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
Here's Johnny
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When he says...(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
That's his job, it's so amazing
All he says is...(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
I never miss a moment when he's on the tube
His being there has made my life worth living
The chills run down my spine
Each time he says that line
"Here's Johnny!" He says, and laughs in his special way
"...Johnny!" he says, you know I love him
"Here's Johnny!" he says, and "second fiddle" is his game
Ed McMahon's his name...all right
Dressed so fine, he's such a cool dude
Hear him say...(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
Watch him selling beer and dog food
Hear him say...(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
I got a letter from him just the other day
He said, "You may already be a winner!"
A trooper to the end
A Clydesdale's best friend
"Here's Johnny!" he says, and laughs in his special way
"...Johnny!" he says, you know I love him
"Here's Johnny!" he says, and that's the way he gets his pay
What a living
Oh...(Here's Johnny! Here's Johnny!) Wo-o-o, no
(Here's Johnny! Here's Johnny!) No no no no no no, I don't believe it
(Here's Johnny!) he says, and everytime it's just the same
Ed McMahon's his name
A very special guy...all right
He's on every night
Can't change the channel
When he's sitting on the panel
(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
There he goes, he gives me goose bumps
When he says...(Hey-O-Hey-Hey-O!)
"Here's Johnny!" he says, and laughs in his special way
"...Johnny!" he says, you know I love him
"Here's Johnny!" he says, that seems to be his claim to fame
Ed McMahon's his name
"Weird Al" Yankovic's song "Here's Johnny" is a tribute to the famous television personality Ed McMahon, who was a sidekick to the equally famous television host Johnny Carson. The song seems to celebrate the catchphrase "Here's Johnny" that Carson used to introduce himself on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The song lyrics emphasize McMahon's role in the show and his connection to Carson, as well as his other roles outside of the show such as pitching beer and dog food on television commercials.
The lyrics suggest that McMahon's appearance on the show made the songwriter's life worth living, with the chills running down his spine every time he uttered his trademark phrase. The song praises McMahon's dress sense and cool demeanor, and his ability to be a trooper and a friend to even the Clydesdales. The use of McMahon's name as a refrain in the song reinforces his importance to the television industry.
"Here's Johnny" is a fun and catchy song that pays tribute to a beloved television personality of the past. It extols the virtues of a time when television was a much more significant part of people's lives than it is now. The song captures the spirit and energy of the era, and even if it may be far removed from the current pop culture scene, it remains a testament to the enduring legacy of McMahon and the wit of Carson.
Line by Line Meaning
There he goes, he drives me crazy
The subject is crazy about someone who regularly appears on TV, who is now being described.
When he says...(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
The person being described has a catchphrase they regularly use when appearing on TV.
That's his job, it's so amazing
The subject is impressed that someone gets paid for doing what they do on TV.
All he says is...(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
The catchphrase used by the person being described is the only thing they say that the subject has noticed.
I never miss a moment when he's on the tube
The subject is a big fan of the person being described and tries to watch them on TV as often as possible.
His being there has made my life worth living
The presence of the person being described on TV brings a lot of joy to the subject's life.
The chills run down my spine
The subject gets very excited when the person being described uses their catchphrase on TV.
"Here's Johnny!" He says, and laughs in his special way
The person being described is named Johnny, and they have a unique laugh that accompanies their catchphrase.
"...Johnny!" he says, you know I love him
The subject really loves the person being described, despite only knowing them from their appearances on TV.
"Here's Johnny!" he says, and "second fiddle" is his game
The person being described is not the main attraction, but instead acts as a sidekick to another person or group.
Ed McMahon's his name...all right
The sidekick being referred to is named Ed McMahon.
Dressed so fine, he's such a cool dude
Ed McMahon has a very polished appearance and a lot of charisma.
Watch him selling beer and dog food
Ed McMahon has appeared in commercials advertising both beer and dog food.
I got a letter from him just the other day
The subject received a letter from the person being described, which suggests they have some kind of fan club or mailing list.
He said, "You may already be a winner!"
The letter sent by the person being described likely contained some kind of sweepstakes or prize drawing opportunity.
A trooper to the end
The person being described is very dedicated and committed to their work.
A Clydesdale's best friend
The person being described may have appeared in commercials featuring the horse breed known as Clydesdales.
"Here's Johnny!" he says, and that's the way he gets his pay
The catchphrase used by the person being described is an essential part of their job and livelihood.
What a living
The subject is impressed that someone can make a living by simply saying the same catchphrase over and over again.
Oh...(Here's Johnny! Here's Johnny!) Wo-o-o, no
The subject may be getting a little tired of hearing the same catchphrase repeated over and over again.
(Here's Johnny! Here's Johnny!) No no no no no no, I don't believe it
The subject is expressing disbelief that the person being described is actually saying their catchphrase again.
"Here's Johnny!" he says, and everytime it's just the same
The use of the catchphrase by the person being described is consistent and never changes.
Ed McMahon's his name
The sidekick being referred to is named Ed McMahon.
A very special guy...all right
The person being described is being given a compliment by the subject.
He's on every night
The person being described has a regular appearance on TV that the subject tries not to miss.
Can't change the channel
The subject is very committed to watching the person being described and would never consider changing the channel while they are on TV.
When he's sitting on the panel
The person being described may regularly appear as part of a panel of people on a TV program.
(Hee-eere's Johnny!)
The catchphrase used by the person being described is repeated one final time to close out the song.
There he goes, he gives me goose bumps
The subject is excited by the presence of the person being described on TV.
When he says...(Hey-O-Hey-Hey-O!)
The person being described may have another catchphrase or sound effect they use on their TV appearances.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: INA WOLF, PETER F. WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind