It's a well-known truth that you haven't made it musically until your song has been parodied on YouTube.
That's all thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court copyright law case ruling that paved the way for future musical comedians and Internet stars alike. The ruling, Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., established that commercial parodies can qualify as fair use. It passed March 7, 1994.
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Now, exactly 20 years later, Weird Al Yankovic has sold more than 12 million albums, late night comedy shows are airing celebrity-packed musical spoofs five nights a week and YouTube parodies rack up thousands of views daily. And judging by the Internet's love for satirical content, parody songs aren't fizzling out anytime soon. So we're here to help.
Here are a few useful tips for penning your very own parody song, as told through some of the genre's greatest hits.
Gotye's paint-covered video for "Somebody That I Used To Know" was already ripe for parody, but tying in a Star Wars theme meant instant success for this video.
Sorry Carly Rae Jepsen, but Cookie Monster is the cutest "Call Me Maybe" singer, parody or otherwise.
Alanis Morrisette's 1996 song "Ironic" catches a lot of flack for it's not-so-ironic lyrics. In this parody YouTube comedians Rachel Hurwitz rights where Morrisette went wrong.
The Key of Awesome's "We R Who We R" parody is a serious send-up of Ke$ha in all her glittery, Jack-guzzling glory.
This "Drop It Like It's Hot" parody by YouTube impressionist Alphacat features a spot-on impression the U.S.'s Commander in Chief.
Take a note from YouTube star Miranda Sings: Sometimes it pays off to just completely embarrass yourself.
Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young singing the theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Talk about fail-proof.
Sick of hearing the same song remade over and over again, YouTube star Eric Schwartz created a parody of the parodies to end them all.
Because when it comes to parodies, nobody does it better than Weird Al.
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