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"Weird Al" Yankovic Makes a New Funny Song
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FILE - "Weird Al" Yankovic appears at the premiere of "Encanto" in Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

"Weird Al" Yankovic Makes a New Funny Song

July 19th, 2024

A decade after "Weird Al" Yankovic's landmark album "Mandatory Fun" debuted at the number one position on the Billboard 200—a first for comedy albums—Yankovic celebrates with a new release. Departing from the traditional album format which he found too restrictive, Yankovic delights in the freedom to produce music untethered to a record label. His latest creation, a polka medley titled "Polkamania!," features his unique twist on recent chart-topping hits, spanning a diverse list of artists like Billie Eilish, Adele, and Taylor Swift. Reflecting on the unexpected success of "Mandatory Fun," Yankovic acknowledges that it was an emotional triumph given the historically modest chart performances of comedy albums. Recounting how he secured permission from music icons such as Michael Jackson early in his career, which subsequently opened doors, he recalls how his parody, "Eat It," triggered instantaneous fame following its airplay on MTV. In discussing his reasons for releasing "Polkamania!," Yankovic highlights the missed opportunities to parody several big hits over the last decade and his desire to maintain relevance for forthcoming live performances. The process of selecting tracks for the medley was careful and deliberate, aiming to represent iconic songs and artists from the past ten years. Feedback from artists about their inclusion was generally positive, though not unanimous. Yankovic elucidates the humor found in the accordion, an instrument central to his sound. He suggests that its unexpectedness in rock music, combined with the influences of bandleader Spike Jones, contributes to the comedic edge of his polka medleys. On the horizon, Yankovic hints at several ongoing projects, although a traditional album is not currently in the works, leaving room for potential singles. Lastly, Yankovic humorously mentions his daughter's influence on his music selection and his personal connection with prominent musical talents, revealing the interconnectedness of his personal and professional life.
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💭 Discussion Questions


1
. How has 'Weird Al' Yankovic's approach to releasing music evolved since his 'Mandatory Fun' album?
2
. What are some factors 'Weird Al' Yankovic considers when selecting songs for his polka medleys?
3
. In what ways does Yankovic attribute the role of the accordion and influences like Spike Jones to his comedic style?

📖 Vocabulary


🌐 Cultural context


"Weird Al" Yankovic is an American musician known for parodying popular songs. Billboard 200 is a chart that ranks the most popular albums in the United States. MTV is a cable channel that has historically played a significant role in music and pop culture. The article discusses Yankovic's career and his impact on the comedy and music industries in the U.S.

🧠 Further reading


Parody
Parody serves as a sophisticated form of expression that often treads a delicate line between homage and mockery. It may target a range of subjects, such as artistic works, individuals, events, or cultural movements, using humor and imitation to comment on, critique, or amuse. Academic perspectives on parody vary; some view it as a polemical tool that allusively imitates other cultural productions, while others see it as a form of imitation that does not necessarily deride the text it parodies. Diverse forms of art and media, from literature and theater to television, film, and even video games, can include parodic elements. It shares similarities with both pastiche, which is a respectful imitation of another artist's style, and burlesque, which often employs highbrow material for lowbrow entertainment. Parody has been recognized from ancient times; Aristotle credits Hegemon of Thasos with inventing a form of parody in Greek literature that comically altered the words of famous poems. The power of parody is evidently prominent when a once-popular format becomes outdated; it can then only continue to engross audiences by being parodied, as seen in the comedic short films by Buster Keaton that satirized melodramatic films of the era. The art of parody is widely known and can be referred to by several terms such as spoof, satire, send-up, take-off, lampoon, play on something, or caricature, each suggesting a nuanced understanding of this complex and entertaining literary device.

Digital distribution
Digital distribution is the process of delivering media content like music, films, e-books, video games, and software through digital means, particularly over the internet. This modern method of distribution prevails over traditional physical methods, such as those involving paper, CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes. The concept of online distribution usually relates to standalone products, while "downloadable content" refers to additional material available for download for existing products. With the improvement of internet capabilities, the 21st century has seen a surge in online distribution's popularity. Major platforms like Amazon Video and Netflix's streaming service, launched in 2007, exemplify this trend. Consumers can access content by streaming, which permits viewing or listening to content on-demand but does not allow permanent ownership. Alternatively, downloading content permits ongoing offline access. Content delivery networks are specialized networks designed to facilitate the efficient distribution of content across the internet by optimizing both its availability and performance. Other methods include peer-to-peer file sharing and content delivery platforms, which act similarly to content management systems but are operated remotely. In an entirely different context, "digital distribution" also refers to the delivery of digital content through physical formats, a method typically used in the film industry. This is contrasted with older analog media such as photographic film and magnetic tape, processes referred to as digital cinema. The shift to online distribution has sparked debate concerning the impact on traditional business models in various industries.

Jewish humor
Jewish humor, a cherished cultural tradition within Judaism, boasts a rich historical tapestry that intertwines with the narrative of the Jewish people themselves. This distinct form of wit and comedic expression has its roots in antiquity, established during the era of the Torah and the Midrash in the ancient Middle East. However, its most recognizable and celebrated manifestation is the verbal, anecdotal humor cultivated by Ashkenazi Jews, particularly in the United States over the last century – an integral part of both religious and secular Jewish culture. This humor initially evolved within the Jewish communities of the Holy Roman Empire, where it served as a veiled form of critique against the encroachment of Christianization. By employing the clever use of theological satire, Jews were able to discreetly voice dissent. As the centuries progressed, Jewish humor witnessed a significant transformation, particularly during the nineteenth century with the advent of the Jewish Enlightenment, known as the Haskalah, among German-speaking Jews. It continued to develop in the shtetls—small towns with large Jewish populations—in the Russian Empire before reaching its zenith in twentieth-century America. This was an era marked by the influx of millions of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe between the 1880s and the early 1920s. These newcomers were instrumental in the propagation of Jewish humor, helping it permeate various American entertainment platforms from vaudeville to radio, and later extending to stand-up comedy, film, and television. Remarkably, Jewish comedians constituted an overwhelming majority within the American comedy scene—a 1978 estimation by Time magazine suggested that as many as 80 percent of professional American comics were of Jewish descent. The essence of Jewish humor is characterized by its intellectual wordplay, irony, and satirical tone. It typically adopts an anti-authoritarian stance, jesting about aspects of religious and secular life with equal fervor. Renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud noted that Jewish humor often involves a self-reflective element; Jews tend to