Mandatory Fun (Album 14) Speculation :3

[CharlesNelson]

"Pretty Fly for a Rabbi" and "Ricky" are the only exceptions I can think of where he had a woman sing a more prominent part. I think it's far more likely we'll see

"Original Song" by "Weird Al" Yankovic ft. Amanda Palmer
than
"Parody Song" by "Weird Al" Yankovic ft. Lisa Popeil

if that's what we're talking about here, because Palmer is a more recognized vocalist and Popeil has historically only done background vocals. If Al parodied "The Monster" he'd sing Rihanna's part just like he sang Bruno Mars's part on "Nothin' on You" for "Another Tattoo." I don't think gender matters here.

[Moneybags]

"Pretty Fly for a Rabbi" and "Ricky" are the only exceptions I can think of where he had a woman sing a more prominent part. I think it's far more likely we'll see

"Original Song" by "Weird Al" Yankovic ft. Amanda Palmer
than
"Parody Song" by "Weird Al" Yankovic ft. Lisa Popeil

if that's what we're talking about here, because Palmer is a more recognized vocalist and Popeil has historically only done background vocals. If Al parodied "The Monster" he'd sing Rihanna's part just like he sang Bruno Mars's part on "Nothin' on You" for "Another Tattoo." I don't think gender matters here.

Agreed. The only other song I can think of offhand is "Trash Day", and on that song the female voice was uncredited entirely. Whatever Amanda Palmer did with Al, she's probably more prominent, and Lisa's vocals could easily be relegated to the background variety. If you think about it, "Perform This Way" had female backing vocals, too. So perhaps this Lisa Popeil track is a parody of a song with a female singer where Lisa was brought in to hit certain background vocals that are out of Al's range.

[bryce87]

What range in vocals are we talking about? Lots of pop songs these days are autotuned

[Killingsworth]

Has Lisa ever been featured in such a prominent way as you all are speculating, as a lead vocalist?

I don't know if this counts as lead vocals but I'd say the most prominently Lisa has ever been featured on a song would be "Mr. Popeil"and that was only a style parody. I guess it depends on whether or not you'd call the B-52s Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson "lead" vocalists.

I actually agree with CharlesNelson here. His post seems to make the most sense. After all, Al did announce himself that Amanda Palmer was going to be on the album and that was almost a year ago now. He has made no such announcement about Lisa, so obviously Amanda will be the one to be featured more prominently on one of the originals and Lisa will be doing backup on one of the parodies.

If the song Lisa is on doesn't happen to be another female parody, I think it's a strong possibility that Al started recording a parody of Pharrell's hit "Happy" or possibly "The Man" by Aloe Blacc last week and Lisa is one of many backup vocalists singing the choir part that comes in about two or three minutes into each song respectively. (Here's the videos for "Happy" and "The Man" cued up to the part of each song I'm talking about)

Lastly, I'd just like to say I hope this album finally breaks the recent trend of artists (or someone on their unwitting behalf) trying to jerk Al around on getting the lead single recorded and released. (See Eminem, James Blunt, Lady Gagas' management, etc)

[Killingsworth]

Thanks for the positive feedback. I'll sort out some of those dead links.

[QuantumError]

You know, I was thinking...In the last ten years, the internet has completely changed the face of how parodies are done. More specifically what I mean, I'm sure everyone has noticed, is that people just crank out parody after parody of so many hit songs, I'd almost guarantee that these artists don't ask for permission. So when Al comes to these newer artists and those being affected by the internet, they probably aren't used to how serious people like Al are in regards to their songs and his parodies, and maybe it scares them off or concerns them to the point that they give Al headaches, like we've seen since starting with Poodle Hat.

[CharlesNelson]

I actually agree with CharlesNelson here. His post seems to make the most sense.

I've done it! I won the Internet! Thanks though, seriously!

If the song Lisa is on doesn't happen to be another female parody, I think it's a strong possibility that Al started recording a parody of Pharrell's hit "Happy" or possibly "The Man" by Aloe Blacc last week and Lisa is one of many backup vocalists singing the choir part that comes in about two or three minutes into each song respectively. (Here's the videos for "Happy" and "The Man" cued up to the part of each song I'm talking about)

Ooh, thinking about it, I really like the idea of "The Man" specifically. "Happy" is obviously another good option for Al too, but for some reason Aloe Blacc has been sticking in my mind and "The Man" could really work and could have Lisa singing background vocals.

[QuantumError]

I know in all likelihood this won't happen.. but Avril Lavigne released a new album a few months ago and it did manage to make it into the top 10 in the US and multiple other countries. A second parody of her isn't necessarily against the rules...Plus she's got one particular single that is somewhat catchy enough (and apparently racist enough to get some wide-spread popularity) to make it potential parody fodder..Possibly not lead single fodder, but maybe it was done already as filler material.

[mrmeadows]

Just went and listened to "The Man", and I agree this seems like it could be a viable target for Al. Also could be a roundabout way of checking Elton John (who I don't believe he's ever spoofed*) off his checklist.

*No, "I Guess that's Why They Call it the Zoo" doesn't count.

[minnick27]

They did just release the 40th anniversary edition of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which I told my wife would be nice if Al grabbed a song off there, since it started him playing rock n roll on the accordion. She did not care