For a couple of years now, my partner and I have been eager to take our soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter to a live concert. We suggested big names like Paul McCartney (she adored The Beatles when she was little), Imagine Dragons (definitely more her vibe than ours), and even Taylor Swift (hey, she’s a solid role model). But, to our surprise, she turned them all down in favor of…Weird Al Yankovic.
“Seriously?” I replied. “Why him?”
“Because he’s hilarious and nerdy,” she explained. “My friends and I can’t get enough of ‘Word Crimes.’”
It turns out my daughter isn’t the only one who finds Weird Al amusing. His Mandatory Fun tour was packed, with sold-out shows at many venues, including the one we attended in June near Washington, D.C. Even though I hadn’t heard any of his songs on the radio, I realized we were all singing along—my daughter, the audience, and yes, even me.
Weird Al has been a pop culture staple for decades. You can spot him on shows like The Big Bang Theory, or as a guest in countless cartoons my daughter has grown up watching—like The Simpsons, Adventure Time, and even an old Scooby-Doo episode from her childhood.
I have my own memories of Weird Al, like the first time I heard “My Bologna.” I was 15 when “My Sharona” was a hit, and I thought it was so bold and charged with teenage angst—perfect for a parody about a sandwich! After hearing tracks like “I Love Rocky Road” and “Eat It,” I finally got the appeal. Weird Al was my introduction to parody beyond trading Wacky Packages labels in middle school. It seems my daughter has grasped sarcasm and parody much earlier than I did; she started reading Mad magazine at just 11.
When we arrived at the concert, my daughter wanted to check out the merchandise, and let me tell you, the line for T-shirts, hats, and trading cards was longer than any I saw at Robert Plant, Rolling Stones, or Jack White concerts. The venue was buzzing with parents and their tweens; I even spotted a few kids she recognized from school. Clearly, this was the place to be for middle schoolers.
Once we found our seats, I noticed something remarkable—my daughter, who usually struggles to sit still for more than an hour, was practically bouncing with excitement. She kept asking when the show would start, not out of boredom, but pure anticipation. Once Weird Al hit the stage with “Tacky,” it was impossible not to smile. I glanced over and saw her doing exactly what every other kid was doing—snapping photos and recording her favorite songs on her phone.
One amusing thing I noticed was how Weird Al had stepped up his game. He wore more than just his classic Hawaiian shirt and had a range of costume changes throughout the evening. When he and the band dressed up as DEVO, I thought my daughter might recognize the reference, but it turns out she didn’t. She did, however, know the stories behind “Eat It” and “Another One Rides the Bus.” Our family favorite is “Smells Like Nirvana,” and I was pleasantly surprised she knew about Nirvana and Kurt Cobain, all thanks to Weird Al. I overheard her asking my partner, “Did you ever see Nirvana?” He had, and she seemed genuinely impressed.
The last song before the encore was “Word Crimes,” a clever piece that critiques the decline of grammar skills among kids today due to texting and spell check. I mentioned to my daughter that her English teacher should definitely show that video in class. “She has!” my daughter replied. No wonder kids are so into Weird Al.
On our way out, we stopped for merch. No shocker, my Mad magazine reader ended up with a T-shirt featuring Weird Al and Alfred E. Neuman.
As we drove home, I casually asked her if she’d be up for another concert sometime. “Maybe,” she said, “if Weird Al comes back to town.”
In summary, taking my daughter to her first live concert turned out to be a delightful experience, centered around an artist I never expected. Weird Al not only brought back memories for me but also provided a fun bonding moment for us both. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out these excellent resources on female infertility or visit Make a Mom for their insights. For terms and conditions, feel free to check out our other blog post here.