Weird Al is still relevant for one reason: PERFECTION.
His parody songs are full in, focus, hard work and perfection. They are so dead on blending the melody and feel of the original to new humorous lyrics, our cynical mind doesn’t have time to judge it. Our mind can’t help jumping over “cheesy” to notice the quality, work and level of detail he put in to the song. Before you know it, you’re laughing, and singing a SONG YOU JUST HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME, but with new lyrics, because you’re familiar with the original. The new fun lyrics, and familiar melody is infectious.
After Star Wars-The Phantom Menace appeared in June 1999, Al followed up with a five minute musical summary of the of the film with a song using Don McLean’s American Pie, calling it The Saga Begins.
(Note: Know who else is perfect at this? Our boss Ken West. Where do you think the ROR parodies come from?)
Take a listen to The Saga Begins. This is worth the five minutes and thirty five seconds.