Watch ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic’s Crosby, Stills & Nash-Inspired ‘Mission Statement’ Video
As you might imagine, when rock stars meet 'Weird Al' Yankovic one of the first things they often ask him is, "When are you going to parody one of our songs?" In fact, Graham Nash recently asked him that very question -- and Yankovic had a perfect answer!
During his recent recent Reddit AMA, the comedy legend explains, "That happens sometimes in social settings -- an artist will make a comment at a party or awards show like, 'Hey Al, when are you going to do a parody of one of MY songs?' I don't know if they're being polite or making conversation, but that's always nice to hear. Actually, last year I was in New York doing a satellite radio tour, and Graham Nash was in the very next room... and it just so happens I had just recorded my CSN pastiche 'Mission Statement' (the official video appears above). So I walked over to say hi... he sees me, and the first words out of his mouth are, 'So, when are you gonna do a parody of 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes'??' I whipped out my iPhone and played 'Mission Statement' for him. Instant request! (He loved it, BTW.)"
Far more than simply a parody artist, Yankovic has become a cultural institution over the last few decades. But he's also, by all accounts, a remarkably friendly and grounded guy -- and one who still seems sort of starstruck when meeting the artists he parodies, even though his career has outlasted many of the acts whose work he's lampooned in the past.
For a good example, look no further than his '80s encounter with then-Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler. As 'Weird Al' explained in his chat, he reached out to Knopfler to request permission for a parody, and the result turned out to be one of the most memorable meetings of his career. "One of my favorite reactions was from Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits," he recalled. "I did a parody of 'Money For Nothing' in my movie 'UHF,' and when I asked him for permission, he said, 'Well, yeah... but you have to let me play GUITAR on it!!' So.... he did!"
Yankovic's 14th studio album, 'Mandatory Fun,' was released July 15. You can buy it on Amazon or iTunes now.
Watch 'Weird Al' Yankovic Talk About His New Album