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
Socials
Let us know what you think on the Pixel Noise Discord!
Follow the Significant Signals Instagram!
Follow us on Twitch!! We stream daily! Twitch.tv/PixelNoiseFM
Also, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, and even Pinterest! You can join our mailing list here.
Follow Gus (SymmetricHeart) on Twitch! Twitch.tv/symmetricheart
Did you know that Andrés makes music?
Subscribe to Andrés Luke on YouTube!Get Andrés Luke's Music on Bandcamp!Also follow Andrés on TikTok and TwitterAll the rest of Andrés's links are here.Links
0:00:00 "You ain't fat!"0:00:31 Intro0:02:33 "Weird Al's" Beginnings The "Another One Rides the Bus" Wikipedia ArticleOn drums, Jon "Bermuda" SchwartzThe Dr. Demento ShowDr. Demento interviews "Weird Al"Behind the Scenes of Epic Rap Battles of HistorySir Isaac Newton vs Bill Nye"'Weird Al' Yankovic" Front Cover0:07:57 "Weird Al's" Polkas All of "Weird Al's" Parodies and Polkas with ReferencesPolkarama!Even FlowVirus AlertLin-Manuel Miranda at the White House Poetry Jam0:14:10 "The Hamilton Polka"0:17:39 More On Polkas0:20:16 "Another One Rides the Bus" Another Ones Bites the Dust by QueenJust kidding. We talk about other things.Girls Just Want to Have Lunch0:22:30 "Weird Al's" Attributes We met "Weird Al"!"Weird Al's" transformation over the years0:26:37 Our Introductions to "Weird Al" Awards and NominationsSqueeze BoxWhite and Nerdy0:30:21 Other Comedy Artists "Please, Kind Sir" by P.D.Q. Bach"Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh!" by Allan Sherman0:32:10 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 UsherBehind the Scenes of Straight Outta Lynwood"Do I Make You Proud" by Taylor Hicks The Ren & Stimpy Show0:40:36 Albuquerque & Other Long Songs "Dick's Automotive" by RugburnsYou Don't Love Me Anymorea simile, if not, a metaphorGenius in FranceJackson Park Express0:53:20 Alex and Andres pick their Favorites from each Album0:54:18 "Weird Al" Yankovic (1983) Alex: Gotta BoogieAndres: Mr. Frump In the Iron LungWho uses the other two pedals on a piano?The Horse Whinny"The Typewriter" by Leroy Anderson0:58:59 "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D (1984) Andres: That Boy Can DanceAlex: Midnight StarEat It1:00:51 Dare to be Stupid (1985) Alex: Dare to be StupidAndres: This is the Life"Yoda" Live in Concert1:04:29 Polka Party! (1986) Alex: Addicted to SpudsAndres: Good Enough For Now1:06:29 Even Worse (1988) Alex: (This song is just) Six Words LongAndres: FatThe Food AlbumThe TV Album1:08:10 UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff (1989) Andres: UHFAlex: Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near MarsChildren's BooksMilo Murphy's LawThe Mysterious Floating OrbThe Gift1:10:42 Off the Deep End (1992) Andres: You Don't Love Me AnymoreAlex: Airline AmyHonorable Mention: Smells Like NirvanaYou're PitifulOn guitar, Jim WestOn bass, Steve Jay1:15:01 Alapalooza (1993) Alex: Harvey the Wonder HamsterAndres: Jurassic Park1:15:51 Bad Hair Day (1996) Alex: I Remember LarryAndres: The Alternative PolkaCoolio 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 BeginsAlex: AlbuquerqueThat's Your Horoscope for TodayThe "Weird Al" Show Theme1:19:14 Poodle Hat (2003) Alex: Angry White Boy PolkaAndres: Hardware StoreA Complicated SongeBayParty at the Leper Colony1:20:52 Straight Outta Lynwood (2006) Alex: Virus AlertAndres: Pancreas1:21:11 Alpocalpse (2011) Alex: Skipper DanAndres: Skipper Dan1:21:40 Mandatory Fun (2014) Alex: Mission StatementAndres: Now That's What I Call Polka!My Own EyesWord CrimesIf you like Hamilton..."Weird Al" is a HeroAndrés Luke is busyEpisode #1 of TAP (2015)
"Weird Al's" transformation over the years.