11 Reasons "Weird Al" Yankovic Should Be Your Favorite Artist

Since the dawn of YouTube about a decade ago, parody artists have been booming. Just the other day I was shown a version of Uptown Funk turned Lord Voldemort by my dad. But no parody artist has quite surpassed the artistic skills of "Weird Al" Yankovic, someone who was around and famous long before YouTube and is arguably the first in his profession. That's right: That crazy guy with the accordion. What makes him better than his competition, though? It's hard to whittle that one down to a science, but I'll sure try!

1.) Recorded his first hit in a bathroom

That's right. A bathroom. There was a local radio contest going on at the time and he decided to submit a parody of the then popular My Sharona with just he and his accordion.

Why the bathroom? Apparently it had better acoustics. Though I would hardly consider it one of his greats, this song about putting together a bologna sandwich still managed to bring him to fame.

2.) Asks permission before he mocks

Though it is completely legal to parody other songs, Yankovic likes to keep things polite and ask artists permission before he writes a parody of their music. Which is pretty nice considering some of his work completely mocks the artist themselves.

Perform this Way

However, many artists have said that Weird Al notices you, you know you've made it. Perhaps being mocked is a good price to pay for that.

3.) The original fangirl

Long before the existence of the internet and Tumblr, there was Weird Al. Just like most fangirls in our society today, he liked to support his movies and TV through words and/or art.

The Saga Begins

With a wide collection of songs based off of Star Wars, Spider-Man, Forrest Gump, The Beverly Hillbillies, I Love Lucy, Jurassic Park, and even Jeopardy!, Weird Al has shown his undying love to the television and movie industry. Except maybe for I Can't Watch This, parody of U Can't Touch This by M.C. Hammer.

4.) Becomes another person

The greatest talent Yankovic possesses is his uncanny ability to mimic another person. From mimicking Michael Jackson thirty years ago to copying Lorde's music videos today, he's the best in his business. One of my favorites may just be the time he completely copied Madonna's choreography in Like a Virgin in his similarly titled parody, Like a Surgeon.

Like a Surgeon

Not only does Yankovic possess the vocal range the mimic almost any artist, he does everything he can to completely mimic them in his videos. Outfits, hair, copying the odder details of the videos, and even mimicking some album art along the way.

5.) Makes us forget the words to the originals

Oftentimes I don't even realize how much Weird Al has seeped into my life till I am in public and a popular song comes on. Unlike the majority of the people who are singing along (probably not many), I'm that person singing all of the wrong lyrics without realizing it. Weird Al's songs are so memorable to me that I can no longer properly sing the originals without pulling up a lyric sheet.



I can't even remember what the controversy over Blurred Lines was anymore because the only words I can remember are those from Word Crimes. Everybody shut up.

6.) He says what we're all thinking

Sometimes he conveys it just through his song titles like in Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me, but sometimes he conveys it through an entire song. Like that time we all used the word complicated for everything in our lives and he turned Avril Lavigne's Complicated into A Complicated Song. Or my personal favorite. . .

Smells Like Nirvana

"What is this song all about? Can't figure any lyrics out. How do the words to it go? I wish you'd tell me, I don't know."

Smells Like Teen Spirit is probably one of the most famous grunge songs coming out of the 90's and as far as I can tell, people still don't know what Kurt Cobain was trying to convey. Weird Al said it like he heard it and wrote an entire song about not knowing the words to this song.

7.) His originals are just as good

While most people want to listen to their favorite songs made funny, Yankovic has a good collection of his own work. Complete with costumes and sometimes videos, he has found a way to make us scratch our heads and say, "huh, I wonder what song this came from?"

You Don't Love Me Anymore (image from hipsterweirdal.tumblr.com)

Despite the fact that we don't already know the tune, his originals are usually very memorable and just as classic as his parodies.

8.) Polka!

Okay, we know that this is an acquired taste, but I think we can all agree that it's amazing that Yankovic never dropped his accordion wielding skills. In fact, in every album he includes one polka rendition of a collection of popular songs since his last album with the correct words.

While you might have to be into polka to really enjoy it, the polka songs are still really interesting to listen to.

9.) He brings costumes to his concerts

All the costumes from his videos? Yes, that's right. Yankovic brings his costume collection to his concerts and changes outfits throughout the show seamlessly.

From a fat suit, to a tiger print suit, to dressing up like a giant peacock, Weird Al keeps his audience on their toes and makes every concert worth seeing again. I mean, he even comes out on a segway.

10.) Completely relatable tweets

Yankovic's comedy and writing skills go far beyond the art of lyric writing all the way to. . .tweets.

If anything, keeping him around on your social media pages will brighten your day.

11.) Just plain awesome

 After graduating with a degree in architecture (no, really), "Weird Al" Yankovic has been entertaining the masses for 30 years. And if that's not awesome, I don't know what is.

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Genius, Writer, Fangirl, Philanthropist: We Have a Sky

In the words of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider: Today is a very big day. Now, you might be thinking, really? Today? What’s today?

For us at The Fangirl Initiative today is the birthday of a very special person. A person that has not only made this all happen but has pulled us together from all over, put up with our shenanigans and crazy ideas, and believed in us. She’s the Founder of the Fangirl Initiative but also who we consider to be our leader, director, captain, and queen.

Between her humor, her inspiration for this idea, and her own contribution to the team, she is our very own Tony Stark.

Today is her birthday, and the “agents” of the Fangirl Initiative have teamed-up to not only wish her the best of birthdays but also to reveal our appreciation and admiration for everything she has done for us in the past few months.


Bailey Bastien’s message to Sky:

SKY!! Oh goodness. 19. Niiiiiiiiiiineteen. From fangirling over Beau, our prickly baby, and the Angel Novel, to crying over Bucky, to creating NaNoWriMo versions of Let It Go, this has been an incredible year. As always, I’ve been so incredibly blessed by your friendship over the past year, and hope to see how it continues to grow in the coming years. I hope that this year is absolutely fantastic, filled with many feelsy scenes in our AU and pins on Pinterest that make you bawl because otps, lots of cake, and lovely memories.
Happy Birthday, dear! :)

Andrea Wiesner’s message to Sky:

Sky, thanks for everything... your friendship has meant so much to me over the years! I know I've said it before, but I really appreciate you letting me join TFI. And for all of your help getting pictures into the posts, always 'putting up' with my constant stream of ideas, and all other such blog related stuff. Also for introducing me to some very cool people through it (TFI) and the Beautiful People link-up. I don't know what I'd do without you, I love you like a sister. Hope your birthday is incredible, and that the coming year is rich in God's blessings! <3 p="">

Jenna Blake Morris’ message to Sky:

Happy birthday to the best director out there! Here’s hoping you have a wizard day that ushers in a wizard year. The fandom community owes you a ton not just for creating this gathering place, but for putting in all the coordinating work every day that keeps it running—the Initiative’s very own Nick Fury, but with better hair.

And hair in general.

And two actual eyes.

Anyways.

Thanks for everything you do, and have a good one.

Rica Wiersema’s message to Sky:

To a young woman who dared to dream big…

…who took a little idea for a website and turned it into a fast-growing hub of fandom despite all the surmounting odds…

…who reignited my passion for writing and gave me an outlet to be my snarky self…

…I have only one thing to say.

Kelsey Gulick’s message to Sky:

Sky, you're one of the most dedicated and creative people I know. You've put your heart and soul into The Fangirl Initiative and it's apparent to all of your staff and readers. Getting to know you this past year has been a blessing. I hope 19 is a great year for you and that you meet much success in the continuance of your adventure. If anything happens, I've got your back. Now go lay in a giant donut sign and rock your birthday, okay?

Izzy Stevenson's Message to Sky:

Amanda Horn’s message to Sky:

I've never been good at writing birthday messages/cards/what-have-you, but I'm going to try. Sky, I'm so glad you gave me a chance to work with The Fangirl Initiative. Last fall was a hard time on me and my family and looking forward to writing about anything and everything fangirly was a bright spot. I've always taken a refuge in stories and even more so in the past few years and being able to fangirl in a more open space is so lovely. I've found an awesome online community that is a big part of my life right now.

I've also enjoyed getting to know you more in these past few months. From our discussions of OTPs to what characters we relate to, our conversations are so fun! Sky, you're so brilliant and funny and strong. Don't you ever forget that.

Happy Birthday, you fiercely awesome superhero!

Anna Catherine’s message to Sky:

Happiest of birthdays, Sky!   You're my favorite superhero!

Mirriam Neal’s message to Sky:

I don’t remember when I first met Sky, or how – I think it was through the Beautiful People questionnaires she began on her blog. I loved them; they were a brilliant idea, and I looked forward to them every week. By some chance, I was able to meet the girl behind them – although this is the part I’m fuzzy at – and somehow found myself meeting other likeminded writers who gathered under the banner of Tea-Spitters. 

Sky is incredible. Her indomitable spirit and resilient optimism in the face of towering villains are the traits of heroines in storybooks. Her sense of humor and kindness are like a welcoming hug every time you speak with her – she’s understanding, helpful, and manages to combine a wonderful maturity with a gleeful child’s mischievous wit. 

All in all, Sky is one of those very rare people who, if you have the privilege to meet them, will put a kind of golden sunlight in your life every time you think of her. (Also, I harbor suspicions as to her being the actual Iron Man. At the very least, she’s a Superhero all her own.) 

It’s hard to describe people’s souls, and so I’d like to do it this way – if her soul was a song, it would be this one:

Sarah Munson’s message to Sky:

While Tony Stark may not have qualified for the Avengers Initiative at first, there could never be anyone more qualified to lead the Fangirl Initiative than you, Sky Destrian!  You’re far kinder than Stark, but you have just as much genius, ingenuity, and personality. You always get the job done with awesomeness, you’re able to handle pressure and “terrible privileges” like a pro, and you are an unforgettable individual. There’s no one else I’d rather go out for shawarma with! It is an honor to serve alongside you, and to count you as a friend. Happy birthday, Sky- you’re a hero, and I’m a fan of you!

Jaime Heller’s message to Sky: 

Currently, I’m fangirling over this post because of how amazing it is that Sky has pulled all of us from different parts of the country and world together to create an awesome team. I remember stumbling somehow upon Sky’s blog a few years ago and immediately adoring it: after all, it’s not every day I find someone else's blog with a Narnia reference in the title. Soon I was reading her posts and finding inspiration and encouragement from someone two years younger than me. I thought it was odd that someone younger could teach me and that I secretly felt this connection to someone who lived states away from me.

I never got around talking to Sky until she started this site. I had followed her on tumblr, pinterest, and twitter in hopes that maybe something would start a conversation. But I’m a shy person and don’t always know what to say. But when she posted a link to this site—her newest idea—I wanted in immediately. And since then, I’ve had plenty of fangirling talks with Sky about common interests. I was overly grateful when she promoted me on the site to Assistant TO the Editor/Creative Consultant. I was just glad to be a part of something like this; I didn’t need anything else.

Overall though, I’ve loved every moment of being part of this site, being connected to these people, and having the chance to get to know Sky better. She’s as the title of this post says a genius, a writer, a fangirl, and a philanthropist. She has vision, she has talent, and she has a fun-loving personality that can make anybody laugh, smile, or feel loved. I’m glad to be a part of this, and it’s all because Sky gave me a chance.

Thank you, Sky. I know the work you put into this site, making it work and making everything organized. I’m grateful we have such a wonderful, fun, and inspiring leader. I’m proud to say We Have a Sky (if I was more tech-savvy, I would have created a gif of Tony Stark saying this line and instead of showing the Hulk, it would have been your face. So sorry you have to suffer with all these other gifs and pictures instead). Many Happy Returns. I hope your day is fantabulous! :)

Happy Birthday, Sky! We love you!

And remember: “Sometimes you gotta run before you can walk” (the truest of words from the mouth of Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark himself) 

Special thanks to Anna Catherine for coming up with this idea, and for all the "Agents" of TFI for putting this together in time and keeping it secret, keeping it safe. :) 

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