Lame Claim to Fame – English Lyrics

• By: "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Album: Mandatory Fun

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the quirky world of Weird Al Yankovic's "Lame Claim to Fame," a comedic exploration of celebrity obsession. This song offers a fun way to explore American humor and satire, while also enjoying a unique musical style inspired by Southern Culture on the Skids. Get ready to laugh and learn about the eccentric side of fame!

[English]

One time I was in the checkout line

Behind Steven Seagal

Once I'm pretty sure Mr. Jonah Hill

Was in the very next bathroom stall

My best friend's brother

Well, he was an extra in Wayne's World 2

My neighbour's baby sitter

Dated three of the guys in Motley Crue

I swear Jack Nicholson

Looked right at me at a Laker's game

I got a lame

Lame claim to fame

...

Check it out, I bought a second hand toaster

From a guy who says he knows Brad Pitt

I got me an email from the prince of Nigeria

Well, he sure sounded legit

My sister used to take piano lessons

From the second cousin of Ralph Nader

Last year I threw up in an elevator

Next to Christian Slater

Well guess what, my birthday and Kim Kardashian's

Are exactly the same

I got a lame

Lame claim to fame

A really lame

Lame claim to fame

Once at a party, my dentist accidentally

Sneezed on Russell Crowe

I posted first in the comments

On a YouTube video

I tried to sit by Steve Buscemi

But he told me this seat's taken

I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy

Who know a guy who knows a guy who know Kevin Bacon

I had a car that used to belong

To Cuba Gooding Jr.'s uncle

A friend of mine in high school

Had jury duty with Art Garfunkel

One time I was staying in the same hotel

As Zoey Deschanel

I used the same napkin dispenser

As Steve Carell at a Taco Bell

I don't mean to brag but

Paul Giamatti's plumber knows me by name

I got a lame

Lame claim to fame

A really lame

Lame claim to fame

I got a lame

Lame claim to fame

A really, really, really lame

Lame claim to fame

Ow, let's get lame boys

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
lame /leɪm/ B2	adjective - unimpressive, weak, not cool
claim /kleɪm/ B2	noun - a statement that something is true; a demand for something verb - to assert that something is true; to demand something as one’s right
fame /feɪm/ B1	noun - the state of being known by many people; reputation
checkout /ˈtʃekˌaʊt/ B1	noun - the place in a store where you pay for items
bathroom /ˈbæθˌruːm/ A2	noun - a room containing a toilet and a sink
extra /ˈɛkstrə/ B1	noun - an additional person or thing adjective - additional; beyond what is usual
sitter /ˈsɪtər/ B1	noun - a person who looks after children or pets; a babysitter
legit /ləˈdʒɪt/ B2	adjective - genuine, authentic, credible
email /ˈiːmeɪl/ A2	noun - electronic mail sent over the internet verb - to send a message by electronic mail
prince /prɪns/ A1	noun - the son of a king; a male royal title
birthday /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/ A1	noun - the anniversary of the day a person was born
party /ˈpɑːrti/ A1	noun - a social gathering for celebration or entertainment verb - to celebrate with a social gathering
dentist /ˈdɛntɪst/ A2	noun - a doctor who treats teeth and gums
sneezed /sniːzd/ A2	verb - to expel air forcibly from the nose and mouth due to irritation
comments /ˈkɒmɛnts/ B1	noun - remarks or observations, especially written or spoken about something
video /ˈvɪdioʊ/ A2	noun - a recording of moving visual images
seat /siːt/ A1	noun - a place to sit, such as a chair
taken /ˈteɪkən/ A2	adjective - occupied; already used or possessed
napkin /ˈnæpkɪn/ A2	noun - a small piece of paper or cloth used for wiping the mouth or hands while eating
plumber /ˈplʌmər/ B1	noun - a tradesperson who installs and repairs water pipes and fixtures

Key Grammar Structures

• One time I was in the checkout line

  ➔ Past simple of "be" (was) for a completed state in the past.

  ➔ The verb "was" shows a past state: "I **was** in the checkout line".

• My sister used to take piano lessons from the second cousin of Ralph Nader

  ➔ "used to" + base verb for past habits or states that no longer exist.

  ➔ "used to" indicates a past habit: "My sister **used to take** piano lessons..."

• I got me an email from the prince of Nigeria, Well, he sure sounded legit

  ➔ Intensifier "sure" before a past simple verb to add emphasis; informal colloquial tone.

  ➔ "sure" intensifies the verb: "he **sure sounded** legit".

• Check it out, I bought a second hand toaster from a guy who says he knows Brad Pitt

  ➔ Relative clause "who says he knows Brad Pitt" with present simple inside.

  ➔ "who says" introduces a relative clause: "a guy **who says** he knows Brad Pitt".

• I tried to sit by Steve Buscemi but he told me this seat's taken

  ➔ Contraction "seat's taken" = "seat is taken" (present simple passive).

  ➔ "seat's taken" = "seat **is** taken"; passive voice describing the seat's state.

• I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows Kevin Bacon

  ➔ Chain of relative clauses using "who knows" repeated; complex noun phrase.

  ➔ "who knows" introduces each relative clause: "a guy **who knows** a guy..."

• I had a car that used to belong to Cuba Gooding Jr.'s uncle

  ➔ Past simple "had" + relative clause with "used to belong" (past habit).

  ➔ "used to belong" shows a past state that no longer exists: "car **that used to belong** to..."

• I don't mean to brag but Paul Giamatti's plumber knows me by name

  ➔ Negative present simple "don't mean to" + infinitive; expressing intention.

  ➔ "don't mean to" = "I **don't mean to** brag"; the infinitive "to brag" follows the verb.