I decided to break up the Weird Al posts because my dad actually had two of my favorites! I thought it would be interesting to take these two and also list the original songs that were parodied. First up, Beat It!
Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” has been cited as one of the most successful, recognized, awarded and celebrated songs in the history of pop music; both the song and video had a large impact on pop culture. The song is said to be a “pioneer” in black rock music, and is considered one of the cornerstones of the Thriller album
The music video for “Beat It” helped establish Jackson as an international pop icon. The video was Jackson’s first treatment of black youth and the streets. Both “Beat It” and “Thriller” are notable for their “mass choreography” of synchronized dancers, a Jackson trademark.
The video opens with the news of a fight circulating at a diner. This scene repeats itself at a pool hall, where gang members arrive via foot, forklift, and out of sewers, while the video’s titular song begins to play. The camera cuts to a scene of Jackson lying on a bed, revealing he’s the one singing contemplating the senseless violence. The singer notice rival gangs and leaves. Michael Jackson dons a red leather J. Parks brand jacket, and dances his way towards the fight through the diner and pool hall. A knife fight is taking place between the two gang leaders in a warehouse. They dance battle for an interlude of music until M arrives; the singer breaks up the fight and launches into a dance routine. The video ends with the gang members joining him in the dance, agreeing that violence is not the solution to their problems.
To compare the original with Weird Al’s parody, the video for “Eat It” is styled as a shot-for-shot remake of Jackson’s video, but with elements being parodied in various silly ways that are more fitting with Eat It’s lyrics. For example, two rival gang members brandish a spoon and fork at one another during the song’s bridge, then begin to fight over a rubber chicken as the solo guitarist’s instrument explodes in his hands.
Side One
Eat It
Side Two
That Boy Could Dance
My Dad's Albums 