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Revision as of 03:49, 3 November 2008 editFourthords (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, IP block exemptions, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers45,174 editsm →A-side: + minor spelling change;← Previous edit Revision as of 04:18, 3 November 2008 edit undoFourthords (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, IP block exemptions, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers45,174 editsm →Track listing: - authorlinks;Next edit →
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{{top}} {{top}}
===A-side=== ===A-side===
# "]" (2:35)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A ] of 1982's "]" by ], "Ricky" covers many ]s in an ode to '']'' with Yankovic performing as ] and Tress MacNeille as Lucy Ricardo.<!-- for the single article: "Ricky" is Weird Al's least expensive ] (])<ref name="199912askal">{{cite web # "]" (2:35)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A ] of 1982's "]" by ] (written by ] & ]),<ref name="RickyAllmusic">{{cite web
| url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:w9fwxzyjldje
| title = Mickey
| accessdate = 2008-11-02
| last = Mason
| first = Stewart
| work = ]
| publisher = ]
| location = ], ]
}}</ref> "Ricky" covers many ]s in an ode to '']'' with Yankovic performing as ] and Tress MacNeille as Lucy Ricardo.<!-- for the single article: "Ricky" is Weird Al's least expensive ] (])<ref name="199912askal">{{cite web
| url = http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#1299 | url = http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#1299
| title = "Ask Al" Q&As for December, 1999 | title = "Ask Al" Q&As for December, 1999
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| work = The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> | work = The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>
# "Gotta Boogie" (2:13)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A play on words discussing a man with a "]" on his finger and his quandry therein. # "Gotta Boogie" (2:13)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A play on words discussing a man with a "]" on his finger and his quandry therein.
# "]" (2:35)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A parody of 1982's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by ], "I Love Rocky Road" elaborates said feelings of the narrative singer. <!-- for the single article: When promoting the single-while not its titularly ardent fan-Yankovic became "]" on the dessert after participating in several ] ]s to promote the ].<ref name="praitb" /><ref name="199803askal" /> --> # "]" (2:35)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A parody of 1982's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by ] (written by Jake Hooker),<ref name="praitb" /> "I Love Rocky Road" elaborates said feelings of the narrative singer. <!-- for the single article: When promoting the single-while not its titularly ardent fan-Yankovic became "]" on the dessert after participating in several ] ]s to promote the ].<ref name="praitb" /><ref name="199803askal" /> -->
# "Buckingham Blues" (3:11)<ref name="discogs" /><p>] song ] the socialite lifestyle of ] and ] of ]. Answering a fan in 1998, Yankovic replied in the negative regarding whether he would re-write and re-record the song in light of ].<ref name="199803askal">{{cite web # "Buckingham Blues" (3:11)<ref name="discogs" /><p>] song ] the socialite lifestyle of ] and ] of ]. Answering a fan in 1998, Yankovic replied in the negative regarding whether he would re-write and re-record the song in light of ].<ref name="199803askal">{{cite web
| url = http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0398 | url = http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0398
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===B-side=== ===B-side===
# "]" (2:01)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A parody of 1979's "]" by ] details an obsession with ]. # "]" (2:01)<ref name="discogs" /><p>A parody of 1979's "]" by ] (written by ] and ])<ref name="19980716RS">{{cite journal
|quotes=
|last= Tarnow
|first= Noah
|date=1998-07-16
|title= Don't Knock The Knack
|journal=]
|publisher=]
|location=], ]
|accessdate=2008-11-02
}}</ref> details an obsession with ].
# "The Check's in the Mail" (3:12)<ref name="discogs" /><p>Business-related prevarications, exampling ], ], and the titular payment delay. # "The Check's in the Mail" (3:12)<ref name="discogs" /><p>Business-related prevarications, exampling ], ], and the titular payment delay.
# "]" (2:35)<ref name="discogs" /><p>Original September 1980 recording of Yankovic parodying ]'s "]";<ref name="praitb" /> the titular public transportation's overcrowding and stereotyping provided the material. # "]" (2:35)<ref name="discogs" /><p>Original September 1980 recording of Yankovic parodying ]'s "]";<ref name="praitb" /> (written by ])<ref name="19800926NYT">{{cite news
| first = Robert
| last = Palmer
| authorlink = Robert Palmer
| title = The Pop Life; Confident disk from Jerry Lee Lewis
| work = ]
| publisher = ]
| location = ], ]
| page = C14
| date = 1980-09-26
| accessdate = 2008-11-02
}}</ref> the titular public transportation's overcrowding and stereotyping provided the material.
# "I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead" (3:37)<ref name="discogs" /><p>An utter rejection of the stereotypical attitudes and accoutrements of the ]/] lifestyles. # "I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead" (3:37)<ref name="discogs" /><p>An utter rejection of the stereotypical attitudes and accoutrements of the ]/] lifestyles.
# "Such a Groovy Guy" (3:00)<ref name="discogs" /><p>Narrated ] specifically noting ], ], ], and ]. # "Such a Groovy Guy" (3:00)<ref name="discogs" /><p>Narrated ] specifically noting ], ], ], and ].
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| month = January | month = January
| work = The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref> | work = The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site}}</ref>

===Other songs=== ===Other songs===
* "It's Still Billy Joel to Me", Yankovic's 1980 parody of ]'s "]", was originally planned for this album. Wary of the song being considered "dated" three years later, and doubtful that Joel would give his blessing, the band never bothered to ask.<ref name="200004askal">{{cite web * "It's Still Billy Joel to Me", Yankovic's 1980 parody of ]'s "]", was originally planned for this album. Wary of the song being considered "dated" three years later, and doubtful that Joel would give his blessing, the band never bothered to ask.<ref name="200004askal">{{cite web

Revision as of 04:18, 3 November 2008

Untitled

"Weird Al" Yankovic is the eponymous debut album by American parodist Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic. Released on LP and Compact Cassette in 1983 by Rock 'n Roll Records, "Weird Al" Yankovic parodies pop and rock music of the late 1970s and early 1980s, satirizing American culture and experiences of the same time period. The album was produced and engineered by Rick Derringer and Peter Kelsey respectively.

Production

After hearing Yankovic's parody of his song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", Jake Hooker suggested to "ace rock guitarist" Rick Derringer that he would be the perfect producer for the burgeoning parodist. Agreeing, Derringer used his prestige in the industry to convince Cherokee Studios to record an album's worth of Yankovic's songs gratis, to be paid when the album sold. Then, in March 1982, "Weird Al" Yankovic stepped into a professional recording studio for the first time and recorded nine of the songs for "Weird Al" Yankovic.

The huge irony of my life; it was difficult for me to get signed to a record deal back in early 80s because all the executives were saying "Oh, you do that ... novelty music. You're gonna have maybe one hit if you're lucky and then you'll go right to oblivion. You know, nobody'll ever hear from you again."

— "Weird Al" Yankovic, speaking with Bob Boilen on All Songs Considered in 2006

After some initial difficulty picking up a record label for the first-time album, Jay Levey (a Los Angeles artists' manager) provided KIQQ-FM with a copy of "I Love Rocky Road". Impressing the program director of the Top 40 station, he played it immediately; "I Love Rocky Road" was one of the most-requested songs by the next day. At the same time, Tad Dowd—head of the new record label, Rock 'n Roll Records—had been trying to convince parent company Scotti Brothers Records to sign the 22-year-old Yankovic. The positive furor over the KIQQ playtest provided Dowd with the leverage needed to convince Scotti Bros. to offer the band a contract for Yankovic's first album.

Scotti Brothers Records' contract planned an April 1983 release date for a twelve-track album: "I Love Rocky Road" and eight other tracks were already recorded, "Another One Rides the Bus" would be the original live recording from The Dr. Demento Show, and the last two songs ("Ricky" and "Buckingham Blues") would be recorded at Scotti Brothers' own studios in Santa Monica, California.

Promotion

To promote the album, Levy coordinated a three-week tour in late Summer 1983 across the American East Coast and Midwest for both Yankovic and Dr. Demento. Promoted as "AN EVENING OF DEMENTIA WITH DR. DEMENTO IN PERSON PLUS 'WEIRD AL' YANKOVIC", Demento opened with recorded hits and short comedy films from his show before introducing Yankovic and the band. During their three weeks, the tour played in several famous clubs, to include Bottom Line in New York City.

Personnel

The back of "Weird Al" Yankovic gives special thanks to Jim West; West was playing guitar with Yankovic and the band at live performances, but was not present for cutting the album.

Album cover

The album cover for "Weird Al" Yankovic was designed by Brazillian artist Rogerio. The band chose Rogerio because of his "MAD Magazine-like drawing style." The cover art specifically features individual elements that correspond with each of the twelve songs.

Release history

On March 12, 1991, Volcano Records re-released "Weird Al" Yankovic on Compact Disc, with an adjusted album mix time of 32:52.

Track listing

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A-side

  1. "Ricky" (2:35)

    A parody of 1982's "Mickey" by Toni Basil (written by Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn), "Ricky" covers many plot points in an ode to I Love Lucy with Yankovic performing as Ricky and Tress MacNeille as Lucy Ricardo..

  2. "Gotta Boogie" (2:13)

    A play on words discussing a man with a "boogie" on his finger and his quandry therein.

  3. "I Love Rocky Road" (2:35)

    A parody of 1982's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett (written by Jake Hooker), "I Love Rocky Road" elaborates said feelings of the narrative singer.

  4. "Buckingham Blues" (3:11)

    Blues song satirizing the socialite lifestyle of Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Wales. Answering a fan in 1998, Yankovic replied in the negative regarding whether he would re-write and re-record the song in light of Princess Diana's death.

  5. "Happy Birthday" (2:26)

    A morbidly depressing birthday song detailing ails of the world, including poverty, nuclear holocaust, and eventual solar cataclysm.

  6. "Stop Draggin' My Car Around" (3:14)

    The lament of an otherwise "cool guy", forced to continually save his 1964 Plymouth car from impoundment due to illegal parking, shame, and non-payment.

| class="col-break " |

B-side

  1. "My Bologna" (2:01)

    A parody of 1979's "My Sharona" by The Knack (written by Doug Fieger and Berton Averre) details an obsession with bologna sausage.

  2. "The Check's in the Mail" (3:12)

    Business-related prevarications, exampling avoidance, litigation, and the titular payment delay.

  3. "Another One Rides the Bus" (2:35)

    Original September 1980 recording of Yankovic parodying Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust"; (written by John Deacon) the titular public transportation's overcrowding and stereotyping provided the material.

  4. "I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead" (3:37)

    An utter rejection of the stereotypical attitudes and accoutrements of the hippie/yuppie lifestyles.

  5. "Such a Groovy Guy" (3:00)

    Narrated narcissism specifically noting fashion, demeanor, dominance and submission, and relationship breakup.

  6. "Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung" (1:55)

    An audience favourite from Yankovic's days playing in coffeehouses at Cal Poly, the song describes the rather lopsided relationship between the narrator and the eponymous "Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung", until the latter's death.

Template:Bottom "Weird Al" Yankovic is the only album in Yankovic's discography in which the accordion is prevalent in every song; in subsequent albums it's only used where deemed appropriate or wholly inappropriate.

Other songs

  • "It's Still Billy Joel to Me", Yankovic's 1980 parody of Billy Joel's "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", was originally planned for this album. Wary of the song being considered "dated" three years later, and doubtful that Joel would give his blessing, the band never bothered to ask.

Critical reception

Eugene Chadbourne, reviewer for allmusic, felt that while "Weird Al" Yankovic was a detailed harbinger of parody to come, the album does not hold up well on its own. Chadbourne extolled most of the parodies ("Another One Rides the Bus", "My Bologna", "I Love Rocky Road") for their comedic value in contrast with their originals—songs he supposed to be "pretentious overblown". However, also according to Chadbourne, "Ricky" lacks the comedic connection Yankovic cultivates in later albums, and the original songs "may not seem like they were written in ten minutes, but the ideas behind them don't seem to involve that much contemplation. like little bits of puff impact on the flow of an album side is more like ballast."

Introducing Yankovic as the guest DJ for All Songs Considered on National Public Radio in 2006, host Bob Boilen opined that upon his debut, Yankovic "seemed the epitome of throw-away novelty act".

Reviewing Yankovic in 2008, Brian Raftery of Wired magazine wrote that "Ricky" introduced the world to "an accordion-playing spaz with a coif like Rick James and a voice like an urgent goose." In 1983, Yankovic was considered a fad of the time—comparing him to parachute pants and Contras—and "thoroughly disposable."

Charting

  • "Weird Al" Yankovic reached #139 on the Billboard charts.
    • "Ricky" reached #63 on the Billboard charts.

References

  1. "Weird Al Yankovic by Weird Al Yankovic on Yahoo! Music". Yahoo! Music. Sunnyvale, California, USA: Yahoo!, Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  2. ^ ""Weird Al" Yankovic - "Weird Al" Yankovic". Discogs. Portland, Oregon, USA: Zink Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  3. ^ "allmusic ((( "Weird Al" Yankovic > Overview )))". allmusic. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA: Macrovision. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  4. ^ Hansen, Barret (1994). Permanent Record: Al in the Box (liner) (Media notes). California, USA: Scotti Brothers Records. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |albumlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |bandname= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |mbid= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Schwartz, Jon. ""WEIRD AL" DISC/VIDEO/BIBLIOGRAPHY (U.S. ONLY)" (text file). The Demented Music Database. Jeff Morris. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  6. "Amazon.com: "Weird Al" Yankovic 1st Lp 1983: "Weird Al" Yankovic: Music". Seattle, Washington, USA: Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  7. ^ "Weird Al Yankovic - Weird Al Yankovic - CD - Buy.com". Aliso Viejo, California, USA: Buy.com. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  8. ^ Boilen, Bob (2006-11-02). "Guest DJ "Weird Al" Yankovic". All Songs Considered. Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-10-30. Singer, songwriter and satirist "Weird Al" Yankovic has been spoofing artists and making his own original comic tunes for nearly 30 years. His latest album, Straight Out Of Lynwood [sic], is his first to break the top-ten. On this edition of All Songs Considered, Yankovic talks about his music and shares some of the songs that have inspired him over the years. Hear an eclectic mix of music by the Bonzo Dog Band, Tom Lehrer, The Trashmen and more.
  9. ^ Yankovic, Alfred M. (1999). ""Ask Al" Q&As for June, 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. Yankovic, Alfred M. (1999). ""Ask Al" Q&As for April, 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. Yankovic, Alfred M. (1999). ""Ask Al" Q&As for July, 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  12. Yankovic, Alfred M. (1996). "Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for November/December, 1996". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  13. Yankovic, Alfred M. (1999). ""Ask Al" Q&As for September, 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  14. ^ "Amazon.com: "Weird Al" Yankovic: "Weird Al" Yankovic: Music". Seattle, Washington, USA: Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  15. Mason, Stewart. "Mickey". Allmusic. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA: Macrovision. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  16. ^ Brian, Raftery (2008-09-22). "Weird Al: Forefather of the YouTube Spoof". Wired. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  17. Yankovic, Alfred M. (1998). "Midnight Star "Ask Al" Q&As for March/April, 1998". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. Tarnow, Noah (1998-07-16). "Don't Knock The Knack". Rolling Stone. New York City, USA: Jann Wenner. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |quotes= (help)
  19. Palmer, Robert (1980-09-26). "The Pop Life; Confident disk from Jerry Lee Lewis". The New York Times. New York City, USA: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. p. C14. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  20. Yankovic, Alfred M. (1999). ""Ask Al" Q&As for January, 1999". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  21. Yankovic, Alfred M. (2000). ""Ask Al" Q&As for April, 2000". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

External links


"Weird Al" Yankovic
Studio albums
Soundtrack albums
EPs
Compilations
Songs
Videography
Tours
Related articles
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