“Weird Al” Yankovic
ListenMy Bologna — Capitol single version · 1979
“Weird Al” Yankovic — the original Capitol single version of “My Bologna.”
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1979 · Capitol Records
My Bologna / School Cafeteria
“My Bologna” brought Yankovic’s food-themed parody of the Knack’s “My Sharona” to Capitol Records. This promotional single preserves the original 1979 recording, paired with “School Cafeteria.” [1]
| Accession | OMMA-0003 |
|---|---|
| Artist | “Weird Al” Yankovic |
| Release | 1979 · United States |
| Label | Capitol Records · P-4816 |
| Format | 7-inch vinyl single · 45 rpm · mono |
| Issue | White-label promotional issue |
| Runouts | A: S45-96404 (partial transcription) B: S45-96405 (partial transcription) |
| Recorded grade | NM |
Release history and significance
Yankovic recorded “My Bologna” in a public bathroom for its tiled echo. Dr. Demento played it on his radio show, where it became a favourite. [2]
When the Knack played the campus, Yankovic met Doug Fieger backstage. Fieger recognised the “My Bologna” singer and urged the man beside him—Capitol executive Rupert Perry—to release it. Perry agreed. Yankovic recounted the encounter as the unexpected opening that got the single onto Capitol. [2]
The December 1979 release paired “My Bologna” with the original song “School Cafeteria.” This white-label promo carries the same two tracks as the commercial single. The original bathroom recording differs from the version remade in 1982 for Yankovic’s 1983 debut album. [1] [3]
Market context
Discogs sales for this Capitol promo range from US$9.99 to US$55.25, with a median of US$29.99, as listed on 13 September 2026. The latest recorded sale was 21 August 2026. [1]
Physical Description
A white-label Capitol promotional single in a Capitol company sleeve. The labels identify the mono release as P-4816, with “My Bologna” on side A and “School Cafeteria” on side B. [1]
Condition
The disc is graded Near Mint, with clean white labels.
Provenance
Acquired through Discogs from seller GroovesVinyl on 28 November 2025.
Sources
- Discogs, Weird Al Yankovic — My Bologna / School Cafeteria, release 4056981. Capitol P-4816 promotional issue and sales history.
- The New Yorker, How Weird Al Spoofed Himself. Yankovic interview.
- WeirdAl.com, Recording Dates. September 1979 original, November 1979 B-side, and March 1982 remake.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.