This book is the first to address in a serious way the impact and meaning of the music of "Weird Al" Yankovic. Though everyone knows his name, Yankovic is often dismissed as a novelty. His music builds on a rich American tradition of parody song, with many levels of signification-humorous, insulting, political, often at the same time. His songs, including his original compositions, make us laugh but also have a point of view, be it on society, popular culture, food, or words themselves. Very few other artists have created music so dense in meaning and for so long, and it's high time we recognize Yankovic's cloyingly humorous appeal. Through original interviews with the man himself, Lily Hirsch addresses Yankovic's relationship to past parody song as well as his unique approach to the art form. Focusing mainly on his fourteen studio albums, the book explores his music based on themes like insult, politics, race, and word abuse. It also discusses his reputation as one of the music industry's good guys. In today's age of incivility (political and otherwise), his nice-guy persona stands out and has helped win him fiercely loyal fans who've found in his music a certain acceptance and affirmation. This book is for those fans but also invites music enthusiasts of all stripes to consider and reconsider Yankovic's music.

About the Author
Lily E. Hirsch earned her Ph.D. in musicology from Duke University. Her past books include A Jewish Orchestra in Nazi Germany: Musical Politics and the Berlin Jewish Culture League (University of Michigan Press in 2010), Music in American Crime Prevention and Punishment (University of Michigan Press in 2012), Anneliese Landau's Life in Music: Nazi Germany to Emigre California (Eastman Studies in Music in 2019), and, as co-editor, Dislocated Memories: Jews, Music, and Postwar German Culture (Oxford University Press in 2014), winner of the American Musicological Society's Ruth A. Solie Award.


Book Information
ISBN 9781538124994
Author Lily E. Hirsch
Format Hardback
Page Count 240
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 513g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 160mm * 23mm