Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #53

#53

Tacky

Title: “Tacky”

Album: Mandatory Fun

Release: 2014

Written: Pharrell L. Williams/Al Yankovic

Parody: “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Genre: Pop

Video featured: Aisha Tyler, Margaret Cho, Eric Stonestreet, Jack Black, and Kristen Schaal

Lyrics

It might seem crazy, wearing stripes and plaid
I Instagram every meal I’ve had
All my used liquor bottles are on display
We can go to see a show but I’ll make you pay

Wear my belt with suspenders and sandals with my socks
(Because I’m tacky)
Got some new glitter Uggs and lovely pink sequined Crocs
(Because I’m tacky)
Never let you forget some favor I did for you
(Because I’m tacky)
If you’re okay with that, then, you might just be tacky, too

I meet some chick, ask her this and that
Like ‘Are you pregnant girl, or just really fat?’ (what?)
Well, now I’m dropping names almost constantly
That’s what Kanye West keeps telling me, here’s why

Wear my Ed Hardy shirt with fluorescent orange pants
(Because I’m tacky)
Got my new resume it’s printed in Comic Sans
(Because I’m tacky)
Think it’s fun threatening waiters with a bad Yelp review
(Because I’m tacky)
If you think that’s just fine, then, you’re probably tacky, too

Bring me shame, can’t nothing
Bring me shame, I never know why
Bring me shame, can’t nothing
Bring me shame, I said
Bring me shame, can’t nothing
Bring me shame, it’s pointless to try
Bring me shame, can’t nothing
Bring me shame, I said

43 Bumper Stickers and a YOLO license plate
(Because I’m tacky)
Bring along my coupon book whenever I’m on a date
(Because I’m tacky)
Practice my twerking moves in line at the DMV
(Because I’m tacky)
Took the whole bowl of restaurant mints. Hey, it said they’re free
(Because I’m tacky)
I get drunk at the bank
And take off my shirt, at least
(Because I’m tacky)
I would live-tweet a funeral, take selfies with the deceased
(Because I’m tacky)
If I’m bit by a zombie, I’m probably not telling you
(Because I’m tacky)
If you don’t think that’s bad, guess what, then you’re tacky, too

Source: LyricFind

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #56

#56

What is Life

Title: “What is Life”

Written: George Harrison

Album: George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison

Style: pop/rock/uptempo soul

Performed: George Fest tribute concert on September 28, 2014

The first song on this list that was not written (at least in part) by Weird Al. Weird Al performed this at the George Fest tribute concert at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles. Al was one of several other performers covering tracks from the former Beatle. Al also sang on the version of The Traveling Wilburys’ song, “Handle With Care.” “What is Life” was one of my favorite Georege Harrison songs and seeing the live performance by Weird Al was a great addition to it for me.

It is a straight cover of the song, without any comedic undertones.

Lyrics

What I feel, I can’t say
But my love is there for you anytime of day
But if it’s not love that you need
Then I’ll try my best to make everything succeed

Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side

What I know, I can do
If I give my love now to everyone like you
But if it’s not love that you need
Then I’ll try my best to make ev’rything succeed

Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side

What I feel, I can’t say
But my love is there for you any time of day
But if it’s not love that you need
Then I’ll try my best to make everything succeed

Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
Oh tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side

What is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side

[fade:]
Oh tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me who am I without you by my side

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #56.5

#56.5

Polka Power

As I was going through the list of songs on the Top 100, I discovered a mistake in the list. Instead of cutting a song that absolutely deserves its spot on the list, I decided to make this special exception for Weird Al and make it a Top 100 with 101 songs in it. Thus, Polka Power becomes the first ever 1/2 entry on our Daily Countdown lists and the only Daily Countdown Two-a-day.

Title: “Polka Power”

Album: Running With Scissors

Released: 1989

Genre: Polka/Comedy

Songs: “The Twelfth Street Rag,” “Wannabe,” “Flagpole Sitta,” “Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are),” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” “Walkin’ On the Sun,” “Intergalactic,” “Tubthumping,” “Ray of Light,” “Push,” “Semi-Charmed Life,” “The Dope Show,” “MMMBop,” “Sex and Candy,” “Closing Time,” and “W.A.Y. Moby Polka.”

Lyrics

Yeah, well, I’ll tell ya what I want, what I really really want
(So tell us what ya want, what ya really really want)
I’ll tell ya what I want, what I really really want
(So tell us what ya want, what ya really really want)
I want to ha, I want to ha, I want to ha, I want to ha
I want to really, really, really, want to zigga zigga, ah!
If you want to be my lover, you gotta get with my friends
Make it last forever, friendship never ends
If you want to be my lover, you have got to give
Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is.
Hey!

I’m not sick, but I’m not well.
And I’m so hot, ’cause I’m in hell.
I’m not sick, but I’m not well.
And it’s a sin to live so well.

Ghetto superstar, that is what you are,
Coming from afar, reaching for the stars.
Run away with me, to another place
We can rely on each other, uh huh
From one corner to another, uh huh

Everybody (yeah)
Rock your body (yeah)
Everybody
Rock your body right.
Backstreet’s back, all right!
All right!

So don’t delay, act now, supplies are running out
But now, if you’re still alive, six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow, there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer’s shun, you might as well be walking on the sun
Might as well be walking on the sun!

Intergalactic planetary, planetary intergalactic
Intergalactic planetary, planetary intergalactic
Intergalactic planetary, planetary intergalactic

I get knocked down, but I get up again,
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down

Quicker than a ray of light
Quicker than a ray of light
Quicker than a ray of light

I want to push you around, well I will, well I will
I want to push you down, well I will, well I will
I want to take you for granted
I want to take you for granted
Yeah, yeah, well I will

I want something else
To get me through this semi-charmed kinda life, baby baby
I want something else
I’m not listening when you say good-bye.

There’s lots of pretty, pretty ones
That want to get you high
But all the pretty, pretty ones
Will leave you low and blow your mind
We’re all stars now in the dope show
We’re all stars now in the dope show

Mmmbop, do floppa do wop
Do be dop ah
Do wap, do zap ah, do
Yeah-ee yeah
Mmmbop, do be ‘zap ah, do wop
Do be dop ah
Do wop, doom zap ah, do

I smell sex and candy here
Who’s that lounging in my chair?
Who’s that casting devious stares in my direction?
Mama, this surely is a dream
Yeah, yeah mama, this surely is a dream
Dig it, yeah mama, this surely is

Closing time
One last call for alcohol
So finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time
You don’t have to go home
But you can’t stay here
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take us home.

‘Cause it’s closing time!
(Yeah it’s closing time)
(We’re talkin’ ’bout closin’ time)
(It’s really closin’ time)
(Hey!)

Source: LyricFind

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #65

#65

Midnight Star

Title: “Midnight Star”

Written: Al Yankovic

Album: In 3D

Release: 1983

Genre: Pop rock

This upbeat original song is about the type of tabloid newspapers that were such a huge thing during the 1980s.

Lyrics

I was waiting in the express lane
With my twelve items or less
At the checkout counter at the local grocery store
I was only passin’ by

But a paper caught my eye
And I learned a few things
I never knew before
It said

Your pet may be an extra-terrestrial
It said The ghost of Elvis is living in my den
You can learn to cope with stress
And you can beat the IRS

And the Incredible Frog Boy is on the loose again
Ohhh Midnight Star
It’s in the weekly Midnight Star
Aliens from outer space are sleeping in my car
Midnight Star, I wanna know, I wanna know!

Eat jelly doughnuts and lose twenty pounds a day
Hear the story of the man born without a head
And top psychics all agree

That the telephone company

Will have a brand new service that lets you talk to the dead

Ohhh Midnight Star

You can believe it if you read it in the weekly Midnight Star

They’re keeping Hitler’s brain alive inside a jar
Midnight Star, I wanna know, I wanna know!

Midnight Star I wanna know
Ohhh Midnight Star
Well don’t ya know that I read it, I read it in the weekly Midnight Star?

The UFOs have landed, and we’ll tell you where they are
Midnight Star I wanna know I wanna know
Ohhh Midnight Star
Well, you can read all about it in the weekly Midnight Star

You can use your ESP to learn to play guitar
I wanna know I wanna know
(Ahhh Midnight Star)
I wanna know I wanna know

I wanna know I wanna know
(Ahhh Midnight Star)
I wanna know I wanna know

Enquiring minds like mine wanna know
(You can read it you can read it you can read it in the Midnight Star)
I wanna know I wanna know

I wanna know I wanna know
(You can read it you can read it you can read it in the Midnight Star)
I wanna know I wanna know

I wanna know I wanna know
(You can read it you can read it you can read it in the Midnight Star)
I wanna know I wanna know

I wanna know I wanna know
(You can read it you can read it you can read it in the Midnight Star)

Source: Musixmatch

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #66

#66

Perform This Way

Title: “Perform This Way”

Written: Lady Gaga /Jeppe Laursen/ Fernando Garibay/Paul “DJ White Shadow” Blair/Al Yankovic

Album: Alpocalypse

Released: 2011

Parody: “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga

A parody that almost did not happen. Al had sent the parody to Lady Gaga’s people, but they rejected it without Lady Gaga hearing it. When Lady Gaga did hear the parody, she gave her blessing. While Weird Al does not have to get artists permission to do a parody, he always apporached the aritst/company as a sign of respect.

Lyrics

My mama told me when I was hatched
Act like a superstar
Save your allowance, buy a bubble dress
And someday you will go far
Now on red carpets, well, I’m hard to miss
The press follows everywhere I go
I’ll poke your eye out with a dress like this
Back off and enjoy the show!

I’m sure my critics will say it’s a grotesque display
Well they can bite me, baby, I perform this way
I might be wearin’ Swiss cheese or maybe covered with bees
It doesn’t mean I’m crazy, I perform this way (‘from this way)

Ooh, my little monsters pay lots ’cause I perform this way
Baby, I perform this way (perform this way)
Ooh, don’t worry, I’m okay, hey, I just perform this way
I’m not crazy, I perform this way

I’ll be a troll or evil queen
I’ll be a human jelly bean
‘Cause every day is Halloween for me

I’m so completely original
My new look is all the rage
I’ll wrap my small intestines ’round my neck
And set fire to myself on stage
I’ll wear a porcupine on my head
On a W-H-I-M
And for no reason now I’ll sing in French
Excusez-moi, qui a PT (express yourself)

Got my straight jacket today, its made of gold lame
No, not because I’m crazy, I perform this way
I strap prime rib to my feet, cover myself with raw meat
I’ll bet you’ve never seen a skirt steak worn this way

Don’t be offended when you see
My latest pop monstrosity
I’m strange, weird, shocking, odd, bizarre
I’m Frankenstein, I’m Avatar
There’s nothing too embarrassing
I’ll honestly do anything
But wear white after Labor Day
‘Cause baby, I perform this way

Hope you won’t think it’s cliche if I go nude today
Don’t call the cops, now, baby, I perform this way
No reason I should regret all the attention I get
I’m not completely crazy, I perform this way, yeah

I perform this way-hey, I perform this way-hey
I’m always deviating from the norm this way-hey
I perform this way-hey, I perform this way-hey
I’m really not insane, I just perform this way-hey

Source: LyricFind

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #71

#71

Polka Party

Title: “Polka Party”

Album: Polka Party

Released: 1986

Genre: Polka/Comedy

Songs: “Sledgehammer,” “Sussudio,” “Party All the Time,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Freeway of Love,” “What You Need,” “Harlem Shuffle,” “Venus,” “Nasty,” “Rock Me Amadeus,” “Shout,” “Papa Don’t Preach.”

I listened to this one forever during my college days.

Lyrics

You could have a big dipper
Going up and down all around the bends
You could have a bumper car bumping
This amusement never ends

I wanna be your sledgehammer
Why don’t you call my name?
Oh, let me be your sledgehammer
This will be my testimony, yeah, yeah

There’s a girl that’s been on my mind all the time
Su-su-sudio, oh-oh
Now she don’t even know my name
But I think she likes me just the same
Su-su-sudio, whoa-oh

And my girl wants to party all the time
Party all the time, party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time
She parties all the time

Say you, say me
Say it for always, that’s the way it should be
Say you, say me
Say it together naturally

We’re going riding on the freeway of love
Wind’s against our back
We’re going riding on the freeway of love
In a big Cadillac

That’s why you need, ooh
That’s why this what you need, I’ll give you what you need

Yah, yah, yah, do the Harlem polka, everybody now
Yah, yah, yah, do the Harlem polka

She’s got it, yeah baby, she’s got it
Well, I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
What’s your desire?

Nasty, nasty boys don’t mean a thing
Oh, you nasty boys
Nasty, nasty boys don’t ever change
Oh, you nasty boys

I like this part

Ooh, rock me Amadeus
Ooh, rock me Amadeus
Ooh, rock me Amadeus, ooh

Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without, come on
I’m talking to you, come on

Please papa don’t preach, I’m in trouble deep
Papa don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep
But I’ve made up my mind, I’m keeping my baby
Oh, I’m gonna keep my baby
I’m gonna keep my baby

Keep my baby
Keep my baby
Keep my baby
Hey

Source: Musixmatch

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #75

#75

Hooked on Polkas

Title: “Hooked on Polkas”

Album: Dare to Be Stupid

Style: Polka/Comedy

Released: 1985

Songs in medley: “Twelfth Street Rag,” “State of Shock,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Method of Modern Love,” “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “99 Luftballons” (sung in German), “Footloose,” “The Reflex,” “Bang Your Head (Metal Health),” and “Relax”.

Lyrics

You’re takin’ to me good,
Just like you know you should.
You get me on my knees,
Please, baby, please.


She looks so great, every time I see her face.
She put me in a state (ooh, state of shock)


Top coat. Top hat.
I don’t worry, ’cause my wallet’s fat.
Black shades. White glove.
Lookin’ sharp. Lookin’ for love.
They come a-runnin’ just as fast as they can,
‘Cause every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp-dressed man, hey!

Whoo! Ah ha!


Oh, what’s love, got to do, got to do with it?
What’s love but a second-hand emotion?
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart, when a heart can be broken?


M E T H O D O F L O V E,
It’s the method of modern love.


Owner of a lonely heart.
Owner of a lonely heart,
Much better than the
Owner of a broken heart.
Owner of a lonely heart.


We’re not gonna take it. No!
We ain’t gonna take it.
We’re not gonna take it, any more.


Neun und neunzig luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont.
Denkst du vielleicht Grad an mich.
Dann singe ich ein Lied fur dich.


Now I gotta cut loose. Footloose.
Kick off my Sunday shoes.
Please! Louise! Pull me off-a my knees.
Jack! Get back! Come on, before we crack!
Loose! You’re blues. Ev’ry body cut footloose!


So why don’t you use it.
Try not to bruise it.
Find time, don’t lose it.


Bang your head.
Metal health’ll drive ya mad.
Bang your head.
Metal health’ll drive ya mad.


Relax, don’t do it.
When you wanna go to it.
Relax, don’t do it.
When you wanna come.
Relax, don’t do it.
When you wanna sock it to it.
Relax, don’t do it.
When you wanna come.
When you wanna come.
When you want to come.

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #84

#84

The White Stuff

Title: “The White Stuff”

Album: Off the Deep End

Release: 1992

Parody: “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” by New Kids on the Block. 

Written: Maurice Starr/Al Yankovic

Style: Pop/Boy Band

There have been plenty of original songs that Weird Al parodied that I have either did not like or did not know. You Got It (The Right Stuff) is a perfect example of a song that I disliked that Weird Al made better with his parody.

And what can be a better topic for a song than the white stuff in an Oreo cookie?

Lyrics

The white stuff
The white stuff

The first one was a sweet one
Second one was a blast
Soon I finished off the bag, ate ’em up real fast
You can see ’em in my teeth
Tell it when I talk
Had so many my pancreas just went into shock

I love the white stuff, baby
In the middle of an Oreo
I love the white stuff, baby
It’s the most delicious thing I know

I’ve had a zillion or two
In my life, they’re so right
My teeth are all rotted clear through
But who cares? What else am I supposed to do?

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, the white stuff
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
What’s in the middle? The white stuff

The first time that I tried it
Got a big sugar buzz
Nothing gets me high as that sandwhich cookie does
But I love the filling most
I rub it on my roast
Mix it in with my coffee and spread it on my toast

I love the white stuff, baby
In the middle of an Oreo
I love the white stuff, baby
Take some with me everywhere I go

Might get a pimple or two
Well, so what? It’s all right
Now Twinkies and Ding Dongs won’t do
All I need… You know what it is

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, the white stuff
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Oreo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, the white stuff
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
What’s in the middle? The white stuff

Source: Musixmatch

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #87

#87

Lame Claim to Fame

Title: “Lame Claim to Fame”

Album: Mandatory Fun

Release: 2014

Written: Al Yankovic

Style Parody: Southern Culture on the Skids

Lyrics

One time I was in the checkout line
Behind Steven Seagal
Once I’m pretty sure Mr. Jonah Hill
Was in the very next bathroom stall
My best friend’s brother
Well, he was an extra in Wayne’s World 2
My neighbour’s baby sitter
Dated three of the guys in Motley Crue
I swear Jack Nicholson
Looked right at me at a Laker’s game

I got a lame
Lame claim to fame

Check it out, I bought a second hand toaster
From a guy who says he knows Brad Pitt
I got me an email from the prince of Nigeria
Well, he sure sounded legit
My sister used to take piano lessons
From the second cousin of Ralph Nader
Last year I threw up in an elevator
Next to Christian Slater
Well guess what, my birthday and Kim Kardashian’s
Are exactly the same

I got a lame
Lame claim to fame
A really lame
Lame claim to fame

Once at a party, my dentist accidentally
Sneezed on Russell Crowe
I posted first in the comments
On a YouTube video
I tried to sit by Steve Buscemi
But he told me this seat’s taken
I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy
Who know a guy who knows a guy who know Kevin Bacon

I had a car that used to belong
To Cuba Gooding Jr.’s uncle
A friend of mine in high school
Had jury duty with Art Garfunkel
One time I was staying in the same hotel
As Zooey Deschanel
I used the same napkin dispenser
As Steve Carell at a Taco Bell
Well I don’t mean to brag but
Paul Giamatti’s plumber knows me by name

I got a lame
Lame claim to fame
A really lame
Lame claim to fame
I’m talking lame
Lame claim to fame
A really really really lame
Lame claim to fame

Ow, let’s get lame boys

Source: LyricFind

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #89

#89

You Don’t Love Me Anymore

Title: “You Don’t Love Me Anymore”

Written: Al Yankovic

Album: Off the Deep End

Release: 1992

Style: Acoustic ballad/Comedy

Style Parody: Soft rock break-up songs -inspired by Nicolette Larson’s “Still You Linger On”

Fact: The music video to the song is a parody of “More Than Words” by Extreme.

Lyrics

We’ve been together for so very long
But now things are changing, oh I wonder what’s wrong?
Seems you don’t want me around
The passion is gone and the flame’s died down

I guess I lost a little bit of self-esteem
That time that you made it with the whole hockey team
You used to think I was nice
Now you tell all your friends that I’m the Antichrist

Oh, why did you disconnect the brakes on my car?
That kind of thing is hard to ignore
Got a funny feeling you don’t love me anymore

I knew that we were having problems when
You put those piranhas in my bathtub again
You’re still the light of my life
Oh darling, I’m beggin’, won’t you put down that knife?

You know, I even think it’s kinda cute the way
You poison my coffee just a little each day
I still remember the way that you laughed
When you pushed me down the elevator shaft

Oh, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s this poisonous cobra
Doing in my underwear drawer?
Sometime I get to thinking you don’t love me any more

You slammed my face down on the barbecue grill
Now my scars are all healing, but my heart never will
You set my house on fire
You pulled out my chest hairs with an old pair of pliers

Oh, you think I’m ugly and you say I’m cheap
You shaved off my eyebrows while I was asleep
You drilled a hole in my head
Then you dumped me in a drainage ditch and left me for dead

Oh, you know this really isn’t like you at all
You never acted this way before
Honey, something tells me you don’t love me any more, oh no no
Got a funny feeling you don’t love me anymore

Source: LyricFind

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #91

#91

Isle Thing

Title: “Isle Thing”

Written: Young MC/Matt Dike/Michael Ross/Al Yankovic

Album: UHF

Released: 1989

Genre: rap/comedy

Parody: “Wild Thing” by Tone Loc (Weird Al’s first parody of a rap song)

Weird Al has an affinity for classic TV shows, as he has done songs about the Beverly Hillbillies and The Brady Bunch among others. This song is a spoof on the TV show Gilligan’s Island.

Lyrics

Met this fine young thing
At the local Circle K
She made a date for a half past eight
And I said, “What the hey?”

So I journeyed to her crib
And I let myself inside
That chick was slouched down on the couch
I think her brain was fried

Couldn’t figure it out
She wouldn’t even look at me
Then I saw her eyes, she was hypnotized
Cold glued to her TV

“Hey, what’s your problem baby doll
Let’s have a little fling”
She said, “Hey you fool, now just be cool
I’m watchin’ that Gilligan’s Isle thing”

Isle thing
Isle thing

Watchin’ all night
Musta been a marathon
I was bummin’, those shows kept comin’
Here’s what was goin’ on

These Castaways were stranded
On this island out at the sea
One of them called Gilligan
So let’s name him after me

He’d mess up every rescue
Man, that first mate was illin’
If I was one of those Castaways
I think I’d probably kill him

Just about that time
Telephone began to ring
She said, “Just let it, my machine’ll get
We’re watchin’ the Gilligan’s Isle thing

Isle thing
She loves that Gilligan’s Isle thing
Isle thing
Please, baby, baby, please

I like the professor
He always saves their butts
He could build a nuclear reactor
From a clouple’ of coconuts

She said, “That guy’s a genius”
I shook my head and laughed
I said, “If he’s so fly, they tell me why
He couldn’t build a lousy raft”

And while we’re on the subject
I’ll tell you one thing for sure
Those homeboys brought an awful lot
For just a three hour tour

Then her mom came in the room
It was kind of embarrasing
She said, “Hey you two, I was once like you
And I loved that Gilligan’s Isle thing”

Isle thing
She’d watch that Gilligan’s Isle thing
Please, baby, baby, please

Skipper’s in a hammock
He’s looking kinda fat
He’d throw a fit and then he’d hit
Old Gilligan with his hat

Mrs. Hal had it goin’ on
But Mr. Hal was meaner
Ginger and Mary Anne could’ve used
Some funky cold medina

I was really diggin’ this show
I didn’t know what to do
It kinda looked like I was hooked
Now I’m an addict too

I know each episode by heart
Now I’m the rerun king
And on every date, we both stay up late
And we watch the Gilligan’s Isle thing

Isle thing
Hasta la vista, little buddy
Gilligan’s Isle thing (isle thing)

Source: Musixmatch

Sha Na Na S4 E14, E15, E16, E17, E18

The series of Sha Na Na is coming close to an end as I am in the middle of season 4. Season 4 has not been my most favorite season of this show. I think a big part of that is that they have been doing a bunch of songs that I have never heard before. Part of the fun of Sha Na Na is that they were singing songs that I recognized form the 1950s and 1960s. While I appreciate that they do not repeat songs very often, a lot of these songs did not appeal to that nostalgia. They did them fine, but I just was not engaged as I should have been.

Some of these guests were scrapping the bottom of the barrel too. See if you can figure out which one of these is not like the others: Lacy J. Dalton, Joey Travolta, The Currie Sisters, Jackie DeShannon and James Brown. Yep, I said James Brown. It was a strange performance though. He did not seem to get much reaction from the Sha Na Na crowd and it seemed to bother him. I think he probably fed off the energy of the crowd a lot, and there was not much energy in the crowd.

One of the comedy bits was with the song Istanbul (Not Constantinople) and I remember learning about that country name change from this song.

They played the song “Rock ‘N Roll Music” but it was sung by Chico. While I enjoy Chico’s songs usually, it just felt like the wrong Sha Na Na singer for this song. It was originally recorded by Chuck Barry and I think it would have been better with Donny singing it. Or maybe Screamin’ Scott. Chico’s version was fine, but it just did not feel right.

There were actually several songs that felt a little off during these episodes. I wonder if they were realizing that the end was near and that the overall energy was starting to lack a bit.

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #93

#93

Generic Blues

Title: Generic Blues

Album: UHF

Release: 1989

Written: Al Yankovic

Style: Blues; typical 12-bar, slow-tempo structure, and harmonica solos.

Another one of those original songs that sneaks under the radar. I do love this song. It is such a funny song with a parody of the style of Blues.

Lyrics

I woke up this morning
Then I went back to bed
Said I woke up this morning
Then I went right back to bed
Got a funny kind of feelin’ like I got broken glass in my underwear
And a herd of wild pigs is trying to chew off my head
You know what I’m sayin’

Well I ain’t got not money
I’m just walkin’ down the road
Said I ain’t got no money, honey
So I’m just walking down this lonely old road
Well, I wish I could get me some money
But I forgot my automated teller code

I was born in a paper sack in the bottom of a sewer
I had to eat dirt clods for breakfast, my family was so poor
My daddy was a waitress, my mama sold bathroom tiles
My brothers and sisters all hated me ’cause I was an only child

I got the blues so bad, woo
Kinda wish I was dead
Maybe I’ll blow my brains out mama
Or maybe I’ll, yeah maybe I’ll just go bowlin’ instead

I’m just a no good, scum sucking, nose picking, boot licking,
Sniveling, groveling, worthless hunk of slime

Nothing but a low-down beer bellied, bone headed, pigeon toed,
Turkey necked, weasel faced, worthless hunk of slime

Guess I pretty low self image
Maybe it’s a chemical imbalance or something, I
I should probably go and see a doctor about it when I’ve got the time
Make it talk
Aw, make it talk, son, make it talk
OK, now make it shut up

Plagues and famine and pestilence always seem to get me down
I always feel so miserable whenever I’m around
I wish somebody would come along, stick a pitchfork through my brain
I’d flush myself right down the toilet, but I’d just clog up the drain

I got the blues so bad
Kinda wish I was dead
Maybe I’ll blow my brains out mama
Or maybe I’ll go bowling
Or I just might go bowling
Maybe I’ll just rent some shoes and go bowling
Maybe I’ll join a league, enter a tournament, put on a stupid looking
Shirt and go bowling instead
Yeah

Source: LyricFind

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 Shows #18

#18

Ted Lasso

This is the show that many people made an account to Apple TV + for. Ted Lasso had three seasons on the streamer and was some of the best TV you were going to find.

Ted Lasso was a American football coach who was hired to move to England and coach football (aka soccer to us Americans), despite the fact that he had never coached the sport before.

There has never been a character like Ted Lasso on TV before. I binged the first couple of seasons because I was catching up with all the hype, and I can remember multiple times thinking to myself, “I wish I was more like Ted Lasso.” The constant positives and the humor that he faced every situation was inspiring.

Ted Lasso was played by Jason Sudeikis with such a perfect balance of zeal and down-home-charm. The rest of the cast around Ted was great as well. This included Hannah Waddingham, as team owner Rebecca Welton. Her story arc as the evil owner felt right out of “Major League,” except it took an entirely different path, completely unexpectedly. Bret Goldstein was Roy Kent, aging superstar player who had to come to terms with his skills slipping way. The relationship with Roy and Keeley Jones, played by Juno Temple, was one of the best storylines on the show.

Others on the show included Phil Dunster, Nick Mohammad, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, James Lance, Andrea Anders, Sam Richardson, Anthony Head, Cristo Fernandez, Annette Badland, Billy Harris, and Keeley Hazell.

Much like the Tick, Ted Lasso became known for his quotes, dubbed Ted Lasso-isms. Here are some of my personal favorites:

  • “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”
  • “If that’s a joke, I love it. If not, can’t wait to unpack that with you later.”
  • “I always thought tea was going to taste like hot brown water. And do you know what? I was right.”
  • “You know what the happiest animal on earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a 10-second memory.”
  • “This woman is strong, confident, and powerful. Boss, I tell you, I’d hate to see you and Michelle Obama arm wrestle, but I wouldn’t be able take my eyes off of it either.”
  • “Sam was more open than the jar of peanut butter on my counter.”
  • “You beating yourself up is like Woody Allen playing the clarinet. I don’t want to hear it.”
  • “It’s just a group of people who care, Roy. Not unlike folks at a hip-hop concert whose hands are not in the air.”
  • “Your body is like day-old rice. If it ain’t warmed up properly, something real bad could happen.”
  • “I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad, and that’s being alone and being sad.”
  • “There’s two buttons I never like to hit: that’s panic and snooze.”
  • “I shouldn’t bring an umbrella to a brainstorm.”
  • “Don’t fight back. Fight Forward”
  • “He thinks he’s mad now, wait till we win him over. He’ll be furious.”
  • “I’m like an incomplete list of Madeline Kahn’s best films. I ain’t got no clue.”
  •  “Well, fellas, if you’re looking for a pep talk from me, you’re in trouble. ‘Cause I’m like Michael Flatley at 11:59 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, I’m tapped out.”
  •  “I’ve had more psychotic episodes than Twin Peaks.”
  • “I do love a locker room. It smells like potential.”
  • “I’ve never been embarrassed about having streaks in my drawers. You know, it’s all part of growing up.”
  • “If the internet has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes it’s easier to speak our minds anonymously.”
  • “You two knuckleheads have split our locker room in half. And when it comes to locker rooms, I like ’em just like my mother’s bathing suits. I only wanna see ’em in one piece, you hear?”
  • “Here’s an idea that’s gonna help a little or hurt a whole lot. Who needs a drink?”
  •  “Well, as my doctor told me when I got addicted to fettuccine Alfredo, that’s a little rich for my blood.”
  • “Guys have underestimated me my entire life. And for years, I never understood why. It used to really bother me. But then one day, I was driving my little boy to school, and I saw this quote by Walt Whitman, and it was painted on the wall there. It said, ‘Be curious, not judgmental.’ I like that.”