Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #98

#98

Jackson Park Express

Title: Jackson Park Express

Written: Al Yankovic

Album: Mandatory Fun

Style Pastiche: Cat Stevens; Harry Chapin

Release: 2013

Jackson Park Express is one of the longer songs Weird Al has done. It runs 9 minutes and 4 seconds. It is an epic love story between two people who see each other on a bus for the first time. The romance lasts until the woman gets off the bus, without ever speaking to the man.

Ah, love.

Lyrics

Tuesday morning, 8:15
I was riding to work on the
Jackson Park Express
Seemed like any other day
Then my whole world changed
In a way I never could have guessed
‘Cause she walked in
Took the seat right across the aisle
I knew we had a special connection
The second I saw her smile

She smiled as if to say
“Hello, haven’t seen you on this bus before”
I gave her a look that said
“Huh, life is funny, you never know what’s in store
By the way, your hair is beautiful
I bet it smells like raisins”

She looked at me in a way that asked
“Did you have a nose job or something?
I’m only asking, cause your nose looks slightly better
Than the rest of your face”
I arched my eyebrow, ever so slightly
Which was my way of asking
“Do you want my old Hewlett-Packard printer?
It still works, kinda
And I got a bunch of ink cartridges left”

Then, she let out a long sigh
Which, I took to mean, “Uh”
“Mama, what is that deodorant you’re wearing?
It’s intoxicating
Why don’t we drive out to the country sometime?
And collect deer ticks in a zip-lock baggie”, oh yeah

I gave her a penetrating stare
Which could only mean
“You are my answer, my answer to everything
Which is why, I’ll probably do very poorly
On the written part of my driver’s test”

Yes, it all happened
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express

I knew she was starting to fall for me
‘Cause she crinkled her nose, which unmistakably meant
“Baby, lets wear each other’s clothes
And speak in a thick German accent
And, maybe someday we can own and operate
Our own mobile pet-grooming service”
I couldn’t hold back my feelings
I gave her a look, that said
“I would make any sacrifice for your love
Goat, chicken, whatever
I could never hold you close enough
Let’s have our bodies surgically grafted together
Oh, surgically grafted together”

She picked up a newspaper, and started reading to herself
Which I’m sure, was a way of telling me
“When you’re cold, I will warm you
When you’re shivering, I will hold you
When your nauseous, I will give you Pepto-Bismol every hour
For as long as the symptoms persist”
Oh, I, I never, ever want to see you cry
So, please let me cauterize your tear ducts with an arc welder
Then, I glanced down, at her shirt, for a second
In a way that clearly implied
“I like your boobs”

Yes, it all happened
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express

I cleared my throat quietly, and then, I looked away
And I’m sure it was obvious to her, just what I was trying to say
I was trying to say, “Hey
I’d like to make a wall-sized mural out of all the dead skin cells
That you slough off while you sleep at night”
Whoa-o-Oh, “I’d like to rip you wide open
And french-kiss every single one of your internal organs
Oh, I’d like to remove all your skin, and wear your skin, over my own skin
But not in a creepy way”

Then, I’m pretty sure, she looked at me, out of the corner of her good eye
And, though, she never spoke a word, this is exactly what I heard
She was saying, “Oh!
I wanna make out with you, in an abandoned toll-booth, in the middle of a monsoon
I wanna ride dolphins with you, in the moonlight
Until the staff at Sea World kicks us out
I want you inside me, oh, like a tapeworm”

I pointed to the side of my mouth, as a way of indicating
“Hey, I think you got something on the side of your mouth”
She licked the corner of her lips, as if to say
“Here?”, I nodded, implying, “Yeah, you got it”

And, then the bus stopped, at 53rd Street, and she got up suddenly
“Where are you going?”, pleaded my eyes, “Baby, don’t you do this to me
Think of the beautiful children we could have someday
We could school them at home, raise them up the right way
And protect them from the evils of the world
Like Trigonometry and Prime Numbers, oh no
Baby, please don’t go”

She brushed my leg, as she left the bus
I’m sure that was her way of saying
“I’m sorry this just isn’t working out
You’re suffocating me
I need some space to find out what life’s all about
So, goodbye forever, my love”

And deep inside, I knew she was right
It was time for us both to move on
And no, I never got her number, oh no no
She never bothered to leave her address, oh
But, as long as I live, I’ll never forget
Those precious moments we shared together

On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express
On the Jackson Park Express

Source: LyricFind

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #99

#99

The Hot Rocks Polka

Title: The Hot Rocks Polka

Album: UHF

Written: Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/Al Yankovic

Release: 1989

Genre: Polka medley

Featured songs: It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It),” “Brown Sugar,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Under My Thumb,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Miss You,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Get off of My Cloud,” “Shattered,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”.

The first of multiple polka medleys to appear in the Top 100, this song included songs only from the catalogue of the Rolling Stones. Usually Weird Al polkas include songs from a variety of artists, but this one breaks that trait.

Lyrics

If I could stick my hand in my heart
Spill it all over the stage
Would it satisfy you, would it slide on by you
Would you think the boy is strange?
Ain’t it stra-a-ange?

If I could win, if I could sing
A love song so divine
Would it be enough for your cheating heart
If I broke down and cried?
If I cri-i-ied?

I said, ah, no, it’s only rock ‘n’ roll, but I like it
Ah, no, it’s only rock ‘n’ roll, but I like it, like it, yes, I do
I really, really, really, really do-do-do-do-do, hey

Gold coast slave ship bound for cotton fields
Sold in a market down in New Orleans
Scarred old slaver knows he’s doing all right
Heard him with the women just around midnight
(Brown sugar)
How come you taste so good?
(Brown sugar)
Just like a young girl should

I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she would meet her connection
At her feet was a footloose man
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, you might find
You get what you need

You need honky tonk women
Give me, give me, give me the honky tonk blues

Under my thumb, the girl who once had me down
Under my thumb, the girl who once pushed me around
It’s down to me, yes, it is
The way she talks when she’s spoken to
Down to me, the change has come, she’s under my thumb

So goodbye, Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still, I’m gonna miss you

Hoo-oo hoo-oo hoo-oo, hoo-oo hoo-oo hoo-oo, hoo-oo hoo-oo
Hoo-oo hoo-oo hoo-oo, hoo-oo hoo-oo hoo-oo, hoo-oo hoo-oo

Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a man of wealth and taste
I’ve been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man’s soul and faith
Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name
‘Cause what’s puzzling you is the nature of my game

I said hey (hey), you (you), get off of my cloud
Hey (hey), you (you), get off of my cloud
Hey (hey), you (you), get off of my cloud
Don’t hang around, ’cause two’s a crowd

Laughter, joy and loneliness and sex and sex and sex and sex
Look at me
I’m in tatters
(Shadoobie, shattered)
I’m shattered
(Shadoobie, shattered)

This doesn’t happen to me every day, whoa, my
(Let’s spend the night together)
No excuses offered anyway, oh, my
(Let’s spend the night together)
I’ll satisfy your every need
(Every need)
And now I know you’ll satisfy me
My-my-my-my, my-my-my
Let’s spend the night together
Now I need you more than ever
Let’s spend the night together
Now
(My-my-my-my, my-my-my)

I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no girly action
‘Cause I’ve tried (and I’ve tried) and I’ve tried (and I’ve tried)
And I’ve tried (and I’ve tried) and I’ve tried (and I’ve tried)
I can’t get no
I can’t get no
I can’t get no
Satisfaction, satisfaction, satisfaction
Hey

Source: Musixmatch

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #100

#100

“That Boy Could Dance”

Title: “That Boy Could Dance”

Album: Weird Al Yankovic In 3D

Written: Al Yankovic

Release Date: 1984

Genre: Pop Rock or Power Pop

Style Parody: This is debated by the fans. Some believed that this was a pastiche of the Doobie Brothers while others do not agree.

A fun and energetic song that was an early original for Weird Al. It was not listed on some versions of the In 3D album because of space.

Lyrics

We all used to call him Jimmy the geek
He was a dumb looking, scrawny little four-eyed freak
He never used to hang around with the guys
He’d just sit in the corner
Attracting the flies

He wasn’t much to look at
He never was very bright
But at least there was one thing that he could do alright

That boy could dance
That boy could dance, yeah

He was kind of a jerk
He was kind of a bore
But the women would scream when he walked in the door
There’s one thing I can tell you for sure
That boy could dance

Pickin’ teams, he would always be last
He couldn’t run very far
He couldn’t think very fast
If he was on your side, you’d always lose
That guy had a problem
Even tying his shoes

He never passed his drivers test
He was always afraid of cars
And he had a complexion
That resembled the surface of Mars

But that boy could dance
That boy could dance, yeah

Well, his hair was a mess
And his clothes didn’t fit
He smelled pretty bad
And he drooled just a bit
But you gotta admit
Boy, that boy could dance

Now that boy is much older
He got his own dance studio
He got a teeny bopper fan club
Yeah, he got his own TV show

Now he owns half of Montanna
They all call him “Diamond Jim”
And you know I’d do anything if I could be just like him

‘Cause that boy could dance
That boy could dance
That boy could dance
(Now that boy could dance)
That boy could dance, dance
(Now that boy could dance)

That boy could dance
(Now that boy could dance)
That boy could dance, yeah
(Now that boy could dance)
I said that boy could dance
(Now that boy could dance)

That boy could dance, yeah
(Now that boy could dance)
That boy could dance

Source: Musixmatch

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #1

#1

The Greatest American Hero

The number one TV Show Theme Song, according to EYG, is the theme from The Greatest American Hero”

Title: “Believe It or Not”

Composed: Mike Post

Lyrics: Stephen Geyer

Performed: Joey Scarbury

This TV Show theme was more than just a TV theme. It was a huge hit on the charts, reaching #2 on the Billboard Top 100.

When compiling this list, I had a hard time deciding what should be at number one. I had several theme songs that I thought could conceivably top the list. However, in the end, I knew that this song from Joey Scarbury would be the one to reach the heights. Figuratively, it was a rough flight to the top, just like it was a rough flight every time Ralph Hinkley took to the skies in his red and black super hero suit. But we always got where we needed to go. “Believe It or Not,” the theme to The Greatest American Hero is #1!

Starting tomorrow, our next Daily Countdown starts with #100 of the Top 100 Weird Al Songs!

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #2

#2

All in the Family

Title: “Those Were the Days”

Composed: Charled Strouse

Lyrics: Lee Adams

Performed: Carol O’Connor & Jean Stapleton as Archie and Edith Bunker

End credits: “Remebering You” with lyrics by Carol O’Connor

I have a soft place in my heart for All in the Family. Not only was it hilarious and way before its time, but the main two characters are very much my parents with the volume turned way up. The opening theme was always such a fun way to kick off the show.

Next…. #1….

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #3

#3

The Fall Guy

Title: “Unknown Stuntman”

Written: Glen A. Larson, Gail Jensen, and David Somerville.

Performed: Lee Majors

The producers of the show used the theme song to help pitch the show to ABC. There was a new version of the song recorded by Blake Shelton for the recent Fall Guy movie.

This is the final image from the banner to arrive. If you were looking at the banner, you knew this one was coming.

Top Two remaining….

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #4

#4

The Jeffersons

Title: “Movin’ on Up”

Written:  Ja’Net DuBois and Jeff Barry.

Performed: Ja’Net DuBois with 35-member gospel choir

Considered one of the most known and influential theme songs of all-time, The theme to The Jefferson was meant to sound like a gospel song.

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #5

#5

Hardcastle and McCormick

Title: “Drive”

Composed: Mike Post and Stephen Geyer

Performed: David Morgan

The theme featured the real star of the show… the car. The opening credits has the Coyote X flying all over the place and “Drive” is that high-energy, high-speed electric guitar power that worked so well. The show changed themes songs in the second season, but the fan base revolted and “Drive” returned.

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #6

#6

Welcome Back, Kotter

Title: “Welcome Back”

Written: John Sebastian

Performed: John Sebastian

John Sebastian, formerly of Lovin’ Spoonful, recorded this song, which went to #1 on the Billboard charts in 1976. According to Wikipedia, the success of the song convinced the producers of the show to change its title from Kotter to Welcome Back, Kotter.

John Sebastian included a harmonica solo in the full version.

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #7

#7

The Muppet Show

 “It’s time to play the music / It’s time to light the lights…”.

Written: Jim Henson and Sam Pottle

Performed: The Muppets

On the most sensational inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational

The Muppet Show was such an epic variety show featuring all of the greatest celebrities of the time. The opening theme, done in a vaudeville style, is one of the reasons this was such an amazing show.

They had Fozzie Bear early in the show’s run doing a joke in the middle of the theme. This was replaced later by Staler and Waldorf singing a verse.

First season theme

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #8

#8

Peacemaker

Season One

Season Two

James Gunn is renown for his choices in music to use with his projects. However, no one expected the opening title sequence to his HBO Max series Peacemaker to be what we got. The dance routine done by John Cena and the rest of the cast was absolutely amazing and was something that no one would skip. It was must watch every week.

Title: “Do Ya Wanna Taste It”

Composed: Trond Holter

Lyrics: Åge Sten Nilsen

Performed: Wig Wam

Then, came season two and the new theme was anticipated almost as much as the show. The new song was “Oh Lord” by Foxy Shazam. My first reaction to the new opening was… “It’s fine… it just can’t compare to the first season.” Then after about two or three weeks, it was every bit as great as the firs tone.

Title: “Oh Lord”

Composer: Foxy Shazam (Eric Nally, Loren Turner, Sky White, Daisy Caplan, Alex Nauth & Thomas Pridgen)

Lyrics: Eric Nally and Alex Nauth.

Performed: Foxy Shazam

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #9

#9

Underdog

“There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!”

Composed: W. Watts “Buck” Biggers

Performed: Rober Ragaini

This was one of my earliest superhero TV memories. I loved these themes, with their different lyrics. I would look forward to the theme every episode to see which one would be the one.

It was apparently designed to be similar to the William Tell Overture (Lone Ranger theme).

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #10

#10

M.A.S.H.

We are into the TOP 10!!!!

Title: “Suicide is Painless”

Composed: Johnny Mandel

The MASH theme song was an instrumental version of the song “Suicide is Painless” which was the theme of the original motion picture MASH (1970). The film version of the song featured lyrics from Michael Altman and was performed by The Ron Hicklin Singers.

The MASH theme is an iconic piece of music that delivered a feeling of melancholy that echoed the show.

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #11

#11

Scooby Doo… Where Are You?

Written: David Mook & Ben Raleigh

Performed: Larry Marks (Season One); George A. Robinson Jr.

Iconic music to the classic Scooby Doo show, Scooby Doo… Where Are You? has been used in countless other projects over the year featuring Scoob and the gang.

Season Two

Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes #12

#12

Animaniacs

Composed: Richard Stone

Lyrics: Tom Ruegger

Performed: Yakko, Wakko and Dot (Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille)

Bill Clinton plays the sax

The Animaniacs theme is frantic, chaotic and full of energy, a perfect example of what the show was going to be like.