In addition to recording his albums, Yankovic has written and starred in his own film, UHF, and his own television show, The Weird Al Show, and directed music videos for himself and other artists including Ben Folds, Hanson, the Black Crowes and The Presidents of the United States of America. He has also made guest appearances on many television shows, in addition to starring in his own Al TV specials.
Though parodies earned him his fame, Yankovic has recorded a greater number of humorous songs with original tunes. Some of these pieces are pastiches (or style parodies), where he chooses a band's entire body of work to emulate rather than any single hit, although Yankovic has many completely original pieces. Most of his albums include a medley which juxtaposes the choruses of various songs in a polka style to accordion music.
Due to his popularity, he has been credited with several songs that are not actually his. A full list of every song he has ever actually done, including the live-only songs, can be found at the Al Songs website. Similarly, a comprehensive list of songs incorrectly credited to him can be found at The Not Al Page.
In 2006, Al recorded the song "You're Pitiful". However, while James Blunt gave his blessing for the parody of his song, "You're Beautiful", Blunt's label Atlantic Records was opposed to it. Though parodies are protected legally, the issue had become "more of a political matter than a legal matter", according to Al, so he decided to not put the song on his next album. Instead, he offered it as a free download from his site.
His latest album, "Straight Outta Lynwood", was released September 26th, 2006. Its first released single, "Don't Download This Song", was made available as a free download on August 21, 2006. The animated video for the track and a link to downloadable MP3 is available at dontdownloadthissong.com. Among other tracks, the album includes parodies of Green Day, Usher, R. Kelly, and Chamillionaire. Chamillionaire's "Ridin' Dirty" is parodied as "White and Nerdy", the second released single from the new album. This single has thus far climbed as far as #9 on the Billboard Singles chart, eclipsing "Eat It" as Al's highest charting single (which went as high as #12).
Official Website: http://www.weirdal.com
FactBox Info
Members
Al Yankovic
Jon ''Bermuda'' Schwartz
Steve Jay
Jim West
Rubén Valtierra
Former Members
Rick Derringer
Ross Noble
Joe Earley
Cavity Search
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearin' people scream
Sittin' in the waiting room
Readin' crappy magazines
With a toothache
This is it, pal
Root canal
I'm gettin' gum disease
I'm gonna need some fillings
Got twelve cavities
Can you help me
Have mercy
Doctor, please
My teeth are a fright
Got a huge overbite
Numb me, drill me
Floss me, bill me
You jab at my nerve endings
It's driving me insane
Just give me nitrous oxide
Shoot me up with novocaine
Help me out here
'Cause I'm in severe
Pain
Please stop for a bit
Now let me rinse and spit
Numb me, drill me
Floss me, bill me
You validate my parking
I think that I'm okay
But you my one more appointment for
A week from Saturday
'Cause you came upon
A little problem on
My x-ray
Oy vey!
It's getting absurd
Well, I hope I'm insured, now
Numb me, drill me
Floss me, bill me
In "Cavity Search," "Weird Al" Yankovic uses biting humor to convey the unpleasant experience of going to the dentist. The song's lyrics are straightforward and use colloquial language to describe the pain and anxiety that come with dental work. The opening lines describe the uncomfortable situation of waiting in a dentist's office, listening to background music and hearing other patients complain of pain. The singer then reveals that they themselves are suffering from a toothache and require a root canal. The lyrics continue to list various dental problems - gum disease, cavities, an overbite - before concluding with the singer's futile hope that they're insured and the refrain, "numb me, drill me, floss me, bill me."
The lyrics in "Cavity Search" paint a vivid picture of dental work, using the kind of language and humor that "Weird Al" Yankovic is famous for. The song is catchy and has a driving beat that reinforces the anxiety that the lyrics convey. While there's plenty of humor in the song, "Cavity Search" also captures the fear associated with going to the dentist and undergoing painful procedures.
Line by Line Meaning
Listenin' to the Muzak
I'm hearing background music while waiting in the dentist's office
Hearin' people scream
I can hear others expressing their pain and discomfort while in the dentist's office
Sittin' in the waiting room
I'm waiting for my turn to be called into the dentist's room
Readin' crappy magazines
I'm reading outdated or uninteresting magazines available in the dentist's office
With a toothache
I have a painful sensation in one or more of my teeth
This is it, pal
This moment marks the beginning of a dental procedure that may require surgery
Root canal
A procedure that involves removing dead or infected nerves that cause pain in the tooth's pulp
My molars are impacted
My back teeth are obstructed and cannot erupt fully
I'm gettin' gum disease
My gums and surrounding tissues are inflamed, causing pain and potential tooth loss
I'm gonna need some fillings
I require dental fillings to treat cavities or tooth decay
Got twelve cavities
I have twelve areas of decay in my teeth that require fillings
Can you help me
I'm seeking dental assistance to alleviate my pain and prevent further damage to my teeth
Have mercy
I'm asking the dentist to treat me with compassion and sensitivity
Doctor, please
I'm seeking help from a medical professional for my dental issue
My teeth are a fright
My dental condition is alarming and unappealing
Got a huge overbite
My upper teeth protrude far in front of my lower teeth
Numb me, drill me
I want local anesthetics before the dentist starts working on my teeth
Floss me, bill me
I'm willing to pay exorbitant dental fees to make sure my teeth are healthy
You jab at my nerve endings
The dentist's injection has reached my tooth's nerves and is causing me discomfort
It's driving me insane
The pain from the dentist's treatment is becoming unbearable
Just give me nitrous oxide
I want to be provided nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, to ease my dental anxiety and pain
Shoot me up with novocaine
I need a local anesthetic, specifically novocaine, to numb the pain during the dental procedure
Help me out here
I need further assistance or support from the dentist during the procedure
'Cause I'm in severe
I'm experiencing severe pain during the dental procedure
Pain
I'm in physical or emotional distress due to the dental procedure
Please stop for a bit
I'm asking the dentist to pause the dental procedure momentarily
Now let me rinse and spit
I require time to rinse and expel the dental liquids inside of my mouth
You validate my parking
I'm requesting parking validation from the dentist office staff
I think that I'm okay
I believe that my dental procedure is over and successful
But you my one more appointment for
I'm being scheduled for another dental appointment
A week from Saturday
The next dental appointment is scheduled for a week from Saturday
'Cause you came upon
I'm being scheduled for a follow-up dental procedure
A little problem on
My x-ray had revealed an issue that requires additional treatment
My x-ray
I had an x-ray taken to assess the condition of my teeth and determine any necessary dental work
Oy vey!
An exclamation of worry or distress, commonly used by Jewish people
It's getting absurd
The dental procedure is becoming outlandish or unreasonable
Well, I hope I'm insured, now
I'm expressing the hope that my dental insurance covers the procedures and treatments
Numb me, drill me
I want local anesthetics before the dentist starts working on my teeth
Floss me, bill me
I'm willing to pay exorbitant dental fees to make sure my teeth are healthy
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