Weird Al Yankovic #1 album on charts. Questions (1 Viewer)

[Long Ball Larry]

I'd like to know what Walyon Jennings thinks about this.

 

[Willie Neslon]

good schtick as usual.

I'm a musician. Give me a $100,000 advance and a state of the art recording facility and I'll come up with a great parody album by Christmas. It won't sell because my name is Neslon and not Weird Al but in terms of critical reception it will be on par with the genius that is Like A Surgeon and Eat It.

You think that no one else has tried to cash in on Weird Al's territory? All have tried and failed.

You can try to do what he does, but to parody the song AND the style of music being used takes talent. Most YouTube parody suck; his do not.

I'd even make a promise that my album would be auto-tune free. Unlike some other, more popular parody artists

 

[Willie Neslon]

I'm sorry guys. My intention was not to put down a fine talent like Weird Al, it was more frustration with the current state of my beloved music industry.

 

[MikeIke]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Please post it.

I just wrote it, I didn't record it.

lyrics are fine.

I just have that one line and the melody so far.

Guess what? You didn't write a song.

 

[NCCommish]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

 

[Willie Neslon]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

They may all be considered comedy albums but there is no comparison in those albums and a weird Al album.

 

[Willie Neslon]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Please post it.

I just wrote it, I didn't record it.

lyrics are fine.

I just have that one line and the melody so far.

Guess what? You didn't write a song.

Neither did Weird Al.

 

[NCCommish]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

They may all be considered comedy albums but there is no comparison in those albums and a weird Al album.

In your opinion.

 

[Willie Neslon]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

They may all be considered comedy albums but there is no comparison in those albums and a weird Al album.

In your opinion.

Whatever you say.

 

[NCCommish]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

They may all be considered comedy albums but there is no comparison in those albums and a weird Al album.

In your opinion.

Whatever you say.

It's an album of songs that are meant as jokes. Ergo comedy album. Under your definition I guess a Stephen Lynch album wouldn't be a comedy album either since he does his jokes in song form.

 

[Willie Neslon]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

They may all be considered comedy albums but there is no comparison in those albums and a weird Al album.

In your opinion.

Whatever you say.

It's an album of songs that are meant as jokes. Ergo comedy album. Under your definition I guess a Stephen Lynch album wouldn't be a comedy album either since he does his jokes in song form.

Are you of the opinion that Weird Al Yankovic is as talented a comedian as Steve Martin?

 

[Jaysus]

I like when people argue for the sake of arguing.

 

[NCCommish]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

They may all be considered comedy albums but there is no comparison in those albums and a weird Al album.

In your opinion.

Whatever you say.

It's an album of songs that are meant as jokes. Ergo comedy album. Under your definition I guess a Stephen Lynch album wouldn't be a comedy album either since he does his jokes in song form.

Are you of the opinion that Weird Al Yankovic is as talented a comedian as Steve Martin?

I don't think Martin is as talented as Pryor. Does that mean Martin's albums aren't comedy albums? And to answer your question both of them have made me laugh over the years. I would put Martin ahead of Al but not sure what that has to do with this conversation.

 

[Willie Neslon]

I like when people argue for the sake of arguing.

No arguing here. I guess I'm just surprised that some don't see the difference between putting out original material and changing the words to someone elses material. And yes, it takes some talent to make a great parody song.

 

[Willie Neslon]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

They may all be considered comedy albums but there is no comparison in those albums and a weird Al album.

In your opinion.

Whatever you say.

It's an album of songs that are meant as jokes. Ergo comedy album. Under your definition I guess a Stephen Lynch album wouldn't be a comedy album either since he does his jokes in song form.

Are you of the opinion that Weird Al Yankovic is as talented a comedian as Steve Martin?

I don't think Martin is as talented as Pryor. Does that mean Martin's albums aren't comedy albums? And to answer your question both of them have made me laugh over the years. I would put Martin ahead of Al but not sure what that has to do with this conversation.

But Martin and Richard Pryor are in the same galaxy. Different planets but the same galaxy. Are the Who as talented as the Beatles? Most people would choose the Beatles. Now, is The Partridge Family as talented as the Beatles? Of course they are not.

 

[Wingnut]

I've seen many releases hit #1 when they are released and a week or so later they fall down the charts. Social media helped get the word out, but it won't have sustained sales.

I specifically remember Jack Johnson's To The Sea hitting #1 when it was released, and then sales fell off sharply and I never heard about it again.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I'm sorry guys. My intention was not to put down a fine talent like Weird Al, it was more frustration with the current state of my beloved music industry.

lol

 

[GoFishTN]

Reddit did it.

He's serious. There was a campaign on reddit to get Al to #1.

 

[NCCommish]

But Martin and Richard Pryor are in the same galaxy. Different planets but the same galaxy. Are the Who as talented as the Beatles? Most people would choose the Beatles. Now, is The Partridge Family as talented as the Beatles? Of course they are not.

The first Partridge Family album reached #4 on the Billboard chart. Now that should depress you.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

Music distribution has radically changed. He's still massively successful by any objective measure though.

He himself this will be his last album (after a 32-year relationship with RCA records) as the current market is too fast for album-based parody (basically he doesn't want to run the risk of parodies being stale before they are even released) and that he'll be just releasing singles or perhaps EP-sized releases.

Anyway, the notion that he just "changes the words around" and that's it really doesn't give credit to the hard work, musical chops, and attention to the detail that goes into what he does. It's not just slapped together. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/25/weird-al-juxtaposed-music-video-detail_n_5621418.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000029

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

This is considered a comedy album and it isn't even the biggest selling comedy album ever. I think some selective memory is at work here. Steve Martin charted at number 2 with Wild and Crazy Guy. Cheech and Chong charted with Up in Smoke. Bevis and Butthead have the biggest selling comedy album as I recall that also debuted at number one. This is hardly new or really evidence of much other than a slow time period for releases and heavy promotion.

Yeah there were a handful of comedy albums that reached #1 - the last was in the 60s. This is the first to debut at #1.

As you can tell, I'm a big Weird Al fan Easy to dismiss b/c of his choice of genre but his career has been amazing.

As I mentioned in the other post it's just a period of adjustment for the music industry overall - the economics are changing. Al had a fun interview with Stewart Varney explaining this to the clueless Varney.

-QG

 

[St. Louis Bob]

I get the impression he's a peckerhead in real life based on quotes I've read. Can anyone confirm or deny?

I've heard he's a great guy. Not only that, he is held in high regard as one of the best musicians in the industry by other musicians. Getting Al to parody one of your songs is bragging rights in the biz.

 

[[icon]]

A lot of white and nerdy people just eat it up

So anyone with money then?

 

[El Floppo]

I don't really enjoy his schtick but did see the video for Word Crimes last week and laughed my ### off. And learned the difference between its and it's.

Made me read up more on the Oxford Comma

Who gives a #### about an Oxford Comma.

 

[Willie Neslon]

I remember seeing the video for Fat when I was young and being entertained but to buy the record and listen to it over and over?

Some say he belongs in the hall of fame? He takes other people's work and changes the words. I could "write" hundreds of songs per day doing this. Just wrote one called "Watchin' that Nash" about Nash Bridges based on Jumpin' Jack Flash. He took the three most popular pop songs of last year. Maybe the middle schoolers who listen to those songs are the ones buying the album? Again, not a knock on him or his talent. For sure he owns the genre.

Again, if what he does is so easy why hasn't anyone else been able to have the same kind of success in the genre that he has?

-QG

I think it's because he was the first one to do it during the mtv video era. Some label took a chance on him and it worked out. Once that happened he had the market cornered. Anyone who came along after would have been seen as a Weird Al rip-off and no label would have bankrolled videos for that person. Yes, on the internet there are other people who do parody songs but nobody comes close to the name recognition of "weird Al".

My question was more about the state of the music industry if he has the #1 selling album. I think that says much more about the industry than it does weird Al. This is just a really low point for music if a parody artist is outselling everyone else. As a long time musician myself I really hope that changes and soon.

Music distribution has radically changed. He's still massively successful by any objective measure though.

He himself this will be his last album (after a 32-year relationship with RCA records) as the current market is too fast for album-based parody (basically he doesn't want to run the risk of parodies being stale before they are even released) and that he'll be just releasing singles or perhaps EP-sized releases.

Anyway, the notion that he just "changes the words around" and that's it really doesn't give credit to the hard work, musical chops, and attention to the detail that goes into what he does. It's not just slapped together. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/25/weird-al-juxtaposed-music-video-detail_n_5621418.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000029

-QG

I never said that what he does is just slapped together. If we're citing the shot for shot prowess in the videos as evidence of chops and talent shouldn't the credit go to the video director?

 

[Spartans Rule]

Much rather see Al #1 than a lot of other crap out there..

Would the music industry really be better off with another awful pop song at #1 instead of Weird Al?