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
Pretty Fly for a Rabbi
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
And all the goyim say I'm pretty fly for a rabbi
Meccha leccha hi, meccha hiney hiney ho
Our temple's had a fair share of rabbis in the past
But our new guy's real kosher, I think he'll do the trick
I tell ya, he's to die for, he really knows his shtick
So how's by you? Have you seen this Jew?
Reads the Torah, does his own accounting too
Working' like a dog at the synagogue
He's there all day, he's there all day
Just say "Vay is mir!" and he'll kick into gear
He'll bring you lots of cheer and maybe bagels with some shmeer
Just grab your yarmulka and
Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
And all the goyim say I'm pretty fly (for a rabbi)
He shops at discount stores, not just any will suffice
He has to find a bargain 'cause he won't pay retail price
He never acts meshugga and he's hardly a schlemiel
But if you want to haggle, oy, he'll make you such a deal!
People used to scoff, now they say "Mazel tov!"
He's such a macher 'cause he works his tuchis off
Yeah, he keeps his cool and teaches shul
What's not to like? What's not to like?
Oh high holy days, you know he prays and prays
And he never eats pastrami on white bread with mayonnaise
Put on your yarmulka and
Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
When he's doing a Bar Mitzvah, now that you shouldn't miss
He'll always shlep on down for a wedding or a briss
They say he's got a lot of chutzpah, he's really quite hip
The parents pay the moyl and he gets to keep the tip!
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
Meccha leccha hi, meccha meccha cholly ho
He's doin' well, I gotta kvell
The yentas love him, even shicksas think he's swell
Show up at his home, he says, "Shalom!"
And "Have some cake, you want some cake?"
Yeah he calls the shots, we really love him lots
Oy gevalt, I'm so ferklempt that I could plotz!
So grab your yarmulka
The one you got for Hanukah
Let's put on our yarmulkas and
Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
"Weird Al" Yankovic's song "Pretty Fly for a Rabbi" is a humorous tribute to a rabbi who has a lot of admirable traits. The song begins with three "Oy Vey"s, which indicates that this is a Jewish song. The phrase "And all the goyim say I'm pretty fly for a rabbi" means that even non-Jewish people, or goyim, acknowledge that this particular rabbi is cool, or "pretty fly." The phrase "meccha leccha hi, meccha hiney hiney ho" is a nonsense phrase that is meant to sound like the Jewish language of Yiddish.
The rest of the lyrics describe the many ways in which the rabbi stands out from others. He's a hard worker and knows his "shtick," which means that he is knowledgeable about Judaism. He's also a savvy shopper, always looking for a bargain. He's well-liked and respected, and even non-Jewish people think he's cool. The song encourages listeners to put on their yarmulkes and "do that Hebrew thing," which means to celebrate Jewish culture and embrace their heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
(How ya doin', Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
The singer greets Bernie, then exclaims his surprise.
And all the goyim say I'm pretty fly for a rabbi
Although it may seem unlikely, people of different faiths admire the rabbi's performance.
Meccha leccha hi, meccha hiney hiney ho
This line is a nonsensical refrain.
Our temple's had a fair share of rabbis in the past
The temple has had many rabbis in the past.
But most of'em were nudniks and none of'em would last
Most of them were no-good and didn't end up staying.
But our new guy's real kosher, I think he'll do the trick
The singer is impressed with the new rabbi's skills.
I tell ya, he's to die for, he really knows his shtick
The singer thinks the rabbi is amazing and has a lot of knowledge.
So how's by you? Have you seen this Jew?
The artist asks if Bernie has met the rabbi yet.
Reads the Torah, does his own accounting too
The rabbi is well-versed in the Torah and can also do accounting on his own.
Working' like a dog at the synagogue
The rabbi works very hard at the synagogue.
He's there all day, he's there all day
The rabbi spends long hours at the synagogue.
Just say "Vay is mir!" and he'll kick into gear
The rabbi is always ready to help when someone needs anything.
He'll bring you lots of cheer and maybe bagels with some shmeer
The rabbi can cheer people up and may even provide them with bagels and cream cheese.
Just grab your yarmulka and Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
The singer encourages people to put on their yarmulkas and celebrate by doing traditional Jewish things.
He shops at discount stores, not just any will suffice
The rabbi likes to find a good deal when shopping instead of paying full retail price.
He has to find a bargain 'cause he won't pay retail price
The rabbi is thrifty and won't pay full price for things.
He never acts meshugga and he's hardly a schlemiel
The rabbi is always sane and is not clumsy.
But if you want to haggle, oy, he'll make you such a deal!
The rabbi is skilled at bargaining and can make good deals with people.
People used to scoff, now they say "Mazel tov!"
People used to make fun of the rabbi, but now they congratulate him on his success.
He's such a macher 'cause he works his tuchis off
The rabbi is a big shot because he works very hard.
Yeah, he keeps his cool and teaches shul
The rabbi teaches at the synagogue and remains calm while doing so.
What's not to like? What's not to like?
The artist thinks there's nothing to dislike about the rabbi.
Oh high holy days, you know he prays and prays
On high holy days, the rabbi prays very hard.
And he never eats pastrami on white bread with mayonnaise
The rabbi doesn't eat certain foods.
Put on your yarmulka and Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
The singer encourages people to celebrate their Jewish heritage.
When he's doing a Bar Mitzvah, now that you shouldn't miss
The rabbi is very good at leading Bar Mitzvahs.
He'll always shlep on down for a wedding or a briss
The rabbi is always willing to come to weddings and other events.
They say he's got a lot of chutzpah, he's really quite hip
The rabbi is seen as confident and cool.
The parents pay the moyl and he gets to keep the tip!
The rabbi is rewarded for performing a briss.
He's doin' well, I gotta kvell
The singer is proud of the rabbi's success.
The yentas love him, even shicksas think he's swell
The rabbi is beloved by many people, including non-Jewish women.
Show up at his home, he says, "Shalom!"
The rabbi is welcoming and greets people warmly.
And "Have some cake, you want some cake?"
The artist suggests that the rabbi often offers guests cake.
Yeah, he calls the shots, we really love him lots
The rabbi is in charge and is well-respected.
Oy gevalt, I'm so ferklempt that I could plotz!
The singer is overwhelmed with emotion and could faint.
So grab your yarmulka
The artist reminds people to put on their yarmulkas.
The one you got for Hanukah
The singer specifies a particular time to wear the yarmulka.
Let's put on our yarmulkas and Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
The singer encourages people to celebrate their Jewish heritage.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind