Parodies appear throughout Literature, art and music. Since modern songs are generally poems set to music, finding parody among today's songs is not difficult. One of the greatest parody musicians is Al Yankovic.
Weird Al has an entire channel on YouTube. Go to his channel and find one of his many parodies. Next, find the original song that inspired Al's parody. Write a direct comparison of the two songs, telling how they are both alike and different. How did the overall meaning change in the parody? Which song is better and why?
Here's a link to Weird Al's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/alyankovicVEVO. Respond to the connections between this version and Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines.
Also, Here are a few of Al's most popular songs and their original counterparts. You do not have to use these, but if you are stuck, this should help. Why is parody so popular in modern culture? Think of the Scary Movie franchise, for example. What keeps drawing us to parody as an art form?
"Perform this Way" parody of Lady Gaga's "Born this Way": https://youtu.be/ss_BmTGv43M
"Eat it" parody of Michael Jackson's "Beat it": https://youtu.be/ZcJjMnHoIBI
"Smells like Nirvana" parody of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit": https://youtu.be/FklUAoZ6KxY
"Amish Paradise" parody of Coolio's "Gangstah Paradise": https://youtu.be/lOfZLb33uCg
"The Saga Begins" parody of Don McLean's "American Pie": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcjgJSqSRU
Second Discussion Post:
Write a poem (sequel) to alice in wonderland, when she meets the jabberwocky. Try to rhyme as much as possible, also can use made up words to go with the style of Carrol.