One test of an artist's talent is the ability to remain popular and relevant long after their debut. This is a surprisingly difficult task, with the term "sophomore slump" coined to describe the way standards often drop after initial success, whether it is an album of music, a second novel or even a movie sequel.
For an artist's new work to be even more popular than their original output decades earlier is a sign of a rare gift. This is proven by the calibre of those who fail that test – even The Rolling Stones, who have not had a number one album in the US since 1981.
By this measure, musical parodist Weird Al Yankovic is just such a talent because his new album, Mandatory Fun, debuted in Billboard's US music chart's top place 38 years after he released his first song. Thanks to Tacky, his parody of singer Pharrell Williams's bestselling song, Happy, he has had chart success in each of four decades.
What ought one to take from this? Given that most other musicians who debuted in the 1970s are retired or dead, this counts as a victory proving an old timer can inspire fans who were not even born when his career began. The fact that he deftly used social media and YouTube to do so just shows that old dogs really can learn new tricks.
Weird Al but cool music
Weird Al Yankovic has topped the charts, 38 years after his debut, by earning a new generation of fans.
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