Genius in France

[weirdojace]

Ever heard of a Canadian comedy group called The Arrogant Worms? They make fun of themselves all the time. (They have songs about how they don't have an army but it doesn't matter cause they're the 2nd largest country in the world, how the beaver was a stupid choice for the national animal, and how all they have are rocks and trees and trees and rocks and water.)

[autrefois]

I agree. Why make this a bigger issue than it really is? Most people poke fun at the Canadians (even Al does at times), and no one defends them. He's just having fun. I don't think it's offensive.

I'm not saying people should be upset about the song, because he definitely is just trying to have fun. But at the same time, it's understandable that some people might get a little upset, at least about the unlucky timing of the song's release.

We did have a nationwide anti-French movement with people pouring wine in the streets in protest. I can't remember a time we had a nationwide anti-Canadian movement with people pouring maple syrup in the streets.

GiF is a catchy, funny song. I hope that's how it will be remembered years from now.

[drnick954]

His accent reminds me of John Cleese in The Holy Grail (I fart in your general direction! I pick my nose at you!). Then he starts throwing the animals off the tower... What a great movie!!

i love that part. same with a lot of the other parts of it.



i like pretty much all the parts of GiF its so good!

[AMFilms]

At least one French person doesn't seem to mind GiF too much. I just did a search in Google and came across this page in French talking about GiF. It's a site about Zappa news in French and on the one page it mentions GiF and even gives a fairly good translation into French of the lyrics of the song.

The second paragraph of the intro gives insight on the opinion of the webmaster on the song. Here's what it says, roughly translated by me:

"Although a real hommage to Frank—a completely exceptional work of art since it was done with Dweezil, Zappa's guitarist son—the song is a parody, a veritable catalog of Zappa's stylistic mannerisms. The lyrics are fairly close to Frank's approach in his time (cf In France) and let us know that on the other side of the Atlantic, they really consider us [French people] to be a strange people. This time, and knowing where it's coming from, we can consider it a compliment, since Frank supposedly wants to stay in France forever [in the song?]. It's bordering on political criticism."

So this person saw it mostly as an homage to Frank Zappa, recognizing the French-bashing aspect of it and of Zappa's song "In France". If you look at the lyrics to "In France" by Zappa (which would be rated PG-13 or R, IMHO), he's not too kind to the French, either, and Al uses some of the same images in his song.

It's unclear what the webmaster was referring to when they said it's bordering on political criticism. Based on some errors in the French in the lyrics and the intro, my guess is that the webmaster probably didn't spend weeks thinking about and writing the mini-review on the site.

Although the lyrics might be considered offensive, Weird Al is completely unknown in France aside from this small "blip" from a Zappa fan—so I don't think they will be burning any Weird Al CDs any time soon (in either sense of the word "burn" ).

hey, hey, whoah whoah hey. nudity??? MODS?

[Mr. Popeil]

This Son Is My Favorite on Poodle Hat

[TheMeccaOfAlbinoPoodles]

(nevermind- already merged.)


Uh...


GIF rocks.

[Seva]

This Son Is My Favorite on Poodle Hat

The Daughter is pretty neat too.

But seriously, due to this song, I bought a Zappa album called "We're Only In It For The Money" and ENJOYING it all the time!!! Come one, is there any artist on Earth who writes homages to other artists?!

SEVA.

[Flashmaster]

Dangit, why does everything have to be all political these days? Al was just doing what he always does, picking at them in a good natured kind of way. I don't understand why some people just can't sit down, shut up, and lighten up a little. Geez.

You kind of have to be lightened up and open minded if your a Weird Al fan ..you gotta know how to take a joke. :@* < person who cant take jokes.

[weirdalfan95]

I think Bermuda's snort is at 4:51. But im not sure.

[thepowerofpolka]

Well anyway I like this song, in fact, I like any of Al's songs that have some length to them . They are great songs to listen to and, well, this song is no different. I like it a lot.