Elton John’s “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” is a timeless classic, instantly recognizable and deeply resonant with its heartfelt lyrics and melody. For fans of musical humorist “Weird Al” Yankovic, the question might arise: did he ever turn his parody lens towards this iconic song? The answer, intriguingly, is yes… and no. While there isn’t a full-fledged parody song readily available, there exists a fleetingly rare “Weird Al” creation that playfully riffs on the very title: “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Zoo.”
“I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Zoo” is not a concert staple or a track on any major album. Instead, this elusive tune is a mere 12-second jingle, born in 1985 as a promotional snippet for the Houston-based radio station 93Q KKBQ-FM. This station, known for its morning team as “The Q Morning Zoo,” commissioned Al to craft this brief parody. It cleverly borrows from the title of Elton John’s 1983 hit, “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues,” featured on the album “Too Low For Zero.” While finding the complete “i guess that’s why they call it the blues lyrics” is straightforward, unearthing the “Zoo” parody in its entirety proves to be a significant challenge for even the most dedicated collectors. Information about this track is scarce across usual “Weird Al” online resources.
Adding another layer to “Weird Al”‘s almost-parodies, there’s the anecdote of a Prince song parody that never fully materialized. As Al himself mentioned in commentary, he considered parodying Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy,” potentially titling it “When Eggs Fry” or even referencing “When Doves Cry.” Furthermore, early concepts for his “Beverly Hillbillies” parody were initially envisioned with a Prince-inspired musical backdrop. Though these Prince parodies remained unrealized, the story of “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Zoo” and the near-miss Prince tracks highlight the breadth of Al’s comedic inspiration, drawing from diverse musical corners, even taking a playful jab at the somber sentiment behind songs like “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.”
In conclusion, “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Zoo” stands as a fascinating, albeit minuscule, piece in the vast puzzle of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s parody work. It exemplifies his quick wit and his knack for finding humor in unexpected places, even within the titles of songs like “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.” This brief radio promo serves as a testament to his comedic genius, proving that his parody prowess extends beyond full-length songs to even the most fleeting of jingles.
