I've been putting this one off for a while, because Weezer is one of those bands that just has too many great songs and it was pretty hard to cut the list down to a mere 15. I tried to pick songs I love that less people know, so while I absolutely love all the singles like "I Want You To" and "Say It Ain't So" and classics like "My Name Is Jonas", they won't be on this list. Maybe another list, another time. Since I'll be seeing them in concert soon, I decided it was time to compile this one.
**Songs are listed in chronological order by album, which is why the list is not numbered
**Songs are listed in chronological order by album, which is why the list is not numbered
in the garage (blue album, 1994)
Lead singer Rivers Cuomo is usually described as nerdy, quiet, and reserved, and many of his songs depict that. In the second verse, Rivers mentions that he writes "stupid words" and plays "stupid songs", and portrays himself as a poor musician in other Weezer songs as well. The awesome guitar solo he does about two minutes into the song quickly disproves that. I can relate when he talks about feeling safer when he's alone where no one can hear him singing or judge his introverted and nerdy ways. The garage is where he feels safest alone, where he can be comfortable, and where he can let his creative genius flow in all forms. My sister and I love singing this around the house and weirding our parents out--they take it literally and we don't even have a garage.
In the garage, I feel safe | |
el scorcho (pinkerton, 1996)
At first this song may seem weird and unlike any love song you've ever heard, but it has so many great lyrics and a nice relatable message as well. Rivers likes this girl and can't really talk to her because he's shy, then realizes that maybe she feels the same way but is also just as scared as he is to make a move. I think that sort of thing probably happens with a lot of relationships. We're all afraid because we don't know how the other person feels, so we do nothing. The chorus is amazing to me because he's putting all of his feelings and words into this song even if he thinks he's unable to tell her how he feels. He can't talk about his feelings directly, but he feels more comfortable writing and singing about them. I have similar social anxieties, so that's where I really connect with Rivers. Ugh, I love this song and the melody and singing it dramatically when I'm alone hahaha.
| I'm a lot like you so please, hello, I'm here, I'm waiting |
falling for you (pinkerton, 1996)
In this song, Rivers expresses his fears about falling in love and commitment because he worries that the relationship could end--and not well. Again, Rivers portrays himself as a terrible musician when he says "I can't believe how bad I suck" and "What could you possibly see in little ol' 3-chord me?", which further shows his lack of confidence in his musicianship, as if that's the only quality about him that matters. By the end of the song, he sees himself as "the lucky one" with her in his life. Also, the tune of the line about settling down reminds me of the Beatles a bit, so that's cool.
And I do like you - you're the lucky one | |
fall together (maladroit, 2002)
This was the first Weezer song that turned my attention to the music rather than the lyrics. I'm not really sure what the lyrics mean and there are very few anyway, but the sound is insane. It begins with this nice drum beat and then this crazy riff kicks in that blows me away every time. For some reason, I always loved blasting this one on my way home from college every weekend last semester. It's just loud and victorious and makes me feel awesome, I dunno haha.
| Anytime you want me baby |
the damage in your heart (make believe, 2005)
In this one, Rivers is trying to apologize (in a way) to a girl he hurt. He says "one more tear falling down your face doesn't mean that much to the world", but wants her to know that he cares, which is obviously why he wrote this song about it. It sounds like he said some words in the past that really hurt her and he sincerely can't tell her how much he regrets saying them. It's nice.
I can't tell you how the words have made me feel | |
my best friend (Make believe, 2005)
This might be one of my favorite songs of all time. And I love it, yes I do.
| There is no other one who can take your place |
pork and beans (red album, 2008)
Look--I know I said I wouldn't have any popular singles on this list, but I can't not include this one in my personal favorites. It's a response to the band's record company after they said Weezer should make more commercial music (how ironic). It's the ultimate message to everyone that being "cool" shouldn't be your main focus. There's nothing to prove because you are already good enough just as you are and you shouldn't have to change for anyone. Weezer is not a sell-out band. They're gonna do what they want, wear what they want, make what music they want, and if they don't make it to number one on the music charts, "I don't care, I don't care, I don't caaare". The only thing that matters is that they make music that connects with them and others, whether they sell 100 albums or 17 million (which is actually how many they've sold worldwide, proving that their alternative jams and quirky lyrics can attract all kinds of people). This song is relatable and fun and sarcastic and Weezer is a great band with or without commercial success.
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside | |
put me back together (raditude, 2009)
In this song, Rivers has gone through a break up and doesn't really know what to do on his own. He admits that he's not getting any better without her and wants to make it right again, implying that he was the one who mistakenly ended the relationship in the first place. Without her, he remembers that she was one of the only constants in his life, always being there to help him when he fell. I like how it starts off quiet and gets louder, adding more instruments.
| When I fall down, you put me back together |
love is the answer (raditude, 2009)
Ahhh! This song is so pretty and very different for Weezer. They brought in classically-trained Indian singer Amrita Sen to record some vocals in Hindi and they are beautiful. One of the Hindi verses can be loosely translated as "There will come a day when love will reign. Where there is love, life flourishes." I love the Hindi vocals, I love the sitar, I love this song, I love Weezer, and I love love.
You're going to find your happiness inside | |
the prettiest girl in the whole wide world (raditude deluxe version, 2009)
This one was my favorite for a while and I could not stop listening to it. It's one of the sweetest and simplest songs I've ever heard. I just really like Raditude as a whole, which is funny I guess, since the album apparently has a lot of mixed reviews from fans.
| I've never been so happy |
trampoline (death to false metal, 2010)
I started listening to this song recently and I'm still trying to figure out what the lyrics mean, but I really like the guitar work and the super catchy tune.
You're on my mind | |
Lonely girl (everything will be alright in the end, 2014)
Can I relate? Yes I can, thanks Rivers. "Give it a try, you're not gonna die".
| I know you're scared |
da vinci (everything will be alright in the end, 2014)
Here Rivers goes again, with his relatable inability to articulate his thoughts about this girl he likes and yet he still does it perfectly in a song. He thinks that not even one of the greatest artists could paint, not even the most respected physicist could explain, not even the best language translator in the world could help anyone understand the beauty that is her. Rivers thinks that his attempts at writing a novel about her are not enough, but obviously putting it all in a song sure is. It's charming.
Everything will be alright | |
Wind in our sail (white album, 2016)
This is my favorite song from the White Album. It has interesting references to the band's past, historical scientific discoveries, poetry, and Greek mythology that I won't get into explaining. However, I did want to say that the albatross around the neck symbolizes a bad omen or a burden, which I think is an interesting part to the song. It's saying that despite carrying burdens with us everywhere, we can still move toward greatness and even achieve it. We have the wind in our sail, we can do anything--it's empowering. Rivers is an extremely smart and talented songwriter although some people may not see it or believe it.
| We can do so many great things together |
King of the world (white album, 2016)
GAH! Rivers wrote this one for/about his wife, Kyoko, and it's all true. She grew up with a lot of fears and sadness that she's always been ashamed of, so he wrote this song as a way of saying that he'll be there for her through everything. When Rivers wrote the line, "You can tell me everything and we'll ride on that wave", Kyoko's response was, "It’s very reassuring. It’s really nice to hear that. You already told me that I can tell you everything because you won’t be affected in the way that I was affected. So it’s nice to know that I have somebody to share with. You’re the first person I confided [in]". Rivers said later: "I love her words and the way she appreciates my lyrics about my support, especially after being married so long. To see that – her reaction to my song – makes me really happy and glad that we have each other". So sweet.
If I was king of the world, you’d be my girl | |
Honorable mentions:
Say It Ain't So (Blue Album)
Butterfly (Pinkerton)
Devotion (Pinkerton Deluxe Version)
Tripping Down the Freeway (Raditude)
Say It Ain't So (Blue Album)
Butterfly (Pinkerton)
Devotion (Pinkerton Deluxe Version)
Tripping Down the Freeway (Raditude)
Weezer has been around for over 20 years and is still making great music (yay!). They're already working on a new album that might come out next year! I had heard many of their more popular songs but never really knew who they were until about two years ago, when I started listening to the rest of their discography. In doing so, I quickly found myself being able to relate to Rivers Cuomo. He's such an interesting and strange man with amazing songwriting methods. And after finding out just how incredible the band is, they're now my third favorite, right after The Avett Brothers and twenty one pilots.
A lot of people think they are just a bunch of old guys trying too hard to change and relate to a younger audience, but that's ridiculous. Band members age, bands change. They do what they want, how they want. Don't make this another "Pork and Beans" moment. Weezer's music has been changing since their debut album. Each one of their albums has a distinct sound but each also continues to stay cohesive, interesting, and fresh. I think Weezer has always had plenty of amazing songs, and always will.
Even though I almost know for sure their set list will be composed of popular singles (sad), I am extremely excited to see them perform live.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think :)
~Say Love <3
A lot of people think they are just a bunch of old guys trying too hard to change and relate to a younger audience, but that's ridiculous. Band members age, bands change. They do what they want, how they want. Don't make this another "Pork and Beans" moment. Weezer's music has been changing since their debut album. Each one of their albums has a distinct sound but each also continues to stay cohesive, interesting, and fresh. I think Weezer has always had plenty of amazing songs, and always will.
Even though I almost know for sure their set list will be composed of popular singles (sad), I am extremely excited to see them perform live.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think :)
~Say Love <3