of humor all its own with many lyrics that wink at you.

Weird Al takes the same melody and replaces the lyrics with a Star Wars narrative — Luke, Yoda, Dagobah. All of it. It’s clever, loaded with in-universe references, and so catchy it could almost be canon.

And fun fact: Al had to get both George Lucas and Ray Davies to sign off on it.

Original:

Parody:

It’s a tough call. Do you go with the rock classic or the parody that became a nerd anthem?


Living in America (James Brown) / Living with a Hernia (Weird Al)

James Brown absolutely slays this one—used memorably in Rocky IV during Apollo Creed’s entrance, the track is peak 80s patriotism with funk and flair.

Weird Al flips it completely: same horn section and driving beat, but now he’s listing hernias. Yes, seriously. He actually names over a dozen types of hernias in the song. And yes, the exact same horn section. James Brown was such a Weird Al fan that when Al asked permission to make the parody, Brown said he would only agree to it if Al would allow Brown’s horn section and players as well as allow Brown to supply him with all props.

You have to respect that. And Al knocks it out the the park. Not only does he mimic James Brown’s singing, but he does a pretty good job with the moves and mannerisms as well.

Here’s the original:

And the parody:

Is it ridiculous? Yes. Do I love it? Also yes.

So what’s your favorite? Do you prefer the originals, or did Weird Al’s parodies outshine them this time? Let me know in the comments. Bonus points if you’ve got another favorite parody of his that should have made the list.

Until next time!

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As fun as they are to start with, I'm really not a fun of fucking up awesome songs eg Lola! I was listening to 'There, I Ruined It' tunes where he mixes some pretty wierd shit - and I'm of the opinion they just shouldn't be in existance. Funny to start with but after that I'm just like - nooo - you killed it!

YOda, for example, is a one hit wonder or something you might listen to, have a laugh, and never go back to. The Kinks song is a classic you'll always sing along to when it comes on the radio.

Maybe I don't have that kind of sense of humour - maybe I'm a little anal about my music - I don't know, but noooo - I'm going to have to clean my ears out after Living With a Hernia.

I agree for most parodies. They are usually pretty poorly done. But Weird Al usually goes the extra mile, not only fitting clever lyrics in but also mimicking the the singer's singing. I like how he also always asks permission and won't do the parody unless they give him the ok.

I think he is so popular that he actually leads people back to the originals, which is great. Yoda is a great example. I was too young to have any exposure to the original Kinks song, but I loved Yoda, and eventually as I got older, I became curious and went back to the original and loved it.

he is so popular that he actually leads people back to the originals

That's pretty good hey. I didn't realize he was that popular!

Can’t help but think of Rocky 4 when I hear “Living In America 🇺🇸 “ poor Apollo!

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His death traumatized me when I was a kid.

Random information, It’s the biggest regret Sly has in his writing career. He said in 2020 interview. He said he should have had him be paralyzed, which would have been a big enough reason to get Rocky mad and out for payback but would also leave a story of Apollo trying to emotionally come back from loosing so much. A lost opportunity.

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I didn't know that. That also could have given us an older Apollo in the newer Creed movies. Too bad.

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I was like wait, that isn't the video for that George Harrison song, but then I saw it was listed as Version 1. I think one one I am familiar with is the one where he is just sitting in a room in a chair. I remember the moose head singing or something. I'd probably say Yoda is my favorite.

Yeah, I'm more familiar with the other one also, but I went with this one just because.

Of course for general listening, the originals are the choice, but I like Weird Al and think most of his parodies are funny. I never just choose to listen to Weird Al songs though, back to back.

One I thought was funny was the parody of "Ridin" that he did called "White and Nerdy". It's probably because the first time I heard it, I was seeing the video that goes with it, so it stuck with me. I don't listen to Camillionaire that did "Ridin" either, but still, I thought it was funny.

I understand his humor isn't for everyone and I don't think all his versions are totally funny, but most of them I do find humorous.

You know, the first time I heard "White and Nerdy" was at a Japanese business. They were playing random English music, the latest popular stuff. Then White and Nerdy came on. I thought it was hilarious — doubly so because no one around me could understand the lyrics and just assumed it was a regular rap song.

LOL! That's funny.

Now I think I need to go watch that video on youtube.

!PIMP AL to the max

I got my mind set on you! :) what a cool song!

ah haha.. I had this weird al tape.. great songs!! 😉😁👊

YODA!

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