by

Song of the Day #2,216: ‘Allergies’ – Paul Simon

hearts_and_bonesToday’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?”

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,215: ‘First World Problems’ – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic

weird_al_first_world_problemsIn 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.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,214: ‘Handy’ – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic

weird_al_handyIf 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.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,213: ‘Tacky’ – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic

weird_al_tacky‘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.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,212: ‘Foil’ – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic

weird_al_foil‘Weird Al’ Yankovic is very good at what he does. It might seem easy — juvenile, even — to write funny words to the tune of existing hits, but to do it with his precision and have so many of the jokes land… that’s difficult.

Even more impressive is Yankovic’s ability to mirror the sound and style of so many different genres. Yesterday it was the laid-back funk of Robin Thicke, and here it’s the sparse indie pop of Lorde.

Continue reading →