Amish Paradise

"Amish Paradise" is "Weird Al" Yankovic's parody of the rap/hip-hop song "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio. Found on the album Bad Hair Day, it turns the original "Gangsta's Paradise", in which the narrator laments his dangerous way of life, on its head by presenting an Amish man praising his relatively tedious and unsophisticated existence.

Related Topics:
Amish - "Weird Al" Yankovic - Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio - Bad Hair Day

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Although Yankovic traditionally secures permission from the artists he parodies (even though this is not legally required), and was told by his record label that Coolio had given permission, Coolio later claimed that he had not given such permission. This created a minor controversy, as speculation surfaced that Coolio had actually given permission but later claimed he hadn't in the fear that allowing the parody wouldn't be seen as "cool," or that Yankovic's record label lied to Yankovic in the hopes that the song would become popular. Yankovic later stated on VH-1's Behind the Music that he had written a sincere letter of apology to Coolio which was never returned, and that Coolio never complained when he received his royalty check from proceeds of the song.

Related Topics:
VH-1 - Behind the Music - Royalty

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