Weird Al: Seriously
- Author: Hirsch, Lily E.
Hirsch insists that it is high time that we look at, listen to and talk “about the various aspects of Yankovic’s art that merit serious attention,” to move the reader to revisit Yankovic’s music...
Weird Al: Seriously
- Author: Hirsch, Lily E.
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Hirsch insists that it is high time that we look at, listen to and talk “about the various aspects of Yankovic’s art that merit serious attention,” to move the reader to revisit Yankovic’s music...
About
From his love of accordions and Hawaiian print shirts to his popular puns and trademark dance moves, "Weird Al" Yankovic has made a career out of making us laugh.
Funny music is often dismissed as light and irrelevant, but Yankovic’s fourteen successful studio albums prove there is more going on than comedic music's reputation suggests. In this book, for the first time, the parodies, original compositions, and polka medleys of the Weird Al universe finally receive their due respect. Lily Hirsch weaves together original interviews with the prince of parody himself, creating a fresh take on comedy and music’s complicated romance. She reveals that Yankovic’s jests have always had a deeper meaning, addressing such topics as bullying, celebrity, and racial and gender stereotypes.
Weird Al is undeterred by those who say funny music is nothing but a low-brow pastime. And thank goodness. With his good-guy grace still intact, Yankovic remains unapologetically and unmistakably himself. Reveling in the mischief and wisdom of Yankovic’s forty-year career, this book is an Al-expense-paid tour of a true comedic and musical genius.
Contents
- Foreword, by Dr. Demento
- Introduction-Still Weird Al
- Chapter 1-This Is the Life
- Chapter 2-The Prince of Pop Parody
- Chapter 3-Policing and Playing with Language
- Chapter 4-Sugar and Spice and Everything Almost Nice
- Chapter 5-The Art of Self-Deprecation
- Chapter 6-President Al
- Chapter 7-The Woke Joke
- Chapter 8-Junking Gender
- Chapter 9-Al-most Famous
- Conclusion
Awards and reviews
Hirsch insists that it is high time that we look at, listen to and talk “about the various aspects of Yankovic’s art that merit serious attention,” to move the reader to revisit Yankovic’s music and listen with fresh ears...Hirsch [makes] a good case for Yankovic’s artistic bona fides while still keeping things hopping
Music writer Hirsch celebrates the career of music comedian Alfred “Weird Al” Yankovic in this thoroughly researched debut biography. Best known for his parodies, Hirsch argues that Yankovic is much more than a comedy act, and that his songs allow listeners to “be whoever you are” . . .this is the perfect volume for all who proudly rock out to Weird Al
prove that he is more than just a novelty act....Hirsch is clearly a fan, and her geeking out over Yankovic's terrible (wonderful) puns and keen (and keenly juvenile) sense of the absurd will endear the book to readers who are fellow Al-colohics
[Hirsch] combines a close reading of Yankovic’s work with thorough research, explaining that his success is rooted in both his clever turn of phrase and his willingness to take on complex themes. The author searches for deeper meanings, asking probing questions: What is Yankovic saying about race, religion, and gender? What is really going on in “Angry White Boy Polka”? While this scholarly treatment may sound too serious for such entertaining fare, Hirsch keeps the tone energetic...and livens the text with funny anecdotes and interviews with Yankovic and his band members. This engaging read skillfully documents the hard work that goes into being silly; readers will emerge with a newfound respect for Yankovic
