Polkarama!

Usually you hear Weird Al Yankovic's parody songs, but on most of his albums he actually includes a polka-medley of popular songs. This is something I didn't know until I got caught up in the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. One of the characters, Waldo Butters, is a polka aficionado. And sometimes I just need to laugh.

This is "Polkarama!" by Weird Al Yankovic from the 2006 album Straight Outta Lynwood. The reference to "Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz always makes me smile. Don't be fooled by the fact that starts with an actual polka.

The Dresden Files are a cross between The Rockford Files, the old TV show, and Harry Potter. Harry Dresden is a Wizard and a Private Investigator working in Chicago mostly keeping the supernatural threats at bay. And making the occasional snide comment. The first novel isn't great, but the story is engrossing, and Butcher gets better fast as a writer. I can recommend the entire series, though I haven't read the newest addition which was just released this year.

The following songs are contained in the medley:

• "Chicken Dance" by Werner Thomas
• "Let's Get It Started" by The Black Eyed Peas
• "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
• "Beverly Hills" by Weezer
• "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay
• "Float On" by Modest Mouse
• "Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz featuring De La Soul
• "Don't Cha" by Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes
• "Somebody Told Me" by The Killers
• "Slither" by Velvet Revolver
• "Candy Shop" by 50 Cent featuring Olivia
• "Drop It Like It's Hot" by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell
• "Pon de Replay" by Rihanna
• "Gold Digger" by Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
• "The Nina Bobina Polka" by "Weird Al" Yankovic