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Weird Al Says 'Don't Download This Song'

Kazzahdrane writes "Known geek and comedy singer/songwriter Weird Al Yankovic has released the first song from his new album 'Straight Outta Lynwood' for free on his MySpace page. The track is entitled 'Don't Download This Song' and tells of the dangers of illegally downloading music from filesharing sites." His MySpace page is most excellent. "Hi. Al here. No, really, it's Al. Seriously. What, you don't believe me? Go ahead, check weirdal.com. Hit the MySpace link. See if it brings you right back to this page. Go ahead. I'll wait. See? It's really me. I should point out... this means that conversely, all those other people on MySpace who are claiming to be me or implying that they are me... are definitely NOT me. I'm sure they're very nice people... they're just not 'Weird Al' Yankovic. I assure you."

7 of 353 comments (clear)

  1. Re:No problem by Charcharodon · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I will down load it twice, just to show you.

    Really if you don't like Weird Al then you must have been unloved as a child.

  2. Re:E-Card & Video by w33t · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Enjoy one of the last artists that is still concerned about his fans and music


    Of course you mean that Al is one of the last of the "old-world artists" - our new breed of upcoming new-school artists are born into a world where fame comes before (not neccesarily with) fortune. And this fame spreads as packets riding on word of mouth.

    I don't have any right to dictate what is proper motivation or not for a creator, but I think an artist who's primary purpose is to make money has his or her head in the wrong place.

    I understand that everyone needs to eat, but I don't see why any artist, no matter how great, thinks he or she needs to drink Cristal.

    Make art because you love it, not because you love money. If you love something, set it free!

    Oh my, I'm quite the idealist when it comes to art.
  3. Re:E-Card & Video by damiam · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Something is seriously wrong with your ears if you can't hear artifacts in 96kbps MP3. Sure, it's probably acceptable, but if you're actually gonna listen to it why not go for the better version?

    --
    It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
  4. Re:E-Card & Video by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That much, at least, makes sense: Most people generally believe they deserve wealth, as a rationalization for wanting it. If they don't have it, the rationalization goes "The rich assholes have all the money, and Bush is an idiot, or the economy sucks for Reason X, and so I don't have the money I should." The wealthy rationalize it like this: "Well, that wasn't so hard. Any idiot can be wealthy if they really try, after all, I did it -- which must mean any cretin who isn't wealthy is a lazy bum who doesn't deserve wealth."

    And me? Technology is the only expensive hobby I have. If I suddenly had a fortune, I'd probably still eat ramen, and I'd probably wear the same clothes, live in about the same amount of space, ride a bicycle in a small town or own a sensible car, and so on. I'm told all of this is rare.

    Basically, if I was paid more per hour, then past a certain point, I'd simply work fewer hours.

    I don't understand the point of working long hours at a high-paying job to support a family you rarely see living in an awesome house you're barely in except to sleep and a cool car you drive to and from work in.

    --
    Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
  5. Re:No problem by DuckDodgers · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I own all of them, actually. Anywhere from 1-5 songs per album is an original that parodies a genre or a particular musician without mimicking any single song.

    I like to sing. Because Al has jokes in his lyrics, he usually does a really good job speaking clearly so the listener can get the jokes. I could sing along with Smells Like Nirvana the second time I heard it. I still don't know all of the words to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, and I've heard that dozens of times. Weird Al is one of the only musicians whose lyrics I never need to look up after hearing a song.

    I also have a taste for really bad puns and silly jokes. That's a help too.

    If you have a less silly sense of humor, I can respect that. If you don't like the voice... I have many friends who go berserk for Rush, and I can't listen to their lead singer without wanting to shove a pencil through my ears. So I can respect that too.

  6. Re:E-Card & Video by bscott · · Score: 3, Insightful

    > Something is seriously wrong with your ears if you can't hear artifacts in 96kbps MP3

    There's a big difference between "can't hear artifacts" and "don't give a flying fig about 'em"... the words and melodies are the same, why not just relax a little!

    --
    Perfectly Normal Industries
  7. Re:E-Card & Video by Sj0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    No evidence indicates that great artists are EVER healthy and alert while making their best works.

    For example, I point you to Saint Anger by Metallica; their "Ok, we're getting old and gave up drinking and drugs" album.

    If there was ever a reason to support music sharing, it's the 25 bucks I wasted on that terrible album.

    --
    It's been a long time.