Toothless People
Encyclopedia
Toothless People is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic
. It is a parody of "Ruthless People" by Mick Jagger
. It is mostly about older people who are missing their teeth.
was released. The film's theme song was written and performed by Mick Jagger
. Assuming the song would be a hit, Yankovic requested (and received) permission from Jagger to record a parody
version. When Jagger's song failed to crack the Top 40, Yankovic considered not recording his version, but because Jagger had "authorized" the parody, he decided failing to produce it would be an insult to the artist and recorded it anyway. Polka Party! also failed commercially and became Al's worst-selling album.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
. It is a parody of "Ruthless People" by Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
. It is mostly about older people who are missing their teeth.
Permission and recording
In 1986 the film Ruthless PeopleRuthless People
Ruthless People is a 1986 black comedy written by Dale Launer, starring Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater. It also features Bill Pullman as a supporting role in his film debut....
was released. The film's theme song was written and performed by Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
. Assuming the song would be a hit, Yankovic requested (and received) permission from Jagger to record a parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
version. When Jagger's song failed to crack the Top 40, Yankovic considered not recording his version, but because Jagger had "authorized" the parody, he decided failing to produce it would be an insult to the artist and recorded it anyway. Polka Party! also failed commercially and became Al's worst-selling album.