Dare to Be Stupid

For the song, see Dare to Be Stupid (song).

Dare to Be Stupid
The cover for Dare to Be Stupid features "Weird Al" Yankovic's face against a backdrop of space. Scattered around his head are various items, such as a fish, a toaster, a toothbrush, and a hammer.
Studio album by
"Weird Al" Yankovic
ReleasedJune 18, 1985 (1985-06-18)
RecordedAugust 20, 1984 – March 25, 1985
StudioSanta Monica Sound Recorders, Santa Monica
Genre
Length37:04
Label
ProducerRick Derringer
"Weird Al" Yankovic chronology
"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
(1984) 		Dare to Be Stupid
(1985) 		Polka Party!
(1986)
Singles from Dare to Be Stupid
  1. "This Is the Life"
    Released: November 1984
  2. "Like a Surgeon"
    Released: June 4, 1985
  3. "Hooked on Polkas"
    Released: June 18, 1985
  4. "I Want a New Duck"
    Released: July 1985
  5. "One More Minute"
    Released: August 1985
  6. "Dare to Be Stupid"
    Released: August 1986

Dare to Be Stupid is the third studio album by the American parody musician "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on June 18, 1985. The album was one of many Yankovic records produced by former McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer. Recorded between August 1984 and March 1985, the album was Yankovic's first studio album released following the success of 1984's In 3-D, which included the Top 40 single "Eat It".

The music on Dare to Be Stupid is built around parodies and pastiches of pop and rock music of the mid-1980s, featuring reimaginings of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis and the News, and the Kinks. The album also features many "style parodies", or musical imitations that come close to, but do not copy, existing artists. These style parodies include imitations of Devo and Elvis Presley, as well as imitations of various musical genres such as doo-wop, sci-fi soundtracks, and music from the 1920s and 1930s.

Despite a mixed critical reception, Dare to Be Stupid sold well and peaked at number fifty on the Billboard 200. The album produced one of Yankovic's more famous singles, "Like a Surgeon", a parody of Madonna's "Like a Virgin"; the single peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was Yankovic's second Gold record and became certified Platinum for sales of over one million copies in the United States. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording in 1986.