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
Don't Download This Song
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To break international copyright law
By downloading M-P-3's from file-sharing sites
Like Morpheus or Grokster or LimeWire or KaZaA
But deep in your heart you know the guilt would drive you mad
And the shame would leave a permanent scar
'Cause you start out stealing songs, and then you're robbing liquor stores
And selling crack and running over school kids with your car
So don't download this song
The record store's where you belong
Go and buy the C-D like you know that you should
Oh don't download this song
Oh you don't want to mess with the are I double A
They'll sue you if you burn that C-D-R
It doesn't matter if you're a grandma or a 7-year-old girl
They'll treat you like the evil, hard-bitten criminal scum you are
So don't download this song
Don't go pirating music all day long
Go and buy the C-D like you know that you should
Oh, don't download this song
Don't take away money from artists just like me
How else can I afford another solid gold Humvee?
And diamond-studded swimming pools, these things don't grow on trees
So all I ask is everybody, please
Don't download this song (Don't do it, no, no)
Even Lars Ulrich knows it's wrong (You can just ask him)
Go and buy the C-D like you know that you should (You really should)
Oh, don't download this song
Don't download this song (Oh please don't you do it)
Or you might wind up in jail like Tommy Chong (Remember Tommy)
Go and buy the C-D (Right Now) like you know that you should (Go out and buy it)
Oh don't download this song
Don't download this song (No no no no no no)
Or you'll burn in hell before too long (And you'd deserve it)
Go and buy the C-D (Just buy it) like you know that you should (Ya cheap bastard)
Oh, don't download this song
In "Don't Download This Song," "Weird Al" Yankovic uses humorous lyrics to address the issue of music piracy and illegal downloading. He acknowledges that downloading music illegally might be tempting, but it is wrong and could lead to serious consequences. The lyrics suggest that stealing music could lead to a slippery slope of criminal activity, from robbery to drug dealing, as well as legal repercussions from organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The song also highlights the impact of music piracy on artists, as they lose revenue from illegal downloads. Yankovic implores listeners to purchase physical copies of albums rather than downloading them illegally, as it is the right thing to do and supports the livelihood of musicians. He also pokes fun at popular metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, referencing his outspoken criticism of music piracy in the early 2000s.
Overall, "Don't Download This Song" addresses a crucial issue that was highly relevant at the time of its release, and continues to be so today. Yankovic's use of humor to put across a serious message leaves a lasting impression on listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in a while maybe you will feel the urge
Occasionally, you might have the desire
To break international copyright law
To violate global intellectual property regulations
By downloading M-P-3's from file-sharing sites
By unlawfully obtaining MP3s through file-sharing platforms
Like Morpheus or Grokster or LimeWire or KaZaA
Such as Morpheus, Grokster, LimeWire, or KaZaA
But deep in your heart you know the guilt would drive you mad
However, within yourself, you're aware that the wrongdoing would torment you
And the shame would leave a permanent scar
Furthermore, the disgrace would have lasting consequences
'Cause you start out stealing songs, and then you're robbing liquor stores
Since you begin by misappropriating music, soon you'll be stealing from shops
And selling crack and running over school kids with your car
You'll end up selling drugs and committing hit-and-runs
So don't download this song
Therefore, do not acquire this track illegally
The record store's where you belong
The proper place to obtain it is the album store
Go and buy the C-D like you know that you should
Purchasing the CD is the correct thing to do
Oh don't download this song
Oh, please avoid downloading this song unlawfully
Oh you don't want to mess with the are I double A
Oh, you wouldn't want to confront the RIAA
They'll sue you if you burn that C-D-R
They'll take legal action against you if you copy that CD
It doesn't matter if you're a grandma or a 7-year-old girl
It's irrelevant if you're an elderly woman or a young child
They'll treat you like the evil, hard-bitten criminal scum you are
They'll handle you as the wicked, unsavory lawbreaker that you are
Don't download this song
Therefore, don't unlawfully procure this song
Don't go pirating music all day long
Avoid constantly stealing digital music
Go and buy the C-D like you know that you should
Purchase the CD as you should know to do
Oh, don't download this song
Oh, please refrain from downloading this song unlawfully
Don't take away money from artists just like me
Do not deprive artists like myself of our income
How else can I afford another solid gold Humvee?
How else will I be able to buy another Humvee made of solid gold?
And diamond-studded swimming pools, these things don't grow on trees
Diamond-encrusted swimming pools don't come out of nowhere
So all I ask is everybody, please
Therefore, all I request is that everyone
Don't download this song (Don't do it, no, no)
Should not unlawfully download this track (Don't do it, no, no)
Even Lars Ulrich knows it's wrong (You can just ask him)
Even Lars Ulrich acknowledges that it's incorrect (You can just ask him)
Go and buy the C-D like you know that you should (You really should)
Purchase the CD, as you should comprehend (You really should)
Oh, don't download this song
Oh, please don't download this song unlawfully
Don't download this song (Oh please don't you do it)
Therefore, don't illegally get this tune (Oh please don't you do it)
Or you might wind up in jail like Tommy Chong (Remember Tommy)
Or you could end up imprisoned like Tommy Chong (Remember Tommy)
Go and buy the C-D (Right Now) like you know that you should (Go out and buy it)
Buy the CD (Right Now), as you fully comprehend (Go out and buy it)
Oh don't download this song
Oh, please do not acquire this song unlawfully
Don't download this song (No no no no no no)
Therefore, avoid downloading this song unlawfully (No no no no no no)
Or you'll burn in hell before too long (And you'd deserve it)
Otherwise, you'll face damnation soon (And you'd deserve it)
Go and buy the C-D (Just buy it) like you know that you should (Ya cheap bastard)
Purchase the CD (Just buy it), as you know (Ya cheap bastard)
Oh, don't download this song
Oh, please do not unlawfully obtain this song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mechamonkeymancityboat7785
I started with song piracy.
Now I soar the seas with my parrot and eyepatch.
@dave36464736
You do what you want because a pirate lives free? You are a pirate?
@adm3333
And apparently don't know the difference between sailing and flying.
@mechamonkeymancityboat7785
@@adm3333 the sea is just an upside down sky, airplanes are just cooler boats
@main4325
you're not making a good case against piracy, good sir
@buffalocrackerdong6978
sounds fun
@quackhead_6265
love how he just casually starts the song with "once in a while, you'll feel like breaking international copyright laws"
@therealmarcher
He's not wrong tho
@identitycrisis6736
I illegally downloaded this song
@Neomagi125
@@identitycrisis6736 In pure Weird Al fashion It was Legally downloadable from Al's My Space when it was first released.