YANKOVIC: (Singing) Have some more chicken. THOMPSON: Yeah, he's mostly associated with songs like "Eat It" or "Smells Like Nirvana," songs where he's taking popular songs, recreating them but with different lyrics. And by the way, does he have anything other than parodies? - 'cause I mostly associate him with parody. PFEIFFER: He's probably most famous for his parodies. I'm not necessarily a completely objective observer, but I tried to give these songs as keen a critical eye as I could. I wrote liner notes to one of his compilations. I worked with him on a couple of projects when I worked at The Onion many years ago. And I should note here, over the years, I have actually gotten to know Weird Al. THOMPSON: I was a fan from age 12 to the present day into the distant future. You think sometimes they knew his song that he did the version of before they heard the original pop song. For a lot of people, their first contact is with him. He's not necessarily reflecting it for a lot of the people who are into him. I think for a lot of people, Weird Al Yankovic is a gateway into mainstream culture. It opened up kind of a whole new world for me, and it was a gateway into a lot of great pop music. THOMPSON: I tore open a wrapped vinyl record, and it was ""Weird Al" Yankovic In 3-D." My parents thought, jeez, Stephen doesn't have a lot of friends (laughter). THOMPSON: Well, I'm 50 years old, and so I was introduced to Weird Al at Christmas 1984. PFEIFFER: So I don't know how we compare in age, but when did you get introduced to Weird Al? PFEIFFER: I love this music because I was a teenager of the 1980s. Weird Al's self-titled debut album came out 40 years ago this month, and it inspired NPR Music's Stephen Thompson to compile a list of his favorite Weird Al songs. PFEIFFER: It's the kind of fun, dorky music you're introduced to as a teenager, and you never forget it. I churned butter once or twice living in an Amish paradise. WEIRD AL YANKOVIC: (Singing) We've been spending most of our lives living in an Amish paradise. "Eat It," "Smells Like Nirvana," "Dare To Be Stupid" - the list goes on and on and on. Weird Al Yankovic has been the creative genius behind some of the best parody songs ever made.
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