Weird Al Yankovic is releasing his new album, Straight Outta Lynwood, and the first song is available for free on his website:

• Weird Al- Don’t Download This Song

Don’t Download This Song is a funny take on the music pirating issue. Since Weird Al makes his money from selling CDs, I would think that he might be happy with what the RIAA is doing to “protect” his rights, but the sarcasm in the song tells another story.

Full Lyrics, with links to the issues after the break:

Once and a while, maybe you will feel the urge
To break international copyright law
By downloading MP3s from file sharing sites
Like Morpheus, or Grokster or LiveWire or Kazaa
But deep in your heart
You know the guilt would drive you mad
And the shame would leave a permanent scar
‘Cause you start out stealing songs
Then you’re robbin’ liquor stores
And sellin’ crack and runnin’ over school kids with your car!

So don’t download this song.
The record store’s where you belong.
Go and buy the CD like you know that you should
Oh, don’t download this song.

Oh, you don’t want to mess with the R-I-Double A
They’ll sue you if you burn that CD-R.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a grandma or a seven year old girl,
They’ll treat you like the evil, hard-bitten criminal scum you are!

So don’t download this song.
Pirating music all day long.
Go and buy the CD like you know that you should
Oh, don’t download this song.

Don’t take away money from artists just like me.
How else can I afford another solid gold Hum-Vee
And diamond studded swimming pool?
These things don’t grow on trees.
So, all I ask is everybody, please…

Don’t download this song.
Even Lars Ulrich knows it’s wrong. (Just ask him.)
Go and buy the CD like you know that you should
Oh, don’t download this song.

Don’t download this song. (Don’t do it!)
You might end up in jail like Tommy Chong.
Go and buy the CD like you know that you should (Right now!) (Go do it!)
Oh, don’t download this song.

Don’t download this song. (Don’t do it!)
You’ll burn in Hell before too long.
Go and buy the CD like you know that you should (Just buy it!)
[fade out]

If you like this song and what Weird Al has to say, buy his album: Straight Outta Lynwood by Weird Al Yankovic