He’s been recording music for more than 24 years and just released a new album on May 30. He sold out the Grand Casino Entertainment Center in Gulfport, Miss on Aug. 8.
He is “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Known best for his comical musical parodies of artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Coolio and Nirvana, Yankovic returned with a new album May 30 after a four-year break.
“Poodle Hat” is a signature “Weird Al” album, containing all-new parodies, original music and a new polka mix combining the choruses of songs from such bands as Limp Bizkit, The White Stripes and Disturbed.
The album showcases parodies of songs from the Backstreet Boys, Billy Joel, Avril Lavigne, Nelly and Eminem.
According to Yankovic’s official Web site, first week sales for “Poodle Hat” were Yankovic’s highest sales ever, selling 49,862 copies.
The album debuted on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart at #17, making “Poodle Hat” his highest debut ever.
Yankovic usually produces a video to help promote his album release.
He was planning to make a video for the Eminem parody of “Lose Yourself” called “Couch Potato,” but Eminem denied his request to make a video parodying the “Lose Yourself” music video.
Music videos airing on MTV and VH1 have been key in promoting Yankovic’s albums in the past.
A Reveille reporter unleashed the “Poodle Hat” CD on campus to hear what some students had to say.
“I thought I heard something [from him],” said Courtney Troxclair, a psychology and sociology senior. “I didn’t know they were new [songs].”
Troxclair listened to parts of the new album for the first time.
“I think it’s funny,” Troxclair said, “But I couldn’t jam out to it.”
Noah Osman, a biological sciences senior, said he heard something about the “Couch Potato” situation on VH1, but did not know full details about the controversy.
Osman also listened the “Poodle Hat” CD.
“I really liked the ‘Complicated’ parody,” Osman said, referring to the Avril Lavigne parody. “It was very funny.”
Yankovic also promoted the album on the program “AL-TV,” which VH1 aired on June 17.
The program featured some “Weird Al” music videos and interviews with Celine Dion and Eminem.
People saw these and other interviews along with short vignettes at the Aug. 8 concert in Gulfport.
Yankovic draws a diverse crowd to his concerts, young and old fans from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds.
At the Gulfport concert, Yankovic performed “A Complicated Song.”
He also sang “Couch Potato” while dressed up as Eminem in the “Lose Yourself” video.
This was only one of the many costumes Yankovic wore during his two-hour set.
He also dressed as Nelly for his rendition of “Hot in Herre” called “Trash Day,” and even treated the audience to the costume from the “Fat” video during the song.
He sang 15 songs from the past and present, which included a medley of 12 songs.
After 24 years, “Weird Al” continues to be a crowd-pleaser with his humorous stage antics such as walking through the crowd while singing his love ballad “Wanna B UR Lovr” and giving a female his scarf after wiping off the sweat from under his armpits.
With a new CD and concert tour, Yankovic shows no sign of slowing down.
His first CD was released in 1983 and he constantly is making new music.
He also won two Grammies, one in 1984 for Best Comedy Recording for “Eat It” and another for Best Concept Music Video for “Fat” in 1988.
Both Grammies were for parodies of Michael Jackson songs, “Beat It” and “Bad.”
“Weird Al is fun,” Osman said. “This CD is true Weird Al style.”
For more “Weird Al” Yankovic information, check out www.weirdal.com. “Al-TV” will air again on VH1 on Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. and Sept. 1 at 1 a.m.
Artist pulls new parodies from ‘hat’
August 23, 2003