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{{Infobox album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| name = "Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits
| name = "Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits
| type = [[Greatest hits]]
| type = greatest
| artist = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]
| artist = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]
| cover = Weird Al Yankovic Greatest Hits Volume I.jpg
| cover = Weird Al Yankovic Greatest Hits Volume I.jpg
| released = October 18, 1988
| released = October 18, 1988
| recorded = 1983–1988
| recorded = 1983–1988
| genre = [[Comedy music|Comedy]], [[parody music|parody]], [[Pop music|pop]]
| genre =
* [[Comedy music|Comedy pop]]
* [[parody music|parody]]
| length = 33:59
| length = 33:59
| label = [[Rock 'n Roll Records]]<br>[[Scotti Brothers Records|Scotti Brothers]]
| label =
* [[Rock 'n Roll Records|Rock 'n Roll]]
* [[Scotti Brothers Records|Scotti Brothers]]
| producer =
| producer =
| prev_title = [[Even Worse]]
| prev_title = [[Peter & the Wolf ("Weird Al" Yankovic and Wendy Carlos album)|Peter & the Wolf]]
| prev_year = 1988
| prev_year = 1988
| next_title = [[UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff]]
| next_title = [[UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff]]
Line 18: Line 22:


==Production==
==Production==

===Music===
===Music===
⚫
The music featured on the album span Yankovic's release in the 1980s, with the earliest songs being recorded in 1983, and the most recent song being recorded in 1988.<ref name="recordingdates">{{Cite web | url = http://www.weirdal.com/rcdgdate.htm | title = Recording Dates | accessdate = 26 June 2010 | last = Yankovic | first = Alfred | authorlink = "Weird Al" Yankovic | date = December 2007 | publisher = WeirdAl.com | archive-date = 6 October 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006080756/http://www.weirdal.com/rcdgdate.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> Yankovic's 1983 [["Weird Al" Yankovic (album)|debut album]] is represented solely by "[[Ricky ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Ricky]]".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic - [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1983 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> Both "Eat It" and "[[I Lost on Jeopardy]]" were taken from Yankovic's 1984 release ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D - [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1984 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> Yankovic's third album, ''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]'' has three songs featured: "[[Like a Surgeon ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Like a Surgeon]]", the eponymous "Dare to Be Stupid", and "One More Minute".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name="dareliner"/> "[[Living with a Hernia]]" and "Addicted to Spuds" were culled from the 1986 album ''[[Polka Party!]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=ppliner/> Finally, Yankovic's then-recent studio album ''[[Even Worse]]'' is represented by "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]" and "Lasagna".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name="ewliner"/>

⚫
The music featured on the album span Yankovic's release in the 1980s, with the earliest songs being recorded in 1983, and the most recent song being recorded in 1988.<ref name="recordingdates">{{Cite web| url = http://www.weirdal.com/rcdgdate.htm | title = Recording Dates | accessdate = 26 June 2010 | last = Yankovic | first = Alfred | authorlink = "Weird Al" Yankovic |date=December 2007 | publisher=WeirdAl.com}}</ref> Yankovic's 1983 [["Weird Al" Yankovic (album)|debut album]] is represented solely by "[[Ricky (song)|Ricky]]".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1983 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> Both "Eat It" and "[[I Lost on Jeopardy]]" were taken from Yankovic's 1984 release ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes| title = "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1984 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> Yankovic's third album, ''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]'' has three songs featured: "[[Like a Surgeon ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Like a Surgeon]]", the eponymous "Dare to Be Stupid", and "One More Minute".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name="dareliner"/> "[[Living with a Hernia]]" and "Addicted to Spuds" were culled from the 1986 album ''[[Polka Party!]]''.<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name=ppliner/> Finally, Yankovic's then-recent studio album ''[[Even Worse]]'' is represented by "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]" and "[[Lasagna (song)|Lasagna]]".<ref name="recordingdates"/><ref name="ewliner"/>


==Reception==
==Reception==

===Critical response===
===Critical response===
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=allmusic/>
| rev1score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=allmusic/>
| rev2 = [[Amazon.com]]
| rev2 = [[Amazon.com]]
| rev2Score = (Positive)<ref name=amazon/>
| rev2score = (Positive)<ref name=amazon/>
| rev3 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev3 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name ="rolling stone book">{{cite book| last1 = Brackett | first1 = Nathan | first2 = Christian | last2 = Hoard | title = The Rolling Stone Album Guide | publisher = [[Simon and Schuster]] | year = 2004 | location = New York City, New York | pages = [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/n906 893] | isbn = 0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac| url-access = registration | quote = rolling stone weird al yankovic alapalooza review. }}</ref>
| rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name ="rolling stone book">{{cite book| last1 = Brackett | first1 = Nathan | first2 = Christian | last2 = Hoard | title = The Rolling Stone Album Guide | publisher = [[Simon and Schuster]] | year = 2004 | location = New York City, New York | pages = [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/n906 893] | isbn = 0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac| url-access = registration | quote = rolling stone weird al yankovic alapalooza review. }}</ref>
}}
}}


Heather Phares of [[AllMusic]] noted that, "though [the album] only covers the first half of "Weird Al" Yankovic's career, it nevertheless features nearly all of his best work".<ref name=allmusic/> She highlighted "Eat It", "Fat", and "I Lost on Jeopardy" as the album's stand-out tracks, and concluded that the release "is still the most consistent and concise album in his catalog, and a great introduction to his very special brand of musical humor."<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last1=Phares|first1=Heather|title=Greatest Hits – 'Weird Al' Yankovic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-mw0000198177|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=July 6, 2014}}</ref> Fred Cisternia of [[Amazon.com]] gave the album a relatively positive review, writing that, "If you want to take a funhouse mirror trip back to the 1980s, Greatest Hits is a good way to do it."<ref name=amazon>{{cite web|last1=Cisterna|first1=Fred|title=Weird Al Yankovic – Greatest Hits, Volume 1|url=https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Al-Yankovic-Greatest-Volume/dp/B00000I012|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=July 6, 2014}}</ref> Nathan Brackett and Christian Hoard, in ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'', awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, denoting that the album averaged between good and excellent.<ref name="rolling stone book"/>
Heather Phares of [[AllMusic]] noted that, "though [the album] only covers the first half of "Weird Al" Yankovic's career, it nevertheless features nearly all of his best work".<ref name=allmusic/> She highlighted "Eat It", "Fat", and "I Lost on Jeopardy" as the album's stand-out tracks, and concluded that the release "is still the most consistent and concise album in his catalog, and a great introduction to his very special brand of musical humor."<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last1=Phares|first1=Heather|title=Greatest Hits – 'Weird Al' Yankovic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-mw0000198177|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=July 6, 2014}}</ref> Fred Cisternia of [[Amazon.com]] gave the album a relatively positive review, writing that, "If you want to take a funhouse mirror trip back to the 1980s, Greatest Hits is a good way to do it."<ref name=amazon>{{cite web|last1=Cisterna|first1=Fred|title=Weird Al Yankovic – Greatest Hits, Volume 1|website=Amazon|year=1999|url=https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Al-Yankovic-Greatest-Volume/dp/B00000I012|accessdate=July 6, 2014}}</ref> Nathan Brackett and Christian Hoard, in ''The Rolling Stone Album Guide'', awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, denoting that the album averaged between good and excellent.<ref name="rolling stone book"/>


===Commercial performance===
===Commercial performance===
The record was released on October 18, 1988, and upon its release failed to chart. As of January 1997, the album was one of Yankovic's least-selling records, although it ranked above several other albums such as [[Greatest Hits Volume II ("Weird Al" Yankovic album)|Yankovic's second greatest hits compilation]], ''[[The Food Album]]'', the [[UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff|soundtrack album]] to his 1989 film "[[UHF (film)|UHF]]", ''[[The TV Album]]'', and the ''[[Permanent Record: Al in the Box|Permanent Record]]'' box set in terms of sales.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yankovic|first=Alfred|url=http://weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0699|title='Ask Al' Q&As for June, 1999|publisher=WeirdAl.com|date=June 1999|accessdate=June 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902121655/http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0699|archivedate=September 2, 2006}}</ref>
The record was released on October 18, 1988, and upon its release failed to chart. As of January 1997, the album was one of Yankovic's least-selling records, although it ranked above several other albums such as [[Greatest Hits Volume II ("Weird Al" Yankovic album)|Yankovic's second greatest hits compilation]], ''[[The Food Album]]'', the [[UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff|soundtrack album]] to his 1989 film ''[[UHF (film)|UHF]]'', ''[[The TV Album]]'', and the ''[[Permanent Record: Al in the Box|Permanent Record]]'' box set in terms of sales.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yankovic|first=Alfred|url=http://weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0699|title='Ask Al' Q&As for June, 1999|publisher=WeirdAl.com|date=June 1999|accessdate=June 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902121655/http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0699|archivedate=September 2, 2006}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
# "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]" (orig. Michael Jackson, arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Greatest Hits| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1988 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> – 3:37
# "[[Fat (song)|Fat]]" (orig. Michael Jackson, arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Greatest Hits - [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1988 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}}</ref> – 3:37
#* Parody of "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]" by Michael Jackson;<ref name=parodies/> the spoof discusses a man's obesity, which is blown out of proportion.<ref name="ewliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Even Worse| others = [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1987 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}} Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes as a cost saving mechanism.</ref> From the 1988 album ''[[Even Worse]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Parody of "[[Bad (Michael Jackson song)|Bad]]" by Michael Jackson;<ref name=parodies/> the spoof discusses a man's obesity, which is blown out of proportion.<ref name="ewliner">{{cite AV media notes| title = Even Worse - [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]| year = 1987 | type = liner| publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]}} Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes as a cost saving mechanism.</ref> From the 1988 album ''[[Even Worse]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[Eat It]]" (orig. [[Michael Jackson]], arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:21
# "[[Eat It]]" (orig. [[Michael Jackson]], arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:21
#* Parody of "[[Beat It]]" by Michael Jackson;<ref name=parodies/> a song about a parent's exasperating quest to get their picky child to eat.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mather|first=Marianne|title=Story Time|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121930/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2014|newspaper=[[Naperville Sun]]|publisher=[[Sun-Times Media Group]]|accessdate=April 29, 2013|date=February 20, 2011}} {{subscription required}}</ref> From the 1984 album ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Parody of "[[Beat It]]" by Michael Jackson;<ref name=parodies/> a song about a parent's exasperating quest to get their picky child to eat.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mather|first=Marianne|title=Story Time|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121930/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-13583610A6B437E8.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2014|newspaper=[[Naperville Sun]]|publisher=[[Sun-Times Media Group]]|accessdate=April 29, 2013|date=February 20, 2011}} {{subscription required}}</ref> From the 1984 album ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[Like a Surgeon ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Like a Surgeon]]" (orig. [[Billy Steinberg]], [[Tom Kelly (musician)|Tom Kelly]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:32
# "[[Like a Surgeon ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Like a Surgeon]]" (orig. [[Billy Steinberg]], [[Tom Kelly (musician)|Tom Kelly]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:32
#* Parody of "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" by [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]];<ref name=parodies/> the song is about an incompetent surgeon performing [[surgery]].<ref name="dareliner">{{cite AV media notes|title=Dare to Be Stupid|others="Weird Al" Yankovic|year=1985|type=liner|publisher=Scotti Bros. Records}}</ref> From the 1985 album ''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Parody of "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" by [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]];<ref name=parodies/> the song is about an incompetent surgeon performing [[surgery]].<ref name="dareliner">{{cite AV media notes|title=Dare to Be Stupid|author="Weird Al" Yankovic|year=1985|type=liner|publisher=Scotti Bros. Records}}</ref> From the 1985 album ''[[Dare to Be Stupid]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[Ricky (song)|Ricky]]" (orig. [[Mike Chapman]], [[Nicky Chinn]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/>&nbsp;– 2:36
# "[[Ricky ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)|Ricky]]" (orig. [[Mike Chapman]], [[Nicky Chinn]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/>&nbsp;– 2:36
#* Parody of "[[Mickey (song)|Mickey]]" by [[Toni Basil]];<ref name=parodies/> this is an ode to ''[[I Love Lucy]]'' with Yankovic playing the part of [[Ricky Ricardo|Ricky]] and [[Tress MacNeille]] as [[Lucy Ricardo|Lucy]].<ref name="20080922wired">{{cite news|first=Raftery |last=Brian |title=Weird Al: Forefather of the YouTube Spoof |url=https://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/magazine/16-10/ff_weirdal |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=September 22, 2008 |accessdate=October 21, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021051438/http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/magazine/16-10/ff_weirdal |archivedate=October 21, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> From the 1983 album ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic (album)|"Weird Al" Yankovic]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Parody of "[[Mickey (Toni Basil song)|Mickey]]" by [[Toni Basil]];<ref name=parodies/> this is an ode to ''[[I Love Lucy]]'' with Yankovic playing the part of [[Ricky Ricardo|Ricky]] and [[Tress MacNeille]] as [[Lucy Ricardo|Lucy]].<ref name="20080922wired">{{cite news|first=Raftery |last=Brian |title=Weird Al: Forefather of the YouTube Spoof |url=https://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/magazine/16-10/ff_weirdal |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=September 22, 2008 |accessdate=October 21, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021051438/http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/magazine/16-10/ff_weirdal |archivedate=October 21, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> From the 1983 album ''[["Weird Al" Yankovic (album)|"Weird Al" Yankovic]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[Addicted to Spuds]]" (orig. [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:50
# "[[Addicted to Spuds]]" (orig. [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:50
#* "[[Addicted to Love (song)|Addicted to Love]]" by Robert Palmer;<ref name=parodies/> a song about a man's [[Fixation (psychology)|obsession]] for [[potato]]es and potato-based dishes.<ref name=ppliner>{{cite AV media notes|title=Polka Party!|others="Weird Al" Yankovic|year=1986|type=liner|publisher=Scotti Brothers Records}} Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes as a cost saving mechanism.</ref> From the 1986 album ''[[Polka Party!]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* "[[Addicted to Love (song)|Addicted to Love]]" by Robert Palmer;<ref name=parodies/> a song about a man's [[Fixation (psychology)|obsession]] for [[potato]]es and potato-based dishes.<ref name=ppliner>{{cite AV media notes|title=Polka Party!|author="Weird Al" Yankovic|year=1986|type=liner|publisher=Scotti Brothers Records}} Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes as a cost saving mechanism.</ref> From the 1986 album ''[[Polka Party!]]''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "Living with a Hernia" (orig. [[Dan Hartman]], [[Charlie Midnight]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:20
# "[[Living with a Hernia]]" (orig. [[Dan Hartman]], [[Charlie Midnight]], arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:20
#* Parody of "[[Living in America (James Brown song)|Living in America]]" by [[James Brown]];<ref name=parodies>{{cite web|last=Yankovic|first=Alfred|title=Parodies & Polkas|url=http://www.weirdal.com/parodypolkas.htm|work=WeirdAl.com|accessdate=April 24, 2013}}</ref> the song discusses various types of [[hernia]]s.<ref name=ppliner/> From the 1986 album ''Polka Party!''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Parody of "[[Living in America (James Brown song)|Living in America]]" by [[James Brown]];<ref name=parodies>{{cite web|last=Yankovic|first=Alfred|title=Parodies & Polkas|url=http://www.weirdal.com/parodypolkas.htm|work=WeirdAl.com|accessdate=April 24, 2013|archive-date=January 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113231432/http://www.weirdal.com/parodypolkas.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> the song discusses various types of [[hernia]]s.<ref name=ppliner/> From the 1986 album ''Polka Party!''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[Dare to Be Stupid (song)|Dare to Be Stupid]]" (Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:25
# "[[Dare to Be Stupid (song)|Dare to Be Stupid]]" (Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 3:25
#* Style parody of [[Devo]];<ref name="devo">{{cite web| url = http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100| title = 'Ask Al' Q&As for January 2000| accessdate = June 30, 2010| last = Yankovic| first = Alfred| authorlink = "Weird Al" Yankovic| date = January 2000| publisher = WeirdAl.com| url-status = dead| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100624113954/http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100| archivedate = June 24, 2010}}</ref> the song recounts a list of "stupid" things a person can do.<ref name="dareliner"/> From the 1985 album ''Dare to Be Stupid''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Style parody of [[Devo]];<ref name="devo">{{cite web| url = http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100| title = 'Ask Al' Q&As for January 2000| accessdate = June 30, 2010| last = Yankovic| first = Alfred| authorlink = "Weird Al" Yankovic| date = January 2000| publisher = WeirdAl.com| url-status = dead| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100624113954/http://www.weirdal.com/aaarchive.htm#0100| archivedate = June 24, 2010}}</ref> the song recounts a list of "stupid" things a person can do.<ref name="dareliner"/> From the 1985 album ''Dare to Be Stupid''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[Lasagna (song)|Lasagna]]" (arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 2:46
# "Lasagna" (arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 2:46
#* Parody of the folk song "[[La Bamba (song)|La Bamba]]";<ref name=parodies/> a song centered largely around [[Italian people|Italians]] and [[Italian cuisine]].<ref name="ewliner"/> From the 1988 album ''Even Worse''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Parody of the folk song "[[La Bamba (song)|La Bamba]]";<ref name=parodies/> a song centered largely around [[Italian people|Italians]] and [[Italian cuisine]].<ref name="ewliner"/> From the 1988 album ''Even Worse''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[I Lost on Jeopardy]]" (orig. [[Greg Kihn]], Steve Wright, arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/>&nbsp;– 3:28
# "[[I Lost on Jeopardy]]" (orig. [[Greg Kihn]], Steve Wright, arr. Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/>&nbsp;– 3:28
#* Parody of "[[Jeopardy (song)|Jeopardy]]" by [[The Greg Kihn Band]];<ref name=parodies/> a ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' contestant details why he lost.<ref name="praitb"/> From the 1984 album ''"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D''.<ref name="praitb"/>
#* Parody of "[[Jeopardy (song)|Jeopardy]]" by [[The Greg Kihn Band]];<ref name=parodies/> a ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' contestant details why he lost.<ref name="praitb"/> From the 1984 album ''"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D''.<ref name="praitb"/>
# "[[One More Minute]]" (Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 4:04
# "[[One More Minute]]" (Yankovic)<ref name="greatestliner"/> – 4:04
#* Style parody of [[Elvis Presley]]-like [[Doo-wop]];<ref name="DVD">{{cite AV media notes |title= 'Weird Al' Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection |year= 2003 |others= Jay Levey, "Weird Al" Yankovic |publisher= Volcano Entertainment |id= 82876-53727-9 }}</ref> the song describes the myriad tortures that the singer would sooner endure than spending "one more minute" with his ex-girlfriend.<ref name="dareliner"/> From the 1985 album ''Dare to Be Stupid''.<ref name="praitb">{{cite AV media notes|title = Permanent Record: Al in the Box|type = liner|publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]|location = [[California]], [[United States]]}}</ref>
#* Style parody of [[Elvis Presley]]-like [[Doo-wop]];<ref name="DVD">{{cite AV media notes |title= 'Weird Al' Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection |year= 2003 |author= Jay Levey, "Weird Al" Yankovic |publisher= Volcano Entertainment |id= 82876-53727-9 }}</ref> the song describes the myriad tortures that the singer would sooner endure than spending "one more minute" with his ex-girlfriend.<ref name="dareliner"/> From the 1985 album ''Dare to Be Stupid''.<ref name="praitb">{{cite AV media notes|title = Permanent Record: Al in the Box|type = liner|publisher = [[Scotti Brothers Records]]|location = [[California]], [[United States]]}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Greatest Hits Volume II ("Weird Al" Yankovic album)|Greatest Hits Volume II]]
*''[[Greatest Hits Volume II ("Weird Al" Yankovic album)|Greatest Hits Volume II]]''


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|3}}
{{Reflist}}


{{"Weird Al" Yankovic}}
{{"Weird Al" Yankovic}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Weird Al Yankovic's Greatest Hits}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Weird Al Yankovic's Greatest Hits}}
[[Category:1988 greatest hits albums]]
[[Category:1988 greatest hits albums]]
[[Category:"Weird Al" Yankovic compilation albums]]
[[Category:"Weird Al" Yankovic compilation albums]]
[[Category:Articles with quotation marks in the title]]
[[Category:Scotti Brothers Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Scotti Brothers Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Rock 'n Roll Records compilation albums]]

Latest revision as of 18:16, 21 March 2024

"Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits
Greatest hits album by
"Weird Al" Yankovic
ReleasedOctober 18, 1988
Recorded1983–1988
Genre
Length33:59
Label
"Weird Al" Yankovic chronology
Peter & the Wolf
(1988) 		"Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits
(1988) 		UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff
(1989)

"Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits is a compilation album of parody and original songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic, featuring his best known songs from his first five studio albums, all of which were released in the 1980s. "Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits was met with mostly positive reviews from critics, with Heather Phrase of AllMusic noting that it provided a good overview of the early part of Yankovic's career. Despite this, the album failed to chart upon release, and ranks as one of Yankovic's lowest-selling records.

Production

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Music

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The music featured on the album span Yankovic's release in the 1980s, with the earliest songs being recorded in 1983, and the most recent song being recorded in 1988.[1] Yankovic's 1983 debut album is represented solely by "Ricky".[1][2] Both "Eat It" and "I Lost on Jeopardy" were taken from Yankovic's 1984 release "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D.[1][3] Yankovic's third album, Dare to Be Stupid has three songs featured: "Like a Surgeon", the eponymous "Dare to Be Stupid", and "One More Minute".[1][4] "Living with a Hernia" and "Addicted to Spuds" were culled from the 1986 album Polka Party!.[1][5] Finally, Yankovic's then-recent studio album Even Worse is represented by "Fat" and "Lasagna".[1][6]

Reception

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Critical response

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Amazon.com(Positive)[8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[9]

Heather Phares of AllMusic noted that, "though [the album] only covers the first half of "Weird Al" Yankovic's career, it nevertheless features nearly all of his best work".[7] She highlighted "Eat It", "Fat", and "I Lost on Jeopardy" as the album's stand-out tracks, and concluded that the release "is still the most consistent and concise album in his catalog, and a great introduction to his very special brand of musical humor."[7] Fred Cisternia of Amazon.com gave the album a relatively positive review, writing that, "If you want to take a funhouse mirror trip back to the 1980s, Greatest Hits is a good way to do it."[8] Nathan Brackett and Christian Hoard, in The Rolling Stone Album Guide, awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, denoting that the album averaged between good and excellent.[9]

Commercial performance

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The record was released on October 18, 1988, and upon its release failed to chart. As of January 1997, the album was one of Yankovic's least-selling records, although it ranked above several other albums such as Yankovic's second greatest hits compilation, The Food Album, the soundtrack album to his 1989 film UHF, The TV Album, and the Permanent Record box set in terms of sales.[10]

Track listing

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  1. "Fat" (orig. Michael Jackson, arr. Yankovic)[11] – 3:37
    • Parody of "Bad" by Michael Jackson;[12] the spoof discusses a man's obesity, which is blown out of proportion.[6] From the 1988 album Even Worse.[13]
  2. "Eat It" (orig. Michael Jackson, arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic)[11] – 3:21
  3. "Like a Surgeon" (orig. Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly, arr. Yankovic)[11] – 3:32
  4. "Ricky" (orig. Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn, arr. Yankovic)[11] – 2:36
  5. "Addicted to Spuds" (orig. Robert Palmer, arr. Yankovic)[11] – 3:50
  6. "Living with a Hernia" (orig. Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight, arr. Yankovic)[11] – 3:20
  7. "Dare to Be Stupid" (Yankovic)[11] – 3:25
    • Style parody of Devo;[16] the song recounts a list of "stupid" things a person can do.[4] From the 1985 album Dare to Be Stupid.[13]
  8. "Lasagna" (arr. "Weird Al" Yankovic)[11] – 2:46
  9. "I Lost on Jeopardy" (orig. Greg Kihn, Steve Wright, arr. Yankovic)[11] – 3:28
  10. "One More Minute" (Yankovic)[11] – 4:04
    • Style parody of Elvis Presley-like Doo-wop;[17] the song describes the myriad tortures that the singer would sooner endure than spending "one more minute" with his ex-girlfriend.[4] From the 1985 album Dare to Be Stupid.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Yankovic, Alfred (December 2007). "Recording Dates". WeirdAl.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  2. ^ "Weird Al" Yankovic - "Weird Al" Yankovic (liner). Scotti Brothers Records. 1983.
  3. ^ "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D - "Weird Al" Yankovic (liner). Scotti Brothers Records. 1984.
  4. ^ a b c d "Weird Al" Yankovic (1985). Dare to Be Stupid (liner). Scotti Bros. Records.
  5. ^ a b c "Weird Al" Yankovic (1986). Polka Party! (liner). Scotti Brothers Records. Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes as a cost saving mechanism.
  6. ^ a b c Even Worse - "Weird Al" Yankovic (liner). Scotti Brothers Records. 1987. Note: the original vinyl and CD release of the album contained complete liner notes, which included lyrics. The 1991 re-issue, however, does not feature liner notes as a cost saving mechanism.
  7. ^ a b c Phares, Heather. "Greatest Hits – 'Weird Al' Yankovic". AllMusic. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Cisterna, Fred (1999). "Weird Al Yankovic – Greatest Hits, Volume 1". Amazon. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 893. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. rolling stone weird al yankovic alapalooza review.
  10. ^ Yankovic, Alfred (June 1999). "'Ask Al' Q&As for June, 1999". WeirdAl.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Greatest Hits - "Weird Al" Yankovic (liner). Scotti Brothers Records. 1988.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Yankovic, Alfred. "Parodies & Polkas". WeirdAl.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2007. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Permanent Record: Al in the Box (liner). California, United States: Scotti Brothers Records.
  14. ^ Mather, Marianne (February 20, 2011). "Story Time". Naperville Sun. Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2013. (subscription required)
  15. ^ Brian, Raftery (September 22, 2008). "Weird Al: Forefather of the YouTube Spoof". Wired. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved October 21, 2008.
  16. ^ Yankovic, Alfred (January 2000). "'Ask Al' Q&As for January 2000". WeirdAl.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  17. ^ Jay Levey, "Weird Al" Yankovic (2003). 'Weird Al' Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection (Media notes). Volcano Entertainment. 82876-53727-9.
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