Comedian Rodney Dangerfield famously griped, "I don't get no respect," but that sentiment could easily apply to "Weird Al" Yankovic. He's outlasted nearly every artist he's parodied, served as a pop-culture litmus test (Kurt Cobain once said he knew he'd made it when he saw Al's video), and proven himself a genuine accordion virtuoso. Backed by a stellar, often underappreciated band—the guitar solo in "Eat It" arguably outshines Eddie Van Halen's original in "Beat It"—Al is a musical genius. Nowhere is this more evident than in his beloved polka medleys. These fan favorites appear on all but two of his albums, blending snippets of contemporary hits into seamless, accordion-driven mashups. So, in a very particular order, here's the definitive ranking of every "Weird Al" Yankovic polka medley.
14. "The Hamilton Polka" (2018)
A polka medley is only as strong as its source material. Unfortunately, "The Hamilton Polka" suffers because the songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical aren't as universally known as Top 40 hits. While fans of the show might enjoy it, the fun of hearing Al polkafy familiar tunes is lost. This one lands as flat as Alexander Hamilton himself.
13. "Angry White Boy Polka" (from Poodle Hat, 2003)
This medley suffers from a weak song selection from the early 2000s. The White Stripes' "Fell in Love with a Girl" and Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba" translate well, but tracks like Disturbed's "Down with the Sickness" and Limp Bizkit's "My Way" aren't as iconic. Ending with Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady" feels forced—though at least Eminem allowed its use, unlike when he blocked the video for "Couch Potato."
12. "Polka Power!" (from Running with Scissors, 1999)
"Polka Power!" starts strong with the Spice Girls' "Wannabe," then stumbles with Harvey Danger's "Flagpole Sitta" and Pras' "Ghetto Supastar." It recovers with fun entries like "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and "MMMBop," but duds like Marilyn Manson's "The Dope Show" and the Beastie Boys' "Intergalactic" drag it down. Semisonic's "Closing Time" ends it on a high note—one last call for bratwurst?
11. "The Hot Rocks Polka" (from the UHF soundtrack, 1989)
This all-Rolling-Stones medley is a treat for fans of the band. "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "Get Off of My Cloud," and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" shine, while "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Under My Thumb" don't translate as well. If you're not a Stones fan, you might want to skip it—but for those who are, it's a rollicking good time.
10. "Polka Party!" (from Polka Party!, 1986)
Al's third polka medley starts strong with "Sledgehammer," "Sussudio," and Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time," then hits a snag with Lionel Richie's "Say You, Say Me." It recovers with "Venus," "Shout," and "Freeway of Love," but ends on a sour note with Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach," which doesn't fit the polka aesthetic.
9. "Bohemian Polka" (from Alapalooza, 1993)
Technically a cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" rather than a medley, this outlier works brilliantly. Its multiple tempo changes and dramatic shifts fit the polka structure perfectly. Never has "put a gun against his head" sounded so jaunty. Unlike "The Hamilton Polka," this departure from the norm is a triumph.
8. "Polkamania!" (2024)
Released for the 10th anniversary of Mandatory Fun, this medley covers hits from the past decade. Like "Angry White Boy Polka," it suffers from a less iconic song pool—a byproduct of the streaming era's playlist culture. Still, Al polkafies gems like "Bad Guy," Adele's "Hello," Olivia Rodrigo's "Vampire," and "Old Town Road." The one misstep? Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's "WAP," which feels out of place.
For more definitive rankings, check out our takes on the best books of the last 25 years and the greatest war video games.
