Name: The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic by Weird Al Yankovic
Brand: Weird Al Yankovic
SKU: 884977359947
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.5 (266 reviews)

COMPILATION

Volume 1

Volume 2

More times than not, Columbia/Legacy's Essential collections are stellar overviews. Boasting a two-and-a-half-hour running time and 38 songs hand-picked by Al himself, The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic is yet another well-executed title in the series. Encompassing 12 albums, the double-disc set starts from the beginning of Al's career, with "Another One Rides the Bus," his live "Another One Bites the Dust" parody from the Dr. Demento show in 1980, and it gradually chronicles up to the R. Kelly-influenced "Trapped in the Drive-Thru" from 2006's Straight Outta Lynwood. Most of Al's big parodies are highlighted here ("Eat It," "I Lost on Jeopardy," "Yoda," "Like a Surgeon," "Fat") -- as well as some choice deep cuts, like the ripping accordion medley "Polkas on 45," the opening theme from UHF, and a smattering of absurd originals ("Albuquerque," "Dare to Be Stupid," "You Don't Love Me Anymore," and "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota"). All of these could be deemed essential for fans, but nitpickers will wonder about the whereabouts of "Ricky," "Money for Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies," and two of Yankovic's best food parodies, "My Bologna" and "I Love Rocky Road." These songs aside, not much is missing, considering the depth of his discography. The exhaustive four-disc Permanent Record has 50 songs, but it stops at 1994. Al may have hit a rocky patch for a spell toward the turn of the millennium, but he had some of his best work just after, including the geeky rap satires "Amish Paradise," "It's All About the Pentiums," and "White & Nerdy." For nostalgic fans who just want a quick taste of the '80s, Greatest Hits is the best bet, but those seeking a deep-rooted summary that's both comprehensive and extensive should look no further than this.
© Jason Lymangrover /TiVo

The Essential "Weird Al" Yankovic

Product information

Release options

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 1

1. Another One Rides the Bus

2. Polkas On 45

3. Eat It

4. I Lost On Jeopardy

5. Yoda

6. One More Minute

7. Like a Surgeon

8. Dare to Be Stupid

9. Dog Eat Dog

10. Lasagna

11. Melanie

12. Fat

13. UHF (Single Version)

14. The Biggest Ball of Twine In Minnesota

15. Trigger Happy

16. Smells Like Nirvana

17. You Don't Love Me Anymore

18. Bedrock Anthem

19. Frank's 2000" TV

20. Jurassic Park

Volume 2

1. Since You've Been Gone

2. Amish Paradise (Parody of "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio)

3. Gump (Parody of "Lump" by The Presidents of the United States)

4. Everything You Know Is Wrong

5. The Night Santa Went Crazy

6. Your Horoscope for Today

7. It's All About the Pentiums (An adaptation of "It's All About the Benjamins" by Puff Daddy)

8. The Saga Begins (Lyrical Adaption of "American Pie")

9. Albuquerque

10. Ebay (Parody of "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys)

11. Bob

12. Hardware Store

13. I'll Sue Ya

14. Canadian Idiot (Parody of "American Idiot" by Green Day)

15. Pancreas

16. Don't Download This Song

17. White & Nerdy (Parody of "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire feat. Krayzie Bone)

18. Trapped In the Drive-Thru (Parody of "Trapped In The Closet" by R. Kelly)

Technical Specifications