Why did Weird Al Yankovic abandon musical parodies for a decade before his bigger, weirder comeback?

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Approximately ten years ago, “Weird Al” Yankovic embarked on his twelfth concert tour, performing in around 200 shows over the course of two years. In one of these performances, the famous satirist of pop music found himself backstage donning a fat suit for what felt like the thousandth time. During this moment, an unexpected urge to perform as a typical musician took hold of him and he decided to step onto the stage.

Following this, he commenced his “Excessively Egotistical, Imprudent Solo Tour,” performing in intimate settings without video screens, costume changes, props, choreography, or the parodies that had previously garnered him fame. However, the songs retained their humorous essence as he noted, “Everything I compose ends up slightly distorted.” The new tunes were a blend of styles reminiscent of Frank Zappa or They Might Be Giants. His enthusiasm for the experience led him to resurrect the concept a couple of years ago.

65-year-old Yankovic has been absent from releasing a parody song for over a decade. He attributes this in part to the absence of a widespread popular culture where hit songs are more easily identifiable. Additionally, he mentions that he appreciates the intricate challenges involved in creating original pastiches, some of which require several months of work to complete.

In a recent statement, Yankovic expresses a desire to showcase his talents beyond just being known as the “parody guy.” He has co-written the 2022 TV film “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” which features Daniel Radcliffe and earned Yankovic an Emmy nomination for writing. Previously, he also made a self-referential appearance in “The Naked Gun” production.

Now, having demonstrated that he was more than just a caricature, Yankovic has once again immersed himself fully in his “Weird Al” parody style – his “Bigger & Weirder” tour, which is set to appear at the Kia Forum in Inglewood on Saturday, offers a multitude of video screens, numerous costume changes and props, and double the number of band members.

This also includes humorous imitations spanning various decades of pop music, such as The Knack’s “My Bologna,” Michael Jackson’s “Eat It,” Madonna’s “Like a Surgeon,” Coolio’s “Amish Paradise,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Nirvana,” and Robin Thicke’s “Word Crimes.

In my perspective, the more intimate tours served as a refreshing break and provided us with enjoyable moments, especially for our dedicated fans. However, it’s great to be back on the grand stage now! The excitement level is escalating, and we’re adding more laughter and antics to our performances.

The performer’s approach involves not only resurrecting classic tunes but also bringing back timeless comic segments. Some fans find solace in familiarity, which is understandable. While he might tweak individual gags, the aim is to preserve the essence of what audiences initially appreciated, so as not to disappoint them by deviating too far from their expectations.

Fans are so dedicated that some create their own versions of Weird Al Yankovic‘s songs. Steve Goodie, for instance, rewrote “Hardware Store” as “Dumbledore” and even presents a one-man show titled “AL! The Weird Tribute (and How Daniel Radcliffe Got Caught Up in This Madness).” Yankovic finds it entertaining, rewarding, and slightly mind-bending, although he hasn’t tackled parodying Goodie’s parody yet.

In a unique twist to his performances, the fresh musician Probyn Gregory – who’s collaborated with Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and Eric Clapton – dons a janitor’s outfit while mopping the stage during “Smells Like Nirvana”. As Weird Al Yankovic remarks, “He’s an exceptional artist, but there’s no room for modesty when you’re part of this ensemble.

Primarily, Yankovic utilizes Gregory and other versatile musicians he engaged for more functional purposes. Notably, three of them are women, as he sought three-part female harmonies, but they also offer percussion, guitar, saxophones, and additional instruments. “I required someone who could play the trumpet, followed by another to play clarinet for the polkas,” he explains. “In the arenas, I marvel at our sound and think, ‘Wow, this is far larger than it’s ever been.’

Additionally, it’s more complex, thanks to the variety of instruments, which allows for greater exploration and composing pieces that would have been beyond our capabilities as a quintet.

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During my performances, I occasionally take a break from the comedic songs to pay tribute to some musical legends. Lately, our band has covered classics like Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al,” George Harrison’s “What Is Life,” The Box Tops’ “The Letter,” The Doobie Brothers’ “China Grove,” and even Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman,” delivering them with a more serious approach.

As a cinema aficionado, I’ve got to admit, this movie never ceases to surprise me! Each screening offers a unique experience, and that’s what keeps me coming back for more. The audience seems to be quite engaged, but occasionally, their responses leave me scratching my head in puzzlement when we discuss it further.

He states, “Occasionally people comment, ‘Wow, you truly excel in music. You genuinely create authentic tunes.’ However, one might question, aren’t these our usual activities? Just because the lyrics are humorous, doesn’t make it any less genuine music?

Wei Yankovic is often referred to as a “musical sponge,” absorbing different genres of music for both personal enjoyment and later use in his work. In his own words, he enjoys immersing himself in various tunes and expressing them uniquely, but humorously. Growing up, he was greatly influenced by Dr. Demento and comedians such as Spike Jones, Tom Lehrer, Allan Sherman, and Monty Python. These entertainers instilled in him the importance of craftsmanship, even when creating humorous work.

He believes that the skillful creation is key to why the humor is so effective, and he thinks the most successful parody closely mimics the original material. He explains that a joke becomes funnier when you’re tricked into believing you’re listening to a specific popular song, only to realize later that the lyrics are not what you’re accustomed to.

In order for that to succeed, the quality of his writing and organization should correspond with the talent of his band members playing their instruments; he aspires that his listeners recognize and value both aspects, the literary and musical aspects.

He mentions that he feels he has become more proficient as time goes by. “I believe I’ve become a better vocalist compared to the ’80s, and I’ve improved as a musician and as an arranger,” he expresses.

Despite the addition of four new members, Yankovic still heavily relies on his long-standing original band. He explains, “I have one of the best bands in the world who master every genre effortlessly, and this is what truly brings the act together.” Over the past 40 years, the core band has developed a strong bond and telepathic communication, which makes them better now than they were in the past.

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2025-08-29 22:01