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
Dog Eat Dog
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I really love this place
I got my, my very own Scotch tape dispenser
And I got a private parking space, ha
And I, I got a coffee mug with my name right on it
In big bold letters so everyone knows it's mine
Don't even touch it, 'cause, 'cause it doesn't belong to you
I'm climbing up, up the corporate ladder
Watch out, it's dog eat dog
Nose against the grindstone, it feels all right
Watch out, well, it's dog eat dog, here we go
I love to watch my boss get angry
So I can count the veins in his neck, ha
Every day is like a picnic
Every Friday, get a check
Well, do I smell jelly donuts? This is my lucky day
I'll have some coffee with a carcinogenic sweetener
Hold on a minute, just one more jelly donut
They'll never miss it, no, they'll never miss it
I, I'm climbing up, up the corporate ladder
Watch out, well, it's dog eat dog
Nose against the grindstone, it feels all right
Watch out, hey, well, it's dog eat dog
Sometimes I can't believe this is all really happening
Sometimes I can't believe that I'm really sitting here
Sometimes I tell myself, this is not my beautiful stapler
Sometimes I tell myself, this is not my beautiful chair
No-duddi-o d-du-du-oh-ya, ha, ha
Nobody's sure what I do here
And, ah, that's just fine with me
Five o'clock is here much too soon now
'Cause I just never wanna leave
I can bend paper clips into the shapes of small animals
Maybe I could get on, on David Letterman
I think I made a big mistake
Where's my liquid paper, where's my liquid paper
I, I'm climbing up, way up the corporate ladder now
Watch out, well, it's dog eat dog
Nose against the grindstone, it feels all right
Better be careful now, it's dog eat dog
Watch me work, hey, hey, stand back now
Look out, mama, it's dog eat dog
Nose against the grindstone, it feels real good
Hey, dog eat dog, here we go (doggy doggy dog dog, it's dog eat dog)
I said pang-ang, dog eat dog (woof woof, hey hey, dog eat dog)
I said, (sound), dog eat dog (here we go, ha, dog eat dog)
La la ha he, dog eat dog, la la ha he, dog eat dog (ruff ruff, dog eat dog, dog eat dog)
"Weird Al" Yankovic's song Dog Eat Dog is a satirical take on office culture and corporate ladder climbing. The lyrics tell the story of someone who has found a job in a large office and is enjoying the perks that come with it - a private parking space, a coffee mug with their name on it, and a Scotch tape dispenser. They revel in their surroundings and enjoy watching their boss get angry. The chorus warns of the cutthroat nature of corporate culture where it's "dog eat dog" - meaning, everyone is looking out for themselves and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.
There are moments of absurdity in the lyrics as well, such as the singer smelling jelly donuts and declaring it their lucky day. They also reflect on the monotony of office life and find ways to entertain themselves by bending paper clips into animal shapes. The bridge of the song takes on a stream-of-consciousness tone as the singer questions the reality of their surroundings, wondering if the stapler and chair are really theirs. The song ends with a triumphant and slightly manic declaration of how they are climbing higher up the corporate ladder, warning others to "watch out" and that it's "dog eat dog" - indicating no one should get in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Found a job in a great big office
I found employment in a large corporate setting.
And I really love this place
I am quite fond of my work environment.
I got my, my very own Scotch tape dispenser
I have a personal tape dispenser for my use only.
And I got a private parking space, ha
I have exclusive parking for my vehicle.
And I, I got a coffee mug with my name right on it
I have a mug with my name on it for drinking coffee.
In big bold letters so everyone knows it's mine
The mug has large and conspicuous text indicating that it belongs to me.
Don't even touch it, 'cause, 'cause it doesn't belong to you
You should not touch the mug since it is not yours.
I'm watching you, so don't get funny
I am keeping an eye on you to ensure no funny business occurs.
I'm climbing up, up the corporate ladder
I am advancing my career by taking advantage of professional opportunities.
Watch out, it's dog eat dog
I must be cautious since the corporate world is highly competitive.
Nose against the grindstone, it feels all right
I am working hard and it feels satisfying to do so.
Watch out, well, it's dog eat dog, here we go
I must be prepared for the competitive nature of the workplace.
I love to watch my boss get angry
It brings me joy to witness my supervisor become upset.
So I can count the veins in his neck, ha
I take pleasure in seeing the veins in my boss's neck bulge when he is mad.
Every day is like a picnic
Each day at work is enjoyable.
Every Friday, get a check
Every Friday I receive payment for my work.
Well, do I smell jelly donuts? This is my lucky day
I smell donuts and I am excited because I enjoy them.
I'll have some coffee with a carcinogenic sweetener
I will drink coffee with an artificial sweetener that has the potential to cause cancer.
Hold on a minute, just one more jelly donut
I will consume another donut before moving on with my work.
They'll never miss it, no, they'll never miss it
I believe no one will notice the fact that I am eating an additional donut.
Sometimes I can't believe this is all really happening
There are times when I find it difficult to believe this is my actual reality.
Sometimes I can't believe that I'm really sitting here
There are instances where I am astounded that I am physically present at work.
Sometimes I tell myself, this is not my beautiful stapler
I occasionally remind myself that the mundane aspects of my job are not as glamorous as they seem.
Sometimes I tell myself, this is not my beautiful chair
I remind myself that the working conditions are not ideal despite my appreciation for my job.
No-duddi-o d-du-du-oh-ya, ha, ha
N/A
Nobody's sure what I do here
Others are unsure of my exact responsibilities within the organization.
And, ah, that's just fine with me
I do not mind others being unclear about my role as long as I am happy and content.
Five o'clock is here much too soon now
The workday ends around 5 pm and I wish it were longer.
'Cause I just never wanna leave
I enjoy my job so much that I never want to depart from the workplace.
I can bend paper clips into the shapes of small animals
I have skills that allow me to make animal figures out of paper clips.
Maybe I could get on, on David Letterman
I think my paper clip skills are impressive enough to land me a spot on the David Letterman Show.
I think I made a big mistake
I have concerns that I have made a serious error.
Where's my liquid paper, where's my liquid paper
I cannot locate my whiteout correction fluid.
I, I'm climbing up, way up the corporate ladder now
I am making great strides in terms of career advancement by taking advantage of opportunities.
Better be careful now, it's dog eat dog
I must remain vigilant because the corporate world is highly competitive.
Watch me work, hey, hey, stand back now
Observe my efficiency at work, move back to watch.
Look out, mama, it's dog eat dog
Be forewarned since the corporate world can be cutthroat.
Nose against the grindstone, it feels real good
I find it pleasurable to work diligently and hard.
Hey, dog eat dog, here we go (doggy doggy dog dog, it's dog eat dog)
The corporate world is highly competitive.
I said pang-ang, dog eat dog (woof woof, hey hey, dog eat dog)
N/A
I said, (sound), dog eat dog (here we go, ha, dog eat dog)
N/A
La la ha he, dog eat dog, la la ha he, dog eat dog (ruff ruff, dog eat dog, dog eat dog)
N/A
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL YANKOVIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind