I've been making up parodies since I was a kid. I used to read Mad magazine and sing the parodies with my brothers. I can remember hearing Allan Sherman records, and later I picked up on Tom Lehrer, the Bonzo Dog Band, FireSign Theater and of course the great Monty Python troupe. Other influences have been Woody Allen, the Marx Brothers, and lately Al Franken. I'm a big fan of Weird Al, and I've been to see his shows four times so far. My son and I were the ones walking around the crowd with a giant poster that said, "LET'S POLKA OUR EYES OUT!" with scissors drawn on the side.

In high school I took an English class called Satire and Comedy, which pretty much taught me what I needed to know about parody, lampoon, burlesque, caricature, farce and irony.

I've been writing parodies down more "seriously" since 1985 or so. Most of what I've written has been for coworkers and family--birthdays, retirements, going-away parties, or just to needle the local authorities. I've had 300 people sing along with me at a school board meeting, and I occasionally do "guest artist" appearances at talent shows and graduations.

This website is the greatest thing since Al Gore invented the Internet. I see great stuff on here that Weird Al could never think about doing, and that's what makes it unique and enjoyable. I still think Chucky G should charge for this service.

I don't vote on songs I'm not familiar with. I don't write a parody unless I'm very familiar with the original. It helps me to have performed the song live. Otherwise the rhythms end up sounding, to quote an old poetry professor of mine, "like a chair falling down the stairs." If a parody doesn't flow with the rhythm of the original, it pretty much ruins the song for me. Sorry, I'm just picky that way.

Personal favorites from my own list so far: "How Can You Mend A Broken Car," "AmiRight Writer," and "Free Samplin'." I sang this last one at a party and a friend of mine nearly had a hernia and fell off his chair. He kept laughing and shouting, "Too close to home! Too close to home!" That's when I know I've fulfilled my mission as a parody writer--when it hits "too close to home."

I'm grateful to be a part of this online community, and I'll keep submitting as long as the ideas feel fresh and keep coming. Rock on, people. d;:^)

Song Parodies -> Lyrics

P stands for Pacing, F stands for How Funny, and O is for Overall Score.

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