‘Simpsons’ Writer Says the Best ‘Simpsons’ Parody Song Is ‘It Was A Very Good Beer’

Brian McGee’s beer ballad is the greatest parody song in Springfield history, according to former showrunner Josh Weinstein
‘Simpsons’ Writer Says the Best ‘Simpsons’ Parody Song Is ‘It Was A Very Good Beer’

With all due respect to Frank Sinatra, The Simpsons did it better.

Over 34 seasons and 750 episodes, writers for The Simpsons have had ample opportunity to stretch their songwriting and song-parodying muscles to create some of the most memorable moments in the show’s entire run. Though originals such as Troy McClure’s “I Hate Every Ape I See, From Chimpan-A to Chimpanzee” or the iconic “We Do (The Stonecutters’ Song)” may hold a place atop most Simpsons fanatics’ list of favorite in-show songs, the playfully satirical series is often at its best when it forms a yellow, four-fingered take on an old classic — such as “It Was a Very Good Year,” written by Ervin Drake and performed by Sinatra in the most famous version until Homer blew Ol’ Blue Eyes out of the water.

Josh Weinstein, who wrote for The Simpsons from 1992 to 1998 and served as showrunner during the seventh and eighth seasons, witnessed these monumental moments in music history firsthand, and he has his own idea of which Simpsons parody song rivals even the Weirdest of Als’ best work. “It Was A Very Good Beer” is, in Weinstein’s expert opinion, the very best song parody in Springfield history.

Like everything opinion-related in Simpsons discourse, Weinstein's preference was met with many alternate viewpoints on the premier parody song. And, also like every other Simpsons opinion thread, there are no wrong answers — except for anything involving Milhouse. Nobody loves Milhouse.

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