Weird Al Yankovic- "Whatever You Like"

[luv]

Don't know if it's been posted, but here's the song the parady is based on...

[TrickyNicky]

Originally Posted by luv

Don't know if it's been posted, but here's the song the parady is based on...

I appreciate Weird Al's version even more now. Al's chorus and beat sound better IMO too.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by DaFace

The word genius is relative.

I disagree. I just think it's used much too loosely.

I could make the same argument that your list is laughable compared to Einstein and Isaac Newton, for example.

Different kind of genius.

I'd never claim that Weird Al is a musical genius, but he's pretty far up there on the comedic genius scale.

I suppose if Carrot Top and Dane Cook are his comedic company.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by Micjones

I suppose if Carrot Top and Dane Cook are his comedic company.

That's a little ridiculous. Dane Cook steals his material word for word and adds hand motions to think he's funny. Al takes bad songs like this one, changes the words and makes them enjoyable to listen to. He obviously has some sort of talent or he wouldn't have a grammy award.

[Thig Lyfe]

Originally Posted by Micjones

You equate "genius" with a man whose sole claim to fame is comedic spoofs of popular songs?

Some of his best songs aren't spoofs of anything. "Why Does This Always Happen To Me?" springs to mind as one of my favorite Weird Al songs, and it's 100% original.

I don't buy your argument that Weird Al "couldn't make it in music or comedy so he does this" because in reality, isn't he making it in both at once? I don't think he looks back at his career wishing he had "gone legit". This is what he was meant to do.

Weird Al, though understandably annoying to some people, is the greatest song parodist of all time. It takes a certain amount of genius to keep those song parodies funny for thirty years.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by SportsRacer

Some of his best songs aren't spoofs of anything. "Why Does This Always Happen To Me?"

He's known for parodies, not his original material.

I don't buy your argument that Weird Al "couldn't make it in music or comedy so he does this" because in reality, isn't he making it in both at once?

What artistic merit does spoofing someone else's original musical work (with virtually the same arrangements and musical compositions) have?

I can't imagine that he wouldn't chase a serious musical career if he really did have the requisite skill set to do so. Especially at this point in his career... He's established a base. This would be the perfect jumping off point for such a career move. Why not? Because he'd never be taken seriously as an artist.

I don't think he looks back at his career wishing he had "gone legit". This is what he was meant to do.

I tend to agree. My point is what he's done isn't worthy of being tabbed "musical genius". I think that requires artistic merit of your own.

It takes a certain amount of genius to keep those song parodies funny for thirty years.

I suppose that depends on who you ask.
And also on how you measure the comedic value of spoofs.

I think the guy owns the song parody lane.
He's done very clever work during his long career.
I just think it's a bit ridiculous to assign the term "genius" to that.

[bobbything]

Originally Posted by Micjones

He's known for parodies, not his original material.



What artistic merit does spoofing someone else's original musical work (with virtually the same arrangements and musical compositions) have?

I can't imagine that he wouldn't chase a serious musical career if he really did have the requisite skill set to do so. Especially at this point in his career... He's established a base. This would be the perfect jumping off point for such a career move. Why not? Because he'd never be taken seriously as an artist.



I tend to agree. My point is what he's done isn't worthy of being tabbed "musical genius". I think that requires artistic merit of your own.



I suppose that depends on who you ask.
And also on how you measure the comedic value of spoofs.

I think the guy owns the song parody lane.
He's done very clever work during his long career.
I just think it's a bit ridiculous to assign the term "genius" to that.

With no due respect, you don't know shit from shinola, sir.

[CoMoChief]

wasn't weird al voted american's sexiest male alive at one point?

[gblowfish]

He's this generation's version of Spike Jones.
You either get humor,
or you don't.

His polkas made up of clips from popular songs kick ass.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

He's this generation's version of Spike Jones.
You either get humor,
or you don't.

His polkas made up of clips from popular songs kick ass.

Humor isn't esoteric sir.
I get it.

This isn't even comedic genius.

If you think it is... You probably haven't been exposed to the greats.

[redbrian]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Humor isn't esoteric sir.
I get it.

This isn't even comedic genius.

If you think it is... You probably haven't been exposed to the greats.

I too have to disagree with your opinion.....Al has the musical chops, his comedic genius rates right up with the Goons.......you don't see it, thats ok, you just lack the eye for musical and comedic talent.....

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by redbrian

I too have to disagree with your opinion.....Al has the musical chops

Musical chops? Are you kidding?
He can hold a note, but he's no vocalist.

his comedic genius rates right up with the Goons.......you don't see it, thats ok, you just lack the eye for musical and comedic talent.....

Yeah, I'm sure Leno would consider Weird Al Yankovich one of the greats.

This conversation has gotten stranger the longer it's gone on today.
No respectable historian in comedy would deem Weird Al comedic genius.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Humor isn't esoteric sir.
I get it.

This isn't even comedic genius.

If you think it is... You probably haven't been exposed to the greats.

Dude, stop.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Dude, stop.

I stand by that statement. Well... Everything except the word "exposed". I misspoke.
I chose the wrong word. You all have certainly been exposed. But given this line of discussion I don't know that I'm talking to people truly knowledgeable about comedy.

You identify who the great contributors were (to comedy) in the last 30 years and no way in Hell Weird Al's name comes up. Unless you don't know Jack and Shit about comedy.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Micjones

I stand by that statement. Well... Everything except the word "exposed". I misspoke.
I chose the wrong word. You all have certainly been exposed. But given this line of discussion I don't know that I'm talking to people truly knowledgeable about comedy.

You identify who the great contributors were (to comedy) in the last 30 years and no way in Hell Weird Al's name comes up. Unless you don't know Jack and Shit about comedy.

IMO, he's a great entertainer, whether you see him as comedic or not. It's cool to take theses songs and twist them like he does. He just makes them fun, if not funny.