Weird Al Yankovic - Weird Al Yankovic - Greatest Hits, Volume 1
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Free Music Notes for Weird Al Yankovic - Greatest Hits, Volume 1
Free Music Review: Where's "My Bologna" and "Another One Rides The Bus"?
Hit: 4 Stars
Growing up hearing the tunes "Amish Paradise" and others from Bad Hair Day, I figured it would be worthwhile to look into `Weird Al' Yankovic's earlier work. And no CD title gives the impression of worthwhile better than Greatest Hits. So with that in mind, I picked up this album hoping to catch up on the 13-something years I'd missed out on. And although every single song here is a classic, I was heartbroken (choice word) not to find "My Bologna" or "Another One Rides The Bus" in the track listing. Was "My Bologna" not the song that got Dr. Demento interested in this guy? And with just ten songs I couldn't believe they excluded them. Whatever the case may be, this is still an advisable purchase if you're looking for Al in the `80s in a (small) nutshell. An overview...1. Fat - 5/5 - classic parody of Michael Jackson's "Bad". Since every song here contains numerous great lines--that being the reason you'd buy this--from here on out I'll just list a highlight part of each song. Highlight quote: `when I walk out to get the mail / it measures on the Richter scale' (in the background).
2. Eat - 5/5 - more Michael Jackson ("Beat It"). Highlight quote: `...if it's getting cold, reheat it!'.
3. Like A Surgeon - 5/5 - I actually heard Madonna gave Al the idea for this song. That, in itself, is hilarious. Highlight quote: there's few, but listen closely at the end to hear the fadeout of that heartbeat thingy. Priceless.
4. Ricky - 3/5 - almost as annoying as the original (sadly). I can't really think of a highlight quote; the endless shouts of `oh Ricky / you're so fine' outweigh everything else.
5. Addicted To Spuds - 3.5/5 - decent parody of "Addicted To Love". Highlight quote: `...I can't deny they've got a-peel'.
6. Living With A Hernia - 3/5 - this is not one of my favorites, though it is continuously funny (and sick). The highlight here is how the chorus is sung.
7 - Dare To Be Stupid - 4/5 - absolutely crazy. It moves kind of quick to remember a specific quote, but the parts about Mr. Goodbar and spitting on fish always make me laugh.
8. Lasagna - 4.5/5 - one of the funniest songs of all-time, when you compare it to the original. The gurgling and Luigi parts are definitely memorable.
9. I Lost On Jeopardy - 5/5 - probably my personal favorite Al original. Every single line here is hilarious, but it's the `...and let me tell you what you DIDN'T win...' passage that sticks out. Also, `well I sure hope I do better / next weekend on The Price Is Right' is quite jovial.
10. One More Minute - 3/5 - highlight quote: `I'd rather get a hundred thousand paper-cuts on my face / then spend one more minute with you'. Other than that line, there's not much to love.
I cannot emphasize enough how greatly lacking this compilation is without "My Bologna" and "Another One Rides The Bus". It could've been more (to say the least). Also, there is no polka song here. It's trademark Al to have one song blending polka and current pop hits. On yet another down note, there is no booklet but only the cover and backside art. It doesn't appear that they (Imaginary Entertainment) put much effort into this recording. Oh well, it's still `Weird Al' Yankovic, right? So if you're looking to get a quick glimpse of Al's early days, this is a great place to start. On the other hand, if you want it all at once, Permanent Record--the box set--is the way to go. But with songs like "Fat", "Eat It" and "I Lost On Jeopardy", you can't afford to pass this up. It's an essential for your collection.
Free Music Review: A great 80's review whether you lived it or not
Hit: 4 Stars
Who can forget the first time Weird Al made national headlines with the hilarious 'Eat it'? The video was one of the funniest things ever filmed. After 'Eat it', Weird Al could have disappeared off the face of the earth with a million dollars and be long forgotten. Fortunately, Al had a lot more humor in the gas tank and is still going strong today.
I have to admit I enjoy Al's older work, for the only reason that I know the songs he is paroding. With his more recent works, I don't know what is an Al original or a parody. I guess I'm just getting old, but to stay curent Al has always had to stay with the times and changing music scene.
1. Fat - AL went for the easy money and lampooned MJ again. Not as good as Eat it, but a good parody.
2. Eat It - The song that made Al famous. As good to listen to now as the day it was released.
3. Like A Surgeon - Madonna was on of the biggest, if not the biggest, star of the 80's. Only one parody ever done of her and this is probably one of his best.
4. Ricky - Not a favorite of mine. Never an I Love Lucy fan in the first place.
5. Addicted To Spuds - Al is sometimes guilty of doing too many 'food' or TV songs. Sorry Al, but food songs get the >> button after the hundredth time (except for Eat it)
6. Living With A Hernia - Not many fans care for this one, but it is one of my favorites. I think this song is pure paordy genius. The only other thing he could have done could have been 'Living in a porta John'. Hey it could work.
7. Dare To Be Stupid - YES!!! This is Al's greatest original and he captured the 80's DEVO influence perfectly. This song will never get old and is a theme song for all Al fans. This song simply rules.
8. Lasagna - Food again. Not a favorite. I think 'Another One Rides the Bus' could have replaced this song very easily without a complaint from anybody. This is the song that makes me give this album 4 stars instead of 5.
9. I Lost On Jeopardy - The original song had 'Weird Al' written all over it. It was such a natural parody for him to do. Totally original awesome parody.
10. One More Minute - Al has done some love (breakup) songs, and this is one of his best and funniest
Free Music Review: A good master of parody pop
Hit: 4 Stars
I still think that Weird Al Yankovic did the best parody of a Michael Jackson song in Eat It, his take of Michael's own Beat It. Although it's 58 seconds shorter than Beat It's 4:17, it has quite a lot of energy for it's 3:19. It has that garage rock feel going for it. It has been his most recognizable song because of the Michael Jackson familarity and it came when Thriller was still red hot one year later. Yankovic has had a strong several years of doing parodies of some of the most overplayed pop songs that some people get tired of hearing 4,158 times on the radio. And in most cases, he's quite good. His humor is so on point on all of them. Even in the current low-carb, watch-what-we-eat world of 2005, Eat It from 1983 really fits well in today's times. The rest of the songs are fun and catchy too. He still includes accordion in most songs. And Yankovic's albums have gone gold every time, proving that some people still like his parody pop. This compilation demonstrates what he does best.Free Music Review: A Great "Weird Al" Yankovic Idea
Hit: 4 Stars
Here's a great "Weird Al" [From The Weird Al Show and Tim And Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!]Idea!
In since "Weird Al" has already done two Michael Jackson parodies, [Eat It [Beat It] and Fat] [Bad] He should do another one being of Michael Jackson's unexpected death called Remember The Dime [Parody of Michael Jackson's Remember The Time] about a guy and a girl breaking up all from the flip of a dime.I'm not bragging but it kinda DOES sound like "Weird Al" Yankovic's type of funny music.
Anyway...BUY THIS ALBUM OR ELSE "WEIRD AL" WILL SIT ON YOU!!! And he's FAT!
P.S. I think Remember The Dime would be a song on "Weird Al" Yankovic:Greatest Hits,Volume 3. [If Made]
Free Music Review: Weird Al is not losing it!
Hit: 4 Stars
I've read all over in reviews that say that Weird Al is just not as good as he used to be! I disagree! My friend got me into him and some of his songs I like, for instants: "Amish Paradise", "Lasagna", "Eat It", "The Complicated Song", and "The Day Santa Went Crazy"! Others- I just don't care for! Personally, I think know that we're in the 21st century, and people are listening to a lot more crude music, this is the guy to write a song, funnier and cooler with that parody! I'm not a big music fan, but I can tell you one thing- I'd pick Weird Al, over Simple Plan or anyother hot bands out!