"Island in the Sun" is a song by American alternative rock band Weezer. It is the second single from the band's album, The Green Album. "Island in the Sun" was not originally planned to be on the album, yet producer Ric Ocasek fought for the song and it ended up on the final product. It was a successful radio single and perhaps the band's biggest hit ever outside of the United States, reaching the Top 40 in the UK at number 31, the Top 20 in France at number 17, and Triple J Hottest 100 in Australia at number 7.[1] "Island in the Sun" is also the most-licensed track in the Weezer catalog.[2] Pitchfork Media named it the 495th greatest song of the 2000s.[3]
In late 2001, the band reworked the song's solo for their live show. In 2005, Rivers Cuomo would often open the band's encore by playing "Island in the Sun" alone on an acoustic guitar in the back of the venue they were playing. On some nights, he would crowd surf back up the stage.[citation needed]
This song is much lighter than their previous, darker single "Hash Pipe". The song is also a bonus track on some versions of Maladroit.
Music videos [edit]
There are two different videos for the Weezer song.
Version 1: Mexican wedding [edit]
Directed by Marcos Siega.
This video shows Weezer playing the song at a Mexican couple's wedding reception and features all four band members. This version remains the more obscure of the two, receiving less airplay than the second, though it is the version available for download on iTunes. The groom in the video is SAG/AFTRA actor/singer Tony Gracia.
Version 2: Animals [edit]
Directed by Spike Jonze.
This video features Weezer playing with various wild animals on a supposedly remote hill (though it was actually filmed a short distance outside of Los Angeles, thought to be in the hills near Simi Valley). Only Brian Bell, Rivers Cuomo, and Pat Wilson appear in this video, as then bassist Mikey Welsh had left the band shortly before shooting. It is also rumored that original bassist Matt Sharp was approached to be in the video, though it is unclear if the offer was ever actually made. The executives at MTV disliked Siega's video because they believed many white american Weezer fans would be angry for showing happy Mexican people united in US territory, prompting the band to film Jonze's take.[citation needed] As a result, "Island in the Sun (Version Two)" had much wider play than the first version, and has become the standard video for the song.
Tracklist [edit]
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| 1. |
"Island in the Sun" |
3:20 |
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| 1. |
"Island in the Sun" |
3:20 |
| 2. |
"Oh Lisa" |
2:45 |
| 3. |
"Always" |
2:05 |
| 4. |
"Island in the Sun" (CD-ROM video) |
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| 1. |
"Island in the Sun" |
3:20 |
| 2. |
"Sugar Booger" |
3:40 |
| 3. |
"Brightening Day" |
2:11 |
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| 1. |
"Island in the Sun" |
3:20 |
| 2. |
"Always" |
2:05 |
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| 1. |
"Island in the Sun" |
3:20 |
| 2. |
"Teenage Victory Song" |
3:05 |
| 3. |
"Starlight" |
3:19 |
An erroneous short mix of "Always" ended up on the singles, the correct mix (2:48) was released as an mp3 on the band's website.
Musical analysis [edit]
This song is written in the key of G Major. The 4 chords that are used throughout the majority of the song are Em (vi), Am (ii), D (V), and G (I). The bass riff is applauded for its glissando at the beginning of the song before all the instruments come in and its main riff throughout the verses.
Appearances in the media [edit]
- In 2001, the song was used as the theme song to the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen film, Holiday in the Sun.
- In 2001, the song was used in the romantic comedy film, Serendipity.
- In 2002, the song was used in the comedy film, Mr. Deeds
- In 2002, the song was played in the last scene of the series finale of Spin City.
- In 2003, the song was added on the TV show, Smallville's first soundtrack.
- In 2004, the song was used in PBS Kids GO! advertisements.
- In 2006, Emma Roberts covered the song for the soundtrack of Aquamarine.
- In 2006, the song was played in The Simpsons seventeenth season episode The Wettest Stories Ever Told.
- In the movie, Out Cold, the song is played several times.
- The song was released as downloadable content for the Rock Band series on September 13th, 2011, as part of the Weezer Pack 04
- The song was played in an episode of Countryfile in 2012.
- In 2009, the song was covered by American Pop Band Selena Gomez & the Scene on their A Year Without Rain Tour
Charts [edit]
References [edit]
External links [edit]
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| Studio albums |
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| EPs |
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| DVD |
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| Singles |
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| Other songs |
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| Related |
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