‘Weird Al’ Yankovic’s ‘Like a Surgeon’ Parody Was Madonna’s Idea
When hearing the name “Weird Al” Yankovic, many feel overwhelmed with nostalgia and immediately think back to when music videos constantly played on MTV and VH1. Not only did this quirky musician cover hit songs with his own funny lyrics, but the videos themselves drew laughter from audiences and the original artists themselves. His songs were such hits that he has even starred in movies. Currently, a biographical film starring Daniel Radcliffe called Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is in the works. Hopefully, it will cover one of his most notable songs: “Like a Surgeon,” a take on Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.”
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic got his start by sending recordings to a DJ
Yankovic got his inspiration from listening to popular American broadcaster Barry Henson, aka Dr. Demento, who hosted guests like Stan Freberg, another radio personality who performed comedy, music, and oddball skits. He would send tapes of his song parodies to the DJ. As he explained on the Howard Stern Show, his creations were “just stuff I recorded in my bedroom, like with a little tiny cassette tape recorder and me singing along with the accordion.” From there, radio stations worldwide would reach out for copies of his parodies.
Madonna was the one who thought of the title ‘Like a Surgeon’
Yankovic’s ideas came from different places, and many of his parody twists revolved around food. But it was Madonna who gave Yankovic the idea for “Like a Surgeon,” as he relayed while speaking with WNYC Studios:
Madonna was actually the person who suggested that I do the parody “Like a Surgeon.” She was apparently talking to a friend of hers as they were walking through New York City one day, and she just happened to wonder aloud, “I wonder when Weird Al’s gonna do a parody of “Like A Virgin” called “Like A Surgeon.” It got back to me, and I thought — not a bad idea, thanks Madonna, think I will!
It’s not every day that A-list superstars like Madonna pitch ideas to others about having their work parodied. However, it’s almost a token of appreciation in the musical world to have someone as successful and eccentric as Yankovic turn such an iconic song into one of his own. “Like a Surgeon” is arguably one of his most famous tracks. It reflects his ability to take something serious, or in this case, a little taboo, and turn it into something weird—yet oddly funny. The music video is just as outlandish, featuring Yankovic in a hospital operating on patients — with car parts.
Surprisingly, a lot of the musicians Yankovic parodied ended up loving his work
Yankovic has parodied many celebrities, which could have gotten him in trouble. In the music world, it technically isn’t illegal to imitate other artists’ work due to the fair use law. But Yankovic always made sure to ask for permission. Some of the most popular musicians in the world, like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Michael Jackson, and, of course, Madonna, ended up loving his work. In fact, Cobain called him “a pop-rock genius” (via Spin), reportedly calling Yankovic’s idea for “Smells Like Nirvana” “funny.”
