Difference between revisions of "Island in the Sun"

Revision as of 21:30, 23 September 2016

"Island in the Sun" is the second single and fourth track from The Green Album.

Appearances

• Weezer (The Green Album)
• Island in the Sun (Radio Only Promo CD)
• Island in the Sun (UK Retail CD #1)
• Island in the Sun (UK Retail CD #2)
• Island in the Sun (UK Retail 7" (Yellow Vinyl)
• Island in the Sun (Japan Retail CD)
• Y100 Sonic Sessions Vol. 5 (Live)
• The Lion and the Witch (Live)
• Maladroit (Japan/UK Version)
• Smallville: The Talon Mix
• Beverly Hills (UK Retail CD) (Live)
• Make Believe (Japan/UK Version) (Live)
• Weezer (The Red Album) - Japan Deluxe Edition Bonus DVD (Live Video)
• Spotify Sessions (Live and Acoustic)
• Several Official Bootlegs (Live Version)

MP3 Previews

Source is www.LastFM.com unless otherwise stated

• Album version

Overview

"Island in the Sun" has proven to be one of Weezer's biggest hits, especially among the general public. It has been used in film, commercials, and even appeared in an episode of The Simpsons.

Rivers Cuomo wrote and first recorded a demo of the song in 1999. The original demo recording has circulated on the internet for several years.

Brian Bell originally heard the song when he went to Rivers' place at a time when he was writing all of his demo's names on the walls. The title instantly caught his attention, as did the song. On the audio commentary for the song's video on Video Capture Device, Brian has expressed that it "might be [his] favorite Weezer song."

The song went through a number of changes during the sessions for The Green Album, and in fact was, at one time, more of an upbeat rocker. This version can be heard during the documentary footage of the making of The Green Album on VCD. Remarked Karl Koch: "'Island in the Sun', the unusual song that has always taken the most time and effort to get right. Tom worked all day and the results were wonderful! It feels great to find the "answers" for that song and say 'wow, it's finished'."

The final Green recording has a very unique and clean production. It is also the first Weezer recording to be released that has a fade-out, rather than a definite ending. However, the band uses a proper ending for the song for the live performances.

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.

"Island in the Sun", along with "Hash Pipe", was performed during the band's first appearance on Saturday Night Live in May of 2001. Comedian Will Ferrell, who was a cast member at the time, joined the band on stage for the performance of "Island", adding maracas to the mix.

It is a favorite among fans and also very notable for Mikey Welsh's bass line before all the insruments come in.

Music video

There are two different videos for the Weezer song.

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. It is one of the two Weezer music videos which includes bassist Mikey Welsh.

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, which is 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.

Tracklist

Radio Only Promo CD

1. "Island in the Sun" - 3:20

Australian Retail CD

1. "Island in the Sun" - 3:20
2. "Oh Lisa" - 2:45
3. "Always" - 2:05
4. "Hash Pipe (Jimmy Pop Remix)" - 3:24
5. "Island in the Sun" (CD-ROM Video)

UK Retail CD #1

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 Retail CD #2

1. "Island in the Sun" - 3:20
2. "Sugar Booger" - 3:40
3. "Brightening Day" - 2:11

UK Retail 7" (Yellow Vinyl)

1. "Island in the Sun" - 3:20
2. "Always" - 2:05

Japan Retail CD

1. "Island in the Sun" - 3:20
2. "Teenage Victory Song" - 3:05
3. "Starlight" - 3:19

An erroneous short mix of "Always" was released on these singles. The correct mix (2:48) was released on a Los Angeles-area charity compilation, a French promo, and as an mp3 on the band's website.

Personnel

• Rivers Cuomo – lead guitar, lead vocals
• Patrick Wilson – percussion
• Brian Bell – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Mikey Welsh – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Ric Ocasek - producer

Lyrics

<lyrics>When you're on a holiday You can't find the words to say All the things that come to you And I wanna feel it too

On an island in the sun We'll be playing and having fun And it makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain

When you're on a golden sea You don't need no memory Just a place to call your own As we drift into the zone

We'll run away together We'll spend some time forever We'll never feel bad anymore

We'll never feel bad anymore No, no </lyrics>

See also

• List of Weezer songs

External links

• Teenage Victory Songs entry for "Island in the Sun"