For quite some time, my partner and I had been eager to take our soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter to her very first live concert. We suggested big names like Paul McCartney (a nod to her childhood Beatles obsession), Imagine Dragons (a band that definitely resonates more with her), and even Taylor Swift (who, at least in our eyes, sets a great example). To our surprise, she turned them all down in favor of one artist: Weird Al Yankovic.
“Seriously?” I questioned, baffled. “Why him?”
“Because he’s hilarious and a total nerd,” she replied. “My friends and I love his song ‘Word Crimes.’”
It seems my daughter isn’t alone in her appreciation for Weird Al’s quirky humor. His Mandatory Fun tour has sold out at numerous venues, including the one we attended in June near Washington, D.C. Although I hadn’t heard much of his music on the radio, the audience—especially the teens and tweens—was singing along with every song.
Perhaps Weird Al’s long-standing presence in pop culture has something to do with it. He’s been referenced in shows like The Big Bang Theory and has made guest appearances in many of the cartoons my daughter enjoys, including The Simpsons and Adventure Time.
Personally, I have my own fond memories of Weird Al, starting with my first encounter with “My Bologna.” At 15, when “My Sharona” was all the rage, it felt daring and charged with youthful desire—so much so that I couldn’t fathom how someone could turn it into a song about a sandwich. But once I heard tracks like “I Love Rocky Road” and “Eat It,” the brilliance of parody clicked. My daughter seems to have embraced sarcasm and parody much earlier than I did, likely thanks to her Mad magazine habit that started at age 11.
Upon arriving at the concert, my daughter was eager to check out the merchandise, but the line for T-shirts and trading cards was astonishingly long—far longer than any I’d seen at concerts for rock legends like Robert Plant or the Rolling Stones. The venue buzzed with parents and their middle-schoolers, and I spotted a few of her school friends. Clearly, this was the place to be for her age group.
As we settled into our seats, I noticed my daughter, usually restless during long events, was overflowing with anticipation. She repeatedly asked when the show would start, her excitement palpable. When Weird Al finally took the stage with “Tacky,” I couldn’t help but grin. I glanced at my daughter, who was capturing the moment on her phone, just like every other enthusiastic teen around her.
Throughout the concert, it became evident that Weird Al had evolved beyond his classic Hawaiian shirt. His elaborate costume changes, including a DEVO homage, got me hoping she might recognize the reference, but alas, she did not. However, she did know the backstory behind “Eat It” and “Another One Rides the Bus.” Our family favorite, “Smells Like Nirvana,” led to a fun discussion about Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl’s pre-Foo Fighters band, much to her surprise.
The evening culminated with “Word Crimes,” a witty critique of how texting and spell check have led to a generation struggling with grammar. I couldn’t help but suggest to my daughter that her English teacher should show the music video in class. She replied, “She has!” No wonder kids are drawn to Weird Al.
As we left, we stopped at the merch booth, and my daughter—an avid Mad magazine reader—picked out a T-shirt featuring Weird Al alongside Alfred E. Neuman.
On the ride home, I asked if she’d be interested in attending another live concert. “Maybe,” she replied, “if Weird Al comes back.”
In summary, while we initially envisioned a different artist for our daughter’s first concert experience, it turned out to be a memorable night filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a deeper connection through music.
For more parenting adventures, you might enjoy our post on preparing for life’s little surprises. Plus, if you’re considering starting a family, check out this excellent resource on artificial insemination and don’t forget to explore reputable options like Make a Mom for at-home insemination kits.
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