World of Weird Al Yankovic

Uh, Girls Just Wanna Have Lunch is a bad example. That was a song Al was forced to do, not one that people expected. Yeah, him stretching out and covering topics people don't expect is not disappointing at all. It shows he's grown as a songwriter. Sure, this new song isn't fall down funny, but it does hit home with people who have either been on the Jungle Cruise *raises hand*, or people who worked on the Jungle Cruise, or even at Disney. If ya haven't been on the ride, watch the video that's linked in here. I dunno, I liked it right away.

Ok, so Bobbi said it's not about the Jungle Cruise. Well, it is and yet, it is also about a man's life, and how the choices he made affected it.

NNY273000 @ July 13, 2009 10:58 pm wrote: I'm very excited to hear Skipper Dan on tour next year. medley.

The medley has always been made up of parodies. I think this song will end up in the spot where CBNC is on the last tour. It'd be easy for Al to call for a drum solo, and then slip on a vest and hat while Bermuda's doing his thing.

It tis now on youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WinbT34f8M

Not long after hearing this song/watching the video for the first time (that is to say, several hours ago), it occurred to me that "Skipper Dan" would be the perfect nickname for a loser, failure of a person to be used by a cynical, sarcastic, nickname-happy character in my stories. The character, Samara Pearse, is somewhat a parallel of Dr. Cox on Scrubs to her classmates in high school, and although not an Al fan by any means (I have other characters who are, rest assured), she could come across this song by any number of ways (in passing online, being told about it because she's an actor and Disneyland fan, etc.), and could then adopt the title to demean another character with a similar run of bad luck. Granted, that character has yet to even be created (and he won't be named Dan), but I like the idea enough to go forth with it.

I just thought it'd share this relevant thought.

It looks like it's made it's way onto iTunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSt ... 2&s=143441

The lyrics aren't funny per se--like people are saying, it's actually a somewhat depressing story. You're not laughing at the guy for where he ended up in life. The humor comes from how relatable it is; everybody knows what it feels like to have extravagant hopes that don't pan out the way you planned. It's just the kind of situation where you might as well laugh, because otherwise you're gonna cry.

But I'll agree that the music is the main factor in what makes it so great. It's just insanely catchy; there aren't a whole lot of originals that I think have a radio-friendly sound (that's not to say they're lacking in the tune department; just that they don't have that certain 'thing' that pops out as having mainstream appeal) but this one does.

Okay. This song is AWESOME!

This is basically everything I want in an Al original. It's well produced. The music's really catchy. And the lyrics are clever. I immediately thought this would fit nicely in with the originals found on "Alapalooza" -- very strong musically, not necessarily a ton laugh-out-loud lyrics, but full of what I call "smart humor" (i.e. you have to listen between the lines, or know a little about the subject, to get some of the jokes -- or in other words, you gotta be somewhat smart to get it.)

The video's cute too.

Well done, Al. This one will go on the iPod.

Dave

It tis now on youtube!

Yeah, but it's not an official upload, just a repost of the MySpace vid.

anthontherun @ July 14, 2009 01:49 am wrote: It's just the kind of situation where you might as well laugh, because otherwise you're gonna cry.

Oh, so *that's* what I was supposed to be doing? Laugh not to cry? Should have said so sooner! Did nothing but cry all day!

Okay, not all day.

---

Anyway, whose voice says "what have I done with my life"?

Honestly, I don't think this song was that good lyric-wise. not that funny. Sorry...

AlejandraDD @ July 14, 2009 04:54 am wrote:
Anyway, whose voice says "what have I done with my life"?

Um, Al's.

I really hope this shows up in the setlist, not least to get to hear the guys in the band doing that tropical bebop vocal thing in the background.