Weird Al hasn't put out a bad song. Parody or original. Dude is a legit genius. National treasure.

Being covered by Weird Al not only meant you’d arrived, but it also would increase the sales and attention to your own record

It was a truly symbiotic relationship through most of the 80s and 90s

You almost got that right- it wasn't they thought they'd made it because someone wanted to do a parody of their song, it was because it was Weird Al. He is a national treasure.

Weird Al is a National Treasure with so many great parody songs since 1979  with the “My Sharona” parody “My Bologna “The list is endless starting with ; Eat It , Fat , Amish Paradise, Living with a Hernia, All about the Pentiums , Another One Rides the Bus, Yoda, Tacky, Like a Surgeon, Perform this Way , White and Nerdy , EBAY , I love Rocky Road, Foil, Handy, Gump, Dare to be Stupid, The Saga Begins,  ….

Weird Al had done a parody of Michael Jackson's song "Beat It" called "Eat it".  When he talked to Kurt Cobain about doing the parody, he says Kurt replied, "Is it about food?"  Weird Al told him, "No, it's about how nobody can understand your lyrics"...And Kurt gave him the ok.

Al asking Kurt cobain for permission to make a parody. Kurt, “is it about food?”(since some of his biggest hits were parodies involving food) “no it’s about how no one understands what you’re saying.” “Oh ok. That’s fine.”  Vick not vich

Weird Al is the king of parody songs. Many songs he had parodied.

It wasnt that someone had or wanted to make a parody of their song but that it was Weird Al who wanted to do a parody. In the realm of parody songs Weird Al is a legend and has been doing these songs since the 1980´s when singers like Michael Jackson among others wanted Weird Al to do parodies of their songs.

Weird Al released 14 studio albums from 1983 to 2014, 6 went platinum. About half of the songs on these albums were original comedy songs along with his more famous parodies. Several of his songs charted on the US Billboard 100. Smells Like Nirvana reached 35. His highest charting single is White & Nerdy (#9), a parody of Ridin' by Chamillionaire. He has 5 Grammys.

Back in the day, being parodied by Weird Al meant you were big. You made it. White and Nerdy or Amish Paradise are other bangers.

Artist took it as a badge of honor for Weird Al to redo one of their songs

Weird AL is a genius when it comes to his little nitch in music. He is incredibly talented and beloved in the industry. He always got the artist permission before he would create a parody of them. Only a few singers turned him down. One of which was Paul McCartney.
He has so many great songs. "Amish Paradise," "Eat it," "I'm Fat", and "Like a Surgeon" just to name a few. 😂

There used to be a radio show called Dr. Demento & parody or silly novelty songs were all that was played on it. It's how Weird Al broke out.

Weird Al is an equal opportunity parodist.  In all, probably close to 200 songs.  His Michael Jackson versions are similar to this one in that he basically duplicates the music video, all be it with Weird Al's lyrics.   As mentioned the side by side comparison of "Beat It/Eat It" is remarkable on the detail he was able to replicate.
The majority of his songs will feature the lyrical parody but told to an entirely diferent backdrop.  ie..  Coolio's "Amish Paradise", "American Pie" telling a Star Wars tale, Dire Straits but featuring the Beverly Hillbillies.  Dire Straits singer Mark Knofler agreed to the parody only if he could play guitar.  He's hit a lot of genres.  Bob Dylan, Madonna, Queen, Billy Idol, Kid Rock, Eminem, Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, Usher, and polka riffs of Tina Turner, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones...

Weird Al is one of four artists who have achieved Top 40 hits in four different decades. He's an absolute lyrical and comedic genius. There is no one like him. Kurt Cobain wasn't happy because he was being parodied, he was happy because Weird Al was doing a parody of one of their songs. You've absolutely made it if that happens.

Music, movies, fake celebrity interviews, a movie made about him... incredible for a guy who started with a sense of humor and an accordion. Fun reaction!

Couple of fun facts. Al achieved the "marble mouth" sound by putting cookies in his mouth.

The curly haired guy eating a banana/running off is Al's guitarist Jim West. Al wanted to do the video as a parody to the original so Al appears as the only guitarist (miming Jim's parts, Al plays accordion and keys) but wanted to include Jim.

Weird Al used all the same people from the original video. The story is when Al asked Kurt about doing the song, Kurt asked if it was going to be about food (Al does a lot of food related songs) and Al said no it's about how no one can understand your lyrics. And Kurt was like oh, okay. My two favorite parodies of Al's are Foil (Royle) and Word Crimes (Blurred Lines).  Those are my not- so-subtle hints to react to those after you do the original's first. Then there are the classics.
Eat it (Beat it), Fat (Bad) Like a Surgeon (Like a Virgin), Another One Rides the Bus (Another One Bites the Dust) from The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder.

This is Weird Al's pinnacle. It's genius...in every aspect ...Untold number of easter eggs in it.

Its been said, if Wierd Al makes a parody of one of your songs then you know you've made it in the business