Who wrote Eat It by Weird Al?

The comedic musician and songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic wrote the lyrics for his hit song "Eat It."

"Eat It" stands as one of "Weird Al" Yankovic's most iconic parodies, directly spoofing Michael Jackson's groundbreaking song "Beat It." While the instrumental track for "Eat It" intentionally mirrors the original, the entire set of humorous lyrics that transformed the song were penned by Yankovic himself.

The Craft of Parody: "Weird Al" Yankovic's Approach

"Weird Al" Yankovic is celebrated for his unique ability to reimagine popular songs into comedic masterpieces by completely overhauling their lyrical content. In the case of "Eat It," he ingeniously swapped the defiant, street-wise themes of "Beat It" with a relatable, albeit absurd, narrative about a persistent struggle to encourage someone to finish their food. This inventive lyrical transformation is the core of authorship when it comes to a parody song.

It's important to distinguish between the original song and its parody:

• Original Song: "Beat It," featuring music and lyrics by the late Michael Jackson.
• Parody Song: "Eat It," with all new lyrics written by "Weird Al" Yankovic, set to the familiar musical arrangement of "Beat It."

Yankovic is known for his practice of always obtaining permission from the original artists before releasing his parodies, a testament to his professionalism and respect within the music industry.

"Eat It" at a Glance

For more details on "Weird Al" Yankovic's extensive career and creative process, you can explore his official website.