By: Ben Clark

Parody/Polka legend, "Weird Al" Yankovic, will soon be releasing his new album, ALPOCALYPSE! It's now available for pre-order on his website! I'd be lying if I didn't say Weird Al hasn't been a huge part of my adolescence. I'd also be lying if I said I don't own almost his entire anthology. I love pretty much everything from "Eat It" (first hit in 1984) to "Perform This Way" (2011).

You may have heard about his latest single, "Perform This Way" (a parody of "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga). Basically, all profits from this song going to be donated to the Human Rights Campaign (because it's supposed to be an "earnest human rights anthem"). Gaga turned down the parody upon hearing it. Even though parody artists are protected under the First Amendment, Weird Al traditionally requests permission from the artists he spoofs out of respect. But NOW, it's been reported that Lady Gaga has given permission to him to include the track on his new album, ALPOCALYPSE. Apparently there was some sort of misunderstanding and Gaga wasn't trying to disable the release of the new single and she is a "huge Weird Al fan".

WHATEVER.

ALPOCALYPSE is available for pre-order! Get it here!

Check out "Perform This Way" here:

Let's back it up a bit. Personally, I have been a huge fan of Weird Al for most of my life—ever since I heard "The Night Santa Went Crazy" on the Bad Hair Day album. I recently listened to that album and it brought back some pretty awesome memories...

1. It brought up one of the most amazing shows I've ever seen: Weird Al in concert. Holy crap, if you ever get a chance to see him live, by all means GO! It is quite the spectacle!!

2. Track 2 of Bad Hair Day, "Everything You Know is Wrong", is in fact the song I sang for my audition into 5th grade chorus. A 'capella baby. There was a priceless look on the music teacher's face when I started singing:
"...And as I'm laying bleeding there on the asphalt
Finally I recognize the face of my hibachi dealer
Who takes off his prosthetic lips and tells me..."

3. UHF (the movie). Whilst at my last day in college, me and a couple of my friends, along with two professors came to an amazing realization that we all loved this movie! Then one of my friends happened to have the movie on his iPad, so we watched parts of it and it ruled.

TOP 5 "Weird Al"bums?

If I had to choose... (not including compilation albums)

1. Bad Hair Day

2. Poodle Hat

3. Running With Scissors

4. Off the Deep End

5. Alapalooza

Favorite "Weird Al" tweet?

"Me, trying to explain to my daughter what a jukebox was: "You know, kinda like an 800-lb. iPod."

Even with the times a changin', he still seems to keep up the pace. Congrats, Al. You're one amazing artist and entertainer.

Ben Clark is from Nashville, TN. He's no writer, but graphic design and illustration is totally his jam. He absolutely loves Christmas - a lot (primarily Santa Claus), believes that waffles are far better than pancakes, and enjoys good music (also to share it). So, lucky you.