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
First World Problems
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I do, the water starts getting cold after an hour
I couldn't order off the breakfast menu, cause I slept in till two
Then I filled up on bread, didn't leave any room for tiramisu
Oh no, there's a pixel out in the corner of my laptop screen
I don't have any bills in my wallet small enough for the vending machine
Some idiot just called me up on the phone, what!? Don't they know how to text? OMG!
I got
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
I bought too many groceries for my refrigerator
Forgot my gardener's name, I'll have to ask him later
Tried to fast forward commercials, can't, I'm watching live T.V
I'm pretty sure the cookies in this airport lounge ain't gluten free
My barista didn't even bother to make a design in the foam on the top of my vanilla latte
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
Can't remember which car I drove to the mall
My Sonicare won't recharge, now I gotta brush my teeth like a neanderathal
The thread count on these cotton sheets has got me itching
My house is so big, I can't get WiFi in the kitchen
Uh, I had to buy something I didn't even need just
So I could qualify for free shipping on Amazon
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
(First world problems)
First world, first world problems
"Weird Al" Yankovic's song "First World Problems" is a sarcastic take on the complaints of people living in wealthy nations - they're experiencing problems that can only be qualified as trivial in the grand scheme of things. The song is almost a parody of itself, highlighting how ridiculous and privileged people can be, while still managing to come off as relatable. The song has a repetitive and catchy melody as Al recites his "problems," which are all pretty trivial. Some of the "problems" he complains about are not being able to take a shower because his maid is cleaning the bathroom and forgetting the name of his gardener. Other complaints include not being able to fast forward through commercials on live TV, having to brush his teeth like a "neanderthal" because his electric toothbrush won't charge, and being unable to get WiFi in the kitchen of his big house.
However, despite the tongue-in-cheek nature of the song, Al manages to deliver a clear message about the selfish and self-absorbed attitudes of some people. The chorus of the song features Al repeating the phrase "First world problems," a clear jibe at people who complain about things that are entirely reliant on their wealth and luxury. The message seems to suggest that people should be more grateful for the things they have and take a step back to reflect on how lucky they are before they start complaining about minor issues.
Line by Line Meaning
My maid is cleaning the bathroom, so I can't take a shower
I have a hired house cleaner who is currently occupying MY bathroom and preventing me from using it for my own hygiene purposes.
When I do, the water starts getting cold after an hour
I am upset that I cannot enjoy unlimited hot water while I shower, as the supply only lasts for an hour before turning cold.
I couldn't order off the breakfast menu, cause I slept in till two
I wanted to order breakfast food, but I overslept and missed the designated breakfast hours, so I had to choose from the regular menu instead.
Then I filled up on bread, didn't leave any room for tiramisu
I ate an excessive amount of complimentary bread, which left me too full to indulge in my desired dessert of tiramisu.
Oh no, there's a pixel out in the corner of my laptop screen
I am bothered by a single malfunctioning pixel in a specific corner of my laptop screen, which is diminishing my overall user experience.
I don't have any bills in my wallet small enough for the vending machine
I only have larger denominations of cash in my possession and cannot use them in the vending machine, which is frustrating to me.
Some idiot just called me up on the phone, what!? Don't they know how to text? OMG!
I find it irritating and archaic when someone calls me on my phone instead of simply sending me a text message.
I bought too many groceries for my refrigerator
I am struggling with an overabundance of food after purchasing more groceries than my refrigerator can properly accommodate.
Forgot my gardener's name, I'll have to ask him later
I cannot recall the name of the person who tends to my lawn and landscaping, but I will pose the question to them at a later time.
Tried to fast forward commercials, can't, I'm watching live T.V
While watching live television, I attempted to skip through the commercials but was unable to do so due to the real-time nature of the broadcast.
I'm pretty sure the cookies in this airport lounge ain't gluten-free
I am skeptical about the gluten-free status of the cookies available to me in this airport lounge, as they may contain gluten despite being advertised as a safe option for individuals with dietary restrictions.
My barista didn't even bother to make a design in the foam on the top of my vanilla latte
I am disappointed that my barista did not take the time to create an aesthetically pleasing design in the foam atop my vanilla latte, which I believe is a sign of a lackluster coffee shop experience.
Can't remember which car I drove to the mall
I cannot recall which of my multiple vehicles I drove to the mall, indicating that I have an excess of personal transportation options.
My Sonicare won't recharge, now I gotta brush my teeth like a neanderthal
I am frustrated that my high-tech electric toothbrush will not recharge, forcing me to use a manual toothbrush which I view as primitive and outdated by comparison.
The thread count on these cotton sheets has got me itching
I am experiencing discomfort from the thread count of my cotton sheets, as it is not sufficiently high and is causing me to itch or experience a subpar sleeping experience.
My house is so big, I can't get WiFi in the kitchen
I am inconvenienced by the fact that my enormous home does not have adequate WiFi coverage in the kitchen, which is limiting my ability to use the internet or electronic devices in that area.
Uh, I had to buy something I didn't even need just, so I could qualify for free shipping on Amazon
I made an unnecessary purchase merely to meet the minimum requirements for free shipping on my Amazon order, a mere symptom of my privileged first world lifestyle.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D Patek
How the hell does this guy not grow old?
The Stupid Trio
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Bright Eyes
Like his song, Foil, he knows what he's doing, guys...
Bright Eyes
@resplndnt Most definitely, he's hilarious!
Jonathan Devereaux
He looked extremely old when i went to a book signing of his in 2010. You can't make a living of making crazy faces without being very wrinkled. He's wearing makeup in his videos obviously.
B. Bailey
he has fun doing what he loves!
tommy k
“My barista didn’t even bother making a design in the foam”. Brutal. Weird Al really is holding up quite well.
phxgen
Dude entirely stopped aging from like 1986 to 2015.
Jason Goldman
That's not a "first world problem". That's just being a nerd.
Anthony Nye
The WI-FI kitchen problem really hit hard LOL 😂 😂