Throughout history, our country has had a love for comedy. Whether the format is stand-up or blockbuster movies, it is a thriving business. One type of comedy that is not quite as popular, though, is parody and satirical music. This form of entertainment has the performer singing and performing either original songs with lyrics and sounds meant to make the audience laugh, or covers and remakes of popular songs that they change the lyrics to in order to make it funny. There have been many song comedians throughout history, but two of the biggest and most well known are Spike Jones and Alfred “Weird Al” Yankovic. Through their music, they have been able to spread the joy of comedy and music, and the humor of the two combined. Despite living and …show more content…
working in two different eras of American history, the two have several things in common, as well as some differences. The most obvious similarity between the two musicians is that their most popular music was satirical.
They both have had some very famous songs that were known and loved by many. In 1942, Jones had a hit with “Der Fuehrer’s Face”, which was a song that ridiculed Adolf Hitler by making a raspberry sound after every use of the work “Heil”. Another song that Jones was popular for was his parody of the song “Cocktails for Two”; a song released in 1934 and has since been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jones’ version featured many sound effects, including horn honking and voice gurgling. What was originally an intimate and romantic song became a song that would be played during cocktail …show more content…
hour. Yankovic has also had several big hits. One of his most well known songs is “White & Nerdy”, a parody of the song “Ridin” by Chamillionaire. The original recording is about police abusing their powers and racial profiling. Yankovic than made his version about a Caucasian nerd who wants to be cool, but fails due to his nerdy tendencies. Yankovic’s version of the song debuted in Billboard’s Hot 100, peaking at number nine. The song has also been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Another one of Yankovic’s popular songs is “Eat It”, which is a parody of Michael Jackson’s song “Beat It”. The song earned Yankovic a Grammy Award and the RIAA certified it as a gold single. Yankovic transformed the song, which was originally about gang violence, into a song about food. Another similarity shared by both Spike Jones and Weird Al Yankovic is that they both used alternative methods of getting their music to their audience. In 1942, a strike by the American Federation of musicians prevented Jones from making any commercial recordings for over two years, meaning that he could not record and sell his songs. However, he could make records to be played on the radio. His hit “Der Fuehrer’s Face” was a broadcast hit in 1942, so it reached a large number of people. Many people would get their music on records, but Jones had to broadcast his songs on the radio. Even though he could not sell his songs for a while, it did not hurt his career. Yankovic also explored different ways to release his music, though he did it voluntarily. In 2008, Yankovic released his first digital song onto the iTunes store. He had said that the benefit of digital distribution was that he could release a song as soon as it was done, and he did not have to wait for the song to become dated before he released his parody of it. He released four more digital songs in 2009. Both Jones and Yankovic have also worked in television and film. As Spike Jones’ popularity grew, Hollywood producers approached him to feature him and his band in feature films. He was a specialty act in several films throughout the 1940’s. Jones and his band also starred in variety shows before being given his own time slot by NBC, and later by CBS, both of which were called The Spike Jones Show. Yankovic also starred in a show named after himself, called The Weird Al Show on CBS. He has also done voice-overs for several popular TV shows, including The Simpsons and Robot Chicken. Yankovic also starred in a movie that he co-wrote called UHF. The film was unsuccessful at the box office because of the poor critical reception and the competition it had from other summer blockbusters. It has since become a cult classic with out-of-print copied selling on eBay for $100. Though the two musical comedians are quite similar, they do have some differences. One way that their music differed was that Jones would use more sound effects in his music for a comedic effect, whereas Yankovic would use lyrics to make the song funny. For example, in the songs mentioned earlier, “Der Fuehrer’s Face” and “Cocktails for Two”, Jones used noises such as horns, hiccupping, and blowing raspberries. He would also increase the pace of some songs or would put the song over a background noise, such as a horse race. Yankovic’s approach to comedic music was different, changing the lyrics and keeping the music almost identical to the original song. In his parody of Michael Jackson’s hit “Bad”, entitled “Fat”, he changes the lyrics from “And the whole world has to answer right now just to tell you once again, who's bad?” to “Don't you call me pudgy, portly or stout, just now tell me once again, who's fat?”. The over the top lyrics work to make a new song that will make his audience laugh. He has done this with all of his songs. He not only changes the lyrics, but he also changes the subject of the song to something completely different from the original. Another difference between Spike Jones and Weird Al Yankovic is that Yankovic asks the band or performer for their permission to parody their song before he commercially releases it.
Jones did not do that. Jones would intentionally ridicule the original performer in some of his songs. For example, Jones created a parody of Vaughn Monroe’s “Ghost Riders in the Sky”. At the end of Jones’ version, he makes a dig about Monroe. Monroe, who was a RCA recording artist and stockholder, demanded that the insult be removed. Yankovic, on the other hand, tried to maintain a good relationship with the artists he parodies by asking them for permission to use their songs. He has said that only about 2 to 3% of the artists he asks say no. Most artists see it as a badge of honor and look forward to the parody. For example, Michael Jackson was a big fan of Yankovic, and he even had a cameo in one of Jackson’s music videos. Nirvana also enjoyed the parody of their song “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, saying that they laughed hysterically when they saw the video for the song. Kurt Cobain also called Yankovic a “musical
genius”. There have been many musical comedians throughout the years, some remaining generally unknown, and some rising to stardom. Both Spike Jones and Weird Al Yankovic are very popular, and known by many people. Even with their similarities and differences, they are two of the most successful people who perform satirical music. They are not only famous for their work in the industry, but they have also been able to spread their love of music and comedy, letting others see how much joy it can bring to their lives. Comedy has always been a thriving industry and it will continue to be for a long time, but musical comedy is a special skill not every one can do that people will continue to enjoy for years to come.
The program hidden Ingredient to a phenomenon success has shown not only long Jeopardy after their Predecessor, yet, it built a reflected type of look at differing identity, lifestyle and fashion, as the instrument demand viewer to stop and pay attention to a different music arrangement this program has, and now in comparison to “American Bandstand,” it would out due its competitor in our home and on a network station. However, this would remind us that dreams and hard work do pay off for the professions. Don Cornelius, (Soul Train) found its way in our homes, and the show serenaded Americans. Yet, the ideal held many glued to the TV and has similarity to the Dick Clark, (American Bandstand), but has a difference in target technique approach
Michael Jackson is one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all time; he leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture. Commonly referred to as the “King of Pop”, Michael Jackson continues to earn millions of dollars beyond the grave- earning over $700 million in the years since he passed away in 2009. As the pop genre derives from an abbreviation of “popular”, the King of Pop maintained record breaking popularity for extended periods of time. Pop music, is typically short and simple commercially recorded songs oriented towards a youth market; the King of Pop challenged stereotypes and the viewpoints of his audience with songs like “We are the World”, “Man in the Mirror” and many more.
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
For example, the comedy shows The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon expresses satirical humor concerning politics. His show also demonstrates political satire by telling jokes and even impersonating political figures for the audience. He creates humor through sarcasm that focuses on real issues. His sarcastic humor causes others to feel more confident in their criticism toward politicians. For example, “Jimmy Fallon expresses his humor about Donald Trump, impersonating his appearance and imitating his voice while talking about politics. He uses his humor by impersonating Donald Trump and his sweeping generalizations with Madea (Rogo).” Jimmy Fallon shows people his views through humor and it creates a sense of community to express their agreeable and disagreeable views. As we discussed some ideas about satirical humor that affects political changes, it was important to reveal their feelings about changes in life and drove them to look upon their society or government more
Through Elvis Presley, rock ‘n’ roll changed the face of American music, and influenced a whole generation’s political philosophy. Composer Leonard Berstein once said, “He introduced the beat to everything and changed everything-music, language, clothes; it’s a whole new social revolution-the 60s come from it” (Wattenberg 6B). To his credit, Elvis embraced rhythm and blues not as a from to be imitated, but as a form to honored and interprete... ...
The late Michael Joseph Jackson was a 20th-century African-American singer and songwriter who transformed the face of pop music and popular culture throughout his lifetime (Michael Joseph Jackson ). Debuted in the professional music world in 1968 at the age of 10 as a member of The Jackson 5, Jackson’s rise to fame had been largely influenced by his invaluable contributions to the music, dance and fashion industries (Michael Joseph Jackson). Hailed as the ‘King of Pop’, his solo album “Thriller” remains “the best-selling album of all time”, with global sales of “over 51 million copies to date since 1982” (Guinness World Records ). Michael Jackson’s one-of-a-kind songs have also earned him over 700 awards, including 13 Grammy Awards as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (Michael Jackson; Grammy). However, his music recognition goes beyond what his cupboard-full of awards could ever represent. In this paper, I propose that Michael Jackson’s songs have touched and changed many lives through his constant fight for racial fairness. In particular, I argue that Michael Jackson used his music career as an outlet to break down racial barriers in the American music industry, to express his disappointment towards racial discrimination, to demonstrate his support for racial equality, to advocate that the color of our skin does not differ us from one another, as well as to show and guide others that change has to begin within oneself before impacting the world . Although certain parties would point out that Jackson used derogatory r...
Rock n - roll In the 1950s rock-n-roll established its own mark in history. It spread throughout the decade in a thrilling, substantial, and even livid manner to those Americans trying to get rid of all sorts of conflicts and challenges that occurred during this time period. As exciting as this music was, the novel “All Shook Up” portrays how rock-n-roll brought many changes to the American culture and later to the sixties. It expresses many concerns such as race relations, moral decay, and communism, but in ways that are partially true.
Artists write about what they know; they pull feelings from their heart and their songs relay what the artists’ emotions, whether it be of their hometown, their high school crush, or their experiences. Many artists that came to fame during the twentieth century have a fair share of experiences they share with us in the form of their songs. The twentieth century is comprised of the institution of slavery and its effects, war, gender norms, discrimination based on nationality, sex, race, etc., and countless events that sparked protests and uproars in the United States. Music at this time was a phenomenon, and artists could use it to their advantage. Artists used their music to spread awareness about their cause, influence their listeners, and
I think classic rock is the best because it is true classic music. It is what started all rock of today. Classic rock is better than most rock days because it sounded way better back when the classic rock bands were popular. Today the “classic rock” is not as good as it was. Bands like Nirvana, The Beach Boys, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Queen, Pink Floyd, etc, are the bands that started it all.
However, Woody never let the fame go to his head. “When Woody Guthrie was singing hillbilly songs on a little Los Angeles radio station in the late 1930’s , he used to mail out a small mimeographed songbook to listeners who wanted the words to his songs, On the bottom page appeared the following: ‘This song is Copyrighted in U.S., under Seal of Copyright # 154085, for a period of 28 years, and anybody caught singin it without our permission, will be mighty good friends of ourn, cause we don’t give a dern.
The shows play a major role in developing the comedic basis for African American entertainers even today. As referred to in the modern day, “Black Comedy” is extremely favored by the populus. Famous black comedian Dave Chappelle, once played a role as a “racial pixie”. Chappelle performed as an oddly dressed pixie on the shoulders of African Americans and sang, danced, and encouraged the individual to give into the stereotypes of society (4).
Music has always been a basic form of expression. From Antonin Dvorak, to Eminem, to even ancient, tribal music, it has been a medium through which individuals convey their thoughts and expressions. Today this medium is under attack. Everywhere we turn, everything we do and say is being scrutinized. We are being told what to say. We are being spoon-fed our emotions. No longer are we allowed to think freely, openly. All the censors out there are on the prowl for another piece to rip to shreds because it doesn't fit their description of what is decent and moral. What they fail to realize is that we don't make the music for them... We do it for release.
The music industry’s history is a convoluted mess. There is no real consensus on what the music industry IS and what paths it has taken. Were the Beatles the greatest band to ever exist? Maybe. Is there a hyper objectification of women throughout the “men’s club” that is the music industry? Probably. It’s this hard to define, frankly confusing business that is worth roughly $130 billion dollars today. With it’s flimsy and opaque edges, can the music industry ever be called into question on its wrongdoings? The racist undertone throughout its history may force it to. With the music industry as an ever growing business that seems to change almost every decade, the one thing that has not changed throughout time is an undercurrent of racism that
My artist from the 1960’s was Bobby Darin, his Simple Song of Freedom lyrics can relate to the 1980’s Public Enemy Fight the Power song. They both send the message to others about Civil Rights and the importance of equality among all regardless of race, gender etc. The 1960’s generation was fighting the Vietnam War which most of the United States popular was against. The 1980’s generation was also fighting a war but it was geared toward corrupt Government Officials but most importantly being able to speak up for what you believe
Every human possesses some guaranteed basic freedoms and rights, whether it is the freedom of speech, or the freedom to express themselves. However, the government seems to be increasingly determined to limit these freedoms, using censorship to confine these rights that we usually take for granted. The most important facet of media in general is that it allows people to express themselves freely. In fact, this freedom of expression that music allows us is one of the primary reasons why it exists. Sadly, many of the current artists have forgotten that, but nonetheless, censorship seems to always be there to limit the expression of those who choose to place deeper messages in their songs.