Island in the Sun (song)

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"Island in the Sun"
Single by Weezer
from the album The Green Album
B-side "Oh Lisa"
"Always"
"Sugar Booger"
"Brightening Day"
Released August 28, 2001
Format CD, Vinyl
Recorded December 2000 at Cello Studios, Los Angeles
Genre Power pop, surf pop
Length 3:20
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Rivers Cuomo
Producer Ric Ocasek
Weezer singles chronology
"Hash Pipe"
(2001)
"Island in the Sun"
(2001)
"Photograph"
(2002)
Alternative cover

"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.

Contents

[edit] Music videos

There are two different videos for the Weezer song.

[edit] Version 1: Mexican Wedding

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.

[edit] Version 2: Animals

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, prompting the band to film Jonze's take. 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.

[edit] Tracklist

Radio-only promo CD
No. Title Length
1. "Island in the Sun"   3:20
UK CD1
No. Title Length
1. "Island in the Sun"   3:20
2. "Oh Lisa"   2:45
3. "Always"   2:05
4. "Island in the Sun" (CD-ROM video)  
UK CD2
No. Title Length
1. "Island in the Sun"   3:20
2. "Sugar Booger"   3:40
3. "Brightening Day"   2:11
UK 7" (yellow vinyl)
No. Title Length
1. "Island in the Sun"   3:20
2. "Always"   2:05
Japan CD
No. Title Length
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.

[edit] Musical analysis

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).

[edit] Appearances in the media

[edit] Charts

Year Chart Position
2001 Modern Rock Tracks (US) 11
2001 UK Singles Chart 31
2008 Hot Digital Songs 57
2001 Adult Top 40 (US) 33

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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