This is fresh air, I'm Terry Gross. My guest, Al Yankovik, aka Weird Al Yankovik,

is famous for his song parodies, for which he writes comic lyrics to hit songs.

Beat it became eat it. My Shirona became my Balona. Another one bites the dust

was another one rides the bus, like a virgin, like a surgeon. Rhyden,

Rhyden dirty, was transformed into white and nerdy. He's recorded a mashup of songs

from Hamilton, Polka style. Yankovik's instrument is the accordion, not exactly a mainstay of

rock bands or hip-hop. In keeping with his style of comedy, the new movie Weird, which he co-wrote,

parodies music biopics, as well as action films and film noir, and offers an alternate version

of his life. In the movie, playing accordion gives him the status of a guitar hero. Making

a word to songs that already exist is considered a high calling, the work of a visionary.

Artists, including Madonna, will do anything to get him to parody their songs, knowing

their song will become a hit of Weird Al parody's it. He becomes so popular, he's asked to be the

next James Bond. Daniel Radcliffe stars as Al Yankovik. Although Yankovik never achieved quite

the status his character does in the film, he's been quite successful. He's the third music performer

after Michael Jackson and Madonna to have a top 40 single in each decade since the 80s.

He recently completed his tour, which you call the unfortunate return of his ridiculously

self-indulgent ill-advised vanity tour. You can see his new movie Weird, streaming on Roku.com

for free. Let's start with one of his early hits, which is also in the film, here is Edit.

Al Yankovik welcome to Fresh Air. I left out loud during your movie.

That's so nice to hear. Thank you so much. We just heard Edit. How did you decide to do

that Michael Jackson song? Why did you choose that one? I should mention this was the era where

music videos were really big and Michael Jackson's videos, including Edit, were huge at the time.

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