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
Gotta Boogie
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta boogie
Gotta boogie
Gotta boogie
Gotta boogie (gotta boogie)
Gotta boogie (gotta boogie)
Gotta boogie (gotta boogie)
Gotta boogie on my finger and I can't shake it off
Well, I went out to a party just the other night
I was jammin' to the music, I was feelin' alright
I was burning up the floor like a disco maniac
When my woman said, "Baby, why's your hand behind you back?"
Gotta boogie (gotta boogie)
I said boogie (gotta boogie)
I gotta boogie (gotta boogie)
Gotta boogie on my finger and I can't shake it off
I can't pick it off (uh uh)
I can't flick it off (uh uh)
I sure ain't gonna lick it off (oh no)
So I guess I'm gonna have to learn to live with it
I gotta boogie (gotta boogie, uh huh, he's gotta boogie)
I gotta boogie (gotta boogie, uh huh, he's gotta boogie)
I gotta boogie (gotta boogie, uh huh, he's gotta boogie)
Gotta boogie on my finger and I can't shake it off
(boogie)
Gotta boogie
(boogie)
Hey, you want to boogie? (No man, I don't want to boogie)
Want to boogie? (Get that boogie out of my face)
Do any of you want to boogie? (No!)
Gotta boogie on my finger
Gotta boogie on my finger
Gotta boogie on my finger and I can't shake it off
The song "Gotta Boogie" by "Weird Al" Yankovic tells the story of a man who, despite his efforts, can't shake off the boogie that's stuck on his finger. The song starts with a repetition of the phrase "gotta boogie" followed by the line "gotta boogie on my finger and I can't shake it off." Throughout the song, the man tries to figure out how to get rid of the boogie, but ultimately has to "learn to live with it."
The lyrics are told from a humorous and absurd perspective, as the concept of a boogie being stuck on someone's finger for an extended period is hilarious on its own. Additionally, Yankovic uses disco and funk music references to add to the song's lighthearted tone. The lyrics can also be interpreted as a commentary on the frustration of being unable to rid oneself of something, despite all efforts to do so.
Overall, "Gotta Boogie" is a fun and silly song that perfectly encapsulates "Weird Al" Yankovic's style and sense of humor.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta boogie
I have a small piece of debris on my finger
Gotta boogie (gotta boogie)
Repetition of previous line
Gotta boogie on my finger and I can't shake it off
The debris is persistently stuck on my finger
Well, I went out to a party just the other night
I attended a social gathering recently
I was jammin' to the music, I was feelin' alright
I was dancing and enjoying myself
I was burning up the floor like a disco maniac
I was dancing energetically
When my woman said, "Baby, why's your hand behind you back?"
My partner asked about my hand's location
I can't pick it off (uh uh)
I cannot remove the debris from my finger
I can't flick it off (uh uh)
Shaking or flicking my hand does not remove the debris either
I sure ain't gonna lick it off (oh no)
Licking the debris off is not an option
So I guess I'm gonna have to learn to live with it
I must accept that the debris will remain on my finger
Hey, you want to boogie? (No man, I don't want to boogie)
Someone is asking if I want to dance, and I decline
Want to boogie? (Get that boogie out of my face)
Another person is asking if I want to dance, but I reject them rudely
Do any of you want to boogie? (No!)
A third person asks if anyone wants to dance, and nobody is interested
(boogie)
Repetition of the word 'boogie'
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind