The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota
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| “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota” | ||
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| Song by "Weird Al" Yankovic | ||
| Album | UHF | |
| Released | July 18, 1989 | |
| Format | Cassette, CD | |
| Recorded | May 24, 1989 | |
| Genre | Comedy | |
| Length | 6:50 | |
| Label | Scotti Brothers | |
| UHF track listing | ||
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"The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" by "Weird Al" Yankovic is a lengthy folk-type song about a family road trip to a tourist location in Minnesota. The song was meant by Yankovic to spoof the storytelling songs of Harry Chapin and Gordon Lightfoot,[1] but the structure and chord changes closely mirror the Chapin song "30,000 Pounds of Bananas".[2] The song refers to a real tourist attraction, a large ball of twine in Darwin, Minnesota, that Yankovic has visited on at least one occasion.[3][4]
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[edit] Notes
- All of the destinations mentioned in the song "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" were real places, active at the time of the song's writing, and came from the book Roadside America, including:
- Elvis-A-Rama in Las Vegas, Nevada (closed in 2006)
- the Tupperware Museum in Orlando, Florida (closed in 1992)[5]
- the Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise, Alabama
- Cranberry World in South Carver, Massachusetts
- the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame in St. Petersburg, Florida[6]
- Poodle Dog Rock within Valley of Fire State Park near Overton, Nevada[7]
- the Mecca of Albino Squirrels in Olney, Illinois.[8]
- When Yankovic wrote the song there was no "Twineball Inn" or postcards with "Greetings from the twineball, wish you were here". They came after the song was released.[9]
- In the video for the song "White and Nerdy" one of the trivial pursuit cards reads: "In what city is the largest ball of twine built by one man?" The answer is Darwin, Minnesota, the city that the Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota is located.[10]
[edit] References
- ^ Ask Al Archive (go to October 1998) Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ '"Weird Al" Yankovic's Original Songs Remind You Of What?!?!' Russ, Edward. Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ Weird Al Photo Gallery Darwin, Minnesota; 1996-08-16. Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ Picture displaying Weird Al's visit to Minnesota Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ Forget the mouse - go for the tupperware Reddick, Christopher. Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ World's Largest Shuffleboard Courts Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ Nevada Division of State Parks Valley of Fire State Park. Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ White Squirrel Wars Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ Al-oholics Anonymous - Ask Al Retrieved 2008-03-30
- ^ YouTube video of White and Nerdy Retrieved 2008-03-30
[edit] See also
[edit] External Link
- Lyrics to the song
