5. "Weird Al" Yankovic

In this very special episode, Significant Signals pulls out all the stops. Gus and Tony have hired professional musician Andres Luke and music historian Alex Schirling to discuss one of the biggest names in the industry over the last 50 years, "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Be amazed as Alex and Andres take you on a mind bending journey through the dramatic origins of "Weird Al", being very specific about the roots of his comedic style, the intellectual mastery of his musical composition, and transitioning seamlessly between those topics.

Part One brings us through "Weird Al’s" surprise single “The Hamilton Polka” which is given a comprehensive analysis that uncovers the evolution of "Weird Al’s" polkas over the years. This introduction eases the listener into Part Two, a complex analysis of "Weird Al’s" style in “Another One Rides the Bus”, written nearly 50 years earlier. But this parody of Queen is merely to whet your palette for the dénouement, “Albuquerque”, which, as you will see, we prove with research and science is “the greatest song that ever lived”.

Pull up a seat, grab your enchilada, and enjoy this extra special episode of Significant Signals.

Summary

In this very special episode, Significant Signals pulls out all the stops. Gus and Tony have hired professional musician Andres Luke and music historian Alex Schirling to discuss one of the biggest names in the industry over the last 50 years, "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Be amazed as Alex and Andres take you on a mind bending journey through the dramatic origins of "Weird Al", being very specific about the roots of his comedic style, the intellectual mastery of his musical composition, and transitioning seamlessly between those topics.

Part One brings us through "Weird Al’s" surprise single “The Hamilton Polka” which is given a comprehensive analysis that uncovers the evolution of "Weird Al’s" polkas over the years. This introduction eases the listener into Part Two, a complex analysis of "Weird Al’s" style in “Another One Rides the Bus”, written nearly 50 years earlier. But this parody of Queen is merely to whet your palette for the dénouement, “Albuquerque”, which, as you will see, we prove with research and science is “the greatest song that ever lived”.

Pull up a seat, grab your enchilada, and enjoy this extra special episode of Significant Signals.

IF YOU PODCAST PLAYER DOESN'T DISPLAY LINKS IN THE NOTES BELOW–
Linked show notes available at https://pixelnoise.fm/sig/5

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Links

0:00:00 "You ain't fat!"
0:00:31 Intro
0:02:33 "Weird Al's" Beginnings
The "Another One Rides the Bus" Wikipedia Article
On drums, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz
The Dr. Demento Show
Dr. Demento interviews "Weird Al"
Behind the Scenes of Epic Rap Battles of History
Sir Isaac Newton vs Bill Nye

0:06:51 The First Album
"'Weird Al' Yankovic" Front Cover

0:07:57 "Weird Al's" Polkas
All of "Weird Al's" Parodies and Polkas with References
Polkarama!
Even Flow
Virus Alert
Lin-Manuel Miranda at the White House Poetry Jam

0:14:10 "The Hamilton Polka"
0:17:39 More On Polkas
0:20:16 "Another One Rides the Bus"
Another Ones Bites the Dust by Queen
Just kidding. We talk about other things.
Girls Just Want to Have Lunch

0:22:30 "Weird Al's" Attributes
We met "Weird Al"!
"Weird Al's" transformation over the years

0:26:37 Our Introductions to "Weird Al"
Awards and Nominations
Squeeze Box
White and Nerdy

0:30:21 Other Comedy Artists
"Please, Kind Sir" by P.D.Q. Bach
"Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh!" by Allan Sherman

0:32:10 Straight Outta Lynwood
"Our Prayer / Gee" by Brian Wilson
"I Ain't No Brian Wilson" by Gentleman Brawlers
"Let's Stick Together" by Brian Wilson featuring "Weird Al"
Confessions Part One and Part Two by Usher
Behind the Scenes of Straight Outta Lynwood
"Do I Make You Proud" by Taylor Hicks
The Ren & Stimpy Show

0:40:36 Albuquerque & Other Long Songs
"Dick's Automotive" by Rugburns
You Don't Love Me Anymore
a simile, if not, a metaphor
Genius in France
Jackson Park Express

0:53:20 Alex and Andres pick their Favorites from each Album
0:54:18 "Weird Al" Yankovic (1983)
Alex: Gotta Boogie
Andres: Mr. Frump In the Iron Lung
Who uses the other two pedals on a piano?
The Horse Whinny
"The Typewriter" by Leroy Anderson

0:58:59 "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D (1984)
Andres: That Boy Can Dance
Alex: Midnight Star
Honorable Mention
Eat It

1:00:51 Dare to be Stupid (1985)
Alex: Dare to be Stupid
Andres: This is the Life
"Yoda" Live in Concert

1:04:29 Polka Party! (1986)
Alex: Addicted to Spuds
Andres: Good Enough For Now

1:06:29 Even Worse (1988)
Alex: (This song is just) Six Words Long
Andres: Fat
The Food Album
The TV Album

1:08:10 UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff (1989)
Andres: UHF
Alex: Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near Mars
Children's Books
Milo Murphy's Law
The Mysterious Floating Orb
The Gift

1:10:42 Off the Deep End (1992)
Andres: You Don't Love Me Anymore
Alex: Airline Amy
Honorable Mention: Smells Like Nirvana
You're Pitiful
On guitar, Jim West
On bass, Steve Jay

1:15:01 Alapalooza (1993)
Alex: Harvey the Wonder Hamster
Andres: Jurassic Park

1:15:51 Bad Hair Day (1996)
Alex: I Remember Larry
Andres: The Alternative Polka
Coolio on "Weird Al" parodying his music
The "Ear Booker Polka", or "The Way Moby Polka" (for accounting reasons)

1:18:09 Running with Scissors (1999)
Andres: The Saga Begins
Alex: Albuquerque
Honorable Mention
That's Your Horoscope for Today
The "Weird Al" Show Theme

1:19:14 Poodle Hat (2003)
Alex: Angry White Boy Polka
Andres: Hardware Store
Honorable Mention
A Complicated Song
eBay
Party at the Leper Colony

1:20:52 Straight Outta Lynwood (2006)
Alex: Virus Alert
Andres: Pancreas

1:21:11 Alpocalpse (2011)
Alex: Skipper Dan
Andres: Skipper Dan

1:21:40 Mandatory Fun (2014)
Alex: Mission Statement
Andres: Now That's What I Call Polka!
Honorable Mention
My Own Eyes
Word Crimes

1:24:19 Wrap Up
If you like Hamilton...
"Weird Al" is a Hero
Andrés Luke is busy
Episode #1 of TAP (2015)

We met "Weird Al!"

"Weird Al's" transformation over the years.