Hey there. How’s it goin’? Me? Oh, I’m fine, thanks.
Anyway…
There’s some misinformation that’s been floating around the Internet (how unusual!) and I hoped it would dissipate quickly, but it only seems to be picking up steam. So before it gets much worse, please allow me to set the record straight.
I did a print interview recently where I talked about how I only had one more album left on my current record contract, and how after that I would be weighing my options. I talked about how at that point I might be more inclined to focus on digital distribution, since theoretically that would allow my releases to be more timely and topical. I talked about how quickly the industry is evolving, and how perhaps it might not even make sense to continue releasing conventional albums at that point. In fairness, my quotes in the article seemed pretty accurate. But the headline screamed, “WEIRD AL SAYS HIS NEXT ALBUM WILL BE HIS LAST!” Well, um… no, I didn’t. That’s inaccurate, and extremely misleading, and has caused more than a few fans to freak out. But I guess “WEIRD AL IS CAREFULLY WEIGHING HIS OPTIONS AND ISN’T ENTIRELY SURE WHAT HE’S DOING AFTER HIS NEXT ALBUM!” isn’t quite as catchy, headline-wise. So again, to be clear… if you were led to believe that I’m planning on retiring anytime soon, I’m not (sorry, haters). I truly love what I do, and if I ever stop working, it won’t be of my own free will.
Okay… what else?
I’m on the road right now. This is the tail end of the Alpocalypse Tour, and it’s going great. If you haven’t seen it yet, I behoove you to get yourself to a show – all the summer dates are listed at weirdal.com. We’ll be doing the final dates sometime in the fall, and of course we’ll be sure to list those on my website as soon as they’re confirmed.
Also, I’m extremely excited that HarperCollins is releasing my second children’s picture book – My New Teacher and Me! – on June 25. Wes Hargis did the artwork (as he did for my first book, When I Grow Up) and it’s really wonderful. If you have a kid – or just like to pretend you have a kid – I think you’ll enjoy this book.
And speaking of the book… I’m doing a 7-city book-signing tour at the end of this month! If you live anywhere near Minneapolis, Houston, Milwaukee, Chicago, Cincinnati, Raleigh or Los Angeles, I’d love to see you at one of these book stores. And if you CAN’T make it, but still want a personally autographed copy of the book… guess what? We have the technology! Just contact any of those bookstores before the event, and they’ll arrange to make that happen for you! And if you want a copy of the book WITHOUT my lousy autograph… well, I’m sure Amazon or any other fine online retailer would be happy to sell you one! After the 25th, I’ll bet you could even walk into an actual bookstore and buy a copy! So many options!
The new album? It’s coming along extremely well. I’m about half done with it, and I’m really excited with the tracks so far. So if I’m dismembered in a freak accident next week, at least they’ll be able to release a nice EP. (Can’t wait to see what kind of headlines they’ll make out of THAT!)
Okay, that’s it for now. Thanks for letting me ramble. Hope to see you on the road and/or at the bookstore!
xo,
Al
AL'S BLOG 
56 Comments
Hi Al,
My kids and I also saw your show at the Alameda County Fair. Incredible show. My kids will be life-long fans. Only gripe is that the security and organizers of the fair didn’t do a good job of informing the audience on how to get your “swag”. My son really really wanted a shirt from the show but none of the attendants knew where we needed to go and when we found the vendor area, they wouldn’t let us in. =( I got one for him on your website but they aren’t the same. “A+” to your show, “F” for the Fair organizers and security.
HI AL!,
I’m so excited to see you live at the California state fair in five days, I’m 14 and I am a big fan everyone in my household loves you and your music….but we are all wondering if you are going to do autographs, if we got one it would be a huge honor ( my dad would probably freak out! Haha!), anyway we can’t wait to see you we are all big fans! 🙂
❤ your fan,
Kyra M.
P.s. My favorite song of yours is "One More Minute,"! 🙂
Hi!
My name is Mia and i’m from a city near Columbus, Ohio called Pickerington. I was wondering, how in the world do you come up with these songs so FAST???
From,
Mia Jones
Just wondering if Al and his family would wear the Houston NORML shirts and take a pic to post. Thanks for being YOU ! CJ
can ones grasp of reality be measured by how he spells normal?
NORML: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Houston Chapter)
I think ones grasp of reality is measured by the extent to which he expresses ones knowledge of reality.
The link to “These Book Stores” isn’t working for me. I would like to order a signed copy of the book. But all I found on the page was an image of the book’s cover. Is Chapters/Indigo one of them? Anyway, I will be seeing you on tour in Michigan in August 1st. Coming all the way from Ontario, Canada. Michigan was the closest to us broke university students! Wish we could have gotten the VIP package with our tickets, but perhaps if we are impressed by your show (which we know we will be!) we will attend one of your other shows and be sure to purchase them well in advance. Perhaps consider doing a few shows in the Great White North. Windsor’s Caesar’s Casino (just across from Detroit) is a great place to host a concert. There are many other places in Canada, like Toronto, that would be honored, I’m sure, to host a show. Don’t forget your Canadian fans, Al!! Its been a while since you’ve paid us a visit and entertained your humble Canadian admirers! We’ve been listening to your music since the age of cassette tapes!!! Go figure. And yet it would be interesting to research the statistic of how many people download/pirate “Don’t download this song”…… Some people, honestly…. Give credit where credit is due (in the form of monetary payment, that is) to the amazingly talented singer, songwriter, parody artist, and now children’s book author, Weird Al Yankovic! We will have to get our hands on your latest book, preferably signed, as kids at heart. There’s nothing wrong with that. As you’ve said, “Dare to be stupid”. Dare to be unique, different, odd and original, without concern for what others think of you. Your are a prime, shining example of that philosophy. And that is why we admire you.
A parody of the ridiculously angelic voiced and attractive Bruno Mars would be tip top!
I had a blast at your concert and my 2 boys 7 & 8, had the time of their lives. Thanx for coming back to Tulsa.
Al how about a parody of Styx “Renegade” sunglasses something like “Obama I’m in fear for my life from the long arm of the law. NSA is coming down from the hill and I know the’ve heard it all. Obama I can hear you a crying your so scared and no healthcare at home. The gig is up the website is down they finally found me, the republican who had it made has a price to be paid no We don’t take Snap to pay for the bounty.”
Haha!
Jon
Please do a parody of “Who Let the Dogs (HOGS) Out” with Honey Boo Boo & her family!
Hi Al,
I just got back from your concert at the California State fair, it was really cool and I sang along with almost every song, we were hoping to see you after the show but we didn’t have a wristband, but we waited…me, my dad, and Stepmom were the only people there at the end (except for this other guy with records of yours). Well we realized that you weren’t coming out anymore so we left, but I still had a great time!
<3your fan,
Kyra M.
AL, Just a thought….have you considered doing a spoof of Billionaire by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars?
Maybe “I wanna be an Engineer, so freek’n bad…”with a kind of nerdy feel like White and Nerdy? maybe some Gilligan’s Island professor references, etc…. It would be AWESOME! – Chris Howard
Okay want topical just finished the Parody to “Aquarius” and today’s world goes like this:
IGNORANCE
When we teach our children lies and hate
And refuse to teach respect
Then DEATH will be outcome
And kids we can’t protect
THIS is the generation of Ignorance,
the age of Ignorance, Ignorance, Ignorance
Hateful names and shots they hear
Neither death nor GOD they fear
With no Love and kindness in life
Games and toys filled with strife
Hatred guns blood intimidation
The legacy of this nation
Ignorance, Ignorance
When we teach our children lies and hate
And refuse to teach respect
Then DEATH will be outcome
And kids we can’t protect
THIS is the generation of Ignorance,
the age of Ignorance, Ignorance, Ignorance
I see why it takes so long to be quick and topical with all that copywrite stuff to get thru
hope you like it
Hi AL! I’m a long-time fan & school librarian and I will be purchasing your books ASAP to put in our school library. Today I am headed to your concert at the Oregon Zoo, along with my school’s principal who is also a long-time fan of yours. Any chance we could get a photo with you to put up in our library?
Al, see you at the Wisconsin State Fair. Play Skipper Dan–the Middle Age Anthem!
Your show was awesome ( Jackson county OR fairgrounds July 16 )! My friend &fellow dancer ,Dawn and I were honored to be “smells like Nirvana” cheerleaders and will never forget the talented and hardworking people involved in producing your show. Following the show ,I was involved in an accident where I was seriously injured . My friends kept
showing me your videos to make me smile and not worry about my smashed face . Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you ! Blessings !
My 10 year old is OBSESSED with you! Anyway for him to meet you when you come to Ohio this week????
Thanks!
I guess you can erase the word “SLAVE” from your face now.
Write one called Luke The Ventilator to the tune of John The Revelator about Lucas McCain of The Rifleman.
Hi Al,
I always loved your music growing up and I think its awesome that you’ve touched some many lives through laughter, music and literature. I don’t have to tell you to keep being awesome because I know you will be. Recently, I heard a song that I thought would be perfect for a weird Al remix. The song is entitled Black Girls by Chester French, but every time the chorus comes around I always think it would sound way cooler with you saying, “I’ve got a thing for Batgirl!” If you like the idea it yours. If you hate it that’s cool too because a creative genius like you doesn’t need a nobody like me throwing ideas at him. Anyway, I will always continue to enjoy laughing, singing and dancing to your music. Thanks for all the fun Al!
Sincerely,
A guy named Jon H.
You are still going strong Al !! Luv all of the work that you do!!
I am looking forward to seeing you play tonight in Atlanta and after reading the post while not shocked since media never over plays anything (lol) your fans know that
You’re still being one of my favorite artists, not only as comedian and pardy singer, but as a producer and arranger. Keep making music, we love you!
Best wishes from Mexico City!
Sir Edgar Carpenter (experimental-noise musician)
I will be the first to say that I am a true fan. My husband got me hooked on your music when we got married 8 years ago. We have since been to two of your concerts in Tulsa and already bought tickets to your October show in Tulsa. I am super excited for this show, since it is a mini vacation for my family, as we did not have much of a summer. My husband and I are both teachers Moore, OK. I actually work at Plaza Towers Elementary and was there the day the tornado leveled the school. I lost my entire classroom, including all of my countless books, one of which was your first book ” When I Grow Up”. My special education students loved that book. It is my goal to replace that book and purchase your new book for our temporary classroom. I know it would mean the world to my students to have “you” in the class again. You are an inspiration to them.
I just want to say, you are an amazing artist and thanks for letting me sing “Yoda” with you last time you were in Tulsa. You rock!!!
I just want to say I LOVE YOU AL!!! You are my mentor my life.. all I listen to in my car my home where ever I am is you. 90% of my Ipod for my car tunes is your music. and well i dont care what others think when they hear your songs playing.. people laugh or look at me funny but I dont care!! I am who I am and that is a pepsi drinking WEird Al JUNKY! I have seen you in concert 3 times and MAN when you make your next album and your in TORONTO ONTARIO again I WILL BE THERE!!!! HAPPIER THEN A PIG IN POOP!!! speaking of you I am listening to ou right now>>> EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG!!! I love that song but MY most FAV’s ARE POLKA’s ALL OF THEM… KEEEP THEM COMING AND I WILL CRANK THEM during Oktoberfest> Your polka’s are more fun then the real ones! here is a little POLKA POETRY!:) written by me>
Those Angry White Boy Polka dancers beat the Alternative Polka dancers by doing the Polkarama with the Polkamon all 2000 of them. They later decided to Polka Your Eyes Out (OUCH!) at the Hot Rocks Polka motel on route 45 Polkas On, You can do the Bohemian Polka with that Polka Face all night long at the Polka Party you got invited to and now you got the Polka Power to do all that you are now HOOKED ON POLKA!!!!!!!!!! I AM!
I LOVE YOU AL! See you in the near future .. and Hurry UP with that new Album!LOl Just kidding
I just wrote it out of the top of my head:) RANDOM POLKA POETRY!
AL, Been listening to your since 1984 and once discovered, always a follower. Cant wait to you come back to NC.
Just heard you would be performing in Texarkana. Whoohoo!!! I am beyond excited. I pray nothing prevents me from attending your show. You are an accordion MASTER and musical guru. So honored you will be coming to my lil home town. Many blessings to you, your family, and staff. Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Al, My group of people who are running for city council in my town and I have come up with a parody of Summer Time Blues and would like it performed by someone that could do a great job like yourself. Our title is the Norwich Tax Blues and it of course is how screwed up this town is and about how we are the only choice to fix the town this fall. Please get back to me as soon as you can.
Will UHF ever be available on Blu-ray? Probably the only way get an older movie released these days is to make a 3D version. I say go big! Add 3 extra Ds and come out with UHF in 6D. Alameda County fair show rocked! The pre-show mascot wondering through the audience was great too. I’m not sure if you had anything to do with that, but it was a great warm up act.
Hey Al,
You should do “Nerd Lines” based on Thicke’s Blurred Lines. It would parody all the nerds that line up for Apple products and the song would be played over news images of nerdy kids (and adults) waiting for the next big thing!
Hey AL. You should write a song about “Jews” from 22 by Taylor swift.
My name is Paul de la Rosa, son of Tony de la Rosa who was in Nirvana,s Smells Like Teen Spirit and the Weird Al,s remake. He was the janitor in both videos. I live in Westbrook, Maine and would love to see your show and meet you in person tomorrow night at the State Theater in Portland, Maine. Please reply to this email.
Heya Paul, I never thought I would run into any of Tony’s relatives online! My name is Brett. I was Don Purviance’s next-door neighbor. I grew up with his son David. I used to see Tony come over to the house every week before he and Don headed up to the property in Lancaster to work on cars. When we discovered he was going to be in NIrvana’s music video, me and David lost our minds. We couldn’t believe it! Then we got the same thrill when we learned he was going to be in Weird Al’s parody video. I sure miss seeing him. Had a lot of great memories of him in my youth and early adulthood. He really made the best tamales I’ve ever eaten, and I usually hate tamales.
I would really love to hear from you. My email address is sonicblu@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you soon.
Where are you Al he is a great song to sing about our political quagmire with Repyblivan Party
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qHDdqubE7zQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DqHDdqubE7zQ
Chuck
—
Never explain–your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
Elbert Hubbard
US author (1856 – 1915)
Hi. Mr. Yankovic,
I worked one of your fall concerts at the Turning Stone Casino in NY. I had a blast setting it up with your crew…. They were so courteous and relaxed. My favorite concert to work on and watch.
Thank You,
Kristin
I saw you last night here in Texarkana, and it was amazing!!! 🙂 I absolutely love you and see ing you live, then meeting you was a dream come true!!! I hope you will come back on your next tour.
I also think you should do a blurred lines parody…lol! Love ya and stay weird!!!
Great to hear buddy! Would you please do one called “When a fart breaks” or “When a fart breaks it don’t break even”?
I do admit… i do fart.
Greets from Poland Mr. Al.
Al, I would like you to play at War Memorial in Johnstown PA. IT’s big enough. Anyway, hurry up and announce where you’re playing at and when the next tour will start. I keep checking this site every week, and nothing! Oh, and one more thing. I would like to hear you sing this: …”oh yeah and 3 of the airplane engines burned out, and we went into a tailspin, crashed into a mountain side, and the plane exploded in a giant fireball, and everybody DIED! Except for me…”
Hay mate look me n a couple of mates wanna raise some mone for the royal flyn doctors servis we all ride bikes all just social riders look them up they good do good work on australia n.s.w. we can pull about 2000 auzzi dollers for u n ur people after that i think we can get aboute 40gs for the rfds please reply
Hi my name is Maeve and I am 11 years old. I really like your parodies! my favorites are: eat it, girls just want to have lunch, white and nerdy, like a surgeon, I love rocky road, fat, another one rides the bus. I don’t really think you are weird, but you have a lot of confidence. I have a lot of confidence. I do a lot public speaking and I have smashed a card board guitar in front of 90 people at my school concert! I was singing and dancing “beat it”! It was soooooooo fun! I love your work and it always ends up with a good result! I live in Melbourne in the country and I was wondering if you were doing any concerts in Melbourne and you could give me some dates! 😀 I would really like a reply!
sincerely,
Maeve Tanner! -.-
P.S I love your hair! :O!
im a HUGE fan loved your songs since i was a pint sized boy, anyway i was wondering if you could do a Canadian tour, love your work, listening to “Another one rides the bus” right now!
by that i mean New Brunswick
Hey Al, I love you of course…i’m a Canadian, eh, and I thought you’d do a wicked job of “Bobcaygeon” by one of the biggest bands in Canada, The Tragically Hip. Perhaps the lyric, “constellations…” could be replaced by, um, “constipation?” Just a thought. Keep on mocking in a wierd world!
Also, it behooves me to say that the hip are pretty big down in America…and let me give credit to Al for reminding us all of quirky words like behoove. Happy new year to all you Al Yankovich fans, and to the great (and weird) Al himself!
http://www.amiright.com/parody/80s/wierdalyankovic1.shtml A Parody of a Parody!!!!
Okay, I’m not sure if this is the right place to do this, buuuuuuuuuuuut here it goes anyway!
Your Weirdness,
Pretty, pretty, PRETTY please do a Pokemon parody of “Wrecking Ball” akin to the picture below. It would make my LIFE!!!!
Less than three,
A devoted fan
Al,
I’ve been a fan of yours for awhile now. You’ve actually inspired me to write some of my own parodies. My dream is to have you sing one of my songs.
Please Al, do a parody on the Bruno Mars song, I should have bought you flowers. My parody would be I should have bought you pasta, I should have bought you steak, Take you to every buffet, but I made a mistake….etc. You could bring out the fat guy from Michael Jackson vid!
You’ve got to do a parody called “J’s off my feet” in reference to NBA players’ Jordans flying off during games…
weirdal/band cool
do you know when you are doing your next world tour
Please make a parody of Luke Bryan’s “Too Damn Young” entitled, “Too Damn Young to Know Eddie Vetter”
dear al ive been a fan since ive been born lol since 89 anyway i have every cd and ep u made keep it up love ur music ur fan j.beatle
hi al this is just a joke i am papa acalchala but my real name is devlyn ad i am a big fan and on thing you shoud get as a game for a computer gmod you can get steam and you need to sigh up and the game is just $10.00 ok by