“Weird Al” Yankovic
ListenAnother One Rides the Bus — complete EP · 1981
The original four-track Placebo EP, including “Another One Rides the Bus.”
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1981 · Placebo Records
Another One Rides the Bus EP
Yankovic put out this four-song EP himself after his brief Capitol connection. Its title track turns Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” into an overcrowded bus ride, with the percussion supplied by an accordion case. [1]
| Accession | OMMA-0002 |
|---|---|
| Artist | “Weird Al” Yankovic |
| Release | 1981 · United States |
| Label | Placebo Records · 3626 |
| Format | 7-inch vinyl EP · 45 rpm |
| Issue | Self-financed original commercial EP |
| Runouts | A: PLACEBO 3626-A don B: PLACEBO 3626B |
| Recorded grade | VG+ · VG+ sleeve |
Release history and significance
“Another One Rides the Bus” was recorded live on Dr. Demento’s KMET programme on 14 September 1980. Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz played Yankovic’s accordion case while other participants added hand music and comic interruptions. The record keeps the energy of a radio-studio gathering rather than a polished studio production. [1] [2]
Released in early 1981 in a pressing of about 1,000 copies, the Placebo EP paired the Queen parody with three original comic songs: “Happy Birthday,” “Gotta Boogie” and “Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung.” The tracks draw on sessions from 1980 and early 1981. [1] [2]
The four-song programme shows how much material Yankovic was already making outside a lasting record deal. The EP followed SLO Grown and the Capitol “My Bologna” single; it gave that growing body of work a release he could distribute himself. A later T.K. single took “Another One Rides the Bus” into a different release campaign. [3]
Market context
Discogs sales for the Placebo EP range from US$160 to US$499.99, with a median of US$356.34, as listed on 13 September 2026. The latest recorded sale was 21 June 2026. [1]
Physical Description
A seven-inch black vinyl EP in its original picture sleeve, with Placebo labels. The sleeve credits the unusual accordion-case percussion alongside the other performers. [1]
Condition
Disc and sleeve are graded VG+. A small chip is recorded around the spindle hole; the remaining disc surface was described as very clean. The sleeve has slight creasing at its opening.
Provenance
Acquired through Discogs from Boo Boo Records on 6 February 2025.
This EP and SLO Grown were among the records that inspired the creation of the Origins of Modern Music Archive.
Sources
- Discogs, Weird Al Yankovic — Another One Rides the Bus, release 2578636. Placebo EP, credits, recording note, runouts and sales history.
- WeirdAl.com, Recording Dates. 14 September 1980 broadcast recording and the EP’s other sessions.
- Dohtem, Another One Rides the Bus discography. Placebo and later T.K. issues.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.