BY: LILLY GOODMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Graphic made by Joseph DeBell
Few bands have managed to seize the essence of surf rock quite like Weezer. With their unique blend of geek rock, catchy hooks and unmistakable guitar riffs, the band has earned a devoted fan base since their 1994 debut.
5.)“El Scorcho”
From Weezer’s “Pinkerton” LP, this song doesn’t overstay its visit. The song starts with a simply lazy guitar riff before the lyrics start. Halfway through the track, the tempo speeds up, throwing the listener for a 25-second curveball before slowing back to its original tempo.
4.) “Undone (The Sweater Song)”
The song opens with dialogue clips from a ‘90s rock show after party, infusing party elements into the track. Cuomo narrates the destruction of his favorite sweater at this event. Early performances of this song led fans to refer to the song as “The Sweater Song,” provoking Cuomo to include that reference into the song’s title.
3.) “Buddy Holly”
With the classic guitar riff near the song’s end, this is easily the band’s most unmistakable song. Frontman Rivers Cuomo lyrically writes humor between the audience and the band, poking fun at his glasses and their similarity to Buddy Holly’s.
2.) “Say it Ain’t So”
With roughly 540 million streams on Spotify, this track’s lyrics depict a common theme in Weezer’s music: party scene infusions. “Say it Ain’t So” acts as a second act to the geek-rock sound of tracks like “Buddy Holly.”
1.) “Island in the Sun”
This is likely the song that comes to mind when people hear the name Weezer. With a tropical vibe that sends the listener to the sunny shores of Los Angeles, this track leans more towards Weezer’s surf-rock aesthetic rather than their geek-rock sound.
Listeners hungry for a surf and geek-rock sound should consider some of the B-side tracks from Weezer’s self-titled debut album. “Only in Dreams” is historically their longest song, but is certainly worthwhile. Falling just one second short of eight minutes, this track features a catchy baseline, light lyrics and an electrifying guitar solo. “Surf Wax America” sounds like what is depicted in the song’s title. With Beach Boys influenced harmonies and a tropical vibe highlight, listeners who enjoyed the band’s number-one hit will likely enjoy this song. Like “Buddy Holly,” “In the Garage” is most likely to fit the geek rock genre. The lyrics and alternative rock backing track paint a picture of a ‘90s teenager’s lifestyle, referencing “Dungeons and Dragons” — a popular 1990s game — and describing posters on the walls of a bedroom. Natives in the Buffalo area also might enjoy Weezer’s “In the Mall ” track, which is written about the Eastern Hills Mall in Williamsville, New York. Drummer Patrick Wilson, born in Buffalo, was a powerful influence on the song’s history, rooted in the local area.
Selling out the majority of their shows on their 2024 “The Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour,” Weezer’s self-titled debut “Blue Album” has outlasted fleeting trends. If listeners enjoy the top five Weezer songs, their “Blue Album” serves as the gateway to their music, with three out of the top five belonging to that album. These top five tracks characterize their career and highlight the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their signature sound. Whether you are a longtime fan or just peeking into their music, these songs prove why Weezer has been a staple in the rock community for 30 years.
goodmaln24@bonaventure.edu
