One of the music industry’s most colorful characters Weird AL Yankovic has just released a new song previously recorded called, “Pac Man,” a parody wonderfully executed cover of The Beatles’ classic “Tax Man.” It was previously aired over thirty years ago through Dr. Demento’s radio show, however the Beatles’ legal team wasn’t so amused and sent a cease-and-desist letter to the show, stopping the parody in its tracks.
“I’d like to think that none of the Beatles ever actually heard the song back then,” Yankovic tells Nerdist over the phone. “It was just some office [clerk] whose whole job is to litigate and prosecute people for copyright infringement, ” said Yankovic optimistically in an interview with Nerdist.
“I should also point out that I was more worried about the Pac-Man people, because we also had to get permission from Namco,” Yankovic says, before succinctly summing up the serendipity of his entire career. “But thankfully they had a good sense of humor about it.”
Weird Al has been known for his over-the-top and hysterical parody’s that pokes fun at some of music’s most popular music including one for R Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” saga and another for Eminem’s “Riding Dirty” called, “Riding Nerdy.” His genius and creativity is unprecedented, and you can read up about Weird Al’s start early in his career and more about the dynamics of Pac Man. So far the video on YouTube has over 100,000 views and includes the lyrics on screen so you can really pick up on the goofy lyrics. Click below to listen to the whole song after thirty long years.
If you’re in the mood to see the man in action, click here to watch his video for “Mission Statement” and here for “Lame Claim to Fame.”
“Pac Man”
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