The Food Album
Encyclopedia
The Food Album is a compilation CD of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic
that features songs about food. A similar compilation, The TV Album
, was released in 1995 and featured some of his songs about television shows. The album cover is designed by Doug Lawrence.
, Yankovic's only previously released food-related song not to make the album. According to Yankovic, this is due to the fact there is a "royalty ceiling" on the albums and he needed to pick one song to cut from the list in order to turn a profit on the album. "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" was chosen due to Yankovic's personal dislike of the song, as his record label had forced him to record it in order to release Dare to Be Stupid back in 1985.
Also absent from the release is "Waffle King." Though the song was released later in 1993 on Alapalooza
, it had already been included on the "Smells Like Nirvana
" single the year before. It is not known why this song was omitted although a possible reason is that it is not a direct parody of an existing song.
The album was released only grudgingly by Yankovic. At the time, Scotti Bros. had insisted on putting out a new Weird Al album in order to meet fiscal projections for that quarter, despite the fact there was no album ready (Alapalooza would not be released until later in the year). The original concept was an album entitled "Al Unplugged", which would have featured a cover depicting Yankovic holding kitchen appliances, but instead of featuring live performances, would only feature studio remixes of previously released material with the electronic instruments missing. Yankovic convinced them to release The Food Album instead, but would later describe it as a "cheesy compilation" put out "against [his] better wishes and judgement." The TV Album was released under similar circumstances.
(RIAA).
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
that features songs about food. A similar compilation, The TV Album
The TV Album
The TV Album is a compilation CD of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic that features songs about television and TV shows. Yankovic's former record label, Scotti Brothers, released a similar album called The Food Album that contained songs about food....
, was released in 1995 and featured some of his songs about television shows. The album cover is designed by Doug Lawrence.
Release
Notable for its absence is "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch", from Dare to Be StupidDare to Be Stupid
Dare to Be Stupid is the third studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1985. The album was one of many produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer...
, Yankovic's only previously released food-related song not to make the album. According to Yankovic, this is due to the fact there is a "royalty ceiling" on the albums and he needed to pick one song to cut from the list in order to turn a profit on the album. "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" was chosen due to Yankovic's personal dislike of the song, as his record label had forced him to record it in order to release Dare to Be Stupid back in 1985.
Also absent from the release is "Waffle King." Though the song was released later in 1993 on Alapalooza
Alapalooza
Alapalooza is the eighth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1993. The cover sleeve is a spoof on the movie poster of the hit movie Jurassic Park. The name is a parody of the music festival Lollapalooza....
, it had already been included on the "Smells Like Nirvana
Smells Like Nirvana
"Smells Like Nirvana" is a parody of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" written and performed by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It helped to reenergize Yankovic's career, and Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain considered the parody a sign that they had "made it" as a band...
" single the year before. It is not known why this song was omitted although a possible reason is that it is not a direct parody of an existing song.
The album was released only grudgingly by Yankovic. At the time, Scotti Bros. had insisted on putting out a new Weird Al album in order to meet fiscal projections for that quarter, despite the fact there was no album ready (Alapalooza would not be released until later in the year). The original concept was an album entitled "Al Unplugged", which would have featured a cover depicting Yankovic holding kitchen appliances, but instead of featuring live performances, would only feature studio remixes of previously released material with the electronic instruments missing. Yankovic convinced them to release The Food Album instead, but would later describe it as a "cheesy compilation" put out "against [his] better wishes and judgement." The TV Album was released under similar circumstances.
Critical response
Despite being begrudgingly released by Yankovic, The Food Album has received moderately favorable reviews. Allmusic reviewer Johnny Loftus awarded the album three out of five stars and wrote that, "The Food Album is an enjoyable bag of treats. Just don't eat too much, or you'll probably get sick."Commercial performance
Upon release, The Food Album failed to chart, however, it sold steadily. On January 25, 2006 - more than ten years after its release - the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of AmericaRecording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA).
Track listing
- "FatFat (song)"Fat" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of "Bad" by Michael Jackson. It is the second parody Yankovic did of a Jackson song, the first being "Eat It", a parody of Jackson's "Beat It"...
" (orig. Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
) – 3:37- Parody of "Bad" by Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
; about a man's obesity that is blown out of proportion.
- Parody of "Bad" by Michael Jackson
- "LasagnaLasagna (song)"Lasagna" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of "La Bamba", a traditional song popularized by Ritchie Valens and Los Lobos.-Track listing:The following tracks are on the single:# "Lasagna" – 2:45# "Velvet Elvis" – 4:27...
" (arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
) – 2:46- Parody of the folk song "La BambaLa Bamba (song)"La Bamba" is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, best known from a 1958 adaptation by Ritchie Valens, a top 40 hit in the U.S. charts and one of early rock and roll's best-known songs...
"; a song centered largely around ItaliansItalian peopleThe Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
and Italian cuisineItalian cuisineItalian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian cuisine in itself takes heavy influences, including Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines...
.
- Parody of the folk song "La Bamba
- "Addicted to SpudsAddicted to Spuds"Addicted to Spuds" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of "Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer. It is mostly about a person's obsessive love for all types of potato related foods.-Music video:...
" (orig. Robert Palmer, arr. Yankovic) – 3:50- "Addicted to LoveAddicted to Love (song)Tina Turner has made "Addicted to Love" a regular feature of her live shows since 1986, although her version did not make it onto the market until two years later....
" by Robert Palmer; about a man's obsessionFixation (psychology)Fixation: 'concept originated by Sigmund Freud to denote the persistence of anachronistic sexual traits'. Subsequently '"Fixation" acquired a broader connotation...
for potatoPotatoThe potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es and potato-based dishes.
- "Addicted to Love
- "I Love Rocky RoadI Love Rocky Road"I Love Rocky Road" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic about a man's obsession with rocky road ice cream. It is a parody of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by the band Arrows, which had recently been covered by Joan Jett.-Track listing:...
" (orig. Jake Hooker, arr. Yankovic) – 2:36- Parody of "I Love Rock 'n' RollI Love Rock 'n' Roll"I Love Rock 'n Roll" is a rock song written in 1975 by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker of Arrows, who recorded the first released version. The song was later made famous by the hit version recorded by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts in 1981....
" by Joan JettJoan JettJoan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
; narrator expresses feelings about the titular ice cream flavor.
- Parody of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll
- "Spam" (orig. Bill BerryBill BerryWilliam "Bill" Thomas Berry is a retired American musician, multi-instrumentalist, best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band R.E.M. In addition to his drumming duties, Berry played many other instruments including guitar, bass guitar, and piano, both for songwriting and on R.E.M....
, Peter BuckPeter BuckPeter Lawrence Buck , is an American rock guitarist who is best known for playing in and co-founding alternative rock band R.E.M....
, Mike MillsMike MillsMichael Edward "Mike" Mills is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer who was a founding member of the alternative rock group R.E.M.. Though known primarily as a bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and pianist, his musical repertoire includes also keyboards, guitar, and percussion instruments...
, Michael StipeMichael StipeJohn Michael Stipe is an American singer and lyricist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M.Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image; often...
, arr. Yankovic) - 3:23- Parody of "Stand" by R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
; about the canned luncheon meat SpamSpam (food)Spam is a canned precooked meat product made by the Hormel Foods Corporation, first introduced in 1937. The labeled ingredients in the classic variety of Spam are chopped pork shoulder meat, with ham meat added, salt, water, modified potato starch as a binder, and sodium nitrite as a preservative...
.
- Parody of "Stand" by R.E.M.
- "Eat ItEat It"Eat It" is a hit single by parody artist "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of the song "Beat It" by pop star Michael Jackson. The single reached #1 in Australia, and it was his highest-charting U.S. single on the Billboard Hot 100 at #12 until "White & Nerdy" peaked at #9 in October 2006...
" (orig. Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
) – 3:21- Parody of "Beat ItBeat It"Beat It" is a song written and performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones . It is the third single from the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller . Eddie Van Halen was hired to add the song's distinctive overdriven guitar solo, but was prevented by his...
" by Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
; about a parent's exasperating quest to get their picky child to eat right. Peaking at #12 on the Hot 100, this song was Al's highest-charting single until "White & NerdyWhite & Nerdy"White & Nerdy" is the second single from "Weird Al" Yankovic's album Straight Outta Lynwood, which was released on September 26, 2006. It parodies the song "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone...
" placed at #9 in the October 21, 2006 issue of Billboard Magazine.
- Parody of "Beat It
- "The White StuffThe White Stuff"The White Stuff" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of " The Right Stuff" by New Kids on the Block, and a tribute to Oreo cookies...
" (orig. Maurice StarrMaurice StarrMaurice Starr is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer.-Biography:Starr, originally from Florida, moved to Boston with his brother Michael in the early 1970s. After moving to Boston he recorded two unsuccessful R&B albums, Flaming Starr and Spacey Lady...
, arr. Yankovic) – 2:43- Parody of "You Got It (The Right Stuff)You Got It (The Right Stuff)"You Got It " is a 1988 single from New Kids on the Block. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg. The second single from the group's second album Hangin' Tough, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in early 1989, while topping the UK charts in November 1989...
" by New Kids on the BlockNew Kids on the BlockNew Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
; a song wherein the singer expresses his love for the filling that appears between OreoOreoOreo is a trademark for a popular sandwich cookie by the Nabisco Division of Kraft Foods. The current design consists of a sweet, white filling commonly referred to as 'cream' or 'creme', sandwiched between two circular chocolate or golden cookie pieces....
cookies.
- Parody of "You Got It (The Right Stuff)
- "My BolognaMy Bologna"My Bologna" is "Weird Al" Yankovic's parody of "My Sharona" by The Knack. Yankovic wrote the song while he attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. The song, in its original crude form, was recorded in the tiled men's bathroom across from the college radio...
" (orig. Doug FiegerDoug FiegerDouglas Lars "Doug" Fieger was an American singer-songwriter-musician. He was the lead singer of the power pop band The Knack, and co-wrote "My Sharona", the biggest hit song of 1979 in the USA, with lead guitarist, Berton Averre.-Life and career:Fieger's father was Jewish, and his mother of...
, Berton AverreBerton AverreBerton Averre is the guitarist with the Los Angeles rock band The Knack. They had a #6 UK/#1 US hit with "My Sharona", which sold 10 million copies in the US...
, arr. Yankovic) – 2:01- Parody of "My SharonaMy Sharona"My Sharona" is the debut single by The Knack, released in 1979 from their album Get the Knack. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart where it remained for six weeks and was #1 on Billboards Top Pop Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry...
" by The KnackThe KnackThe Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
; the narrator talks about his obsession with bologna sausageBologna sausageBologna sausage is an American sausage derived from and definitely not similar to the Italian mortadella . It is commonly called boloney, baloney or, more formally, bologna...
.
- Parody of "My Sharona
- "Taco GrandeTaco Grande"Taco Grande" is a parody of Gerardo's song "Rico Suave" written by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is about the narrator's cravings for Mexican food and his visit to a fictional Mexican restaurant...
" (orig. Christian Carlos Warren, Gerardo Mejia, Alberto Slezynger, and Rosa Soy, arr. Yankovic) – 3:44- Parody of "Rico SuaveRico Suave (song)"Rico Suave" is a 1990 single by Ecuadorian rapper and singer Gerardo. It appeared on his 1991 album Mo' Ritmo. The track peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart on April 13, 1991, and reached #2 on the Hot Rap Singles chart a week earlier...
" by GerardoGerardoGerardo Mejía , better known as simply Gerardo, is a Latin rapper and singer who later became a recording industry executive. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, he has based his career in Los Angeles, California since his family moved to Glendale, California, when he was 12 years old. He became known for...
; about a narrator's visit to a fictional Mexican restaurant. Cheech MarinCheech MarinRichard Anthony "Cheech" Marin is an American comedian, actor and writer who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s, and as Don Johnson's partner, Insp. Joe Dominguez on Nash Bridges...
does a brief Spanish monologue in the song.
- Parody of "Rico Suave
- "Theme from Rocky XIII (The RyeRye breadRye bread is a type of bread made with various percentages of flour from rye grain. It can be light or dark in color, depending on the type of flour used and the addition of coloring agents, and is typically denser than bread made from wheat flour...
or the KaiserKaiser rollThe Kaiser roll, also called a Vienna roll or a hard roll , is a kind of bread roll, invented in Vienna, and thought to have been named to honor Emperor Franz Joseph...
)" (orig. Frankie SullivanFrankie SullivanFrankie Sullivan, Frankie M. Sullivan III, is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for being a founding member of the band Survivor, and has been the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1977.Along with former bandmate, keyboardist/vocalist Jim Peterik,...
, Jim PeterikJim PeterikJim Peterik is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the band Survivor and as vocalist and songwriter of the hit song "Vehicle" by The Ides of March...
, arr. Yankovic) – 3:37- Parody of "Eye of the TigerEye of the Tiger"Eye of the Tiger" is a single by American rock band Survivor, from their third album Eye of the Tiger. It was released as a single on May 29, 1982, the same year as the album. It was written at the request of actor Sylvester Stallone, who was unable to get permission for Queen's "Another One Bites...
" by SurvivorSurvivor (band)Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
; about a washed-up Rocky BalboaRocky Balboa (character)Robert "Rocky" Balboa, Sr. is a fictional character and the main protagonist portrayed by Sylvester Stallone who has appeared in the Rocky series from 1976 to 2006. During the series, he wins the Heavyweight Championship of the World twice....
, who now runs a deliDelicatessenDelicatessen is a term meaning "delicacies" or "fine foods". The word entered English via German,with the old German spelling , plural of Delikatesse "delicacy", ultimately from Latin delicatus....
and occasionally beats up on the liverwurstLiverwurstThe German , that translates literally as "liver sausage," is the typical sausage served in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and Romania . Liverwurst normally contains pigs' livers, rather than calves' livers and also contains veal...
.
- Parody of "Eye of the Tiger
- "Eat ItEat It"Eat It" is a hit single by parody artist "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of the song "Beat It" by pop star Michael Jackson. The single reached #1 in Australia, and it was his highest-charting U.S. single on the Billboard Hot 100 at #12 until "White & Nerdy" peaked at #9 in October 2006...
(Karaoke Version)" (orig. Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
) – 3:21- Parody of "Beat ItBeat It"Beat It" is a song written and performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones . It is the third single from the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller . Eddie Van Halen was hired to add the song's distinctive overdriven guitar solo, but was prevented by his...
" by Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
; karaokeKaraokeis a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
version of "Eat It," included as a bonus track on the Japanese release.
- Parody of "Beat It
Certifications
| Country | Certification (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|
| United States Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
Gold |