Gump — "Weird Al" Yankovic parody of "Lump" inspired by the film Forrest Gump

Background

The piece follows Yankovic's longtime practice of adapting existing pop and rock songs with new, often film- or pop-culture-based lyrics. In "Gump" he reworks the melody and structure of "Lump" while replacing the original subject matter with a condensed, tongue-in-cheek summary of the Forrest Gump narrative.

Lyrics and style

Musically, the parody retains the energetic, guitar-driven feel of the source song, while the words focus on well-known events and characters from the movie. The result is a pastiche that depends on the listener's familiarity with both the original song and the film for much of its humor.

Release and reception

"Gump" appeared on Bad Hair Day, which was released in 1996. Critics and fans have noted it as an example of Yankovic's ability to blend precise musical mimicry with pop-culture commentary. As with many of his parodies, it has remained part of discussions about his career and is included on various collections of his work.

Quick facts

• Song title: "Gump"
• Artist: "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Parody of: "Lump" by The Presidents of the United States of America
• Album: Bad Hair Day (1996)
• Subject: the film Forrest Gump