by George Yiallouros ’20

 The grunge era was a great example of producing hard pounding but depressing melodies that resonated with many teens and adults alike.  Then Kurt Cobain died in 1994. Suddenly all the sad undertones of grunge just felt too real and too close to home. Everyone wanted to ignore all the melancholy things for a while and just be happy for a change.   

On May 10, 1994, Weezer released their self titled debut “Weezer” which people have now dubbed the “Blue” album.  The album had a ton of radio presence with singles like “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So,” which led to Weezer immediately becoming a household name after their first album.  People loved how Weezer made goofy and cheery songs to sing along to, while also being catchy enough to remember the words after just one listen.

Weezer released the album’s first single, “Undone (The Sweater Song),”On June 24.  “Undone” encompassed the ability Weezer had to write meaningful songs while also fitting their goofy humor in there for good measure.  While talking about the feeling of unraveling, Weezer uses a metaphor with destruction as a sweater and “Superman Skivvies” which… well you can see how people believed they were pretty goofy.

Weezer released a second single titled “Buddy Holly,” which also blew up and most people would know Weezer for that song today.  However skipping that single and going straight to the third single “Say It Ain’t So.” Which may be the best in this class album of the 90’s alternative era. Released on July 15 1995, over a year after the album’s initial release, the song talks about teenage despair, alcoholism, and that a family apart.  “Say It Ain’t So” was Weezer showing that they were more than just goofy kids and that they are people just like the rest of us, with their own problems and such. This is Weezer at their best, on their first album no less.