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Weird!
Studio album by
Yungblud
Released4 December 2020 (2020-12-04)
Recorded2019–2020
Genre
Length45:01
Label
Producer
Yungblud chronology
A Weird! AF Halloween
(2020) 		Weird!
(2020) 		Yungblud
(2022)
Yungblud studio album chronology
21st Century Liability
(2018) 		Weird!
(2020) 		Yungblud
(2022)
Singles from Weird!
  1. "Weird!"
    Released: 22 April 2020
  2. "Strawberry Lipstick"
    Released: 16 July 2020
  3. "God Save Me, but Don't Drown Me Out"
    Released: 17 September 2020
  4. "Cotton Candy"
    Released: 9 October 2020
  5. "Mars"
    Released: 27 November 2020
  6. "Acting Like That"
    Released: 2 December 2020

Weird! is the second studio album by English singer Yungblud, released on 4 December 2020 by Locomotion and Interscope Records. Originally scheduled for 13 November 2020, the album's release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] It is Yungblud's first album since 21st Century Liability (2018). The album was supported by six singles: "Weird!", "Strawberry Lipstick", "God Save Me, but Don't Drown Me Out", "Cotton Candy", "Mars" and "Acting Like That". The album also contains collaborations with Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker.

Weird! debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart selling 39,000 units in its first week.[4][5]

Background

[edit]

On 2 December 2019, Yungblud shared on social media that he was going "a little mia" to work on his second record.[6] The next day, he clarified that he was not taking time off, just taking time to finish the second album.[7] On 3 December, Matt Schwartz posted photos of himself and Harrison on his Instagram, with the caption stating that they were working on the second studio album in Spain.[8]

Throughout the process of making the album, he would occasionally tweet out pieces of poems that appeared to be lyrics to songs. In May 2020, during an NME interview he was asked about the album, replying: "The album is done and we're going to start rolling it out. [Weird!] is the first chess move of that era. There's a lot of diversity on [the album] – it's like an episode of Skins in an album. Since the beginning of time, humans have been so complex and like 15 different personalities at once – but we're the first generation to accept it and know that it's alright to be who you are."[9] The cover is made to imitate the film poster for This Is England.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.9/10[11]
Metacritic66/100[12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[13]
The Arts DeskStarStar[14]
Clash7/10[15]
DorkStarStarStarStarStar[16]
Evening StandardStarStar[17]
The GuardianStarStar[18]
The IndependentStarStarStarStar[19]
Kerrang!2/5[20]
NMEStarStarStarStarStar[21]
Pitchfork5.5/10[22]

Weird! received mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from professional critics, the album has an average score of 66 out of 100, based on eight reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[12] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 5.9 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

Track listing

[edit]
Weird! – Physical edition[23]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Teresa"
3:24
2."Cotton Candy"
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Fedi
2:47
3."Strawberry Lipstick"
  • Harrison
  • Joshua McClorey
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
2:43
4."Mars"
3:01
5."Superdeadfriends"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
2:20
6."Love Song"
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
4:00
7."God Save Me, but Don't Drown Me Out"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
3:37
8."Ice Cream Man"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
3:12
9."Weird!"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
3:03
10."Charity"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
3:39
11."It's Quiet in Beverly Hills"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
2:36
12."The Freak Show"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
4:27
Total length:38:49
Weird! – Japanese edition bonus tracks[24][25]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Braindead!"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
Schwartz2:43
14."Parents"
  • Harrison
  • Tranter
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
2:51
15."Original Me" (featuring Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons)
  • Harrison
  • Tranter
  • Crossey
  • Richard Koehler
  • Daniel Reynolds
  • Jorgen Odegard
  • Timothy Randolph
  • Odegard
  • Randolph
3:25
16."Casual Sabotage"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
Schwartz3:08
17."Hope for the Underrated Youth"
  • Harrison
  • Danny Snodgrass Jr.
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
  • Michael Rennie
  • Adam Warrington
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
4:00
18."Waiting on the Weekend"
  • Harrison
  • Shane Gilliver
  • Crossey
Crossey2:32
Total length:58:28
Weird! – Digital edition[26][27]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Teresa"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Fedi
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
3:24
2."Parents"
  • Harrison
  • Tranter
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Jonas Jeberg
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
2:51
3."Cotton Candy"
  • Harrison
  • Michaels
  • Tranter
  • Greatti
  • Fedi
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Fedi
2:47
4."Strawberry Lipstick"
  • Harrison
  • McClorey
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
2:43
5."Mars"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Fedi
  • Crossey
3:01
6."Superdeadfriends"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
2:20
7."Love Song"
  • Harrison
  • Jackson
  • Tranter
  • Greatti
  • Crossey
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
4:00
8."God Save Me, but Don't Drown Me Out"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
3:37
9."Ice Cream Man"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
3:12
10."Weird!"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
3:03
11."Charity"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
3:39
12."Acting Like That" (featuring Machine Gun Kelly)
Barker3:11
13."It's Quiet in Beverly Hills"
  • Harrison
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
2:36
14."The Freak Show"
  • Harrison
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
  • Schwartz
  • Yungblud
  • Cervini
  • Greatti
4:27
Total length:44:51

Note

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

[edit]
  • Yungblud – vocals (all tracks), guitar (1–8, 11, 13), bass guitar (1, 3, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14), keyboards (5, 9), programming (5), background vocals (7, 9), percussion (7, 9)
  • Chris Greatti - guitar (1–8, 11, 14), bass guitar (1, 3–8, 10, 11, 13, 14), background vocals (3, 8, 9, 12), programming (4, 5), drums (5), keyboards (5, 7, 9), strings (7)
  • Adam Warrington - guitar (1, 4, 5, 9)
  • Omer Fedi - bass guitar (1, 5, 6), keyboards (5), programming (5, 7)
  • Zakk Cervini – programming (1–9, 11, 14), drums (4, 5, 7), percussion (4), keyboards (5), vocal programming (12)
  • Michael Rennie - drums (5, 9), percussion (9)
  • Mike Crossey – keyboards, programming (5)
  • Nick Mira – programming (7)
  • Tom Pallant – background vocals (9, 11)
  • Matt Schwartz – keyboards, programming (9); bass guitar, guitar, programming (13)
  • Machine Gun Kelly – vocals (12)
  • Dan Reynolds – vocals (15)

Technical

[edit]
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering (1, 3, 5–14)
  • Joe LaPorta – mastering (2)
  • Neal Avron – mixing (1, 2, 4–11, 13, 14), engineering (1, 2, 5–11, 13, 14)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (3)
  • Adam Hawkins – mixing, engineering (12)
  • John Hanes – engineering (3)
  • K Thrash – engineering (12)
  • Matt Malpass – engineering (12)
  • Shaan Singh – engineering (12)
  • Zakk Cervini – recording (1, 3, 5–9, 11, 13, 14)
  • Stevens – recording (5)
  • Matt Schwartz – recording (9, 13)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Weird!
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[28] 6
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[29] 39
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[30] 26
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[31] 118
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[32] 94
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[33] 57
French Albums (SNEP)[34] 130
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[35] 21
Irish Albums (OCC)[36] 28
Italian Albums (FIMI)[37] 80
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[38] 47
UK Albums (OCC)[39] 1
US Billboard 200[40] 75
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[41] 10

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Weird!

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a 2022 American satirical biographical musical comedy film that parodies the life of musician "Weird Al" Yankovic through an exaggerated, fictionalized lens.[1] Directed by Eric Appel in his feature film debut, the movie was co-written by Appel and Yankovic himself, who also appears in a supporting role as record executive Tony Scotti.[1][2] The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Yankovic, portraying his transformation from an accordion-playing prodigy into a parody song sensation amid a whirlwind of rock-star excess, including tumultuous romances and substance-fueled escapades.[3][4] Key supporting roles feature Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna, Yankovic's fictional love interest; Rainn Wilson as radio host Dr. Demento, Yankovic's early mentor; Julianne Nicholson as his mother Mary; and Toby Huss as guitarist Rick Derringer.[2][5] The ensemble boasts numerous celebrity cameos, including Emmy Rossum as Debbie Gibson, Jack Black as a wolfman, Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, and Demi Lovato as herself, amplifying the film's absurd, meta-humor.[6][3] Originally announced in January 2022 as a Roku Original, production drew from Yankovic's real career highlights—like his parodies "Eat It" and "Like a Surgeon"—while lampooning biopic tropes seen in films such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman.[1][3] It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2022, before streaming exclusively on The Roku Channel starting November 4, 2022.[7][5] Critics praised its irreverent humor and Radcliffe's committed performance, earning an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 161 reviews as of November 2025, with the consensus stating: "Suitably silly, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story spoofs the standard biopic formula with all the good-natured abandon fans will expect." It also won the 2023 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.[4][8]

Real-life basis and accuracies

While Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a deliberate parody that exaggerates and fabricates much of Yankovic's life for comedic effect, it incorporates several real details from his biography, often with humorous twists:
  • Accordion origin: A door-to-door salesman really did visit the Yankovic home offering music lessons or instruments, and his parents selected the accordion (thinking it would help him socially or musically). The film dramatizes this with violence, but the salesman encounter is factual.
  • Recording "My Bologna": Yankovic recorded his debut parody in a bathroom for acoustics—specifically the restroom at his college radio station (KCPR at Cal Poly), not a bus station as depicted, but the bathroom setting is accurate.
  • Dr. Demento: The radio host (played by Rainn Wilson) was instrumental in launching "Weird Al" Yankovic's career by airing his early tapes, including "My Bologna," which matches reality.
  • "Yankovic Bump": Parodies often boosted original song sales (e.g., Nirvana's label thanked him after "Smells Like Nirvana" increased Nevermind sales). The film exaggerates this as a plot device, but the effect is real.
  • "Like a Surgeon" inspiration: Madonna was overheard suggesting "Like a Virgin" as "Like a Surgeon" to a friend; word reached Yankovic indirectly, and he agreed it was a good idea. No romance occurred (they met briefly once), but the parody idea seed is true.
  • "Another One Rides the Bus" percussion: The song's beat included hitting an accordion case, as shown.
Other elements, like family disapproval, roommates becoming bandmates, and all dramatic plots (drug cartels, Madonna affair), are invented for satire. These nuggets ground the parody in Yankovic's actual early career (1979–1985).

Development and recording

Background and announcement

In December 2019, Yungblud announced via social media that he was taking time away to focus on his second studio album, following the 2018 release of his debut full-length 21st Century Liability. This marked the initial public signal of the project's conception, as he shared his intent to enter the studio for new material.[9] The album's development drew heavily from Yungblud's personal experiences between 2019 and 2020, including intense mental health struggles such as depression and anxiety, which he described as part of the "weirdest 18 months" of his life marked by rapid fame, heartbreak, and familial challenges.[10] These themes shaped the record's exploration of identity, vulnerability, and emotional resilience, with Yungblud emphasizing in interviews that it aimed to celebrate feeling "weird" as a universal aspect of human experience.[11] The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic further influenced planning, as global lockdowns disrupted creative processes and heightened the album's resonance with isolation and societal oddity.[10] Originally slated for release on November 13, 2020, Weird! was delayed to December 4, 2020, due to pandemic-related production challenges, particularly delays in vinyl manufacturing and physical distribution.[12] Yungblud explained the postponement as necessary to ensure fans received physical copies on time amid supply chain disruptions.[12] The album's cover art, revealed in September 2020, emulates the poster for the 2006 British film This Is England, featuring Yungblud in seven distinct personas to symbolize the multifaceted, complex identities embraced throughout the project—like an "episode of Skins" capturing diverse emotional and social states.[13] This visual choice underscored the record's conceptual focus on self-acceptance and generational diversity, drawing from coming-of-age narratives to reflect personal and cultural fragmentation.[14][11]

Recording process

The recording sessions for Yungblud's album Weird! spanned from 2019 to 2020, beginning with initial demos inspired by personal reflection during trips to the artist's grandfather's house in Spain. There, Yungblud built a makeshift basement studio and captured early ideas using an iPhone for its raw, lo-fi quality, which he preferred over traditional microphones to maintain a naive, youthful sound; acoustic guitar and drum experiments via GarageBand were central to this phase, fostering a DIY ethos amid emotional processing of fame and heartbreak.[15][16] Principal production occurred in professional studios in London and Los Angeles, involving key collaborators including producers Chris Greatti, Zakk Cervini, and Matt Schwartz, who co-helmed much of the tracking and refinement. Greatti, in particular, contributed to iterative sessions marked by candid feedback loops, such as mutual critiques of rough ideas to push creative boundaries. Specific tracks featured guest involvement from Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker on "acting like that," where their pop-punk energy aligned with the album's genre shift; Barker's drumming and Kelly's vocals were integrated to amplify the track's anthemic drive.[17][16][18] Early COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 introduced logistical hurdles, prompting virtual collaboration elements, notably for "acting like that," as Yungblud recorded in London while Kelly and Barker contributed remotely from Los Angeles, bridging distances via file-sharing without in-person sessions. This remote approach ensured completion despite pandemic disruptions, which also delayed the overall release from November to December.[19][20] Tracks were finalized through focused mixing in Los Angeles and mastering in New Jersey, emphasizing the album's energetic, outsider-anthem vibe while preserving the initial demo spontaneity; the standard edition consists of 12 tracks with a total runtime of 38:49, balancing concise pop-punk structures with layered production to capture the era's chaotic spirit.[17][21][22]

Music and lyrics

Musical style and genre

Weird! showcases a dynamic blend of pop-punk, alternative rock, and hip-hop influences, characterized by high-energy punk rhythms and rhythmic hip-hop beats that propel tracks forward.[23] The album's title track, "weird!", exemplifies this fusion with its punk-driven intensity, incorporating screeching vocals over crashing drums and subtle hip-hop cadences.[24] Similarly, electronic elements infuse "cotton candy," where bubbling synths and pop hooks evoke a glossy, dance-oriented vibe reminiscent of contemporary hip-hop production.[25] This genre-blending approach creates a sonic palette that oscillates between raw aggression and polished accessibility, distinguishing the record within modern alternative rock.[26] Instrumentation plays a pivotal role in defining the album's eclectic sound, featuring acoustic guitars for intimate moments, electric riffs for driving momentum, and synthesizers for atmospheric layers. Tracks like "teresa" open with gentle acoustic strumming before erupting into electric guitar-driven punk sections, highlighting the shift from vulnerability to exuberance.[25] In "mars," anthemic choruses build through breathy vocals and simple acoustic guitar or piano accompaniment, evoking a sense of emotional escapism in a cinematic style.[24] "Acting like that," featuring Machine Gun Kelly, incorporates trap-inspired beats alongside electric guitar hooks, merging hip-hop percussion with alternative rock structures for a high-octane collaboration.[23] Collaborators such as Travis Barker contributed distinctive drum patterns, adding punk-inflected propulsion to select tracks.[26] Compared to Yungblud's debut album 21st Century Liability (2018), Weird! represents an evolution toward more refined production techniques while preserving a raw, DIY ethos through unpolished vocal deliveries and live-band energy.[23] The earlier work leaned heavily on hip-hop and pop-punk fusions with a political edge, but Weird! expands into broader experimentation, incorporating glam-rock flourishes and synth-pop elements for a more stadium-ready polish.[24] This progression is evident in the album's cohesive yet varied arrangements, where acoustic introspection coexists with bombastic rock anthems.[25]

Themes and songwriting

The album Weird! explores central themes of self-acceptance, mental health struggles, sexuality, and societal nonconformity, reflecting Yungblud's (Dominic Harrison) commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and personal resilience.[27] In the title track "Weird!," these ideas converge as Harrison confronts the alienation of feeling like an outsider in a conformist world, drawing from a disorienting period in his life where global chaos amplified personal isolation.[28] The song serves as an anthem for embracing one's uniqueness, emphasizing community as a antidote to societal rejection.[27] Specific tracks delve deeper into these narratives, with "Strawberry Lipstick" addressing gender fluidity through a vibrant celebration of queer identity and liberation from rigid norms.[29] Harrison wrote the song to evoke youthful energy and self-expression, inspired by his own experiences of defying expectations around gender presentation.[29] Similarly, "God Save Me, but Don't Drown Me Out" grapples with the pressures of fame and mental health, portraying the suffocating weight of external expectations and the desperation for validation amid feelings of inadequacy.[30] Harrison describes it as a raw depiction of depression, likening it to being underwater while the world screams unheard, urging listeners to claim their worth despite societal noise.[31] In contrast, "Mars" acts as a poignant love letter to escapism, inspired by a transgender fan's story of familial rejection, where the protagonist dreams of fleeing to an alien world to live authentically.[32] The track highlights nonconformity's toll while offering hope through imaginative flight from earthly constraints.[33] Harrison's songwriting process for Weird! prioritizes vulnerability and direct connection with fans, incorporating their stories to craft lyrics that feel communal rather than solitary.[27] He drew heavily from real-life events, including pandemic-induced isolation, which infused the album with urgency about navigating uncertainty and emotional rawness.[27] This approach shifted from earlier anger-fueled writing to open emotional exposure, allowing fans to see themselves in the narratives of hurt and healing.[27] The recording sessions in Los Angeles during quarantine further shaped this introspective mood, fostering a sense of reflective solitude amid global turmoil.[27] Overall, Weird! portrays identity as fluid and worthy of celebration, weaving self-acceptance with critiques of conformity while contrasting uplifting anthems against darker introspection.[10] This balance underscores Harrison's message that embracing one's "weirdness" involves honoring both joy and pain in the journey toward authenticity.[27]

Release and promotion

Singles and music videos

The lead single from Weird!, titled "weird!", was released on April 22, 2020, amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.[34] The track's upbeat pop-punk energy and lyrics embracing individuality resonated with fans, debuting at number 75 on the UK Singles Chart and accumulating over 29 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[35][36] Its accompanying music video, directed by Yungblud and Tom Pallant, was shot entirely in quarantine with a small crew in Los Angeles as part of the "Stay Home With Yungblud" YouTube series, capturing raw, unpolished scenes of lockdown life including pillow fights and impromptu dances to convey themes of resilience and connection during isolation.[37] This visual built immediate hype by humanizing the artist and encouraging fan submissions of their own quarantine experiences, fostering a sense of community. Following the album's production delays due to pandemic-related challenges, the second single "strawberry lipstick" arrived on July 16, 2020. The song's playful exploration of fluid gender and sexuality drove strong fan engagement, with over 39 million Spotify streams as of November 2025 and viral social media challenges where listeners shared lipstick-themed interpretations.[36] Its music video, featuring guest appearance by Jesse Jo Stark, embraced vibrant red aesthetics with surreal, high-energy sequences like Yungblud shadowboxing in a ring and colorful dreamlike vignettes, emphasizing empowerment and rebellion against norms.[38] "god save me, but don't drown me out" was released on September 17, 2020, coinciding with the album announcement and serving as a vulnerable piano-driven ballad about mental health struggles. While it did not chart in the UK Top 100, the single has amassed around 40 million Spotify streams as of November 2025, with fans praising its raw emotional delivery that sparked widespread discussions on self-doubt during turbulent times.[36] The black-and-white music video, directed by Yungblud and Gavin Gottlich, depicted introspective scenes of the artist wandering London's streets at night alongside symbolic imagery of a giant teddy bear representing inner turmoil, enhancing the track's intimate, confessional impact.[39] The upbeat "cotton candy", released October 9, 2020, captured euphoric post-party vibes and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 98, bolstered by its infectious chorus that led to over 71 million Spotify streams as of November 2025 and fan-led TikTok trends mimicking its whimsical energy.[40][36] Its music video portrayed an adult slumber party with Yungblud and friends in candy-colored attire engaging in pillow fights and carefree antics, amplifying the song's theme of fleeting joy and helping sustain album anticipation through lighthearted escapism.[41] As the album's release approached, "mars" dropped on November 27, 2020, inspired by a transgender fan's story of familial rejection and peaking at number 85 on the UK Singles Chart with approximately 55 million Spotify streams as of November 2025.[35][36] The surreal music video, directed by Tom Pallant, featured diverse performers facing violent, otherworldly assaults to symbolize societal alienation, while Yungblud's narrative arc highlighted themes of acceptance and otherness, generating passionate fan advocacy and discussions on LGBTQ+ representation.[42] The final pre-album single, "acting like that" featuring Machine Gun Kelly, was released on December 2, 2020—just two days before Weird!'s launch—and reached over 131 million Spotify streams as of November 2025, driven by the collaborators' pop-punk synergy.[36] Its apocalyptic music video, co-directed by Yungblud, Machine Gun Kelly, and Gavin Gottlich and released on January 21, 2021, depicted the artists as zombie-like figures rampaging through a dystopian city with Travis Barker on drums, embodying chaotic rebellion.[43][44]

Marketing and virtual tour

The marketing campaign for Yungblud's album Weird! emphasized digital engagement and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning with social media teasers that built anticipation ahead of the official announcement. On September 17, 2020, Yungblud revealed the album cover and title via Instagram and other platforms, highlighting the project's themes of embracing individuality during uncertain times.[45] The album was released through a partnership between his independent label Locomotion Records and Interscope Records, which facilitated broader distribution and promotional resources while maintaining artistic control.[46] A key component of the promotion was the YouTube Originals series Stay Home With Yungblud, which premiered on April 27, 2020, coinciding with the release of the lead single "weird!" video. The series documented Yungblud and his collaborators in lockdown at a Los Angeles rental apartment, showcasing raw moments of isolation, collaborative songwriting, and creative processes amid global restrictions.[47] This initiative not only promoted the album's ethos of finding normalcy in abnormality but also connected with fans through unfiltered glimpses into pandemic-era life.[48] To support the December 4, 2020, album release, Yungblud launched The Weird Time of Life Tour, a 16-date global virtual tour presented by Moment House, running from November 16 to December 7. Performances were streamed live from localized sets representing cities such as London, New York, Los Angeles, and Sydney, featuring full-scale productions tailored to each audience with elements like city-specific visuals and real-time fan shoutouts to foster a sense of shared experience.[49] Tickets were priced accessibly at $5, enabling worldwide participation despite travel limitations.[50] Post-release efforts included television appearances and merchandise integrations to sustain momentum and build community. Yungblud performed "cotton candy" on the BBC's Top of the Pops New Year Special on December 31, 2020, delivering an energetic set that amplified the album's punk-pop energy to a broad UK audience.[51] Complementary merchandise, such as limited-edition vinyl bundles and apparel featuring album artwork, was sold through the official Yungblud store, with proceeds supporting fan-driven initiatives like mental health awareness campaigns that underscored the project's communal spirit.[52]

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release in December 2020, Weird! received generally favorable reviews from critics, earning a Metacritic score of 66 out of 100 based on eight reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[53] The album also holds an average score of 5.9 out of 10 on AnyDecentMusic?, reflecting a mix of enthusiasm for its energy and reservations about its execution.[54] Several outlets praised the album's energetic diversity and authentic exploration of personal and generational identity. NME awarded it a perfect 10 out of 10, lauding how it "smashes through punk, pop, psychedelia, balladry, rock and more," amplifying Yungblud's strengths into a "wonderful" sophomore effort that feels empowering and eclectic.[24] DIY Magazine gave it 9 out of 10, highlighting its "gloriously satisfying" blend of raw emotion and genre-hopping as a bold statement on self-acceptance for Gen Z listeners.[54] Reviewers often compared its punk-infused anthems to early Green Day, particularly in tracks like "Ice Cream Man," which evokes a revivalist spirit while addressing themes of youthful rebellion and identity.[55] However, mixed and negative critiques pointed to overproduction and a lack of depth in its social commentary. Kerrang! rated it 2 out of 5, appreciating the musical diversity—including pop-punk, nu-metal, and hip-hop influences—but criticizing the "avalanche of sugar" that overwhelms darker topics, making songs feel uninspired and excessively cutesy.[55] The Guardian described it as landing "uneasily between in-your-face [style] and insecurity," noting its mainstream polish undermines the "weird" title, with Gen Z themes of sexual fluidity and mental health explored less innovatively than by peers like Arctic Monkeys.[56] Pitchfork scored it 5.5 out of 10, faulting "clumsy genre experimentation" and "clichéd lyrics" that bury Yungblud's charm under unearned bluster, diluting the album's commentary on identity and societal pressures.[23] Common threads in reviews emphasized Weird!'s role as a Gen Z touchstone, celebrating its supportive messages on feeling "weird" amid isolation and self-doubt, though some found the social critiques—such as those on LGBTQ+ experiences and addiction—lacking nuance. In a 2020 interview, Yungblud described the album as one "for the weirdest years of our lives," capturing anxieties of lockdown and global unrest through songs like the title track, which resonated as a quarantine anthem despite being written pre-pandemic.[27]

Commercial performance

Weird! debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, earning 39,000 chart-equivalent units in its first week, with 91% of sales coming from physical formats and downloads. This achievement marked Yungblud's first number-one album in his home country.[57] Internationally, the album achieved moderate success across various markets. It peaked at number 75 on the US Billboard 200 chart. In Australia, it reached number six on the ARIA Albums Chart. Other notable peaks included number 28 on the Irish Albums Chart, number 21 in Germany, and number 26 in Belgium (Wallonia). The following table summarizes select peak positions:
ChartPeak Position
UK Albums Chart1
US Billboard 20075
Australian Albums (ARIA)6
Irish Albums Chart28
German Albums Chart21
Belgian Albums (Wallonia)26
The album received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on April 1, 2022, denoting 100,000 units sold or streamed in the UK, including equivalents from streaming platforms. By November 2025, it remained certified gold, reflecting at least 100,000 units in total UK consumption.[58]

Track listing and personnel

Track listing

The original soundtrack for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, released by Legacy Recordings on November 4, 2022, contains 46 tracks with a total runtime of 77:48. It includes re-recorded versions of Yankovic's parodies, dialogue snippets, traditional polkas, and original score cues composed by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson. The track listing is presented below:[59]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1"You Don't Know Anything (Dialogue)"Diedrich Bader0:10
2"My Bologna" (2022 version)Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic2:09
3"I Love Rocky Road" (2022 version)Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic2:35
4"Another One Rides the Bus" (2022 version)Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic2:34
5"Eat It"Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic3:18
6"Like a Surgeon" (2022 version)Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic3:23
7"Amish Paradise" (2022 version)Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic3:19
8"Now You Know"Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic5:18
9"Dr. Demento Opening Theme (Pico and Sepulveda)"The Roto Rooter Goodtime Christmas Band1:33
10"Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrel)"Cory Pesaturo1:21
11"Helena Polka"TraditionalCory Pesaturo0:31
12"The Chicken Dance aka The Bird Dance"The Emeralds2:43
13"Clarinet Polka"Karol Namysłowski"Weird Al" Yankovic0:35
14"Beat on the Brat"Joey Ramone"Weird Al" Yankovic0:19
15"Bowling with the Devil"YankovicSkunk Barf0:13
16"The Cobra Pit"Birenberg, Robinson1:08
17"Demento's Pool Party"Birenberg, RobinsonBirenberg, Robinson4:08
18"You're All a Bunch of Slaves (Instrumental)"Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic1:32
19"Guadalajara"Pepe GuízarCésar Chavira, César Ramírez, Omar Estrada1:15
20"Back From the Dead"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:45
21"Weird"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:53
22"The Accordion"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra2:09
23"Hay Boy"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:43
24"The Closet"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:43
25"Epiphany"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:51
26"Cracked the Code"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:12
27"On the Spot"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:35
28"A Rare Gift"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:46
29"My Parents"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:11
30"Write Your Own Songs"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:21
31"LSD Trip"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra2:06
32"Al and Madonna"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra3:07
33"A Parody of 'Eat It'"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:35
34"Drunk Driving"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:54
35"You're All I've Got"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:33
36"Diner Kidnapping"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:22
37"Heart of the Jungle"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:23
38"Certified Platinum"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:28
39"It's All Business"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra2:37
40"The Factory"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:23
41"Dad Apologizes"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra2:08
42"Raised Amish"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra3:10
43"It's Nothing"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:57
44"Would You Be My Son?"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra0:38
45"Al's Speech"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra1:29
46"In Memoriam"Light, Rodriguez, Birenberg, RobinsonBudapest Scoring Orchestra2:34
A vinyl edition was released on May 19, 2023, across two discs (tracks 1–19 on Disc 1, 20–46 on Disc 2). A CD version followed on February 3, 2023.[59]

Musicians

"Weird Al" Yankovic performed lead vocals and accordion on select tracks. Jim "Kimo" West played guitars, Steve Jay handled bass, and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz provided drums and percussion. Ruben Valtierra contributed keyboards, with additional instrumentation including trumpet by Wayne Bergeron, saxophone by Tom Evans, and background vocals by Monique Donnelly, Scottie Haskell, and Lisa Popeil. "Musical Mike" Kieffer performed hand music. Cory Pesaturo featured on accordion for polka tracks, and Jeff Babko on piano. The Budapest Scoring Orchestra, conducted by György Gulyás-Nagy, performed the original score cues.

Production

The soundtrack was produced by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson, who also composed the score with additional music by Dan Light and Ramiro Rodriguez Zamarripa. Score coordination was by Michael Wilson, with music editing by Andres Locsey and orchestration by Vincent Oppido. The score was mixed by Phil McGowan and recorded by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra. Vocal tracks were recorded and mixed by Dave Way at Way Station, with additional engineering by Rafael Serrano. Re-recording mixing was handled by Tony Solis, supervising sound editing by Anthony Vanchure, and sound design by Mike James Gallagher.[59]

References

  1. Daniel Radcliffe to Play 'Weird Al' Yankovic in Roku Movie - Variety
  2. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022) - IMDb
  3. 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story': Daniel Radcliffe Gets His Goof on
  4. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story | Rotten Tomatoes
  5. Weird Al Movie Trailer: Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood Star
  6. Quinta Brunson Is Oprah in Daniel Radcliffe Weird Al Yankovic Movie
  7. Daniel Radcliffe Weird Al Yankovic Film to Premiere at TIFF - Variety
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17076046/awards/
  9. weird! | YUNGBLUD Wiki - Fandom
  10. Yungblud Talks Weird!, His 'Violent' Childhood and Heartbreak
  11. Yungblud talks "optimistic" new era for second album: "It's like ... - NME
  12. Yungblud Pushes Back New Album Amid Covid-Related Production ...
  13. YUNGBLUD - weird! Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
  14. Yungblud details song, “Mars,” and sophomore album, Weird!
  15. YUNGBLUD Talks Heartbreak, the Weirdness of Fame, and His New ...
  16. Watch Yungblud Construct 'Weird!' In This New Beats By Dr. Dre Video
  17. Yungblud announces 'Weird' new album - The Music Universe
  18. https://uDiscovermusic.com/news/yungblud-acting-like-that/
  19. The Making of 'acting like that' | Vevo Footnotes ft. Machine Gun Kelly
  20. Yungblud Postpones Sophomore Album 'Weird!' Due to Coronavirus
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/21950479-Yungblud-Weird
  22. https://sterling-sound.com/engineer/chris-gehringer/
  23. YUNGBLUD: Weird! Album Review - Pitchfork
  24. Yungblud – 'weird!' review: his most vital dispatch yet - NME
  25. Yungblud - weird! (Album Review) - Wall Of Sound
  26. ALBUM REVIEW: YUNGBLUD – weird! - Bring the Noise UK
  27. YUNGBLUD: 'I Wrote an Album for the Weirdest Years of Our Lives'
  28. YUNGBLUD – weird! Lyrics - Genius
  29. YUNGBLUD On Why He Wrote Strawberry Lipstick - Kerrang!
  30. YUNGBLUD - god save me, but don't drown me out - EUPHORIA.
  31. Yungblud Shares 'God Save Me, But Don't Drown Me Out' Video
  32. YUNGBLUD - mars - EUPHORIA.
  33. Track Review: mars // Yungblud - The Indiependent
  34. YUNGBLUD PREMIERES NEW SINGLE “WEIRD!” – Press Releases
  35. YUNGBLUD songs and albums | full Official Chart history
  36. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/6Ad91Jof8Niiw0lGLLi3NW_songs.html
  37. Yungblud's 'Weird!' Quarantine Music Video: Watch - Billboard
  38. Yungblud Is a Smitten Punk-Pop God in 'Strawberry Lipstick' Video
  39. Yungblud shares powerful video for 'God Save Me, But Don't Drown ...
  40. COTTON CANDY – YUNGBLUD - Official Charts
  41. Yungblud Drops Sweet Music Video For His Latest Single 'Cotton ...
  42. Yungblud shares dramatic visuals for impassioned new single 'Mars'
  43. Yungblud And Machine Gun Kelly Drop Apocalyptic 'Acting Like ...
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdGad64abWM
  45. Yungblud Announces New Album 'Weird!' - Billboard
  46. YUNGBLUD'S NEW ALBUM – SET FOR NOVEMBER 13 RELEASE
  47. Yungblud Shares 'Weird!' Video, First Episode of 'Stay Home' Series
  48. YouTube Leans Into Quarantine Programming With New Originals ...
  49. Yungblud Announces 'The Weird Time of Life' Digital Tour
  50. Yungblud Announces 'The Weird Time Of Life' Global Digital Tour
  51. Top of the Pops, New Year Special 2020/2021, YUNGBLUD - BBC
  52. https://yungbludstore.com/
  53. Weird! by Yungblud Reviews and Tracks - Metacritic
  54. Weird! by Yungblud reviews | Any Decent Music
  55. Album review: YUNGBLUD – Weird! - Kerrang!
  56. Yungblud: Weird! review – not as strange as all that - The Guardian
  57. Yungblud debuts at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart with Weird!
  58. Weird! by Yungblud - Music Charts - Acharts.co
  59. YUNGBLUD steals the show - ARIA
  60. Official Irish Albums Chart on 11/12/2020
  61. 2022 BPI Certifications - UK Charts - BuzzJack Music Forum
  62. https://www.legacyrecordings.com/releases/weird-the-al-yankovic-story-original-soundtrack/
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