Well, this was a strange day.
After putting my Lady Gaga parody on YouTube this morning – and announcing that it wouldn’t be on my next album because Gaga didn’t approve it – there was a huge outpouring of disappointment from the Internet.
Apparently the fact that she didn’t approve it was news to Lady Gaga herself!
Gaga’s manager has now admitted that he never forwarded my parody to Gaga – she had no idea at all. Even though we assumed that Gaga herself was the one making the decision (because, well, that’s what we were TOLD), he apparently made the decision completely on his own.
He’s sorry.
And Gaga loves the song.
I’m thrilled on many levels to hear this, because 1) I truly respect and admire Gaga as an artist and it pained me to think of her as having less than a great sense of humor, and 2) it means I GET TO PUT OUT MY ALBUM!
As promised, all my proceeds from the song (and the MUSIC VIDEO… I can’t wait…) will go to the Human Rights Campaign.
Thank you, Gaga. And thanks to everybody who had my back.
Whew!
Your pal,
Al
542 Comments
So glad it worked out after all the hoops you (and your family and the band!) had to jump through to get it done. Love the song and can’t wait for the new album!
Sure. I too…
it’s great…..
HRC is the .worst. possible place to put your money, Al. It’s a useless organization. Don’t believe me? See for yourself:
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/11/11/how-useless-is-hrc
If you’re concerned for LGBT rights, the stonewall dems are a better place to direct your funds. Please reconsider.
Jacob, thanks for posting this. I followed your links and saw your concerns. I’m adding my voice to this as well in hopes that Al and others who are following this thread help him reconsider where he’s going to put his proceeds.
Al, take a look at what Jacob posted and think about whether it’s the best organization. You have a great heart and I’m glad about your commitment to equality, but perhaps you may want to find other organizations that are going to use the money in better ways than HRC.
how bout for the texas fires?
Al, please reconsider. I am a HUGE fan and want to purchase the album, but cannot if any of the money is going to the HRC. Have people donate money to your church instead. I am certain that there will be less fan opposition to that idea.
Fuck off he’ll donate wherever he sees fit.
Wait … What?
There’s a Church of Weird Al?
If I’m not mistaken, he’s a member of the Church of Christ.
Can’t wait to get my hands on the new album. Love your work.
You’ve still got it, Al. And by “it” I mean a human soul. We have to call you “Weird,” because that’s what you do when everyone else is crazy and the one person is sane. That one person is “weird.”
You’ve given a lot to the world, sir.
That’s awesome to hear.
I hope her manager gets in a lot of T-R-U-B-E-L!
I prefer to think that this was all just a clever ploy by Lady Gaga to drum up publicity for your song – congrats!
I’m not buying the manager’s story… I believe that she nixed it, her manager helped her “realize” the potential fall-out, she changed her mind, and he dutifully took the fall.
She’s still GagGag to me, but I am happy for you that it will be on your album. It is brilliant!
I agree! I don’t buy it either.
You guys obviously haven’t listened to any of her interviews. If she had a problem with Al’s version of her song, she also would’ve sicked her lawyers/put a stop to the thousands among thousands of versions of her songs on YouTube that get posted all the time. SHE LIKES IT. She’s even helped out some of the kids that’s performed her songs to get into recording music. I know you want to hate her because she dresses weird or whatever, but maybe she’s actually a good person? (I mean, I know she’s a strong woman and that probably freaks you out as well) She has an hour long interview with google employees on YouTube. Try watching it, you might learn something about her.
I’m a 40 year old, I enjoy her music and I enjoy her interviews and I enjoy Weird Al and have been listening to him since I was in middle school. Although he’d never comment on this situation again
Try not be so cynical about people when you don’t like their music.
what you wrote makes no sense
Actually, what Brad wrote makes perfect sense. Disagreeing with someone’s thoughts and observations doesn’t automatically make it nonsensical. Also, saying something is nonsensical doesn’t make it nonsensical.
If you disagree with Brad, try expressing your thoughts in a more descriptive, coherent fashion rather than a single, non-punctuated sentence. It will enhance the validity of your personal views in this and future discussions.
The more you know!
I can’t make any sense of what you’re saying!
I agree. Explaining to anon is quite useless as seen in the reply to your comment below. The person probably strongly dislikes Gaga. Anyway, I support both Al and Gaga all the way.
Hmm… but don’t you find it odd that a MANAGER doesn’t know about Al’s status in the musical world? Don’t you find Gaga’s advertising strategies extremely provocative in a Michael Jackson way? (Like the obvious Illuminati references in one of her vids, don’t remember which one) I’m not basing my cynical views on this case alone – I’m basing it on past events. In other words, the chances are that this is a way to get more attention. Of course, it might be as they say. We can’t honestly tell.
Besides, didn’t you notice how many gaga-fans that protected gaga blindly? Gaga fans are no better than the haters in this case. “This is hurtful to gaga!!!!1!”, remember?
Brad, your comment is presumptuous. The theory that Gaga herself rejected the song, although not necessarily a proven fact, is a very valid theory. Even if it is not true, it’s a reasonable theory. I was going to post the same theory, but I checked to see if anyone else already had. Even if it didn’t happen that way, it sure as hell seems like a very likely hypothesis. It is a bit immature to assume that anyone having that theory is “a hater” and only came to that conclusion because they don’t like Gaga. As I said, I had the same theory, immediately upon reading the story – not because I dislike Gaga or her music, but because the theory just jumps off the page and says “Hello! Isn’t anyone considering this obviously probable theory?”
Hey fellas, it’s irrelevant to argue about it at this point. She approves the song. Al wouldn’t want people bashing Gaga after all of this. Give it a rest guys, and just be happy about the end result.
My kids will be extremely sad. They LOVE you, Al and like Lady Gaga, too.
Thats great news, you seem like a cool guy – always liked your parodies (since the 80s days of I’m Fat) and you seem downright dow to Earth. Would like to enjoy a beer and a bowl of spaghetti-os with you sometime.
Nice to hear that Lady Gaga was OK with the song. It would be pretty silly for her to complain about it really… Having a Weird Al parody means you’ve truly made it. All of the biggest pop stars of the last 30 years have a Weird Al parody, don’t they?
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I see no reason why the manager excuse should be bogus. This isn’t even remotely the worst parody to be done about her, her image or her songs
I’m still miffed by this. So all this time it wasn’t her requesting lyrics and then needing to hear it? Now, the song is out, because of her stupid manager who obviously has no idea what an honor it is to be parodied by you.
Been a fan since 3rd grade. Dare to be stupid.
Kudos Al and everyone!!
Claire
Of course she knew about it. She’s simply backpedaling and making her “manager” the fall guy, which is really low. She simply learned the hard way… you just do not diss the Weird One.
Woohoo! That’s great news!
Go Al! I’ve listened to the song no less than 8 times at this point. So funny! Keep em comin!
…and there was MUCH rejoicing!! YAY!!! Anxiously awaiting your album and video)
YAAAY!!!
I’m glad she has a sense of humor, haha. Looking forward to seeing the video!
Yay! I couldn’t believe Gaga wouldn’t have enough of a sense of humor to enjoy seeing what you would do as a parody. Silly manager; fans like stuff like this, done well.
Or maybe she’s just trying to save us from eye damage. Weird Al dressed as Lady Gaga may cause corneal hemorrhages. This is going to be scary bad. In a good way.
Way to go, Al! So happy things worked out for you
I think this is just lady gaga trying to do damage control. She did it before many times.. I mean what would you do if people were saying that you have no sense of humor and don’t allow a parody like this? (she obviously didn’t think you’d post about this)
People would say she’s taking herself way too seriously (which she is) I think quickly gaga will change her ways and pretend to have a sense of humor about herself again, but this time I won’t fall for it.
I never heard the original b4. I thought your version was pretty cool!
Excellent. I love Lady Gaga! And I Love you, of course…
Hi Al; Glad u still have a sense of humor and have not turned into a NAZI or a Kike………….all the best———-from Jope
Woo Hoo!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY This is so great!! Congrats Al! =D
great
SWEET! A NEW Album!
Yo this is too cool*
Oh wow
Eh, I don’t buy that she didn’t know. As another commenter said, it’s damage control. And you’re still better than Gaga, Al. MUCH better. MUCH. MUCH. BETTER.
Oh, come on, I think it’s pretty obvious that her manager didn’t want to deal with Al’s request and was just buying himself time. Managers, agents, and publicists are famously some of the most selfish jerks in the world, where as Lady Gaga seems nice enough. No musician born after 1980 doesn’t dream of being parodied by Weird Al.
it’s great..
nice.
nice..
Al, I’m such a big fan since middle school! Flash forward 13 years and I’m teaching middle school. I talk you up to my students when I speak about copyrights and parodies! I even show my students you’re videos, now a whole new generation has grown to love you.
I’m so glad you put your Gaga video on the internet, that’s the place where stuff gets done now a days. Your loyal fans have your back. Can’t wait for the new album!
I think this is the first jab at the original performer since Smells Like Nirvana (classic!). It would be great to have Lady Gaga make a 5 second cameo dressed and looking amazingly “normal” in the background.
C’mon, you know you’ve made it when Weird Al does a parody of one of your songs.
Great news! Whether it is “damage control” or she truly did not know, I cannot say, but I am glad this will be released all the same.
I’m a Catholic and this song is no insult whatsoever, obviously the song Judas has nothing to do with God or the bible. It is about falling in love with the bad guy and loving a man so much no matter how many times he betrays you, you still forgive him. This is a good song and it has a good meaning.
That’s great news! It’s kinda sad that Gaga’s manager lied though ;<
This almost brought tears to me eyes when I heard this. I’m so happy for you and everyone involved. Lesson learned: “don’t trust managers”
Hooray for this sweat ass victory. Bring on the funny! Al is number one!
Oh Thank God.
My video in support of Weird Al is getting to many thumbs down
If you see it on youtube please give it a thumbs up – it is called Bestest reaction to Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ Parody by Weird Al.
The gaga googoo supporters are hatin’ on it.
Peace out,
Dogmaticfool
So either the manager is a jerk who made Al record the song before turning it down or Gaga is. That means one of two people I don’t care about is a jerk. I’m just glad the power of the Internet resolved the issue.
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Great news!! I’m glad its working out so well! Awesome that you are contributing to charity too. I love your music and love you as a performer too. Ever since I was a kid & saw UHF. Still waiting for a sequel!!! I’m kidding!
You’re brilliant! I mean it sincerely. Take care, love you. Jennifer
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