unreleased "Weird Al" Yankovic recordings

This is a list of known recordings that were never included on any of Al's core albums. Many are unreleased entirely. Some have appeared on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes compilations. Some appeared on records only available in San Luis Obispo, California. Some have been aired on Dr. Demento's radio show (and therefore distributed on reel-to-reel tapes, LPs, and CDs made for syndication purposes, but not for public release). Some have appeared on other promotional recordings sent to radio stations.

This list is known to be incomplete. He has made more recordings that fans may never become aware of. This list is designed to cover the core and semi-core unreleased items, many of which are in circulation among fans (much to Al's dismay). It does not include every time he sang a line of something on a TV show, only significant performances.

Not included are demo recordings of songs which were later on albums, except those made prior to the first album. (Most songs for most albums were first done by Al in demo form to play for the band.)

Some info courtesy of Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz and the official web site (http://www.weirdal.com/). Some info courtesy of the Demento archives.

This information is the result of research by several people over a period of many years. If you find this information useful, feel free to link to this page, but do not plagiarize the information. This page will continue to be updated as new information becomes available, so by linking rather than copying you are assured of visitors to your site getting the most accurate information available.


home recordings & demos

Pico And Repulsiva - recorded mid-March, 1973, and submitted in person March 23, 1973 at Lynwood High; part contest to come up with a new version of "Pico And Sepulveda", which is Dr. Demento's opening theme song; contest was announced March 11 and winners were aired April 15; Al arranged this recording but did not sing on it; vocals were by Mike Weyrick and horn by Steve Willis, with Mike Solton on backing vocals; this song did not win the contest (although ironically Jon Schwartz, who later became Al's drummer, was one of the winners), and the recording has never been aired

Belvedere Cruising - first aired on KMET March 14, 1976
Dr. D Superstar - parody of "Superstar" from Jesus Christ Superstar; submitted on the same cassette as the above; excerpt first aired on KMET March 14, 1976; excerpt first aired nationally April 18, 1976
KMET ID - two takes of a KMET legal ID were also submitted on the same cassette as above; original airdate (if any) unknown

The School Cafeteria (bedroom version) - submitted to Dr. Demento April 16, 1976; first aired on KMET May 9, 1976; first aired nationally September 5, 1976; a later recording was issued in 1979 as the B-side of "My Bologna"
Leisure Suit Serenade - submitted on same cassette as above
Cheerios - parody of "Cheerio Cherry Lips Cheerio" by Gordon Wallace (Scrappy Lambert), which is Dr. Demento's closing theme song; a/k/a "Cheerios, Apple Jacks, Cheerios"; submitted on same cassette as above; also features Mike Solton on vocals

Nobody Here But Us Frogs - permission to air submitted July 17, 1976; first aired on KMET August 8, 1976
American Slob (solo version) - submitted on same cassette as above; played by Dr. Demento at Alcon 2000, May 20, 2000

Psycho - submitted November 22, 1976; also features Mark Wurfl on banjo & background vocal; unknown handclaps, mouth sound effects, and shouting

Dead Car Battery Blues - recorded and submitted June 25, 1977, when Al & Dr. D first met in person; two takes; also features John James, Cheryl Wendt, & Lisa Wendt
Mr. Frump In The Iron Lung (original demo) - submitted on same cassette as above, two takes; also features John James vocal duet on last word; first aired on KMET June 26, 1977; Vince Sanchez claimed to have co-written, and performed abbreviated version solo live from Huntington Park on KMET October 9, 1977
KMET ID - five takes of a KMET legal ID were also submitted on the same cassette as above; original airdate (if any) unknown

Do You Feel Like We Do - parody of "Do You Feel Like We Do" by Peter Frampton; a/k/a "Crampton Comes Alive"; submitted September 12, 1977; first aired on KMET September 25, 1977; also features John James & Vince Sanchez
Hit Me With A Rock (new version) - parody of "Loves Me Like A Rock" by Paul Simon; submitted on same tape as above; originally submitted "a few years ago"; co-written by Vince Sanchez & Al; also features John James on bass & vocals and Vince Sanchez on piano & vocals, plus "electronically simulated" percussion; scheduled for air on KMET November 27, 1977, but not played, although Vince Sanchez & Sulu performed it live from Huntington Park on KMET October 9, 1977

Never Met A Person Who's As Wonderful As Me - written late November, 1977; recorded late November or early December, 1977; first aired on KMET January 8, 1978

Number One With A Bullet - by The Hollywood Offramp; co-written by Vince Sanchez (lyrics) & Al; also features George Taylor on drums, Frank Sanchez on bass, and Pete McPhereson on guitar (latter two from group Ishkabibble); recorded December, 1977 or January 1, 1978
American Slob (band version) - by The Hollywood Offramp; submitted on same reel as above, with same personnel as above plus Vince Sanchez on piano and Al on accordion; first aired on KMET February 19, 1978

The Beverly Hillbillies Miss You - parody of "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones, using lyrics from "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett" (theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies TV show); recorded live at weekly Coffee House event at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University Union circa October, 1978; also features Joel Miller on bongos; first aired on KMET November 12, 1978; inspired by "Gilligan's Island (Stairway)" by Little Roger & The Goosebumps; concept later used for "Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies"
Belvedere Cruisin' 78 - submitted on same reel as above and with same details; first aired on KMET November 12, 1978

Mr. Frump In The Iron Lung (guitar version) - recorded spring 1979 by Jon Iverson; also features Jon Iverson on acoustic guitar & bass; first aired on KMET June 17, 1979
You Don't Take Your Showers - parody of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" by Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond; recorded spring 1979 by Jon Iverson; submitted on same tape as above; first aired on KMET June 17, 1979

My Bologna (bathroom version) - parody of "My Sharona" by The Knack; written and first performed live in mid-August, 1979; recorded in the men's restroom (room 229) across from the KCPR studio in San Luis Obispo; submitted first week of September, 1979; first aired on KSAN September 9, 1979; first aired on KMET September 16, 1979; released on Capitol 45 December 26, 1979; later released on several compilations including Dr. Demento's Dementia Royale (1980) and Permanent Record: Al In The Box (1994)

More Than A Filling - parody of "More Than A Feeling" by Boston and "Feelings" by Morris Albert; recorded fall 1979 in the men's restroom (room 229) across from the KCPR studio in San Luis Obispo
My Favorite Things - parody of "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews from The Sound Of Music; recorded at same time/location and submitted on same tape as above
More Songs About Food - medley of "Feel Like Throwing Up"/"Throw Gravy On You"/"Take Me To The Liver"/"Fatter" (see food medley in live section for more details); recorded at same time/location and submitted on same tape as above; first aired on KMET November 18, 1979

School Cafeteria (bathroom version) - recorded late November or early December, 1979 in the men's restroom (room 229) across from the KCPR studio in San Luis Obispo; released as B-side to "My Bologna"

Baby Likes Burping - parody of "Baby Talks Dirty" by The Knack; submitted to Dr. Demento on February 21, 1980; new mix submitted March 14, 1980; also features 14-year-old Lindsay Ridgeway (younger sister of KCPR DJ Leslie Ridgeway a/k/a Jackie Daniels) on many of the burps; first aired on KMET February 24, 1980; first aired nationally August 22, 1999; released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes #11

Gotta Boogie (original version) - submitted April 30, 1980; also features Joel Miller on bongos, and Sulu, Damaskas, Mike Solton, Tegan, Tohm & Jeri on background vocals; first aired on KMET May 18, 1980; released on Placebo EP February 1, 1981 (possibly overdubbed and/or remixed) and t.k. Records single February, 1981; remixed and released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes #13

Orgy On My Own (solo version) - date unknown; never aired?

You Light Up My Life - punk-styled cover of "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone; submitted June 1, 1980; never aired?

Won't Eat Prunes Again - parody of "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who; written circa May, 1980; recorded in San Luis Obispo early July, 1980; also features Joel Miller (bongos), Joe Earley (jews harp); first aired on KMET July 13, 1980

It's Still Billy Joel To Me - parody of "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me" by Billy Joel; recorded in Damaskas's bedroom (a/k/a Asinine Records Studio) late July and early August, 1980; produced by Damaskas; also featuring The Amino Acids (Alan Reiss, Joi (Angelique) Melzer & Alicia Lurye) on handclaps; first aired on KMET August 10, 1980; re-recorded around August 14, 1980 in San Luis Obispo recording studio, but new version unsatisfactory and never aired
Orgy On My Own (keyboard version) - submitted on same tape as above?; featuring Damaskas on keyboards; never aired?
Miniature Golf - by Damaskas, with Al on some vocals; submitted on same tape as above?; first aired on KMET August 17, 1980

Robert Hilburn - by Damaskas, with Al & Sulu on backing vocals; first aired on KMET September 7, 1980

Yoda (home recording) - parody of "Lola" by The Kinks; recorded late 1980 (?) in San Luis Obispo (?) and January, 1981, at Al's apartment in West Hollywood; first aired on KMET April 19, 1981; remixed and released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes 6
Mr. Frump In The Iron Lung - recorded December, 1980 at KCPR(?) in San Luis Obispo by Ric Turner ("key grip"); released on Placebo EP February 1, 1981

Happy Birthday - recorded January 19, 1981; also features Richard "Bopcat" Bennett on guitar, Frank Sanchez on bass, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums & background vocals; and Damaskas, Kamikaze Coco, Musical Mike Kieffer, and Dr. Demento on background vocals; band recorded in Richard Bennett's garage; some overdubs recorded in Damaskas's house; released on Placebo EP February 1, 1981; later released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes No. 2 (from record) and Permanent Record: Al In The Box (from master tape); remixed and released on Laughter Is A Powerful Weapon Volume 2 (Funny Musicians For A Serious Cause)

I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead (home demo) - recorded March 26, 1981; also features Richard "Bopcat" Bennett on guitar, bass, and ukulele, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums, and maybe others; never aired(?)

I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead (studio demo) - recorded July 18, 1981 at Westwood One; also features Richard "Bopcat" Bennett on guitar, bass, and ukulele, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums, Joan Manners on backup vocal, and Michael Jordan engineering; first aired on KMET July 26, 1981; first aired nationally on August 16, 1981; released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes No. 3

Stop Draggin' My Car Around (first vocal) - parody of "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks w/ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers; instrumental track recorded August 22, 1981; first vocal (with alternate second verse) recorded August 24, 1981; never aired
Stop Draggin' My Car Around (second vocal) - second vocal (also with alternate second verse) recorded late August?, 1981; first aired nationally September 22, 2002; released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes No. 10
Stop Draggin' My Car Around (third vocal) - third vocal (same second verse as album) recorded early September?, 1981; first aired on KMET Septembr 27, 1981; first aired nationally on October 11, 1981

Pac-Man - parody of "Taxman" by The Beatles; recorded December 12, 1981; first aired on KMET December 20, 1981; first aired nationally January 3, 1982; released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes No. 4, where it is listed as "Bonus Track"

The Check's In The Mail (demo) - recorded February 6, 1982; released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes #12

I Love Rocky Road (demo) - parody of "I Love Rock 'n Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts; recorded February 21, 1982; released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes 9

Yoda (original studio version) - a backing track was recorded for this March 14, 1982, at the session for Al's first album, but it was not completed because legal issues with releasing it hadn't been worked out

The Ballad Of Chuck & Diane (version 1) - parody of "Jack & Diane" by John Cougar (Mellencamp); recorded December 5, 1982
The Ballad Of Chuck & Diane (version 2) - rewritten to avoid being a direct parody; recorded January 16, 1983
The Ballad Of Chuck & Diane (version 3) - further rewritten to avoid sounding too much like a parody; recorded January 30, 1983; later rewritten as "Buckingham Blues" and released on the first album

Anniversary Song - by Barnes & Barnes, with Al on some vocals; recorded for Dr. Demento's 15th anniversary show; first aired on KMET October 20, 1985; first aired nationally November 17, 1985


promotional/limited release recordings

Although some of the demos above later saw limited release, the following recordings were made for the purpose of a specific release that was not targeted at the national general public.

Week of Welcome - flexi-disc distributed to students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to promote orientation week that starts September 17, 1978; Al is heard briefly as a student with questions

Take Me Down - recorded fall 1978; released fall 1978 on SLO Grown compilation only available in San Luis Obispo, sold to benefit the Economic Opportunity Commission; also features Jon Iverson on guitar, bass, & vocals, Tom Walters on mandolin & vocals, Joel Miller on bongos, and the Foothill Gardens Apartments Choir on vocals and applause; re-released on SLO Unplugged II compilation CD and Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes 8

Week of Welcome - flexi-disc distributed to students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to promote orientation week that starts September 16, 1979; Al narrated it, with a script very similar to the previous year's flexi-disc

Week of Welcome - flexi-disc distributed to students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to promote orientation week that starts September 14, 1980; Al narrated and probably produced it; this year's script was significantly different from the previous year's

Holiday Greetings - 1987 radio station promo record with brief greetings from various CBS artists, including three from Al
Holiday Greetings - 1988 radio station promo record with brief greetings from various CBS artists, including five from Al (all different than the 1987 ones)


unreleased studio recordings

These studio recordings were made will the full intent of being released, but for one reason or another they never were.

Let's Stick Together - Brian Wilson, featuring Al on accordion; recorded 1990 for Brian's unreleased Sweet Insanity album, but left off the final track listing (Note: promo cassette of the final album credits Al, but he is not actually heard on any of the tracks on that cassette)

Hot Shots! - recorded July 14, 1991 for the movie of the same name, but not used

The Alternative Polka (unedited version) - "Buddy Holly" by Weezer was originally part of this medley, but was edited out of the released version at the last minute

You're Pitiful - parody of "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt; recorded April 12, 2006, for the album that became Straight Outta Lynwood, but left off due to objections from Atlantic Records (James Blunt's label); first made available via weirdal.com on June 7, 2006


unreleased songs performed live

Dates shown are when the song is believed to have been performed live, not necessarily when it was written. Songs are listed in approximate chronological order of addition to the live set list. See also the food medley section below for more unreleased songs performed live.

Beverly Hillbillies/Miss You - parody of "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones, using lyrics from "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett" (theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies TV show); 1978-1981
Belvedere Cruisin' - 1978; reworked later, see below
Dead Car Battery Blues - 1978?-1979

You Don't Take Your Showers - parody of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" by Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond; 1979
Punk Blues - introduction to "I'm Stupid"; 1979
Folk Singers - a/k/a "The Railroads" introduction to "I'm Stupid" in 1979 and to the food medley in 1981
I'm Stupid or I'm Stupid Blues - 1979-1983
Hocus Pocus - parody of "Hocus Pocus" by Focus; 1979
You Never Gave Me A Tune Up - parody of "You Never Give Me Your Money" by The Beatles
More Than A Filling/Fillings - parody of "More Than A Feeling" by Botson and "Feelings" by Morris Albert; 1979; former later added to food medley
The Elements - cover of Tom Lehrer song which is a parody of "The Major-General's Song" from Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates Of Penzance; 1979
Cruisin' Down Higuera - new intro and slightly altered lyrics to "Belvedere Cruisin'"; 1979
Gas Line Blues - parody of "Summertime Blues" by Eddie Cochran; 1979
Born To Be Mild - parody of "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf; 1979
Dead Puppies - cover of Ogden Edsl Wahalia Blues Ensemble Mondo Bizzario Band song; 1979
Gilligan's Island (Stairway) - cover of Little Roger & The Goosebumps song; 1979

It's Still Billy Joel To Me - parody of "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" by Billy Joel; 1981-1984; live recording made at The Tralfamador Cafe, Buffalo, NY, on March 10, 1984 for The King Biscuit Flower Hour (but not aired at the time) was later released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes No. 5 in 1996, where it is listed as "Bonus Track"
If I Could Make Love to a Bottle - parody of "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce; 1981-1984
Orgy On My Own - 1981
Dueling Accordions - 1981
12th Street Rag - 1981
You Light Up My Life (punk version) - 1981
Shaving Cream - played backing for Dr. Demento singing this, while Al was performing as part of Dr. Demento's live tours in 1981

Polka Medley - early version including "Are We Not Men?", "Homosapien", "Sex Junkie", "TV O.D.", "Bad Boys Get Spanked", "TV Party", "Janitor", & "People Who Died"; 1982

Pac-Man - parody of "Taxman" by The Beatles; 1982-1983
Polkas On 45 - halfway between the 1982 polka medley and the album version of "Polkas On 45", this version contains songs from both, plus "Der Kommissar", "**1999**", "She Blinded Me With Science", & "Stairway To Heaven"; 1983

(People In The Audience) - made-up song using the names of people (normally girls) from the front row on the given night; 1984

It's A Gas - cover of Alfred E. Neuman song; June 30, 1985

Polka Party! - same as the released medley by this title, except "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung (with the words "Weird Al" replacing the words "Wang Chung" in the chorus) was added before the final song ("Papa Don't Preach"); 1987

alien chant - 1991-2004; originally inserted into "Another One Rides The Bus" during the filming of Dr. Demento's 20th Anniversary special for Comedy Central, it has since become part of "Yoda"

Like A Surgeon (Madonna's "Truth Or Dare" Version) - parody of "Like A Virgin" by Madonna, but updated to match the way she performed her song starting with her "Blonde Ambition" tour; 1994-2000

Theme From Home Improvement - parody of "I'll Be There For You (Theme From 'Friends')" by The Rembrandts; a/k/a "I'll Repair For You" 1996-1997

Take Me Down - September 27, 1997


the "food" medley

This has been a staple of Al's live act since at least 1979. The initial concept was developed in collaboration with Jon Iverson. Many parodies which were not fully fleshed out got stuck into this medley. Eventually, parodies from albums which he didn't have time to perform in full were also added, and more recently even some non-food songs from albums. The list here is focused only on songs which did not make it to a regular Al album. As in the previous section, dates shown are when the song was performed in the medley, not necessarily when it was written.

Crampton Comes Alive - 1979
parody of "Do You Feel Like We Do" by Peter Frampton
House Of The Sesame Seed Bun - 1979-1982
parody of "House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals
Feel Like Throwing Up - 1979-1987
parody of "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Bad Company
Year Of The Fat - 1979
parody of "Year Of The Cat" by Al Stewart
Hot Dog & Apple Pie - 1979
parody of "Dog & Butterfly" by Heart
Gravy On You (a/k/a Throw Gravy On You) - 1979
parody of "Crazy On You" by Heart
Take Me To The Liver - 1979-1983
parody of "Take Me To The River" by Talking Heads
Fatter - 1979-1984
parody of "Shattered" by The Rolling Stones
Give A Little Bit (a/k/a Give A Little Bit Of Your Lunch To Me) - 1979
parody of "Give A Little Bit" by Supertramp
Avocado - 1979-1987
parody of "Desperado" by The Eagles
Hey Food - 1979
parody of "Hey Jude" by The Beatles
More Than A Filling - 1979-1981
parody of "More Than A Feeling" by Boston
Beverly Hillbillies/Miss You - 1981
parody of "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones
Spameater - 1983-1987
parody of "Maneater" by Daryl Hall & John Oates
Whole Lotta Lunch - 1983-1992
parody of "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin
We Got The Beef - 1983-1984
parody of "We Got The Beat" by Go-Go's
Flatbush Avenue (a/k/a Fairfax Avenue) - 1983-1984
parody of "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant
Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut - 1984
parody of "Suddenly Last Summer" by The Motels
Take The L Out Of Liver - 1984
parody of "Take The L." [out of lover] by The Motels
Moldy Now - 1985
parody of "Hold Me Now" by Thompson Twins
Doctor Doctor - 1985
parody of "Doctor! Doctor!" by Thompson Twins
Make Me Steak #3 - 1985
parody of "Mistake No. 3" by Culture Club
Burger King - 1985
parody of "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger
Don't You Forget About Meat - 1985
parody of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds
We Won't Eat Another Hero - May 16, 1987
parody of "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" by Tina Turner
Hot Beets - May 16, 1987
parody of "Heartbeat" by Don Johnson
A Matter Of Crust - May 16, 1987
parody of "Matter Of Trust" by Billy Joel
Chicken Pot Pie - 1992-1997
parody of "Live And Let Die" by Guns N' Roses (originally by Paul McCartney & Wings)
Snack All Night - 1992
parody of "Black Or White" by Michael Jackson
Green Eggs & Ham - 1994-1997
parody of "Numb" by U2
Gee, I'm A Nerd - 1996-1997
parody of "Free As A Bird" by The Beatles
Laundry Day (a/k/a You Gotta Keep 'Em Separated) - 1996-2000
parody of "Come Out And Play (Keep 'Em Separated)" by Offspring
Fast Food - 1999-2000
parody of "Thank U" by Alanis Morissette
Free Delivery - 1999-2004
parody of "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From 'Titanic')" by Celine Dion

Dr. Demento Show appearances containing exclusive performances

This list includes only appearances where Al performed one or more songs live on the show. It does not include all the times he appeared on the show as a cast member (KMET 1981-1983) nor all the times he has been interviewed on the show.

January 1, 1978 (KMET) - "Nobody Here But Us Frogs", "May All Dementians Be Demented" (by Sulu, Kooky Karen, Alfred Yankovic, Brad Stanfield, & Damaskas; parody of "Auld Lang Syne")

November 11, 1979 (KMET) - "Food Medley: Crampton Comes Alive/Feel Like Throwin' Up/Gravy On You/Take Me To The Liver/Fatter" (radio debut of medley), "Mr. Frump In The Iron Lung", "School Cafeteria", "My Bologna" (latter features Brad Stanfield on guitar and others on percussion); "School Cafeteria" slightly edited and released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes 7
December 2, 1979 (syndication) - rebroadcast of November 11, 1979 KMET interview and performances, except "Crampton Comes Alive" and "School Cafeteria", and with a different performance of "My Bologna"
December 16, 1979 (KMET) - "Now It Is The Christmas Season" (also features Sulu, Artie Barnes, and others; parody of "Deck The Halls"), "My Bologna" (also features Sulu and others), "We Wish You A Hoo-Yah Christmas" (also features Sulu and others; parody of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas")

June 15, 1980 (KMET) - "Dr. Demento theme", "Won't Eat Prunes Again" (debut of song), "You Light Up My Life", "My Bologna"
July 27, 1980 (KMET) - "It's Still Billy Joel To Me" (debut of song), "Shaving Cream" (one verse, about Billy Joel) by Dr. Demento (Al on accordion)
August 24, 1980 (syndication) - rebroadcast of July 27, 1980 KMET performances
September 14, 1980 (KMET) - "You Don't Take Your Showers" (released on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes #14), "Another One Rides The Bus" (debut of song; also features Damaskas on background vocal, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on accordion case percussion, "Musical Mike" Kieffer and "Sulu" Sue Lubin on hand music, and "Beefalo Bill" Burk and Tohm & Jeri on miscellaneous insanities; this version later released on Placebo EP February 1, 1981, t.k. Records single February, 1981, and several albums)
December 21, 1980 (KMET) - "A Demented Christmas" (by Sulu, with Al on accordion; parody of "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry), "Silent Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful"

February 15, 1981 (KMET) - "Tight Blue Jeans" (by Sulu; Al supposedly on background vocal and/or sound effects)
March 15, 1981 (KMET) - "I Gotta Get A Fake I.D." (by Barnes & Barnes; Al possibly on background vocal)
April 19, 1981 (KMET) - "Another One Rides The Bus"
May 24, 1981 (syndication) - "Another One Rides The Bus" (two takes recorded in new Westwood One studio late April/early May, 1981; take two aired; also features Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on accordion case percussion, "Musical Mike" Kieffer on hand music, and others on miscellaneous percussion and backing vocals; take 1 later included as bonus in online version of October 5, 2008 Dr. Demento Show)
September 20, 1981 (KMET) - Medley: "Folk Singers"/"I'm Stupid Blues"/"Gotta Boogie" (Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums), "Stop Draggin' My Car Around" (debut of song, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums, "Sulu" Sue Lubin & "Jovial Joan" Manners on backing vocals), "Yoda" (#3 on Top Ten), "Another One Rides The Bus" (#1 on Top Ten, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums, Damaskas on backing vocals, "Whimsical Will" Simpson, "Sulu" Sue Lubin, "Jovial Joan" Manners, "Musical Mike" Kieffer on miscellaneous percussion) (all songs broadcast live from the L.A. County Fair)
December 6, 1981 (syndication) - "Shaving Cream" by Dr. Demento (Al on accordion; also features The Westwood Tubercular Choir on backing vocals, which probably consisted of "Lucky Lynssey" Guerrero, who was Dr. Demento's associate producer at Westwood One, and maybe another Westwood One employee)

September 19, 1982 (KMET) - "I Love Rocky Road" (live from the L.A. County Fair, with Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums, Jim West on guitar, and Steve Jay on bass)

January 5, 1986 (KMET) - "Shaving Cream" (by Dr. Demento, with Al, Jovial Joan, Beefalo Bill, Psychotic Sandra, Whimsical Will, and Sulu on backing vocals)
October 19, 1986 (KMET) - "Shaving Cream" (by Dr. Demento, with Al, Sulu, Beefalo Bill, and others on backing vocals)


TV appearances with exclusive songs

Al-TV theme - recorded January 18, 1984; also features Mike Kieffer on hand music and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on percussion; music is standard MTV theme of the day; first aired April 1, 1984 on first "Al-TV" special, but previously used on February 2 & 22, 1984 satellite transmissions from Epic for industry insiders

Grammy Medley - a/k/a "Salute To The Grammys"; also features Frankie Yankovic on accordion and voiceover, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums, Tommy Johnson on tuba; aired February 25, 1986 during "Weird Al's Guide To The Grammys", a 30-minute special that aired on CBS right before the 1985 Grammy Awards; included brief instrumental performances of the five songs nominated for 1985 Record Of The Year:

The Joe Franklin Song - recorded November 18, 1986; aired November 24, 1986 in New York on "The Joe Franklin Show"

Polka Patterns - first aired on PBS's "Square One TV" in 1991

Green Eggs And Ham - parody of "Numb" by U2; lyrics by Dr. Seuss from the book of the same name; first aired on Canada's MuchMusic special "AlMusic" on December 11, 1993

"The Weird Al Show" - aired on CBS 1997-98; the following songs were first aired on the following dates:

Twenty-Five Years Of Hits medley - aired January 26, 1998 on ABC during the "American Music Awards" hosted by Drew Carey; instrumental medley of eleven songs, played by Those Darn Accordions!, with Drew Carey, Dick Contino, and Al; Al was only featured on the last four songs of the medley:

The Ballad Of Kent Marlow - recorded March 7, 1997; first aired on March 29, 1998 on ABC during the Wonderful World Of Disney movie "Safety Patrol"

The Ballad Of Homer & Marge - parody of "Jack & Diane" by John Cougar (Mellencamp); recorded October 29, 2002; first aired on April 13, 2003 on Fox during the Simpsons episode EABF12 "Three Gays Of The Condo"; two versions - one during the episode and one over the closing credits


ideas that were never recorded

Every year, Al presumably has many ideas for parodies that never make it very far. Probably no one, not even Al himself, could compile a complete list of all of these.

However, of special note are a few ideas he had for Prince parodies that he never recorded due to Prince denying him the permission to release them.

$19.99 - parody of "1999" by Prince, about Popeil-like marketing (mentioned on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! 4-22-2023) - possible written in 1983 as a precursor to what became "Mr. Popeil"

(title unknown) - parody of "When Doves Cry" by Prince; written circa 1984

Let's Go Crazy/Beverly Hillbillies - parody of "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince, using lyrics from "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett" (theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies TV show); written circa 1985 during early stages of writing the movie "UHF"; as reported in the October, 1998 Ask Al, this was the original idea for what became "Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies" (although, of course the original version was "The Beverly Hillbillies Miss You" as reported above, but that was not considered for the movie since it was very dated by this time)


songs NOT by Al, despite rumors

There are literally hundreds of songs that have been rumored on the internet to be written by Al, when in fact they were not. It seems that some people think that Al writes every parody they hear.

Charles Ulrich hosts The Not Al Page which attempts to list every recording that has erroneously been credited to Al over the years. However, I do want to mention a couple of songs here because they were reported here at one time, but later confirmed not to be real.

I Shot My Wife in San Francisco - parody of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" by Tony Bennett; NOT BY AL!; this was mentioned in a book in the late 1980s or early 1990s, but unfortunately I cannot recall the title (please let me know if you know!)

Acid Rain - parody of "Purple Rain" by Prince; NOT BY AL!; during a call-in radio talk show circa 1992, when Al refused to answer the question of what Prince song he had wanted to parody, the interviewer suggested that this is what it was, but he was not correct


original version of this list March 8, 1993
various updates 1996-1998 and occasional other times
major overhaul October-November, 2006
Back to the list of demented discographies