For music intended to provoke smiles and laughter. Early exponent Spike Jones used unexpected and comical instruments punctuated by birdcalls and gunshots to poke fun at familiar classical melodies and standard popular songs. Other examples include parodies of hit songs such as Weird Al Yankovic's "Another One Rides the Bus" (based on Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust"); classical parodies such as P.D.Q. Bach's "1712 Overture" (based on Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture"); and originals such as "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight." The best-known modern figure in the genre is radio personality Dr. Demento, whose popular program and recorded compilations have made "Dementia" a synonym for wacky musical humor.
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