The definitive 'Weird' Al Yankovic playlist

Taking aim at the popular "My Sharona," by the Knack, this was Yankovic's first single released -- via the famed "Dr. Demento" radio show, whom the singer was a big fan of. Al, who wrote it while attending college in California, opts to highlight a passion for the bologna sausage, which gave listeners more than a chuckle. The tune was re-recorded and included on his self-titled 1983 debut album.

From Yankovic's self-titled debut record, which was the first of several produced by famed guitarist Rick Derringer. Poking fun at the classic "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," which became an international hit through Joan Jett's 1981 cover. Again, it chronicles "Weird" Al's fascination with food, particularly this hearty, chunky ice cream flavor. The song didn't fare as well in terms of chart success as others on the album ("Ricky" and "Another One Rides the Bus"), but over time became a fan favorite. 

Also from Yankovic's debut album, "Stop Draggin' Car Around" parodies the Stevie Nicks-Tom Petty duet "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around." In this case, Al's character is unhappy that his beloved 1964 Plymouth keeps getting towed or impounded for illegal parking and unpaid tickets or fines. Then he laments that maybe it's time to trade in the old car for a Schwinn. Also, it's just one example of "Weird" Al's brilliant use of the accordion, which has long been his instrument of choice. 

From his breakout second studio album, "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D, it's the song that made "Weird Al" an international favorite. A legendary homage to Michael Jackson's iconic "Beat It," Yankovic essentially copied the famed "Beat It" music video, though with more emphasis on food. The parody reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, thus becoming his biggest hit at the time. "Eat It" won Yankovic his first Grammy Award -- for Best Comedy Recording and Best Comedy Performance Single or Album, Spoken or Musical.

Another favorite from "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D, AL spoofs The Greg Kihn Band hit "Jeopardy." And, takes on another classic via the iconic game show Jeopardy!. In this case, Al unsuccessfully makes an appearance on the quiz show and is forcibly removed from the set. The parody never cracked the Top 40; the music video was an MTV staple and is perhaps best remembered for its cameos by longtime Jeopardy! host Art Fleming, announcer Don Pardo, Dr. Demento and Kihn, himself. 

Certainly not a well-known "Weird" Al, but one of the more underrated spoofs in his beloved musical arsenal. Also from "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D, parody of the Survivor anthem "Eye of the Tiger," Yankovic keeps listeners pumped up for a true cured-meat experience, while chronicling the life of a former boxer who became a deli owner. When it comes to lyrical brilliance, this might be Al's best effort. 

Building off the success of "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D, Dare to be Stupid, Al's third studio album, was also nominated for a Grammy. The title cut is actually a Yankovic original, but the sound and music video are a straight-up homage to synth-fueled new wavers Devo. The message tells listeners to essentially be stupid—as in 'squeeze all the Charmin you can' or 'let the bedbugs bite.' Another "Weird Al" track that's not the first to come to mind when talking about his catalog, but a fun musical romp, nonetheless. 

The opening number and second single from Dare to Be Stupid, "Like a Surgeon," might be "Weird Al"'s most recognizable song. A wonderful parody of Madonna's "Like a Virgin," highlighting the trials of an incompetent surgeon (who is still an intern), it only peaked at No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was a top 20 hit in Australia, and the music video was another favorite among loyal MTV viewers. We especially love Yankovic's attempt at some Madonna-like dance moves.

Another "Weird Al" song that was written years before it was released on one of his albums. A parody of the Kinks classic "Lola," about the wise Jedi Master, "Yoda," was a favorite during the early 1980s on The Dr. Demento Show. However,  usage rights, notably from George Lucas and Ray Davies, took years to secure. Found on Dare to Be Stupid, "Yoda" was never released as a single, but has long been a fan favorite.

Yankovic's fourth studio record, Polka Party! failed to match the commercial success of his previous two albums, but it also earned a Grammy nomination. It houses what might be Yankovic's most controversial song. This album closer is an Al original conceived after his record company wanted the artist to release a Christmas tune. So, in "Weird Al"'s warped way of thinking, he wrote a holiday number about the end of the world. The song was essentially shelved 15 years later when the term "ground zero" became associated with the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.

Arguably the highlight of Polka Party!, "Living with a Hernia" spoofs James Brown's Rocky IV hit "Living in America." Another popular favorite with the fans that did not chart, "Living with a Hernia," is still one of the artist's most likable tracks. Only "Weird Al" can make singing about the excruciating pain associated with suffering from a hernia sound so much fun. And who knew Yankovic could dance even remotely like the legendary "Godfather of Soul."

Coming off the heels of the poorly received "Polka Party!, "Weird Al" returned to prominence with another Michael Jackson parody about food—"Fat." Off the 1988's Even Worse, Yankovic takes on MJ's "Bad," with that familiar comedic formula. This time, it was the music video that helped make the song among Al's most iconic. This tale of overeating helped Even Worse go platinum and won the Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video.

At the end of the 1980s, Yankovic felt it was time to take his popularity a step further -- the big screen. That proved somewhat costly, as both his comedy UHF (which co-starred Victoria Jackson and Fran Drescher) and the soundtrack were well received. However, this wacky original (whose title describes exactly what the song is about) from the soundtrack is one of Yankovic's most underrated tunes, and again highlights his talent as a writer. 

The final song from the UHF soundtrack, "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota," is another "Weird Al" original, which, like the aforementioned "Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near Mars," could rate among the highlights of a rather lukewarm album. This folksy number is done in the spirit of popular storytelling artists such as Harry Chapin and Gordon Lightfoot, and about a family road trip. It's somewhat of a stretch for Al, but it actually works.

Once again, Yankovic picked up the pieces from a failed project and revitalized his career with this splendid parody of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." From 1992's Off the Deep End, "Weird Al" sings about how he can't figure out what the actual Nirvana favorite is about or what the words mean. This grunge homage peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Legend has it that Kurt Cobain was a fan of the parody, whose video was nominated for an MTV Music Video Award and featured a random cameo by veteran actor Dick Van Patten

Another of Yankovic's most iconic songs. The parody of Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" was spot-on brilliant. The polar opposite, working both ends of the spectrum, "Amish Paradise" from Yankovic's Bad Hair Day album once again vaulted the artist's status as a true genius in this genre. Fueled by the memorable music video (which featured Florence Henderson from The Brady Bunch) of an Amish-looking Al rhyming about his plight on the farm, "Amish Paradise" might be his true masterpiece.

A decade after "Weird Al" scored a major hit with "Amish Paradise," he ventured again into the rap genre and scored the only top-10 hit single of his legendary career. A parody of  "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone, and speaking about life as a nerd," White and Nerdy," from 2006's Straight Outta Lynwood, peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a prime example of Yankovic's remarkable staying power after 30 years of making people laugh with music. 

"Weird Al"'s ability to adapt the musical landscape of the time is one of his true strengths. By 2014, Yankovic had more than 30 years in the business, and finally scored a No. 1 album with Mandatory Fun. The Grammy Award winner for  Best Comedy Album is proof that he was getting better with age. Found near the end of the record, "Tacky" is a spoof of Pharrell Williams' intoxicatingly catchy "Happy," though it goofs on the pop culture fashion trends of the time. Aisha Tyler, Jack Black, and Eric Stonestreet appear in the music video. 

'Weird Al" wasn't done messing with Pharrell, who claimed it was an honor to be parodied by Yankovic, as he was featured on Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines." For which "Word Crimes" spoofs? The song pokes fun at the misuse of grammar and word usage, and should be considered one of Al's most lyrically creative efforts. A Top 40 hit, "Word Crimes" topped the Billboard Comedy Digital Tracks chart in the United States.

The closing number from Mandatory Fun, "Jackson Park Express is another "Weird Al" original, and perhaps the most ambitious piece of music he's ever composed. In a nod to the great Cat Stevens, "Jackson Park Express" runs a little more than 9 minutes, and details a fictional romance that lasts the length of a bus ride. Just when fans thought they could predict Al's next move, he pulls this extended piece of comedy greatness out of his hat.