Weird Al Yankovic Talks Parody Covers and More on the Howard Stern Show
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The Howard Stern SiriusXM radio show features Weird Al Yankovic who could possibly be the master of parodies and covers.
Yankovic revisited some of his most famous covers along and talked a bit about his upcoming appearance on Comedy Bang Bang.
Stern kicked off the interview with Yankovic by saying that Yankovic doesn't really have to ask the artist before he uses their songs for a parody but does so anyway. He also commented on Yankovic looking exactly as he did in the 80s when he first graced fans with his parodies and covers.
Yankovic joked that it was his hyperbaric chamber that was responsible for keeping him young.
"Howard asked if Al thinks he'll stop making song parodies. Al said he still loves what he does and he stays in touch with the top 40," according to MarksFriggin's rundown.
"Howard said his last album was a big seller. He said it took people by surprise. Howard said they think your career is going to end and it just keeps going.
Al said he had a comedy album at number 1 and that hasn't happened in like 50 years. Al said this was his last album on his contract and he wanted to finish it off quietly. Then it went to number 1."
Yankovic also brought up an issue that many people might have thought could kill his career.
Yankovic commented on the rise of YouTube and the insane amount of covers and parodies on the video-sharing website. Yankovic says the rise of YouTube has only made him stronger.
Meanwhile, Yankovic revealed that he graduated at the age of 16 and that song parodies such as "White and Nerdy" are actually based on real life experiences.
Yankovic says it was a combination of being a straight A student and socially awkward.
More than Parody: Weird @alyankovic's Overlooked Original Songshttps://t.co/DoYyGuxoTL pic.twitter.com/eVRC7D382Q
-- Stern Show (@sternshow) May 17, 2016
When he was younger he listened to a lot of the Beatles, the Kinks and The Who, according to his interview.
The parody king also said that his ambition was to become an architect but when he decided to do parodies, his parents were still supportive of him as long as he was happy with what he was doing.
One of his first parodies happened to be "Another On Rides the Bus" and the reaction surprised him.
The song went viral before the phrase was coined for internet stardom and success. Stern and Yankovic discussed parodies like Coolio's "Amish Paradise" and Michael Jackson's "Eat It."
Stern asked Yankovic about the approval process which he says takes 24 hours to months.
While many artists have granted Yankovic permission to do parodies of their songs, there are a handful who simply refuse to do so. Paul McCartney was one of those artists and so was Prince.
"Al wanted to do about half a dozen parodies and he always said no. Howard said now that he's dead maybe he can do it," according MF.
"Al said no. Howard said he should go back and do it now. Al said no."
They discussed a couple of run ins that Yankovic had with Prince.
Yankovic said that at the American Music Awards he was told not to look Prince in the eyes. He also revealed that he wasn't the only one who was warned.
The interview was pretty insightful and Stern ended it by telling listeners that Yankovic would be the band leader on Comedy Bang Bang starting June 3 on IFC.