Buzz
In 2014, "Weird Al" Yankovic's Mandatory Fun soared to number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It became Yankovic's first-ever album to top the charts and the first comedy album to do so since 1963's My Son, The Nut by Allan Sherman (which includes the classic song "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (A Letter from Camp)," a tune that will likely remain in your mind after reading this note).
On Mandatory Fun, Yankovic parodies Pharrell’s "Happy" (with the parody "Tacky"), Iggy Azalea’s "Fancy" (reimagined as "Handy"), and Lorde’s "Royals" (turned into "Foil," a song about aluminum foil and leftover storage). The album sold approximately 104,000 copies in its opening week, but do the original artists that "Weird Al" mocks receive any royalties?
According to copyright lawyer Justin Jacobson of The Jacobson Firm, "Song parodies are generally considered fair use." He further explains, "This is distinct from making cover songs, where the artist must acquire a mechanical license from the Harry Fox Agency to legally record a new version of the original song."
Even though legally clear, "Weird Al" goes the extra mile to ensure he's on good terms with the artists. According to the archived official "Weird Al" website, "Al does seek permission from the original songwriters before parodying their work." He values the relationships he's built with artists and writers over the years. Additionally, he ensures he receives his proper songwriting credit (for writing the new lyrics) and his fair share of royalties.
Royalty splits can differ. A 1991 law journal abstract titled "Stranger in Parodies: Weird Al and the Law of Musical Satire" shows that royalties are "negotiated, with compensation terms ranging from a flat fee to participation in royalties." Chuck Hurewitz, Yankovic's lawyer at the time, points out that "Weird Al's significant commercial success has made copyright owners more willing to grant him permission to parody their songs, and it has allowed Yankovic to negotiate for a more profitable share of the parody's royalties."
The one artist who consistently turns down "Weird Al"? Prince. So, don’t expect to hear a song called "Raspberry Soufflé" anytime soon.
