Weird Al Remembers Michael Jackson
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Legendary pop music parodist Weird Al Yankovic has written a touching remembrance for Rolling Stone about the passing of Michael Jackson.
Yankovic, who parodied both Beat It (Eat It) and Bad (Fat), reveals on the magazine's website that Michael was a gracious man who didn't mind being poked fun of and was an avid fan of Weird Al's movie UHF.
Writes Yankovic:
The first time around I pursued Michael Jackson about a song parody, it was a shot in the dark. We're talking about the most popular and famous person in the known universe, and here I was, this goofy comedy songwriter. He not only returned our phone calls, but he approved it. He thought it was a funny idea. Then when we did the second parody, "Fat," he was nice enough to let us use his subway set for the video, so he's always been very supportive.
The first time I met him in person was long after I had gotten permission to do "Eat It" back in 1984. There's a contract somewhere that has his signature next to mine, proving that we are the co-writers of "Eat It," which is surrealistic in and of itself. The first time I actually ran into him was backstage at one of his concerts, this was maybe four years later, when Even Worse came out with my second parody, "Fat." I went backstage, and he was seeing a lot of people, but I brought along a gold record of Even Worse to present to him, and he was very gracious and thanked me for it and said some nice things. After the fact, I thought, "That's probably the last thing Michael Jackson needs, another gold record for his storage locker." Seeing him in person was amazing, it was otherworldly. He was and continues to be so iconic, it's hard to even conceive of him as a human being. He always was bigger than life.
Our second meeting was a TV show taping. He was performing "Black or White," and I remember Slash was onstage and I talked to [Michael] briefly afterwards. He told me he would play my movie, UHF, for his friends at Neverland Ranch, and he was very soft-spoken, very quiet, but always very friendly to me.
I considered parodying "Black or White" around that time. Michael wasn't quite so into it, because he thought "Black or White" was more of a message song, and he didn't feel as comfortable with a parody of that one, which I completely understood, and in a way, he did me a huge favor, because I was already getting pegged as the guy who did Michael Jackson parodies, and because he wasn't so into it, I decided to go with Nirvana, which wound up revitalizing my career. I don?t know what kind of career I would have today if it hadn't been for Michael Jackson. In a very real sense, he jump-started my career. "Eat It" basically changed me from an unknown into a guy that got recognized at Burger King.
Well said!
Oh why did micheal have to die? why couldn't have been katy perry?.
Very nice piece by Weird Al. Seems like MJ was loved and respected by everyone in the entertainment industry.
so nice that theres a lot of people steping out talking wonderful about michael….rip mj
Its funny Weird Al says Burger King…He is a vegetarian (atleast he is now)
i loved eat it back in the day! www.drunken-moments.com
FAT was pretty good too!!!!!!! www.drunken-moments.com
Love Weird Al!! Does anyone know if he is touring?
Awwwwwww, I was wondering when he was gonna comment on Michael's passing, considering Michael played such a huge role in his career. I love both of them so much!
Very kind words. I used to love his songs, especially Eat It.
Weird Al needs to do "Polka Face" next!!
Have always loved Weird Al's parody songs, especially 'Fat'.
Weird Al is a mensch.
Re: polka face –
LMAO!!! OMG that would be hilarious! A Lady Gaga parody… I'd love to see how Perez would react to Weird Al making fun of his precious wifey.
I love them both to death. Michael owns anytime though.
Yes, this is the truth. people that have met him and have been close to him have all said the same thing. despite being the worlds MOST famous man, he was always so humnle and down to earth. he remaind so gracious, loving and caring to all ppl.. sadly, some idiots took advantage of that.
bless you MJ!
Re: minaahm – Sadly michael jackson took advantage of everyone around him…asking employees and doctors to get false prescriptions for him in their names to support his drug abuse. If they didnt he dropped them as family,friends, employees and caretakers, Yes, he was a HELLUVA human being we should ALL worship.
I love weird AL.
Remember his spoof of the Red Hot Chili Peppers — YA DABBA, YA DABBA, YA DABBA DO NOW ? Hilarious !
And, of course, "Like a Surgeon" — a classic !
Re: 7EVEN – dude, you would have to pay ME 15 dollars to even listen to any of that shit!! No make $1,500.00
OPEN LETTER TO A MICHAEL JACKSON ACCUSER (THE ARVIZO FAMILY): Subpoenaed by the defense in 2005, Azja Pryor, former girlfriend of Chris Tucker and former friend of the Arvizo's writes to Jackson's 2nd accuser:
""Dear Gavin, Star, Davellin, and Janet: After Michael's tragic death last week, I have to say that all the negative feelings I've had towards your family following the outrageous claims made by you Gavin and your mother Janet–against Michael–came back to me tenfold. The pain, disappointment, anger, and betrayal I feel towards you simply cannot be put into words. You have shown me that your greed, lies, and personal gain override any “morals” your family claims to have; and you have proven yourselves to be the kind of people capable of turning your back on the very person who came to your rescue when you were most desperate. The fact that you falsely accused Michael of the most heinous of acts, and made his life a living hell in what would become his last years is unthinkable; and I am sure some would say, unforgivable. In your attempts to destroy him once again, you, Gavin, accused the man you called your “best friend” of the one thing that you (and everyone else) knew would completely turn his life inside out…
"…You took the one thing we all know that Michael cared about most in life–children, especially children who are suffering, and you tried to turn it into a bad thing. You Janet, as a parent, allowed this, encouraged this, and went forward with the awful lies in an attempt to destroy Michael Jackson and swindle money from him. Shame on you! This man did nothing but help your family in their darkest hour. I know Michael was just like my family. We were all pulled into your woeful stories and shared your family's plight as Gavin fought for his life during his battle with cancer. Gavin, you told me that Michael's love helped cure you of cancer. Your entire family praised Michael privately to everyone who would listen, yet turned against him so viciously in public. I have remained silent for many years, but I can no longer do so. Right now I struggle to find the words to adequately write this letter, as I am so filled with anger towards you and pain for the Jackson family. You call yourself Christians. If this is true I call on you, Gavin, and your mother Janet to finally do the right thing for Michael in death that you never did during his days here on earth. You need to completely exonerate Michael's name and legacy from the awful, disgusting claims you made against him.
…"Claims and allegations that you and I both know are completely false and utterly ridiculous. Whatever your motives at the time to create such accusations are now minute and unimportant. It is much bigger than you.
We are speaking on this man's legacy; a man who positively touched lives around the world. A man who is arguably the greatest entertainer the world will ever know. Michael is someone who shared in your family's pain; opened his home to you and included you in his very own family. He was a human being who never deserved any of this. Gavin and Janet, you can change your identity and try to hide from the public scrutiny, but ultimately, you cannot hide from the wrath of God's judgement. This is the right thing to do. It is the very least you can do for Michael, his children, and his legacy. Gavin you are now 19 years old, no longer an impressionable young boy under you mother's guidance, nor are you a pawn in this grand scheme to assassinate Michael's character. I know your heart, and I know that you are capable of doing what is right. Clear Michael's name of your ugly accusations once and for all. You owe it to him. You owe it to his family. And you owe it to God. Let's finally give Michael the ability to completely rest in peace. Azja Pryor
July, 2009"
I have alway's liked Weird Al.
that's nice, michael was so kind and respected by everyone.we will be missed alot by almost everyone
we love u michael!
How can you tell if Michael Jackson has a hot date?
There's a big wheel parked outside his house.
Love weird Al and his MJ song parodies are some of my favorites.
i don't doubt that what he wrote - i believe MJ was a kind person at heart
some say hes fu*ked up, but if you think about it hard we are all fu*ked in our own ways.
MJ ftw.
I like that Wierd Al left such a great comment. Speaks for both of the musicians, for their great senses of humor! I enjoyed both versions of their songs, and it's nice to know there was a funny side to MJ!
Nice tribute to Jackson.
OMG I LOOOOOOOOVED FAT. MJ looked like a nice guy
I loooooove the FAT video
Any more word if the douchey Jackson family is going to stick the city of LA with the bill for Pedo Jacko's funeral exploitation that all of you watched?
Is this the brother of Rumer Willis?
yes michael was a pure soul i cant think about it i feel too sad perez do something !!! michael is lost to us forever i just feel so like the world will never be the same …i agree with his family someone did something to michael
THERE WAS NEVER ANY PROOF THATMICHAEL EVER DID ANYTHING WRONG just a bunch of money hungry evil people making upstories
Weird Al seems to be speaking the truth……….he's closer to "normal people" than "Hollyweird people" than most.
I think he speaks the truth here. Thank you, Weird Al !~
Aw, such a great article to read. Michael affected everyone in a positive way from all walks of life.
I love you and miss you Michael! RIP to the King of Pop
He is really Sexy!!!!
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i LOVE weird AL!!
……………………………..R.I.P. Michael~
The more I read, the more I realise a lot of people loved MJ, like he had lots of friends… but then why was he surrounded by leeches that made him do things he didn't want and took all his money…? mystery… this guy's description of him is nice and honest, and he is humble enough to recognise that he actually had a career thanks to MJ
I was in Boston sunday getting ready to come back to LA, out of nowwhere, MJ sprang into my head,,I thought "I just can't believe he's not here amoung us anymore,,". It just seems a little surreal. Then I thought about what Brook Sheilds said about his smile,,and still thinking yeah thats true, and in that moment I was wishing he was still here and so sad that he's simply gone forever
Wow, had no idea about that. just confirms what i always knew, that mj was such a nice person.
Re: kissmyassobama – how can asking someone for something they will PAY for is called "taking advantage"?? yes, pills are bad, but mj was in constant pain from aching muscles with dancing, and he still suffered pain from the burns from the pepsi commercial, and he could not sleep. would love to see you go through what he did and let's see what you'll do. you would not seek out painkillers? i mean this man is such on a different level from me or you. talented from he came out his mother's womb, singing and dancing all his life. and not silly pop dancing. complex moves. how would ur body be from that? it's like you want him to be perfect. he will have his faults. plus u dont laugh or belittle at someone addicted to drugs. you dont know what will happen to u one day. you've never lived one day as a person, whose life is SO different from us. this man had the world at his feet. who knows how that will make someone react. do not judge. you sound ignorant.
Re: PerezTheBlogNazi –
samee, awesome name btw, xD
I've always liked Weird Al - He's very funny!
LOL@Burgerking now I am hungry thanks!
Cool. Weird Al, you are A-OK.
Years ago I went to a Weird Al concert and it was the first concert where there were 70 year old people and 5 year old children all enjoying the same music. It was then I knew that THAT was what life should be about and Michael Jackson was that way too. He attracted every age to his music. Way to go Weird Al!!
Weird Al is a classy guy. as well as a very talented one.
Good essay. Relevant. He knew, worked with, and respected Michael. Is giving props. Not trying to cash in after the fact.