Sometimes media seems like it's made just for you

March 2, 2018 5:24 AM

"Weird Al" Yankovic: The Hamilton Polka (SLYT)
posted by uncleozzy (56 comments total)

How lucky we are to be alive right now.
posted by dannyboybell at 5:27 AM on March 2, 2018 [43 favorites]

The great thing about this is that LMM has been a Weird Al fan since childhood, so this is the realization of a dream.
posted by Strange Interlude at 5:30 AM on March 2, 2018 [19 favorites]

Yes! I was at that show. It was magical.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:32 AM on March 2, 2018 [4 favorites]

I was one of those nerdy pre-teens who listened to novelty records almost exclusively, to the point where I would hear a song years later and go "Oh, so that's what that Weird Al song parodied!"

I kind of view my obsession with novelty music as an element of my that guy adolescence, and kind of look down on a lot of the genre as a result. I'm sure that's not entirely fair, but I do still have a warm space in my heart for Tom Lehrer and will listen to his stuff any time.

The Hamilton soundtrack means a lot to me, and so this polka remix is like taking a lot of the emotions I worked through as an adult and saying "See? We can mock adulthood like we enjoyed when we were 11! Isn't that wacky?" and I just want to close the browser.

But no hate for Weird Al. I'm glad this could be made, even if it's not for me!
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 5:47 AM on March 2, 2018 [6 favorites]

It's funny, I was sure that I disliked "Weird Al" Yankovic until he appeared on The Meltdown a few years ago and did Dare to Be Stupid; somehow I not only knew all of the lyrics but I also sang along gleefully.

When you repress most of your childhood memories? Man, sometimes you repress the wrong things.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:50 AM on March 2, 2018 [12 favorites]

William Rowan Hamilton - a musical collaboration of science Youtubers with the greatest portrayal of Erwin Schrodinger by Hank Green.
posted by Talez at 6:04 AM on March 2, 2018 [4 favorites]

Thank heavens no one is around right now because those cartoon gun sounds are making me lose my absolute shit.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 6:05 AM on March 2, 2018 [5 favorites]

> "William Rowan Hamilton - a musical collaboration of science Youtubers with the greatest portrayal of Erwin Schrodinger by Hank Green."

I should sue.
posted by kyrademon at 6:09 AM on March 2, 2018 [4 favorites]

I love this. This is exactly what it’s like inside a brain with ADHD.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:27 AM on March 2, 2018 [8 favorites]

It can never be said too often that Weird Al is a genuinely great artist and composer. It's easy to write him off if you just listen to his parody songs, but many of his original works show just how skilled he is at dissecting a specific band or genre. Dare to be Stupid is a great example of this.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:30 AM on March 2, 2018 [27 favorites]

I actually had trouble sleeping last night and was browsing online, and started seeing a flurry of #hamildrop posts in the minutes leading up to midnight; so I was able to hear this right at first blush. Heh.

Space Hobo - if it makes you feel better, Lin-Manuel wasn't just That Guy, he was That Guy to Weird Al when they first met.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:33 AM on March 2, 2018 [8 favorites]

I'm going to see him Sunday night and I am so very excited. I'm also going to see Hamilton in April, the tickets were my Christmas gift to my wife. I'm more excited for Weird Al.

I've seen him twice before, on his usual costume changing, multimedia, SHOWS and they're amazing. This time around he's doing a stripped down show of mostly his original songs. No costumes, no videos, nothing. Just his band and him. I'm looking forward to it but I'm also not sure what to expect. My wife and son will be there as well so I'm hoping they also enjoy it. The tour t-shirt does a good job of explaining things.

I hope he does this. My wife is a big fan of the Hamilton soundtrack, less of a Weird Al fan, so this would be a pretty good mash-up for her to see.
posted by bondcliff at 6:38 AM on March 2, 2018 [7 favorites]

I've got tickets to see Al's new tour in a couple of weeks. I made a once-in-a-lifetime splurge for the VIP meet-and-greet. I can't wait.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:40 AM on March 2, 2018 [3 favorites]

Dare to be Stupid is a great example of this.

Mark Mothersbaugh's reaction to the song has always struck me as the ultimate expression of one artist tipping their (in this case red, domed) hat to another in appreciation.

"I was in shock. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. He sort of re-sculpted that song into something else and, umm … I hate him for it, basically."

posted by Strange Interlude at 6:41 AM on March 2, 2018 [26 favorites]

The funny thing for me, playing this on YouTube, is that it then served up a clip of LMM on Conan O'Brien's show, freaking out about meeting Weird Al, followed by a clip of Weird Al on Conan's show, talking about hanging with LMM.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:51 AM on March 2, 2018 [4 favorites]

My wife observed, "he didn't change the lyrics."

I pointed out Weird Al did a polka medley on each of is albums, where it was just the song done to a polka, no parody. Then I talked about how he produces his own albums and directs his own videos. And has directed other videos. And he was valedictorian in high school, and has a degree in architecture.

Then I realized I know way too much about Al Yankovic.
posted by MrGuilt at 7:02 AM on March 2, 2018 [50 favorites]

many of his original works show just how skilled he is at dissecting a specific band or genre. Dare to be Stupid is a great example of this.

I had more than a few folks convinced "Dog Eat Dog" is simply a Talking Heads cover.
posted by MrGuilt at 7:05 AM on March 2, 2018 [9 favorites]

this is exactly what i needed this morning, thank you

lmm on meeting weird al
posted by entropicamericana at 7:24 AM on March 2, 2018

Happy Melismata!!

but many of his original works show just how skilled he is at dissecting a specific band or genre. Dare to be Stupid is a great example of this.

IIRC, of his last album one of the reviewers said, "Al knows his targets better than they know themselves." THAT is a great artist and human being.
posted by Melismata at 7:37 AM on March 2, 2018 [6 favorites]

"Al knows his targets better than they know themselves."

This is portrayed really well in the 30 Rock (WHY DO I KEEP TALKING ABOUT 30 ROCK? IT'S NOT ANYWHERE NEAR MY FAVORITE SHOW.) episode Kidnapped By Danger, where "Weird Al" parodies a song of Jenna's and Jenna pitches a fit (gee) and counters by recording a song so absurd that Al can't parody it. Al, knowing Jenna better than Jenna knows herself, releases a "parody" of the song that's a serious, patriotic tearjerker BEFORE Jenna releases her absurd song, making Jenna look like a complete jackass (at least more than usual).

I solemnly swear not to rewatch 30 Rock for at least six months.
posted by elsietheeel at 7:52 AM on March 2, 2018 [14 favorites]

THAT is a great artist and human being.

Also his parodies never seem truly mean-spirited or nasty. Al's a genuinely good guy, whom people seem to really like*, and that's nice to see in this day and age.

*(My favorite thing about that Meltdown clip I linked to is Chris Hardwick realizing that "Weird Al" is onstage and he all but runs out of the green room to go watch with everyone else.)
posted by elsietheeel at 7:55 AM on March 2, 2018 [3 favorites]

I was one of those nerdy pre-teens who listened to novelty records almost exclusively, to the point where I would hear a song years later and go "Oh, so that's what that Weird Al song parodied!"

I kind of view my obsession with novelty music as an element of my that guy adolescence, and kind of look down on a lot of the genre as a result.

Really nice summary of the effect of the genre. You could take out Weird Al and insert The Barron Knights and it would transfer perfectly to my UK childhood.
posted by GeorgeBickham at 7:58 AM on March 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Then there's Ween. The college-age Weird Al?
posted by GeorgeBickham at 7:59 AM on March 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

Also his parodies never seem truly mean-spirited or nasty.

And he also makes a point of asking his targets for permission to do a parody of their song, even though he doesn't have to - and if they refuse, he respects their wishes.

Even if this means we have never had a Weird Al take on Prince and never will.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:01 AM on March 2, 2018 [10 favorites]

Now I want to hear "Raspberry Sorbet."
posted by uncleozzy at 8:02 AM on March 2, 2018 [11 favorites]

- the gunshots
- "...and Peggy." *pbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbthtththt*
- in honesty, just the accordion pumping in and out almost set me off by the end
posted by ominous_paws at 8:08 AM on March 2, 2018

Even if this means we have never had a Weird Al take on Prince and never will.

Yeah, but have you seen the video for UHF? Arsenio Hall asked Al about how it looks awful reminiscent of Batdance, to which he responded, “Sure, but nobody’s got a copyright on purple paisley and a wimpy mustache.”
posted by nickmark at 8:22 AM on March 2, 2018

I mean, there's the Coolio Thing, but I kind of trust Al's "I asked permission and afterwards Coolio said it wasn't given" more.

And then there's the Lady Gaga kerfuffle, where her management said "no!" and she went over their heads and said "STFU, guys. Al, go ahead, I want to see."

Or Kurt Cobain saying that when he heard from Al about the idea for "Smells Like Nirvana", said that was when he really felt they'd "made it".

So basically, Al's pretty cool about stuff. I haven't been able to listen to the new one yet, but I can't wait.
posted by mephron at 8:47 AM on March 2, 2018 [4 favorites]

Then there's Ween. The college-age Weird Al?

Depends on what college clique you hung with, I think. I always saw Ween as the stoner frat boy version of Weird Al, whereas the double-major honors dorm version of Weird Al was always They Might Be Giants.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:49 AM on March 2, 2018 [14 favorites]

Surely This: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jimmy Fallon React to Weird Al's "Hamilton Polka"
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:55 AM on March 2, 2018 [12 favorites]

I've got all sorts of time for Weird Al. I'm liking this alot.

Ever since I was a kid his original songs have always done it for me. I mean, c'mon...Nature Trail to Hell and Dare to Be Stupid? Genius.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 10:27 AM on March 2, 2018 [6 favorites]

I was about to share that same reaction video ZeusHumms did. LMM tweeted that his wife deserves a shout-out because she was the one who grabbed the camera to film his reaction even though she was juggling a newborn baby at the same time.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:37 AM on March 2, 2018 [5 favorites]

I mean, c'mon...Nature Trail to Hell and Dare to Be Stupid? Genius.

Albuquerque?
posted by Talez at 10:38 AM on March 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Watching Lin's face while he listens to that is unexpectedly moving. There are parts where he is cracking up, yes, but there are also parts where he looks completely awestruck, and parts where he looks like he's about to cry. It's like you can see the eight-year-old inner child completely flipping his shit.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:43 AM on March 2, 2018 [19 favorites]

The Jimmy Fallon and LMM split is so interesting to see what they enjoy about the song. Jimmy appears to be a big fan of Wierd Al, and delights when he predicts the polka elements before they happen. LMM seems more fascinated in the shifts between one song and another. Since he also composed Hamilton, I'm sure he's trying to wrap his brain around the different time signatures and keys between the original songs and the medley. You can see the gears moving in his brain as he fits the pieces together.

And they are both amazed at the speed singing parts!
posted by Hermeowne Grangepurr at 12:03 PM on March 2, 2018 [13 favorites]

And they are both amazed at the speed singing parts!

Its important to remember that Weird Al is a great rapper.

Proof, live.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:16 PM on March 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

Proof, live.

I thought that was going to be the Yoda Chant. But yes, he's amazing.
posted by Melismata at 1:28 PM on March 2, 2018

The cash register 'ka-ching', the tomcat 'meeeeow'!!!!

Perfection!
posted by obliviax at 1:49 PM on March 2, 2018

I may have missed this in the thread someplace, but in case no one has mentioned it: both Lin-Manuel and Al are going to be on Jimmy Fallon's show tonight.
posted by brentajones at 2:32 PM on March 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Rolling Stone interviews Lin & Al about the song
posted by cheshyre at 3:01 PM on March 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

It was great to watch the reaction video, because of LMM's reaction to Weird Al's rapping. I couldn't believe how well he nailed the Daveed Diggs speed-raps in Guns and Ships and Washington on Your Side, and you can see LMM is blown away as well. Especially that last part of Guns and Ships, he's said that he actually almost took that last bit out because it was so challenging, but once he knew Daveed Diggs would be playing the role, he kept it in.

I saw it last month with the touring company, and even the Lafeyette there struggled with that part a little, which is really no dig on the performer, because it's close to impossible. But Weird Al nailed it (I do wonder if they sped it up a bit ... but still, he has great flow).
posted by lunasol at 3:23 PM on March 2, 2018

Lin-Manuel making a cameo during Yoda in concert

Right Hand Yankovic, where Lin-Manuel is just hanging out singing with the Yankovic Family.
posted by Gary at 3:43 PM on March 2, 2018

I've told this tale before but when I was making plans to transfer away from my very-bad-first-choice college, one of the finalists was Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, partly because of its excellent student radio station. I regret NOT choosing Cal Poly because if I had, I'd have been working the radio station at the same time as Weird Al!!! For many years and many tours, he made it a point to do a show at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, and I got to see him there soon after I moved to the S.L.O. area in 2006. It was indeed one of my greatest experiences watching a live performance. He hasn't done a Cal Poly date for his last three tours and won't be on his Ridiculously Self-Indulgent Ill-Advised Vanity Tour (his closest performance is in Monterey).

I've always enjoyed Weird Al's polka medleys, but with some mixed emotions, because he doesn't do direct parodies of the songs he includes there (which opened up for a hundred lesser parodists to properly abuse "Gangnam Style")
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:59 PM on March 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

I just played this for my kids. They exploded. I realized I’d never played Weird Al for them before. We are now on a family journey of discovery.
posted by middleclasstool at 4:02 PM on March 2, 2018 [10 favorites]

I had trouble sleeping last night so I started seeing #hamildrop posts and then had to contain myself for 17 hours until everyone was home and awake at the same time to listen to it.
posted by tilde at 4:05 PM on March 2, 2018

Also his parodies never seem truly mean-spirited or nasty.

Which is why "It's Still Billy Joel to Me" never got included in any official release. After he did that one, he realized that it wasn't him, and regretted writing it.
posted by radwolf76 at 7:08 PM on March 2, 2018

My 11 year old daughter Hamilton fan couldn’t get enough of this. Can’t wait to take her down a Weird Al rabbit hole this weekend.
posted by gryphonlover at 8:27 PM on March 2, 2018

I have had the worst week and this is honestly the brightest and most wonderful thing I have heard in the last 72 hours
posted by Hermione Granger at 10:02 PM on March 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

I just love how excited and exuberant LMM is to be sitting there and then lip syncing with Weird Al. Seriously, wish I had 1/100th of LMM's excitement.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 10:12 PM on March 2, 2018 [4 favorites]

I think LMM is that excited because he is experiencing not just "I'm ten years old again," he's experiencing "I'm ten years old again but this time with Weird Al as my friend singing something I wrote!"

There's another clip from Fallon's show where they talk about everyone's reactions; apparently Al sent ?uestlove the MP3 at the same time as he sent it to LMM, so they both pretty much listened to it at the same time. Lin says that seconds after he finished listening to it himself, he got a call from ?uestlove, and when he answered, all ?uest said was "YAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:59 AM on March 3, 2018 [7 favorites]

What a life it must be, to casually learn that Tony Hawk named a move after you and have Questlove call you up to yell incomprehensibly about your work. And it could not have happened to a nicer man.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:03 AM on March 3, 2018 [3 favorites]

Then I realized I know way too much about Al Yankovic.

LIES.

You can never know too much about Weird Al.
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 2:58 PM on March 3, 2018 [8 favorites]

Okay I finally just watched the episode itself (nobody mentioned Mac was on it and I love that kid) and I think my most favorite thing about LMM is just how honest and enthusiastic and earnest about the things he loves and it's obvious that he gives no fucks about what people think, much like Al himself, and I absolutely adore people like that. ✋✋
posted by elsietheeel at 5:52 PM on March 3, 2018 [1 favorite]

It can never be said too often that Weird Al is a genuinely great artist and composer. It's easy to write him off if you just listen to his parody songs, but many of his original works show just how skilled he is at dissecting a specific band or genre. Dare to be Stupid is a great example of this.


Absolutely. The brilliant One More Minute starts off as a 50s-style heartbreak ballad, but Al lets you know you're in for something different in the second lyric: "So I pulled your name out of my Rolodex..."
posted by Gelatin at 6:41 AM on March 4, 2018 [2 favorites]

I just got home from seeing Weird Al at the Wilbur Theater in Boston. Such a great show. Among other things, he did Albuquerque, The Biggest Ball of Twine In Minnesota, a cover of the Standells' Dirty Water, a lounge/unplugged medley of some of his parodies, and a whole bunch of other original, non-parody songs. No costumes, no videos, no set changes, just him and his band.

I've seen him three times now, and people don't believe me when I tell them, but he's one of the best performers I've ever seen. If you have ever even remotely chuckled at anything he's done, you should make an effort to go see him if you can.
posted by bondcliff at 8:31 PM on March 4, 2018 [2 favorites]

His ill-considered tour is indeed ill-considered in that he's not coming here, but really, who in their right mind would come to Florida?

Once upon a time, I went to an outdoor concert with friends (yes, Florida, yes, outdoors, yes, stupid hot). Two of us were in the second row, one in the first, and the one in the first got personally serenaded by Al, leg on the shoulder and everything ... <3
posted by tilde at 7:39 AM on March 5, 2018