If enough people tell you to write parody songs, you probably should. Evidence:
- My biggest success in clown school came from doing an imitation of a Japanese song in front of the class.
- Shortly after graduating college, I was singing an invented song about chastity that I had dubbed “Shine bright like a hymen” (to the tune of Rhianna’s song Diamons). My then-roommate said I could have a career as a Weird Al-esque song parodist.
- Today, in the bathroom at the Weird Al concert, a neighbor sink-washer said to me, ““I like the ‘fit. You look like Gen Z weird al. Weird Cal. If Weird Al parodied the songs of his generation, you parody the songs of Gen Z. You get the idea.”
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Further musings:
Two months ahead of time, Weird Al tickets cost $150 each.
Same day, 13th row center seats cost $75. Plus a $27, one-hour train from Harlem.
Willie Nelson and Neil Young are coming in a month. My father and I like going to shows together. Maybe we’ll come to this one.
There’s something very satisfying about the fact that the artists I enjoy now sell excellent seats for $75, and that $75 is now an achievable expense.
I get older; they get older; our lives improve.
Julian Wise 