Headline News (song)
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| "Headline News" | ||
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| Single by "Weird Al" Yankovic | ||
| from the album Permanent Record: Al In The Box | ||
| Released | September 27, 1994 | |
| Format | CD, cassette | |
| Recorded | July 27, 1994 | |
| Genre | Comedy | |
| Length | 3:46 | |
| Label | Scotti Brothers | |
| Producer(s) | "Weird Al" Yankovic | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| "Weird Al" Yankovic singles chronology | ||
| Achy Breaky Song (from the album Alapalooza) (1993) |
Headline News (1994) |
Amish Paradise (from the album Bad Hair Day) (1996) |
Headline News is a parody song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. The song is a reworking of the Crash Test Dummies hit "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" about three abnormal children. "Headline News", in jest, is about three news stories of the mid 1990s: Singapore caning American delinquent Michael Fay, Tonya Harding's boyfriend beating her figure-skating rival Nancy Kerrigan, and Lorena Bobbitt removing her husband's penis (although "weiner" and "Mr. Happy" are used as euphemisms) with a knife.
The song was never officially released on a studio album and is only available as a CD single, the cover of which was a parody of the Crash Test Dummies album God Shuffled His Feet. The song does appear on Yankovic's Greatest Hits Volume II album and a box set entitled Permanent Record: Al In The Box.
Yankovic's Straight Outta Lynwood concert tour contains new lyrics as part of the medley, referencing Britney Spears, dealing with her 2007 head-shaving shock and underpants-less limousine trip in late 2006.
Contents |
[edit] Track Listing
The following tracks are on the CD and cassette single:
- Headline News – 3:46
- "Christmas At Ground Zero (Alternate Mix)" – 3:07
The promo CD single only contains "Headline News".
[edit] Music video
The music video for Headline News parodies the "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" video. The video uses the original video's theme of telling each news story as a one act play on stage before an audience of parents. The video is included on "Weird Al"'s DVD "Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection.
- Al, through out the video makes fun of the Crash Test Dummies lead vocalist Brad Roberts' rather peculiar facial expressions.
- The video features several cameos, including an appearance by Doug Llewelyn of People's Court fame, and long time radio show host, and Yankovic supporter, Dr. Demento.
- The termianl that Michael Fay steps off of has the number '27' on it.
- The book that Michael Fay supposedly wrote was called "Ouch, My Butt" and had a picture of him pointing to his afflicted area. He also 'signs' the books by spraying spray paint on the inside jacket.
- Judy Tenuta is uncredited as Lorena Bobbitt.
- At one point in the video a picture of Elvis is seen hanging on the wall.
- The second time Al hums, black tape can be seen taped onto his mouth.
[edit] Trivia
- "Headline News" was added to Yankovic's concert setlist in the summer of 1994, months before it was officially released, making it one of only a few songs that Yankovic has performed live first, then later went on be officially recorded and released.
- One of many of Al's hit songs that feature the talents of manualist "Musical Mike" Kieffer.
- Yankovic has performed this song in concert with backing from the Crash Test Dummies. As Yankovic's version uses Kazoos, the Crash Test Dummies went out and got Kazoos, much to the surprise of Yankovic. He has later said that they were particularly good sports.
[edit] See also
| “Weird Al” Yankovic |
|---|
| Band members |
| "Weird Al" Yankovic • Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz • Steve Jay • Jim West • Rubén Valtierra |
| Discography |
| Studio albums: "Weird Al" Yankovic (1983) • "Weird Al" Yankovic In 3-D (1984) • Dare To Be Stupid (1985) • Polka Party! (1986) • Even Worse (1988) • UHF (1989) • Off The Deep End (1992) • Alapalooza (1993) • Bad Hair Day (1996) • Running With Scissors (1999) • Poodle Hat (2003) • Straight Outta Lynwood (2006) |
| List of singles by "Weird Al" Yankovic • List of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic • Complete discography |
| Filmography |
| Music videos • "Al TV" • The Compleat Al • UHF • "The Weird Al Show" • "Weird Al" Yankovic Live! |
| Related articles |
| Singles • Songs • Songs Parodied • Dr. Demento • Music videos • Parody musicians • Comedy musicians |
