"Weird Al" Yankovic - The Saga Begins | Opera Singer Reacts LIVE

[@maggiereneemusic]

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[@Acebandet167]

Listen to Albuquerque

[@BaronessErsatz]

Amish Paradise White and Nerdy Fat Tacky Word Crimes

[@Reshtarc]

❤❤❤

[@cpmf2112]

Listen or watch the original before the parody to gain a whole new level of appreciation for Weird Al's genius.

[@cpmf2112]

Smells Like Nirvana is a brilliant parody and video of Smells Like Teen Spirit

[@Norbrookc]

Don McLean has said that his kids played this song so much that during concerts he'd accidentally start singing it instead of American Pie.

[@paulkelk5142]

i would love to here Don McLean sing this version of the song

[@lonewolfx499]

There was a good stretch where I was only capable of singing the Weird Al version even if I tried to sing the original.😂

[@eddielane9569]

That is funny😂

[@halhortonsworld5870]

PLEASE do more Weird Al reactions. Even though his music is silly, he is actually a musical genius. His band has been with him since the beginning.

[@Tampahop]

Musical genius? You bet! Watch "Bob."

[@ronaldnelson6692]

@halhortonsworld5870 His ability to match the song with the original rhythmically is unmatched. It's what kept him popular for 40+ years now.

[@num1otori143]

He is one of a few artists that has golden albums in the 80s, 90s, and 00.

[@juanmanuelavendanoclarke8915]

Now you mention it, what about a reaction over Dare to be Stupid?

[@JPMadden]

"Eat It" "Fat" "Smells Like Nirvana" "Living with a Hernia" "Amish Paradise" "It's All About the Pentiums" "Word Crimes" "White & Nerdy"

[@DracosDiabolis]

And now. You can never hear Don McClain - American Pie without this song creeping into your brain.

[@88wildcat]

Sometimes Don McLean can't play American Pie without this song creeping into his brain.

[@MichaelScheele]

@@88wildcat , I think he's said that he has accidentally used Weird Al's lyrics instead of his own when performing "American Pie".

[@MaKettle111]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Brirend]

Yeah, Don McLean has said he loves this song and when he performs American Pie he has to pay attention or he might swap the lyrics.

[@Danceofmasks]

I had not heard the bassline of American Pie before I heard this song. It significantly improved my appreciation of both songs.

[@johnbarry1712]

Is this Maggie's first Weird Al reaction? I MUST have more! He's an epic artist!

[@nihlify]

I could swear I've seen her react to Al before, but not sure.

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

She really needs to do Albuquerque!

[@derfun5949]

She needs to do his originals, for sure. You Don't Love Me Anymore goated

[@annpriddy3870]

Weird Al is an American treasure. You know you’ve made it as a singer if Al does a parody of your song.

[@tj_2701]

Not only did he manage to make a great parody of a very beloved song without it being hated he did so using the story of a movie. Brilliant.

[@LednacekZ]

and he wrote it before the movie got into theatres. He only used leaked information about the script.

[@bluwng]

He is literally doing a Don McLean parody of American Pie. Whoever said it was Billy Joel doesn’t think before they write.

[@TheFireMonkey]

One of the things about Weird Al is the fact that he mimics the voice of the singer who's song he parodies. Of course he isn't always perfect in the copy - but you did recognise he sounded like Don Mclean, so clearly he got close enough. I love a lot of his songs and definitely this is one I love. Another great one is Amish Paradise.

[@chrismaverick9828]

Al's band is one of the most skilled groups you'll ever hear. The way they can mimic almost anyone's style and switch between is insane!

[@Amm1ttai]

That nasally tone is his signature. It makes him who he is.

[@plantlord3266]

weird al is a genius and pays attention to details-so glad you enjoyed this...

[@DougRayPhillips]

Weird Al has had comedy songs on the airwaves since 1976. It's a deep rabbit hole.

[@davidmichaelson1092]

"My Bologna" and "Another One Rides the Bus." I remember them!

[@matthewzeller5026]

What makes it even more impressive is that this came out before the movie but still follows the plot almost exactly.

[@legionaireb]

It was WRITTEN before the movie released, but it was a condition for permission that the song wouldn't be released until AFTER the movie premiered.

[@wyattstevens8574]

Weird Al already had found enough spoilers to not *need* to watch the movie!

[@Lordzoabar]

Al’s version of the movie is better anyway. 🤣

[@SpenReyn]

Weird Al tries to sound like himself using the mannerisms of the original singer, instead of trying to copy the original singer exactly. He wrote the lyrics when all he had seen was a trailer, making it even more amazing!

[@larrybremer4930]

As I heard the story he also somehow got a hold of a leaked script and used it even though he did not know if it was authentic. Clearly it was.

[@yerk55]

Dunno about that one. I don't remember any of the trailers containing this much of the plot, including spoiling that Qui-Gon dies.

[@SunsetScepter]

Weird Al is phenomenal. It's a common thing to say in the music industry that you know you've really made it as an artist when Weird Al parodies your song

[@miketierney7451]

If this is your first time listening to Weird Al you have many treats in store. He is the epitome of a hoot.

[@steelers6titles]

"Amish Paradise" is Weird Al's masterpiece.

[@badplay156]

Personally I also like Tacky which was just one continuous shot

[@bobbyquinting3918]

Coolio's bad reaction to it made it even more of a hit!

[@esteban280889]

White and nerdy

[@robbob5302]

One of many masterpieces.

[@aaronjorgensen8333]

honestly, i think the true masterpiece, has to be the longest, one breath, run on sentence in modern music, in Hardware Store

[@williamwhitecage7988]

his song "Hardware Store" would blow your mind at one part in the song (not giving it away) :)

[@Unitopia117]

Yes, please!!!

[@wyattstevens8574]

@@williamwhitecage7988 At that point, doing the math over "this part," he's actually faster than Hamilton ever is!

[@lareolanKFP]

It's such an underrated song, and Al blows me away every time I hear it.

[@firedoc5]

When they say that parody is the ultimate compliment, Weird Al takes it to a new level. It is brilliant how he can rearrange a song's lyrics and with the videos. We would stay up late night to listen to Dr. Dimento's show on the car radio and just laugh our heads off.

[@jayt9608]

Back in the around 2002, my family had an hour drive home every Sunday after church. Dr. Demento helped keep the long drive from being particularly tedious.

[@ericzeichert511]

Opera singers such as yourself have to be wordsmiths...for that reason, you would have a special appreciaton for his parody "Word Crimss" to the tune of "blurred lines" and it details misuses of the English language.

[@stephanginther9051]

Fun fact. Weird Al has a degree in architecture. Bonus fact. Rowan Atkinson has a masters degree in electrical engineering...imagine Mr Bean having control over robots or a power grid, lol.

[@revpembroke3082]

Rowan Atkinson, not Ron Atkinson.

[@stephanginther9051]

@@revpembroke3082 thanks, I fixed it.

[@flyflorida2001]

Weird Al is a LEGEND! More reacts from him please!

[@stevenduhon6766]

This video was actually released prior to the premier of the movie, "The Phantom Menace." Weird Al composed the lyrics based on internet spoilers and leaked info for the upcoming movie. He did pay $500 to see an advanced screening of the movie but he only had to make minor corrections to his lyrics.

[@SynthMusicWorld]

Al and his band are all incredibly talented musicians. They have to switch between styles and genres on the fly during their live show, which they do effortlessly. I've seen Al live a few times, and was lucky to meet him a couple of times and he's a humble and, surprisingly shy person.

[@acatnamedm4529]

Weird Al has the best live shows if you ever get the chance to see him in concert. His band is top tier and flawlessly genre switch.

[@matthewgoodA1206]

Weird Al’s level of parody is just top-tier. I can’t think of any other artist who spoofs music as well as he does. And the amount of production that goes into his parodies is off the charts.

[@dragonreader3817]

He’s my husband’s favorite artist. He puts on a fabulous show. Changes costumes for most of the songs he sings.

[@mikenolan8044]

Thanks! I love Weird AL and this is among his best. Good reaction, good comments, good fun!. 🌠

[@maggiereneemusic]

Thank you!! 🥳🎶🎉🐶💟

[@calgaryjimbo]

Al is an underrated musical genius who has been putting out brilliant parodies for 4 decades now. So clever and super obsessed with making his songs as nearly perfect as possible. Since he took over production of his music from his original producer, Rick Derringer, he spends hours, if not days in the recording booth finessing each little detail to make the songs sound both as true to the original as possible AND as funny as possible. Amazing talent! Other favourites of mine include "Eat It," "I Love Rocky Road," "Bohemian Polka," "CNR," "One More Minute," "Yoda," "Melanie," "Word Crimes," "Mission Statement," "Bob," "It's All About the Pentiums," "White and Nerdy," and "Smells Like Nirvana." There's a lot to enjoy, is what I'm trying to say. Enjoy!

[@normanshute7162]

Back in the day you knew you made it after Al did a parody of your song!

[@torstensteinert776]

There is a split-screen video showing Weird Al in Fat side by side with the original. Really great

[@Flirkann]

Yeah, I recall it mentioned that a condition of Michael's was that his choreographer had to be used

[@thomashiggins9320]

Weird Al is an utter genius. For awhile in the '80s, to get a song selected by Al for a parody was considered quite a distiction. It was the musical equivalent of a guest appearance on The Muppet Show; it meant one had "arrived." 😊

[@legionaireb]

It was novel in the 80s, but it wasn't until the 90s that it officially became an indicator of success.

[@SebastianWeinberg]

There's a reason why Al Yankovic is a *_LEGEND_* and has been for decades.

[@M-S_4321]

I knew Wierd Al was special hearing him in 1976 listening to an AM radio to the Dr Demento Show (very quietly) under my covers so my parents wouldn't catch me.

[@BaronessErsatz]

No H on the end of his name. No relation to accordionist Frankie Yankovic. No peers in parody. No kidding.

[@guestuser2373]

He is a parody genius. Please do more.

[@billsager5634]

More Weird Al songs to do: "White and Nerdy" "Fat" "Eat It" "My Bologna" "I Lost on Jeopardy"

[@joek468]

The Weird Al- Billy Joel Piano Man parody was Ode to a Super hero about Spiderman

[@thebyrd433]

Weird Al is a genius, and you really should give White & Nerdy a listen. I also highly recommend Amish Paradise. I've seen Weird Al in concert twice, and he's an amazing showman.

[@rmweidner7596]

Don Mclean has previously mentioned in interviews that he sometimes catches himself, onstage, starting to sing Al's lyrics to this song. In what I consider to be a coincidence of truly epic proportions, Al made this parody before _Star Wars: The Phantom Menace_ had been released in theaters and had taken the vast majority of his song lyrics from the trailers which Lucasfilm had released. When he reached out to George Lucas' team to get their approval (he already had Don Mclean's), George then filled in a few items so the song wouldn't conflict with the movie's plot. From what I understand, George Lucas was more than a little impressed that Al was able to figure out so much of the plot from the trailers.

[@robertvroom]

In my opinion, his funniest video is "Tacky". He is an amazing artist. 🙂

[@sadfaery]

This song is legitimately better than the movie it's about. And sometimes I find myself almost about to sing tgese lyrics when listening to the original song. Lol.

[@jayt9608]

I recommend Word Crimes, Yoda, or Hardware Store for additional reaction material, though Eat It, Foil, I'm Fat, Amish Paradise, White And Nerdy, and any number of others would be good as well.

[@steelers6titles]

My Bologna Fat ("Bad") Eat It I Lost On Jeopardy

[@ShortyRock801]

Since you’ve been gone Young Dumb & ugly You don’t love me anymore Melanie Once I think of more I’ll posit them

[@maryrichardson1318]

@@ShortyRock801 One of my favorite holiday songs is Christmas At Ground Zero. I never felt right playing it again after 9-11-2001

[@ShortyRock801]

@@maryrichardson1318 also Trigger Happy .. which he’ll never play again

[@aaronbredon2948]

Like a Surgeon Eat It!

[@ryansheehan9462]

Please allow me to add The Night Santa Went Crazy to this list

[@brutusmaximumus]

The nasal tone is the only thing that saves the original from being forgotten in the dustbin of history by the genius of Weird Al's writing. Its a mercy from Al.

[@tj_2701]

He is very good at sounding like who he is parodying

[@rayvanhorn1534]

Weird Al is so freakin creative, this & “Amish Paradise” are my favorites. (Okay, since you brought it up Maggie, ya gotta add “White & Nerdy”😂)

[@deweyhall712]

Theres a few artist who hit it big, thanks to weird al...❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@AzarathMetreon]

The chatter who told you it was a Billy Joel parody is fired 😂 Side note, the nasality is kinda just how his voice sounds even in interviews. Creativity is definitely his strongest feature imo. All of his parodies are great lol.

[@ryansheehan9462]

My favourite thing about this is how he even used Don McLean’s unique rhyme scheme where words within the line rhyme along with lines rhyme with each other

[@jpchan23]

his style parody of Bob Dylan "bob" is on point coupled with the video it is 🔥

[@famijher]

This song is even more incredible than most people realize. He wrote this before the movie actually came out. This was back in 1999, when the Internet wasn't nearly as prevalent. He haunted all kinds of bulletin boards for any kinds of hints for what the movie would actually be about. It's amazing how much he got right. Also, it's not Weird A.I. It's Weird AL!

[@tj_2701]

Weird Al is The G.O.A.T. and a genius I can definitely highly recommend that you checkout more of his work. Also, try and make sure you are familiar with the original first.

[@Cobalt_Dragon0716]

Fun fact, Weird Al is only 1 OF 3 MUSICAL ARTISTS (the others are Madonna and Michael Jackson) to have A TOP 40 HIT IN EVERY DECADE SINCE THE 80s.

[@waynefinnicumbb7218]

Don McClean said he accidently started singing this song instead of American Pie before at his own concert. I hope you do Amish Paradise next. Absolutely hilarious.

[@billsturm9225]

Thanks again Mike for sponsoring this for me. I love Weird Al

[@johnbowersox738]

Not only is Weird Al a lyrical genius in my opinion, his vocal control in on point and his inflections are on point

[@tomemig7465]

Al is one of the best performers ever, in my opinion. I saw him live 3 years ago and loved the show.

[@paulr.3220]

What a treat! This is my first time seeing this video and to see it with Maggie Renee' is a treat.

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

Leave it to Weird Al to predict the whole movie, lol

[@SusanFritz-v7i]

He has been a creative genius for decades. Sample the Amish parody please. You will love it.

[@danlabok7117]

Hi Maggie, I stumbled upon this channel while searching for a Skid Row song and have been binge watching and learning quite a bit from you. Someday take a listen to Cinderella as I think you'll find the lead vocalist Tom Kiefer rather....unique. I'd recommend Don't Know What You Got (Til It's Gone) as a starter before you dive deeper into the heavier rock. Thank you and have a great day.

[@maggiereneemusic]

Welcome! 🥳

[@ad9aggie]

This came out about 3 months before Star Wars: Episode 1. His other Star Wars parody is "Yoda" where he successfully predicted the Star Wars' cast's return to movies. Keep on keepin' on, young lady!

[@phobiaone306]

I believe he was given a copy of the script, and came out with this song without seeing the movie.

[@bidwell13]

He recorded it a month prior to Episode one but didn’t release it until July on his running with scissors album. Lucas wouldn’t let him release this before the movie cause of all the spoilers. Lucasfilm also denied him access to the script due to the secrecy of the film so he searched all the leaked info he could find and pieced this together.

[@lukemilam918]

He didn’t really predict it. He was given certain info to be able to make an accurate song for them.

[@originaldcjensen]

@@lukemilam918Al himself says he researched online, finding and sorting through spoilers and determining the most likely storyline. He was incredibly close.

[@Lufsixq]

Weird Al wrote the song 3 months before the production of The Phantom Menace went into production. George Lucus gave him an advanced copy of the script and this is how the song was constructed.

[@mrright3277]

Al is an institution and he puts on a great show. Not all of his song are parodies. 'You Don't Love Me Anymore' is an original but parodies the 'More than Words' video by Extreme. Other great parodies are 'Word Crimes' based on 'Blurred Lines' and 'Perform this Way' based on 'Born this Way.'

[@jerrychubb6168]

Weird Al deserves more credit than he gets for his skills as a singer/writer.

[@mcm95403]

Amazing talent! HE just turned a 2 hour movie into a 5 minute song, sung to 40 year old music. The amazing thing is just how well he fits it all together.

[@julieford8788]

My daughter is a huge Weird Al fan. She knows all the words to every song of his. I like him too ❤️

[@lareolanKFP]

The most amazing thing about this song is he wrote it BEFORE the movie came out based on promotional material and leaks and rumors, George Lucas was allegedly really impressed with how he managed to extrapolate and guess so many details correctly and even gave Al a preview of the movie before release (and asked him not to release the song until after the movie comes out).

[@dennislofstrom6177]

"Everything you know is wrong" Is one of my favorites.

[@rolkflameraven1483]

probably the most insane thing was this song was written before the movie dropped. He made this from leaks and the trailers and his own idea about how the plot would go! And he was spot on with most of it!

[@greyfade]

The best part is that Al wrote this song based on Internet leaks about Episode 1. He didn't actually know for sure if anything was right, but he nailed it. Even got approval from George Lucas.

[@JK-tn4xp]

There are so many great Weird Al songs. I love Yoda. That was his start to the Star Wars songs. He’s probably the best parody artist ever.

[@unicyclist97]

Weird Al is an incredible singer and lyricist. His voice keeps changing in every song. He even has a biopic with Daniel Radcliffe playing him 😄

[@bobbyjennings6480]

If you have a chance to see him live, do it. It'll be one of the best live shows you'll ever see.

[@Johnadams20760]

he also did one 15 years prior to this called Y.O.D.A to the tune of L O L A

[@romine777]

Recommend "Like a Surgeon" which is parody of Madonna's "Like a Virgin". Not only did Madonna give permission to use her song and video, she also had input.

[@jenniferneuensmorgan9272]

She actually asked him to do a parody of her song, if I remember correctly.

[@drjohnsmith5282]

Billy Joel parody? No. Maggie was right the first time: Al sounds like McClean because that’s who he’s parodying

[@baron7755]

yea that really confused me when she said that, it is clearly not Billy Joel

[@charlieknowlton7003]

White and Nerdy is a good one. Also if you are familiar with Zappa, His pastiche song Genius in France is one to listen to . If you are familiar with Devo, you would like Dare to be Stupid. Saw Al Live a few years ago. Came with his band AND orchestra!! Sometimes between songs they'd leave the stage and have a video playing while they changed costume to look like Devo or Star Wars characters. Al is really great at being a chameleon, slipping into character of the song. What I don't remember in the bio is that artists considered it a higher degree of "making it" if Al wanted to parody one of their songs. I think Madonna actually asked Al in advance to parody one of her songs which resulted in Like a Surgeon. Also the original artists also helped Al with his videos which such things as lending their original sets to use. Oh Yes, Do MORE Al!!!

[@chrisblackstock4937]

When Weird Al does this song in concert, he invites members of the local 501st Legion Star Wars costume group to come on stage and do a little dance routine while he sings. I’ve gotten to be on stage with Al 3 times. It’s an amazing experience!!!!

[@DerekScottBland]

Maggie, the best way to react to Weird Al's parodies is to do a back-to-back so you can really gauge his work. My suggestion to start out would be to do Coolio's "Gangster's Paradise" and follow that with Al's "Amish Paradise," probably one of his best loved songs.

[@craigmorris4083]

Is anyone else singing along? 🙂

[@OfficialAuntieJenn]

Yes😁🤘🏼

[@Raven5150]

Many musicians consider it an honor to be parody by wierd al and you know you made it when wierd al parodys you

[@chrismaverick9828]

I'm pretty sure this video marked the first time Al ditched his trademark glasses, a bit of re-invigorating himself.

[@JokerNL070]

Still love how palpatine is on the piano

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

I'm shocked that you did not instantly recognise "American Pie"! Such a classic song and Al has it parodied to a Tee.

[@kevinwalsh9788]

Parody of Queen. " Another One Rides the Bus ". This song was recorded in a bathroom for the acoustics.

[@michaelevans1193]

So many Weird Al songs to push. Recency bias for Hamilton Polka, but the OG “My Bologna” is awesome.

[@DjOdyssey1971]

This song was released days BEFORE the movie even came out. Weird Al got tips on the plot of the movie mostly thru internet leaks, and possibly someone at Lucus Films...

[@taun856]

If you were impressed with his diction in this one, listen to his "Hardware Store". It will absolutely amaze you.

[@WilliamRoop-xt6rp]

Weird Al doesn't just parody the music and words, he parodies their voice and style. He isn't impersonating them, he's pushing their voice personality.

[@DisneyBatchman]

Now you need to react to White and Nerdy after talking about it so much!

[@trixiebella]

Love this one! Probably My favorite by Al! Great job Maggie!

[@dantallman5345]

Living With a Hernia is a must. It is a parody of James Brown’s Living In America. Brown was a good sport and gave Weird Al access and input. One thing you will see is that Weird Al goes all in…music, gestures, mannerisms, vocals, wardrobe, and location. It probably is a good idea to research enough to recognize the song he is parodying and watch that first. Hardware Store is an original Weird Al song…very creative, funny and rapper fast.

[@johnbarry1712]

I would love to see her react to White and Nerdy! She'd have so much fun with it!

[@3DJapan]

Nasal quality of his voice... That's just Weird Al's voice.

[@CoRin-o4v]

Why Wierd Al didn't get an Grammy for this song, is inexcusable.

[@cliffordbass1212]

the parody is brilliant and knowing his other parodies he always sounds like the original singer

[@waeress]

In the USA at the time, Weird Al's song came out just before or after the premier of th movie. But here in Sweden (and I think much of europe), it was out months before the premier. So he actually spoiled the plot for us :D

[@tonyjackson4078]

Funniest thing, Al actually recounts the entire movie The Phantom Menace in the song.

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

I heard a rumor that Don Mclean nearly choked on his drink the first time he watched this laughing lol.