#26

Another One Rides the Bus

Title: “Another One Rides the Bus”

Album: “Weird Al” Yankovic

Released: 1981

Parody: “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen

Written: John Deacon/Al Yankovic

Genre: Rock/Comedy

Topic: misery of an overcrowded public transit bus.

“Another One Rides the Bus” was recorded live on the Dr. Demento Radio Show with Al playing the accordion and Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz banging away on the empty accordion case. Thanks to this interaction, Schwartz and Weird Al began a relationship that has continued to this day.

Lyrics

Ridin’ in the bus down the boulevards
And the place was pretty packed, yeah
I couldn’t find a seat, so I had to stand
With the perverts in the back

It was smellin’ like a locker room
There was junk all over the floor
We’re already packed in like sardines
But we’re stoppin’ to pick up more, look out

Another one rides the bus
Another one rides the bus
And another comes on and another comes on
Another one rides the bus
Hey, he’s gonna sit by you, another one rides the bus

There’s a suitcase pokin’ me in the ribs
There’s an elbow in my ear
There’s a smelly old bum standin’ next to me
He hasn’t showered in a year

Well, I think I’m missin’ a contact lens
I think my wallet’s gone
And I think this bus is stoppin’ again
To let a couple more freaks get on, look out

Another one rides the bus
Another one rides the bus
And another comes on and another comes on
Another one rides the bus
Hey, he’s gonna sit by you, another one rides the bus

Another one rides the bus
Another one rides the bus, ow
Another one rides the bus, hey, hey
Another one rides the bus, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

The window doesn’t open and the fan is broke
And my face is turnin’ blue, yeah
I haven’t been in a crowd like this
Since I went to see The Who

I know I should’ve got off a couple miles ago
But I couldn’t get to the door
There isn’t any room for me to breathe
And now we’re gonna pick up more, yeah

Another one rides the bus
Another one rides the bus
And another comes on and another comes on
Another one rides the bus
Hey, he’s gonna sit by you, another one rides the bus

Source: Musixmatch

This led to Weird Al’s first TV appearance on the The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder…