Everyone’s favorite played-out cover artist Weird Al has done it again! After some rumored behind-the-scenes tussling between he and Lady Gaga, the musical parodist has recently covered Gaga’s Born This Way and the video shows Weird Al in various outfits mimicing the pop star’s style and even donning a meat skirt. But can his video’s madness ever hope to match the Lady’s?
To further the idea that Gaga’s song ripped off Madonna‘s Express Yourself, a Madonna impersonator makes an appearance to smirk in disapproval of Gaga Yankovic! The whole video however seems to be a little too late and a whole lot of lame—did it really take a whole two months after the Gaga’s initial release to digitally attach Yankovic’s face onto a woman’s body? If this is the best Yank can come up with so late into the game, then perhaps he really wasn’t born to perform this way.
One good thing though: he does definitely include some gay nods, from his rainbow-colored arm warmers to his sexy cop backup dancers.
M
Great vid.
Dave
Al has been around for THIRTY years producing hits, and he pulls more costume changes in a live show than any diva I’ve ever seen (he’s a hell of a performer for his age). Plus, how many of us were introduced to pop music through laughing to one of his parodies when we were 5 years old? Cut the man some slack… just because he’s not a woman or gay, or a straight man with an amazing body, doesn’t mean he’s not awesome, queerty.
Ryan
I wouldn’t even really call it a parody, really – it doesn’t sound like he’s taking much of a dig at her, and if there’s anyone who can appreciate a bit of absurdity in pop, surely it’s Weird Al, right?
Stephen
He nailed it.
DavyJones
@Dave: Amen.
Elloreigh
@Stephen: I concur. The video is hilariously disturbing, and a good skewering of Gaga’s excesses.
I seriously don’t understand the “two whole months” and “a whole lotta lame” complaints.
As for Lady Gaga herself, if you think Weird Al is “played out”, how long do you think it will take before Lady Gaga’s antics are “played out”? I’m under the impression that there’s no shortage of people who already think so.
If being over the top is all one has, that wears thin fairly quickly. I thought there was more to Lady Gaga than crazy outfits, but I wouldn’t characterize the latest album or even the song parodied here by Weird Al as her best work. The public persona can only carry her just so far, and I feel she’s missed a chance with this album to really show that she has staying power. Take note that I’m not talking about the success of the album or the song per se, so don’t bother going there. My concern is that she has peaked, and I have a growing skepticism regarding her ability to follow-up this album with something we’ll want to hear.
UWSguy
very funny. Thanks Al
jimby
Well Cody Chavis, it looks like you are wrong. Many of us love the song. Now, just in case you are a kinderqueer, I am going to repeat Dave’s advice:
Al has been around for THIRTY years producing hits, and he pulls more costume changes in a live show than any diva I’ve ever seen (he’s a hell of a performer for his age). Plus, how many of us were introduced to pop music through laughing to one of his parodies when we were 5 years old? Cut the man some slack… just because he’s not a woman or gay, or a straight man with an amazing body, doesn’t mean he’s not awesome, queerty.
Jesus, you twelve year olds got a lot of catching up to do.
skzip888
The scary thing is, Wierd Al’s actually become more relevant since he started. Pop music has gone from (relatively) bubbly and harmless to this loud, myopic, overbearing, internet-fueled behemoth that demands you take its every auto-tuned note seriously. Maybe it wasn’t “worth the wait” for all the socially-hyperactive club boys constantly looking for the next piece of House-Remix fodder, but they’re probably not interested in seeing their beloved pop divas parodied anyway.
velocifero
It’s a great parody of a narcissistic performer. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being narcissistic unless your like Queerty and profess that you aren’t, which is why I think said reviewer doth protest too much. As far as Gaga, she needs to run from Red One as fast as she can for album number four. She’s getting some bad song and production advice. She feels too much like the Fall of Ziggy Stardust and she probably needs to take a cue from Bowie and hang-up Lady Gaga and start performing on her merit as Stephanie Germanotta. Now that would be really radical and daring…
greg
Great video! Very funny! I believe it will be a hit! Great job Al!
Vevar
Great Parody … i’m a huge gaga fan and i love it …. to those delusional persons who say gaga’s “luck” is gonna run out.. get over yourselves… first of all she has major talent to back up her “antics” … firstly she can sing her heart out .. she’s a very talented pianist acknowledged by even Elton John… and she’s a killer song writer …. her use of metaphors and literary devices in her lyrics are way awesome … i mean just look at Judas .. analyse the lyrics and you’ll actually see how crafty and poetic it actually is…. ppl are so quick to shoot a bullet and gaga when she’s truly a genuine artist .. and you know why ppl EVEN THE GAYS are so quick to judge her… it’s because she’s different … and you can’t argue that fucking logic … think about it…. so exsqueeze me and how about you follow some other artist’s everymove and criticize them.
Good job Weird Al
Fuck you haters
With Love
A Very Fucking Gay Boy
fredo777
I thought the porcupine singing was hilarious. Overall, a decently funny parody video + a lot of fun to watch the costume changes.
As for Gaga herself, I’m going to go out on the skinny end of the branch + say that I really enjoyed this last album + look forward to her next offering.
Onyx
When the whole “week in Queerty comments” arrives later I hope it is aknowledged how completely rejected the original posters criticisms of this video were.
Great video… a little campy but that’s Weird Al.
sandy
Great stuff. Which reminds me of this video about a stereotypical gay guy on YouTube. Check it out, it’s so awesome too. http://youtu.be/n95cNRL38g
Rikard
here’s what i wrote yesterday when sharing it with my friends yesterday. this may be Weird Al’s best writing yet. it actually references the artist it lampoons. Eat It, Another One Rides the Bus and King of Suede are funny, but have their own stories just leverage an existing song as a counterpoint. this is a truly satirical look at the GaGa phenom. (folds opera glasses and gives dainty applause)
Sebizzar
I thought it was a great parody, liked all his costumes & of course the back up dancers ;D
TortusW
It’s one of those parodies that clearly aims to mock out of respect as much as criticism. There really aren’t that many lines that can be taken as jabs at Gaga herself. Most of it is about her being weird and exhibitionist, which is exactly what she aims to do.
The lyrics are really funny though, exactly what I would expect from Weird Al. Though is face on that body is nothing short of horrifying.