In the Mall: Difference between revisions

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"'''In the Mall'''" is track nine on [[Weezer]]'s 2009 album ''[[Raditude]]''.
"'''In the Mall'''" is the ninth track on [[Weezer]]'s 2009 album ''[[Raditude]]''.
===Appearances===
===Appearances===
*''[[Raditude]]'' - (2009)
*''[[Raditude]]'' - (2009)


==Overview==
==Overview==
In the Mall song was written by drummer [[Patrick Wilson]]. The existence of this song was made known to fans through the digital program guide for KROQ's Weenie Roast, which Weezer was headlining. Wilson jokingly referred to the song as his "favorite song of 2009." Often jokingly, In the Mall has been compared to [[In the Garage]] from Weezer's [[The Blue Album]].
"In the Mall" was written by drummer [[Patrick Wilson]]. The existence of this song was made known to fans through the digital program guide for KROQ's Weenie Roast, which Weezer was headlining. Wilson jokingly referred to the song as his "favorite song of 2009."  


The mall being referenced in the song is The Eastern Hills Mall, as told in the mall employee voiceover right before the solo. It is located in Williamsville, NY which is a suburb of Buffalo and in the neighborhood in which Wilson grew up. It can be assumed that this mall was a popular hang out for Wilson in his youth.
The guitar solo, played by Wilson, makes musical reference to Alex Lifeson's solo from [[Rush]]'s "Tom Sawyer".  Wilson has been noted as an admirer of Rush and their 1982 album ''Moving Pictures'' in which "Tom Sawyer" originally appears. The song may have been referenced due to its popularity around the time of Pat's mall-going youth. An earlier mix of the song contains a different solo, which musically references the guitar solo from Journey's 1981 hit "Don't Stop Believin'."


The guitar solo, played by Wilson, makes musical reference to Alex Lifeson's solo from [[Rush]]'s "Tom Sawyer". Wilson has been noted as an admirer of Rush - at least in his youth - and the original Rush album that "Tom Sawyer" appears on (1982's ''Moving Pictures'') would have been popular around the time of Pat's mall-going youth.
===Meaning===
In a band commentary on the album, Wilson stated, "I actually wrote that song and Rivers was cool enough to sing it. It's kind of about thinking back to when I was a younger kid and that was the goal of the day: Go to the mall." [http://video.teen.com/music/weezer-liner-notes/] He elaborated on this further on the [[allthingsweezer]] message board on September 18, 2011 by posting the following:


===Band Commentary===
<blockquote>Ah, In The Mall
'''Pat:''' I actually wrote that song and Rivers was cool enough to sing it. It's kind of about thinking back to when I was a younger kid and that was the goal of the day: Go to the mall. [http://video.teen.com/music/weezer-liner-notes/]
Let me paint a clearer picture.
It's 1986, you live in a suburb of Buffalo and the mall is literally the least bleak place you can go. It's cold and grey, you smoke weed and play arcade games. However as a child the mall was magic, endless shit you thought was amazing but could not buy and hot pretzels to boot. But now it's just a place to be a dirtbag with no future because you can't fit in to any part of social life without getting into trouble. The song is a lament.
It was a mistake to have it be on a =w= album and to have Rivers sing it. Life can be very confusing sometimes and I am sorry it has caused the faithful anguish. Maybe someday there will be a version that makes more sense.</blockquote>


==Reception==
The mall being referenced in the song is The Eastern Hills Mall, as told in the mall employee voiceover (performed by Cuomo and then sped up) right before the solo. It is located in Williamsville, NY which is a suburb of Buffalo and in the neighborhood in which Wilson grew up.
Fan reactions to In the Mall have been generally negative. It is criticized heavily for its lyrical content, and is often pegged as one of the worst songs on ''Raditude''. Pat has even distanced himself from the version featured on ''Raditude'', saying that "it was a mistake to have it be on a =w= album and to have Rivers sing it", and that "maybe someday there will be a version that makes more sense."


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
*[[Rivers Cuomo]] – lead vocals, Guitar
*[[Rivers Cuomo]] – lead vocals
*[[Patrick Wilson]] – percussion, lead guitar
*[[Patrick Wilson]] – percussion, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, backing vocals
*[[Brian Bell]] – rhythm guitar, plastic recorder, Backing vocals
*[[Brian Bell]] – rhythm guitar, plastic recorder
*[[Scott Shriner]] – bass guitar, Backing vocals
*[[Scott Shriner]] – bass guitar
*[[Jacknife Lee]] - producer
*[[Jacknife Lee]] - producer


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