My first introduction to Eminem was through the Marshall Mathers LP, the record that launched him to superstar status. That album generated critical raves and public outrage in equal measure and forced pretty much everybody to have an opinion about the rapper.
I was a huge fan of the album, despite its often disturbing content, but I wasn’t sure if it was a one-off or if I could truly call myself an Eminem fan.
Today’s Random Weekend selection is the opening track from Paul Simon’s 1983 album Hearts and Bones. This was Simon’s first record in eight years following the release of Still Crazy After All These Years.
Fans who had been waiting with bated breath for new music from Simon must have been scratching their heads when the first song they heard was this bizarre track. Could a lyrical genius like Simon really be singing lines like “Where do allergies go when it’s after a show and they want to get something to eat?”
In addition to the direct parodies for which he’s best known, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic writes original songs. I’ll admit I’ve never heard a single one of them until today.
Like many of his originals, ‘First World Problems’ is written and performed “in the style of” another artist, in this case The Pixies. I’m not familiar enough with their work to judge how closely he captures them.
If Iggy Azalea’s ‘Fancy’ is the default Song of the Summer (which appears to be the case), it’s only fitting that ‘Weird Al’ takes a shot at it.
I don’t like ‘Handy’ as much as the other tracks I’ve featured this week, possibly because I don’t like ‘Fancy’ as much as the other songs he parodied, but it’s still a clever parody.
‘Tacky,’ ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic’s parody of Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy,’ is more impressive as a video than a song.
The first clip released to promote Mandatory Fun, ‘Tacky’ features guest appearances by Jack Black, Eric Stonestreet, Margaret Cho and (a favorite of mine) Aisha Tyler and appears to be shot in one unbroken take.
Meet Me In Montauk 