Canadian Idiot
| "Canadian Idiot" | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||||
| Single by "Weird Al" Yankovic | |||||||
| from the album Straight Outta Lynwood | |||||||
| Released | September 26, 2006 | ||||||
| Format | Digital download, CD single | ||||||
| Recorded | February 19, 2006 | ||||||
| Genre | Comedy rock, punk rock | ||||||
| Length | 2:23 | ||||||
| Label | Volcano | ||||||
| Writer(s) | "Weird Al" Yankovic, Green Day | ||||||
| Producer | "Weird Al" Yankovic | ||||||
| "Weird Al" Yankovic singles chronology | |||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
"Canadian Idiot" is a 2006 song and single by "Weird Al" Yankovic from his album Straight Outta Lynwood. It is a parody of Green Day's "American Idiot". The song is mostly a sarcastic parody of the stereotypical American view of the Canadian way of life. Yankovic pokes fun at an accentuated Canadian accent and the Canadians' love of ice hockey, beer, macaroni and cheese, and doughnuts. At the end of the song, he says that the Canadians are "up to something" and calls for a "preemptive strike".
Contents |
Track listing [edit]
The following track is on the Australian single:
- "Canadian Idiot" – 2:23
Release [edit]
"Canadian Idiot" was never meant to be released as a single in the United States, but showed up on the Billboard charts nonetheless. It reached No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] Although it was not released as a tangible single in the U.S.,[2] promo CDs were pressed in Australia and shipped to radio stations to play.[3]
Live performances [edit]
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. (May 2011) |
The song is performed in Yankovic's 2007 Straight Outta Lynwood Tour. The song was first performed in Canada on June 20, 2007 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After the song Yankovic bellowed, "That was the first time we've played that song in Canada, thanks for not killing us." For the song's live performances, Yankovic and the band wear black collared shirts and red ties, similar to what Billie Joe Armstrong wore in all American Idiot-related band photos, tours and music videos. Yankovic has also sung the "Call of the Loon" (the signature tune of Bob & Doug McKenzie on SCTV) during the main guitar riff in his live shows.
Music video [edit]
MuchMusic ran a contest for the song on their website, which ended December 27, 2006. Entrants had to submit a video of themselves being the "ultimate Canadian idiot." Five winning clips were to be shown on Much On Demand.[4] The project was canceled due to lack of submissions.[5] Later, an update[when?] brought the project back, and the five finalists received digital cameras and a personalized recording from Yankovic himself.
Reaction from original artist [edit]
Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, after being asked what he thought of the "Canadian Idiot" parody before its release, stated:[6]
| “ | I think it's cool. Weird Al's a funny guy and I think sometimes he does the song better than the original. It should be funny I think. It'll probably be about food or something. And uh... Weird Al [motions a thumbs-up]." | ” |
Salt Lake Songs version [edit]
| "Canadian Idiot" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Jeff Caster | |
| Released | February 14, 2010 |
| Genre | Punk rock, indie rock |
A version of Canadian Idiot was recreated by American actor Jeff Caster in the Salt Lake City episode, "Vancouver 2010." Additionally, Caster replaced the lyrics of Yankovic's original song, referring to "beer swilling" with "Ice skating" instead, "ice cream and fresh meat" were used rather than "donuts and moose meat," "Celine Dion" was replaced by "Avril Lavigne," and "Saskatchewan" referred to was replaced by "Vancouver's Ravine".
Chart positions [edit]
| Chart (2006) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 82 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop 100 | 57 |
