5. "Weird Al" Yankovic

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 "