10: I Lost on Jeopardy (1984)
The song is a parody of “Jeopardy” by Greg Kihn for his album Kihnspiracy. The music video depicts Al constantly failing at Jeopardy. Contrary to popular belief the revival of Jeopardy was already in production 10 months before Weird Al’s song was released.
9: Word Crimes (2014)
A sort of criticism from Weird Al, complaining about the misuse of English grammar in online comments and posts in this rousing rendition of Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines. The song was Weird Al’s fourth single to peak as one of the top ’40s on the Billboard Hot 100.
8: Smells Like Nirvana (1992)
In this take on Nirvana’s hit single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, Weird Al mocks the song and its confusing words, beginning with the words, “What is this song/All about?/Can’t figure any lyrics out”. Kurt Cobain even commented on the song, stating it as an example that they “made it” as a band.
7: My Bologna (1983)
This is where it all started. This parody of the Knacks’ hit “My Sharona”, is an ode to that of Oscar Mayer’s brand of Bologna Sausage. Weird Al, who was 23 at the time, became a favorite on the syndicated Dr. Demento show. The song even landed on No. 1 in the radio show’s Funny Five.
6: Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies* (1989)
The song’s lyrics are that of “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”, the theme song to the show “Beverly Hillbillies” to the tune of Dire Straits’ Money for Nothing, as a part of the soundtrack for Weird Al’s film UHF. The scene where the song plays is in the same style as the song’s music video. Mark Knopfler was even pleased with the song, so much that he re-recorded a guitar part for it.
5. The Saga Begins (1999)
A mash-up of American Pie, with the lyrics retelling the plot of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in a humorous manner. This is the second Star Wars-related parody Weird Al has made. The song was played frequently on Radio Disney, editing the part where Yankovic sings the line, “Did you see him hitting on the queen?” out. Soon, Yankovic provided Radio Disney with an updated version of the line (“Did you see him talking to the queen?”), which is very rare to see him change his lyrics to suit the needs of others.
4. Amish Paradise (1996)
This is one of the most controversial singles Weird Al has released on this list. To this day, it is unclear if Coolio had permitted Al to make this song. But controversy aside. The music video is really funny, incorporating many goofy Amish takeoffs and even Florence Henderson, who took the role of Michelle Pfeiffer in the original video. And let’s not forget the Gilligan’s Island homage. (“There’s no phone, no lights, no motorcars, not a single luxury.”)
3. Like A Surgeon (1985)
Of course, as popular as Madonna at the time, it did not take long for her to get the “Weird Al” treatment. Madonna even reportedly suggested the parody. It appears that the medical industry was an unlikely target for the music parody industry, but Yankovic proved that wrong. And the unexplained lion walking through the aisles in a hospital is a favorite in the music video, as it echoes the lion from the original song’s music video.
2. White and Nerdy (2006)
After 20+ years of being a fan favorite, Weird Al finally made it. This is the first Weird Al song to hit the top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100. The video amounts to many nerdy-related topics, like Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, and Wikipedia. Even the target of this parody, Chamillionaire, admits to being a fan.
1. Eat It (1984)
A parody of, you guessed it, Beat It by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Still an amazing feat and a cult classic, even to this day. The music video is filled with amazing sight gags, to shot for shot remakes, to Weird Al breathing on the camera, even to the lizard eyes a-la Thriller at the end. Jackson himself even received from Yanchovic royalties due to the strong similarities. The track was the reason why Yankovic was received a Grammy Award, and it even reached No. 1 in Australia.
Sources: https://www.liveabout.com/top-weird-al-yankovic-parody-songs-3246970
