The definitive Weezer playlist

Those in the know are familiar with the fact that Weezer has released several self-titled albums. and this is one of two commercial hits from the band's 2001 third album — referred to as the "Green Album." "Island in the Sun" is a rather mellow pop number that has listeners longing for some time spent in a warm location, preferably a beach. The tune proved to be quite successful in the United Kingdom, where the single cracked the top 40. 

From Weezer's fourth album Maladroit (2002), "Burndt Jamb" was never released as an official single, but as far as deep cuts go, it's certainly one of the band's best. The highlight of the song is the exceptional, distorted guitar work from frontman Rivers Cuomo, while fellow guitarist Brian Bell is also strong. It has an almost grunge feel, too, which makes for one of Weezer's more unique offerings.

The lead single from 2005's Make Believe, "Beverly Hills" cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, earned Weezer its first Grammy Award nomination, and its music video enjoyed plenty of views (with a cameo from Hugh Hefner and The Girls Next Door) back when MTV was still about the music. Cuomo claims the song is about marrying a celebrity and living in the posh Los Angeles area. Of course, some fans and media types that was a jab at the aura of Beverly Hills. Regardless, it's one of Weezer's most accessible tracks.

The follow-up to Weezer's stellar debut (a.k.a. the "Blue Album)," Pinkerton (1996) is nothing like the rollicking, almost free-spirited aura of Weezer's first record. While the record never lived up to the commercial and critical success of the first album, Pinkerton has rallied over the years to earn respect — thanks to deep cuts like "Across the Sea." It wasn't released as a single, but "Across the Sea" has long been a favorite with Weezer die-hards. It's one of Cuomo's more emotional tracks, hitting on his frustration with love and feeling isolated while studying at Harvard.

Sticking with Pinkerton, we'll go with "The Good Life" here. It might be an acquired taste, as it struggled to please critics and fans at the time. Cuomo was dealing with a leg injury when he wrote the song, and he felt a longing for things to go back to normal. Well, as normal as they can get in his world. Much like Pinkerton as a collective, "The Good Life" should be appreciated for what it is: an alternative rock performance that is catchy enough to keep us interested and actually really well done if we pay attention.

This is our first dive into Weezer's highly acclaimed debut album. It sold more than 15 million copies internationally, and "Buddy Holly," one of its signature songs, reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track is a fun power-pop/alternative rock track. Somewhat of a tribute to 1950s rock and pop culture nostalgia, with a reference to Mary Tyler Moore. However, it was the group's creatively original, Spike Jonze-directed, Happy Days-themed music video that took its popularity to the next level. In 1995, it won four times at the MTV Video Music Awards — and just might be one of the best music videos of all time.

Keeping with the "Blue Album," "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" is apparently somewhat conceptual, at least within the realm of Weezer lore, as the second part to "No One Else" — the tune which precedes it on the record. Regardless of the backstory, it's a song about jealously within a relationship, where the main character isn't really that likable due to his unsavory trait. It's also one of three tracks on the original release of the album co-written by drummer Patrick Wilson.

Weezer's 2019 self-titled "Teal Album" was filled with cover songs, notably from the 1980s. At the forefront of the collection is this Toto classic. Prior, the band released another Toto favorite, "Rosanna." After a 14-year-old Twitter fan of the band requested "Africa," the band eventually obliged. The song cracked the Hot 100 (No. 51) — the first entry by the band since 2009 — while enjoying massive streaming success. Thanks to a teenage admirer and Weezer's simply stellar cover, a new generation of music fans were able to "bless the rains down in Africa." 

Of all the notable and celebrated songs in Weezer's catalog, this is the only one to win a Grammy Award. From 2008's self-titled record that's better known as the "Red Album," "Pork and Beans" won the Grammy for Best Music Video. Sure, the video is quirky — complete with a host of then-YouTube stars like Michael Scott and Tay Zonday. It's basically one big YouTube video, but the song is actually strong enough to stand on its own without the visual accompaniment.

The other notable track from the "Green Album," "Hash Pipe" isn't nearly as breezy as "Island in the Sun." After all, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo wrote it while reportedly taking prescription drugs and pounding tequila. It's also a song that certainly shows Weezer's heavy metal influence.

The result if the Beach Boys turned punk? Well, who knows? But "Surf Wax America" certainly has that Southern California beach vibe sound (complete with some harmonic moments), but with an extremely faster pace (and plenty of good-time sarcastic lyrics from Cuomo) that makes it one of the harder tracks on the "Blue Album." Another song co-written by Patrick Wilson, who was responsible for most of the music. It also grew into a live favorite, closing sets back on those early Weezer tours. 

Arguably the most personal song in the Weezer catalog, as it's about Mykel and Carli Allen, two of the band's first true fans, before the group was anything close to relevant. The sisters were a source of inspiration and support for a band wondering if it was good enough to make it. The song was left off "Blue Album," but eventually found its way onto the Deluxe Edition. Sadly, Mykel and Carli, along with their sister Trysta, were killed in a car accident while returning from a Weezer show in 1997.

Everyone needs that safe space. When it came to Cuomo during the early days of the band, it was the band's garage rehearsal space. A true underrated moment from the "Blue Album," Cuomo spews about Dungeons & Dragons and feeling comfortable to play music without anybody listening. At heart, Cuomo is quite the introvert, but has a keen, although twisted, sense of observation. "In the Garage" is the Weezer star in his comfort zone.

The "Blue Album" opener, it was co-written by then-guitarist Jason Cropper (responsible for the opening and closing acoustic parts), who left the band before the release of the record. A song about Cuomo's brother's insurance issues following a car accident, "My Name is Jonas" pretty much sets the table for what to expect from a sound standpoint on the band's album. 

Also included on the second disc of the Deluxe Edition of the "Blue Album," yet, "Susanne" is probably best known for its inclusion at the end of Kevin Smith classic Mallrats. Another great example of the band's classic early work. Slightly alternative, refined punk that would fit right at home with the 120 Minutes crowd. As we've highlighted, and will again before this list is finished, some of Weezer's best music wasn't easily accessible back in the day, but well worth the effort to grab.

Originally a Weezer B-side, fans of 1990s' teen comedy-dramas might have been introduced to "You Gave Your Love To Me Softly" via the severely underrated soundtrack from the likely forgotten 1995 film Angus. It's straight forward power-pop punk, clocking in at just under two minutes but good enough to be celebrated more than it ever was over the years. The track was eventually included on the Deluxe Edition of Pinkerton, which made an already exceptional album simply superior. 

"Undone — The Sweater Song" essentially introduced Weezer to the mainstream as its first single. Though the tune failed to crack the top 40 — it peaked at No. 57 on the Hot 100 — it helped make the "Blue Album" one of the greatest debut records by any alternative band. Yet, there is a dark punk and serious heavy metal aura to the piece, showcasing why Weezer was a hit out the gate. Offering a unique sound, with witty lyrics, it seemed just what was needed in 1994, when the rock world was essentially at a crossroads.

While there's obviously plenty of pop punk — and a healthy dose of metal influence — that made up Weezer's legacy, it's really an alternative band. Think more Flaming Lips than Blink-182, though the Weezer guys have friendships with both groups. "Say It Ain't So" is an example of that. There's plenty of substance, from Cuomo's personal lyrics about the potential demise of another of his mother's marriages to the simple but rather brilliantly distorted guitar work. "The Sweater Song" might be the most recognizable track from Weezer's debut, but "Say It Ain't So" is truly the band at its best.

The mind of Rivers Cuomo is quite fascinating. Depending on who is doing the talking, the lead single from Pinkerton is a mish-mash of thoughts and observations Cuomo took in while feeling repressed during his time in the Ivy League. Pro wrestling, college essays, Madame Butterfly, and fast food hot sauce are reportedly just some of the things that inspired Cuomo to pen this gem. For all its lyrical goofiness, "El Scorcho" remains one of the band's most unique efforts.

Sure, the debate could get heated by putting this —  or really anything other than "The Sweater Song"  — atop of any Weezer "Best of ...." song list. But, like the Pinkerton album on which it resides, "Pink Triangle" is a criminally underrated alternative rock experience. It's more in-depth and personal than pop-punk offerings of the time — and completely genuine. It's about falling for a girl whom might be the one. The girl you want to bring home to mother and propose to one day. That is, until we find out she is a lesbian and a heart is broken. There are countless elements of emotion in Rivers Cuomo's lyrics, but the story and alternative crunch set "Pink Triangle," a long Weezer live favorite, apart from the rest.