The Saga Begins

Album: Running With Scissors (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This parody of Don McLean's song "American Pie" summarizes the movie Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in five-and-a-half minutes. It goes full-geek, getting into details like the journey to Coruscant and an encounter with Anakin at Tatooine.

    The song is exceptionally long, but that's part of the joke: "American Pie" was one of the longest hit songs ever recorded, running 8:33.
  • This song was released before Star Wars: Episode I came out in theaters. Yankovic learned plot points by going online to check out spoilers for the movie.

    George Lucas was OK with this, and happy to get the Weird Al treatment, as it built anticipation for the film. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Logan - Bellevue, WA
  • Don McLean was pleased with the parody and even told Al that his lyrics sometimes enter his mind during concerts. "When I heard his version, I thought it was better than the original," McLean told Billboard. "The sound quality was superb."

    "American Pie" was released in 1971 - a long long time ago - so many of Al's young fans had no knowledge of the song. The year after "The Saga Begins" was released, Madonna did a dance cover of "American Pie." Many of his listeners wondered why Madonna was remixing a Weird Al song.

Comments: 14

  • Shadow from Depression, VaHahahaha I love the original and this song is funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
  • Nell from Chatham, NjI heard this song on the radio I remember
  • Erica from Minford, Ohthey're pretty good movies, I'll always prefer IV,V,& VI myself, funny song
  • Daktoa from Greenville, Ali went back and watched the first episode of the starwars saga, i know it is really the first movie but i'm going by the words at the begining of the movie, and weird al got it almost right of course qui gon didn't say stink it in your pointy ear but still every thing else was right on.
  • Luna from San Diego, Ca"Just stick it in your pointy ear." every time I hear that part of the song I crack up!
  • Daniel from Islip Terrace, NyRunning With Scissors wasthe first CD that i ever bought and right when i got it the first song i listened to on it was The Saga Begins.
  • Robert from Denver, CoAbsolutely AMAZING how he told the story of the entire movie in 5 minutes. The man is a genius.
  • Darrell from Eugene, United StatesOn the day that I first saw Episode I: The Phantom Menace, I bought "Running With Scissors" at Wal-Mart and won an R2D2 picnic cooler a month later after entering on the very day that I saw "The Phantom Menace". I still have the cooler.
  • Salzator Lansing from Lansing, MiThis song was released within a month of the release of "Star Wars--Episode I." In order to get it out so quickly, Al gleaned info from fansites on the Web and had the song written and recorded before he saw even one frame of film.
  • Kieran from Essex, Englanda masterpiece ! ! lol
  • Shana from Detroit Rock City, CanadaOhhh awesome song! Hilarious!
  • Dan from Lee, NhI Love The Lyrics!
  • Joseph from Bowling Green, KyThe song is as awesome as the movie. Weird Al is truly a gifted performer.
  • Alex from St Louis, MoIve never seen star wars but i like the song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."