Team Gaga Weird Al Goof

Weird Al says on his blog that Lady Gaga’s manager sent him an email with a definite “No” he can’t have permission from the Almighty Meat Dress Mannequin for his “Born this Way” parody entitled “I Perform This Way.” Weird Al is especially miffed because he had to cancel vacation plans with his kid to go into the studio in L.A. and “spend long days and nights in the studio.” They worked “around the clock” when the Poker Face singer’s people told him she had to literally hear the track.

The “White and Nerdy” funny man said he wasn’t thrilled about all the hoops Lady Gaga’s management was making him jump through especially because he had already sent her a set of the lyrics, but he was “really excited about this parody” so he chose to do whatever it took to get an okay from Team Gaga. All that work and he got turned down! Weird Al released the song on youtube today:

TMZ now reports that Lady Gaga is insisting she did not deny Weird Al’s request. Their sources say Lady Gaga is a “huge Weird Al,” has been busy touring and hasn’t even had a chance to listen to it yet. Well, she probably has by now.

Making it more than just a so-what goof-up is the fact that Weird Al planned to donate the proceeds from the sales of the track to the Human Rights Campaign. He’s hoping his fans will donate some money to that cause anyway if they enjoy the parody.

“My parodies have always fallen under what the courts call “fair use,” and this one was no different,” the “Eat It” singer wrote, “legally allowing me to record and release it without permission. But it has always been my personal policy to get the consent of the original artist before including my parodies on any album, so of course I will respect Gaga’s wishes. However, given the circumstances, I have no problem with allowing people to hear it online, because I also have a personal policy not to completely waste my stinking time.”

Paul McCartney is one who refused to give Weird Al permission to make a parody of “Live and Let Die.” James Blunt gave permission for a parody of “You’re Beautiful” but his record label later pulled the plug on the deal.

Weird Al still performs the parodies that he couldn’t get permission for at his live concerts.