I was at a weird Al concert when he actually explained this song. He was on a Disney water ride, and the tour guy was talking about his failed acting career. Weird Al said to himself “that’s a song.” And he went home that day and worked on this song tirelessly. This isn’t a joke, he actually said that.

I once asked a Jungle Cruise Skipper if he’d heard the song. He pointed out where one of their life preservers is labeled Skipper Dan. 😄

It looks like Skipper Dan made a lot of people happy, every day. I wish he realized that.

The Jungle Cruise sank today. Skipper Dan finally got his revenge.

Don't give up Dan, Alan Rickman only broke into acting at the age of 46. You can take on different roles as you get older.

Everyone always says "Hi, Skipper Dan!" but never "How's Skipper Dan?"

A billion points for the animator who was able to make Dan's eyes say "I'm dead inside" even though the lower half of his face is smiling for the photos at 3:54. Brilliant and heartbreaking.

This made me realize how depressing some people's jobs can be.

This isn't a song about failing. Dan was top of his class and got phenomenal rave reviews. This is a song on how you can do everything right, and still life treats you cruelly and you are forced into indentured servitude in the form of a dead end job.

I just realized the female tour guide was his co-star in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

This has to be one of my favourite Weird Al songs ever. Not only is it a rocking tune, but it just goes to show that Al is capable of more than just making you laugh. This is the man that sang an entire song dedicated to being overweight, so when he tells a genuinely sad story (one that actually happens to real people) it hits you like an armoured truck. :(

Just noticed that Dan's coworker Ann is the same actress who starred opposite him in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"-compare the red-haired women at 0:38 and 3:21! Knowing that Dan isn't the only tragically underemployed actor in this story somehow makes it less painful and more painful at the same time.

IT's funny how everyone in the comments thinks this is a song meant to convey that you should study harder. But really it's about how you can know exactly what you want to do as a career, study hard to get there, do everything right and still end up with a bottom of the barrel job wishing you were dead. Weird Al writes the songs about reality. u___u

It's interesting to think that he is still an actor, hiding his pain and his sadness, pretending to be happy and laugh, smile. The hardest thing to act.

I was gonna be an electrical engineer. I studied in my free time, downloaded all kinds of books, got over my hatred of math, even opened a small computer/electronics repair service for a little while to get experience with circuit boards and stuff. All I needed was to go to college, and I'd be gold. Five years later, I'm working at Lowes.

Al was only 12 years old when he went to high school and graduated as the valedictorion. He was 16 when he went to college and became an architect. Now he's a happily married multi millionaire with a career he created and loves. His entire education had nothing to do with his success.

A great, original Weird Al song. I've been on the Jungle Cruise a lot, and one time, during the '80s, the tour guide said "What am I doing with my life?" I looked at him, and he showed no sign of having just said that! I felt bad for the guy. I wonder if Al and I were on the same ride? Anybody notice that a fan at the stage door looks like old-school Weird Al?

Every so often, I hear a Weird Al song and I say, "This is a bop. I wonder what the original song is," and I look it up and am shocked to see that it's just totally original. This is one of them. I can so easily imagine a normal song to this tune.

weird al really knows how to make you feel bad with an upbeat tune

As a former Cast member at disney, this was our anthem when it came out.

The most unrealistic part is that he can afford to pay the rent on Disney parks pay

Great song. I seem to recall that Mr. Yankovic once stated that this song was inspired by a comment like "what have I done with my life?" made a Jungle Cruise Ride tour guide, according to Yankovic probably off-hand. If this is true, then I have to say it is impressive how such a comment can lead to such a great song.

Squidward’s life story in song form (except he wanted to be an artist and wound up working at a fast food joint).

It's a little ironic, because despite his lowly, depressing job he's still enriching peoples lives with his talent.

It's not about what you know, it's who you know. *Especially* in the entertainment/arts field. I feel like that's what separates the Skipper Dans of the world from the talentless but successful stars who've probably never read a word of "the bard" in their lives. Edit: If Skipper Dan had majored in business instead as per the grandfather's advice, he'd be in the same boat probably (pun not intended?). "I'm an associate sales rep in the MLM game, Danny Smith is the name. And I'm roping in 34 folks every month, and every time it's the same. Look at these kitchen knifes the're sharp as a sword, buy one get one free with the purchase of a cutting board...and I die a little inside every time I bring someone into the "team", 'cause I'm working for a pyramid scheme."

You know you're mature when you truly truly understand the meaning of this song.

I guess this songs lesson: Dreams don't always come true

This song reminds me of the Star Trek: TNG episode, "Tapestry", where Q gives Picard a look at his life had he not made certain risky and rash decisions and taken chances. At the end of the episode he's wearing a blue uniform with the rank of lieutenant, a person who never stood out or got noticed. He tells Q (I'm paraphrasing here) "I'd rather die than be that man, bereft of passion and imagination". Picard learns how pulling the strings of even a single unpleasant memory could potentially unravel the entire tapestry of your life. Working as a denizen of "the lower decks" was his equivalent of being Skipper Dan on his Jungle Cruise boat. The really gut-punching thing about that episode is that (speaking for myself at least) my reality is that of the guy wearing the blue uniform; there's no waking up and going back to something better and more fulfilling like Picard did at the end of the episode, just what is. Believe me, I've often imagined what might have been had I taken a different path here or there. I will admit that some things beyond my control (such as health problems, which nobody can predict) blindsided me, but even so there were also plenty of bad decisions and priorities that I have to own responsibility for. I still have my ambition to be a published author and have self-published a couple of books (that frankly weren't close to being ready in retrospect). But yeah, I'm hard on myself because I feel like my life to date has never measured up to what I feel it could or should have been. As humans we tend to measure ourselves and our self-worth against an ideal that we strived for. All too often I guess most of us fail to achieve them for one reason or another; like the saying goes in boxing, "Everybody has a plan until they get hit". Not every person can be the equivalent of a Captain Jean-Luc Picard who everyone loves and looks up to; we're not all cut out to be lawyers, doctors, business executives, actors, or whatever other big-money career you can name, and sometimes it honestly comes down to having nothing that matches your field of expertise being available and having to do what you must to live. Countless people right now are flipping burgers, sitting in a cubicle at a call center being routinely cussed out, or working a cash register who have degrees and/or experience that would qualify them for much better careers. There's no shame in working an honest job that helps to pay the bills, but the joy and fulfillment that comes from doing what you really love isn't there. Weird Al nailed that feeling right on the head with this song. Just hang in there and don't give up.

Every time I hear this song, my acting degree gives me a bittersweet dose of memory. Truly amazing insight into how hard dreams die. Only Al could make me smile a little about that.

Dang, this song really HAS hit be hard recently. I spent a long time at university studying very hard playing a delicate balancing act of trying to get top grades and still have a fun and active social life. Yet I managed to come away with a 1st class degree in marine biology three summers ago and I managed to achieve a distinction at Master's level. However, what is my job almost two years later? A barman! Marine biology it turns out is a very hard area of work to get into, like acting is. With minimal experience you are always turned down in favour of "better experienced" candidates, and the only way to gain any experience is by volunteering your time and money for years. Man I feel for Dan so much in this song right now because I'm feeling exactly the same way he is. I should be out there doing what I love -- studying marine animals and aiding in their conservation, but because I don't have enough experience, I'm going to be stuck pulling pints for a long time...

Always felt that there was potential here for a cheesy yet enjoyable family film. Skipper Dan is fed up with his life and goes on holiday to Brazil. On the plane he is recognised by young kids who recently went on the ride, and assume he is a real Jungle Guide (yes folks, it's The Three Amigos rehashed). Then the plane goes down in the jungle! Dan and a handful of other survivors, including the kids, are separated from the others and lost in the deepest forest. All the adults are terrified, but not the kids - for they know Dan is with them, and he must be able to find the way out. Slowly Dan realises that he has to keep up the charade to avoid crushing their hopes, and as the film pans out, he realises that he does in fact know a hell of a lot about the jungle due to his job, and eventually turns into the hero that the kids believed he was. Disney's got to make that. Right?

I think this is the only Weird Al song to actually make me sad. Damn.

Skipper Dan is probably the anthem for those of us who had a brief shot of small time fame or success then ended up in a dead end job or worse (and yes there is worse things like unemployment). That sentiment of regret and wanting to die is one I understand. Seven years after writing the above comment I'm working as a bus boy on minimum wage telling the same lame old joke to dozens of customers for five nights a week and sharing useless information about the art work on the walls. Yet I actually love my job.

skipper dan, you don't have it that bad. 1. you make people happy 2. you get the rent 3. you have a co worker who understands you perfectly

Easily one of my favourite Weird Al songs. Somehow, the one who's well known as one of the funniest singers of all time made a song that conveys how it feels to not reach where you wanted to be in life, and the fact that almost no one becomes famous, no matter how hard they work

When it comes to KZfaq advertisement's, Im *Skipper* Dan.

I know it's supposed to sound like Weezer, but I still hear Jonathan Coulton.

First thing I did once I finished binging all of Weezer’s discography was listen to this song. Al did a great job imitating their style.

Huge fan of Weezer, and this style parody is absolute spot on! I cannot listen enough to this.

When I saw Weird Al back in June, he was doing a show of just his original songs. I had a blast, but this was the only song I didn't recognize from the set. Now it's definanately in my top 10 Weird Al songs. It just hits in the worst way possible

I really feel sorry for Dan. =( He dreamed for something bigger but then turns into a person who isn't noticed at all, except for the tourists.

I like how he actually became an actor, making people laugh and smile, but he just doesn't realize it.

I think the reason Al sings the sad lyrics so happy is because Dan is pretending to be happy every day but is still sad. The lyrics are so sad but he sings them so happy yet you still feel so sad for skipper Dan. Those are some real quality lyrics right there.

This is like every actors worst nightmare XD

This song absolutely represents the current mood with my own job, so I connect quite a lot with the lyrics. It's also helping to inspire me to fix that

Don't worry Skipper Dan, you ARE famous. Millions of people are now singing about you.

Does anyone else think that the families that get on the boat look like the vintage Fisher Price Little People?

A song brought to us by a performer who has a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture.

whenever I listen to this, I find myself wondering how the actual Skipper Dan that Al based this song on is doing these days

Imagine a guy that gets a doctorate in physics, yet winds up flipping burgers. Thats Dan. I can almost feel his soul crying in this song.

They say he's still working there, to this very day.

Three years ago, this song hit me way too hard. So I started to change things in my life. And trust me, it's working.

This is Rather Realistic. I know a few people who went into acting only to be stuck at Disneyland. Great job, Al!

This might seem weird, but this song always makes me wish I had stuck with acting. Anyone who's ever been bitten by the acting bug knows that once it gets you, it never really lets go. Dan stuck with it, and he might not be performing on the level he wants to, but he is still acting for a living, every single day. He made it. He got there. Skipper Dan is my hero.

Don't worry Skipper Dan, it will all change when The Rock plays you in the Movies!

This song is not all sad because Skipper Dan later released a line of fish tank decorations called Diver Dan and became a successful business man.

My uncle, named Dan, worked as a skipper on the Disney Jungle Cruise ride during 1996-1998-ish. We used to joke that this song was about him

Something neat about this It doesn't have to be about acting or theme park work specifically Something about the cadance of the song makes it feel like it could be layered over any sad story of a dead dream and dead end job.

The comments are even more depressing than the song. I was almost feeling pretty damn good about myself until I read a bunch of stories from people who are probably more talented and dedicated than me and yet are still struggling with disappointment and thwarted ambitions, wondering where it all went wrong. I'm only 20 and I already feel that I've lost somehow.

This is one of the most upbeat depressing songs I have ever heard

When they're young everyone seems to think this sort of thing won't happen to their lives... as if everyone it already _has_ happened to just wasn't trying hard, or interested enough in self-advancement to avoid it. You know... this song has an *incredible* vocal and instrumental melody, which the gloomy lyrics detract from a bit. If you have a complete language barrier, it rocks so hard your speaker turns into a diamond.

As a wannabe actor, this song hurts. Yet it's hilarious.

On the upside, the redhead at 3:20 is kind of hot... Move together and rent/utilities go down. With the savings you buy some hardware and start producing low-budget one man plays that you can spread on YT and someone will notice you again.

This shows a whole new dimension of what kind of musician that Weird Al is......yes, he's known for laughs, but this shows that he can empathize with the less fortunate. Keeps his feet on the earth and not let his head get in the clouds.....

That hits a chord! Triple distinction diplomas and a university degree and I'm working at B&M bargain store! xD

Just saw Al perform this live amongst an entire show of his deep cuts. Must see!!!!!!

I've been a software engineer and architect for over 30 years working 80-100 hours per week. Looking back, I think I would have been much happier with a 9-5 job being a jungle cruise ride guide.

Not an actor or a cruise driver but man this song just hits differently now, as an adult with no hope for the future, than it did when it came out when I was like 15.

To all would be Hollywood and Broadway stars out there: keep in mind that the unemployment rate of the Perfomer's Guilds in both Southern California and New York City hovers around 93 percent. Also, if you take a look at the really "successful" actors in movies and TV today, you will find that: a) they are someone's relative with previous long standing familial connections to show biz; b) they already come from money so they have the luxury of grinding away at thankless, low paying roles without having to worry about a day job; or c) are from another country with different career opportunities than Americans. Not everyone can be Chris Pratt or Jennifer Lawrence, and the next one probably won't be you. Just sayin'

I wonder if this song hits closer to home with Al than he realizes, having had a career of his own repeating jokes and gags that possibly bore him after 30+ years. Maybe the bits about being unsuccessful and unknown don't really apply to Al, but it may also parallel how he's sort of stuck being a professional goofster.

The sad thing is that when he’s getting his picture taken, that’s the closest he’s coming to reliving that feeling he used to get when he was being praised for his acting. Because pictures like that, and the memories they represent, they are going to stick with people for years to come, so as embarrassing as it is, it’s the closest he can get to how he used to felt so long ago, because he’s once again leaving people with a wonderful memory of him. Even if it’s not the memory he wants.

Any actor can be happy but act distraught, but the real challenge is to be distraught but act happy

I know people have thrown the animation a few bones in this comment section, but what I really want to praise is how smooth alot of the transitions are between shots.

I feel like this is the song I'll end up singing while at work. I do delivery jobs, and its not glamorous, sure, but it pays plenty and gives me plenty of time to do other things. And the whole "But the years have come and gone, and I'm sorry to say that's not the way that it's all worked out" bit is actually not true in my case. Yeah, my job isn't great. And it bores me to tears every time I go out to work. But now myself and some friends are kickstarting up our own businesses, and I'm back to smiling from ear to ear. Just remember: It might not be great now. But you'll make it work ;)

I don’t know why, but this is really motivating to listen to. I wanted to be a voice actor in my 20’s but at the beginning of my 30’s I chose to do 2D animation instead because I always had a deep interest in it. I get very nostalgic with this song, about what I thought used to be so important before and seeing myself now doing something I find more meaningful shows that when we think our dreams died, maybe something better comes along the way, even right under our nose the whole time. Don’t give up Skipper Dan ✊

"But what's the difference, it's all behind me now" tore into my soul

The night after I took my kids to Disneyland I had a dream that we had ended up on the Jungle Cruise Ride with Al and his family. My kids played with his and we laughed at the old jokes and at the end of the ride Al asked me "So Bill, would you like to go get some lunch, hang out the rest of the day at the park?" I said "Like it? I'd love to!" And Al snapped back "I bet you would!" And then he and his family slipped into one of those employee only doors, lol.

One of the things that hits me the most about this song is that he did end up being an actor anyway. He's pretending to be happy for the sake of the tourists. It's a tragic irony

Is the redhead that works at the Jungle Cruise ride and mimes shooting herself supposed to be the actress at 0:40?

Skipper Dam laments saying the same joke over and over, but it's remarkably comparable to saying the same lines over and over for years at a time on stage.

Skipper Dan, the world does love you; just in a different way than you expected.

Moral of the story: Always have a backup plan. That way, you only have to work on the Jungle Cruise Ride just to keep yourself supported until you can get a better job, instead of staying there forever.

As someone who studied business/accounting and makes decent money but is miserable, I admire people like Dan who follow their dreams.

I'm sure the actress at 00:35 is the same co worker at 03:30.

When you mess with Disney, you go in the magic tutu box!

After the line "Skipper Dan is the name", the guitar chord hits like a truck for some reason, so melancholic although it doesn't seem so at first.

This song makes me really sad for real people like Dan - Al sure wrote evocative lyrics. But with a lot of people now struggling with unemployment, Dan's situation made me think of a couple of lines from a funny film, "Office Space": Peter Gibbons: What if we're still doing this when we're fifty? Samir: It would be nice to have that kind of job security.

I think I just stumbled on a video that has finally convinced me to do my homework.

That moment when you listen to that and think "well, that's my future in a nutshell".

I’ve never cried from existential dread because of a “Weird Al” song before, but here we are. ;_;

the Jungle Cruise movie needs needs NEEDS a throwaway gag when Dwayne Johnson refers to another skipper as "Dan"

It's the same every time, until some poor old person passes out in the middle of the ride.

I just started college, and I'm glad I heard this song now. We always have that high expectation when you're young. The real world won't care about your past as much as you do, so set a low expectation for yourself, but never give up as well.

I know the snakes at 3:37 are supposed to be sticking their tongues out, but it just looks like they have sad cat faces and now I can't unsee.

Good animation here, it's somehow fitting into the song...

Could not stop thinking of this song when I was actually on the Jungle Cruise Ride at Disneyland. I was 100% sure that the crew of the ride would not have appreciated me bringing it up.

This song is unique for Weird Al. The only one with a somber tone

He succeeded. He is using his acting skills. He would be telling the same jokes and doing the same shows over and over in the roles he would have liked. He is living his dreams. He just doesn't know it.

I'm an Uber driver. Sometimes, when people ask me what I do besides Uber, I burst into singing the chorus of this song. People love it!

I got my BFA in theatre and every new theatre major needs to hear this song. This struck home HARD.