Island in the Sun (Weezer song)

"Island in the Sun" is a song by the American rock band Weezer. It is the second single from the band's second self-titled album Weezer, released in 2001. "Island in the Sun" was not originally planned to be on the album, but producer Ric Ocasek fought for its inclusion. It was a successful radio single and perhaps the band's biggest hit ever outside of the United States, reaching No. 31 in the UK and No. 17 in France. In January 2002, the Australian Triple J Hottest 100 ranked the song 7 in its 2001 countdown.[1] "Island in the Sun" is also the most-licensed track in the Weezer catalog.[2] In 2009, Pitchfork named it the 495th greatest song of the 2000s.[3]

For the other songs of the same name, see Island in the Sun (Harry Belafonte song) and Postcards from Paradise.
"Island in the Sun"
Single by Weezer
from the album Weezer (Green Album)
B-side
  • "Oh, Lisa"
  • "Always"
  • "Sugar Booger"
  • "Brightening Day"
ReleasedAugust 28, 2001
RecordedDecember 2000
StudioCello Studios, Los Angeles
Genre
Length3:20
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)Rivers Cuomo
Producer(s)Ric Ocasek
Weezer singles chronology
"Hash Pipe"
(2001)		 "Island in the Sun"
(2001)		 "Photograph"
(2001)
Alternative cover
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Island In The Sun" on YouTube
"Island In The Sun (Spike Jonze version)" on YouTube

In late 2001, the band reworked the song's solo for their live show. In 2005, lead singer 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.

The song is much lighter than the album's first single, "Hash Pipe." It is also a bonus track on some versions of Weezer's next album, Maladroit.

Composition

"Island in the Sun" is an alternative rock[4] and power pop song[5] that is about three minutes and twenty seconds.[6] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Music, it is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderate tempo of 116 beats per minute.[6] "Island in the Sun" is composed in the key of G major, while Rivers Cuomo's vocal range spans one octave and two notes, from the low-note of E4 to the high-note of G5.[6]

Reception

Melissa Bobbitt at About.com ranked "Island in the Sun" as the 12th best Weezer song, saying it "exemplified a relaxed Southern California spirit".[7] It was named as one of the 12 best post-Pinkerton Weezer songs by The A.V. Club, where they refer to it as "...a reminder that Cuomo really does deserve Brian Wilson comparisons for reasons beyond being a hermetic weirdo with a solid grasp of pop songcraft".[8] Emily Tartanella of Magnet considers it the most overrated Weezer song, stating it should be "retired" from commercials and radio stations. Tartanella describes it as "so laid back it's practically catatonic".[9]

Music videos

There are two different videos for "Island in the Sun".

Version 1: Mexican wedding

This video was directed by Marcos Siega. It shows Weezer playing the song at a Mexican couple's wedding reception and features all four band members. The groom in the video is played by actor/singer Tony Gracia.

Version 2: Animals

This video was directed by Spike Jonze. It 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 bassist Mikey Welsh had left the band shortly before shooting.

Jonze's version was given much wider play on MTV, and as a result it became the much better-known version. However, Siega's version is the one available for download on iTunes.

Track list
Radio-only promo CD
No.TitleLength
1."Island in the Sun"3:20
UK CD1
No.TitleLength
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.TitleLength
1."Island in the Sun"3:20
2."Sugar Booger"3:40
3."Brightening Day"2:11
UK 7" (yellow vinyl)
No.TitleLength
1."Island in the Sun"3:20
2."Always"2:05
Japan CD
No.TitleLength
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, and the correct mix (2:48) was released as an MP3 on the band's website.

Charts

Weekly charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Silver 200,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References
  1. "hottest 100 2001". Triple J Hottest 100. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  2. "Island In The Sun by Weezer". Songfacts. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  3. "The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s: 500-201". Pitchfork. August 17, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Weezer – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 22, 2014. such songs like "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun" became radio and MTV staples, reestablishing Weezer as one of alt-rock's top dogs.
  5. "Interviews – Guitar Center: Weezer". Guitar Center. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016.
  6. "Island in the Sun by Weezer - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.net. Hal Leonard Music Publishing. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  7. "Top 13 Weezer Songs". About.com. June 11, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  8. Adams, Erik (December 1, 2009). "Don't let go: 12 great Weezer songs after Pinkerton". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010.
  9. Tartanella, Emily (June 30, 2009). "The Over/Under: Weezer". Magnet. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  10. "The ARIA Report - WEEK COMMENCING: 14th January 2002 Issue No: 620" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  11. "Ultratop.be – Weezer – Island In The Sun" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  12. "Lescharts.com – Weezer – Island In The Sun" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  13. "Charts.nz – Weezer – Island In The Sun". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  14. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  16. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  17. "Weezer Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  18. "Weezer Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  19. "Weezer Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  20. "Weezer Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  21. "Weezer Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  22. "Weezer Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  23. "Tops de L'année – Top Singles 2002" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  24. "British single certifications – Weezer – Island in the Sun". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
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