Why Bother?

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"Why Bother?"
Why Bother? cover
Album track by Weezer
Album Pinkerton
Released September 24, 1996
Recorded August 27, 1995 at Electric Lady Studios (NYC), September 1995 at Fort Apache
Length 2:08
Label Geffen
Writer(s) Rivers Cuomo
RC# 184
COR# N/A
Producer(s) Weezer
Status Released
Pinkerton track listing
"No Other One"
(3)
"Why Bother?"
(4)
"Across the Sea"
(5)
Rivers Cuomo song chronology
"Devotion"
(RC# 183)
"Why Bother?"
(RC# 184)
"I'm Lonely on a Saturday Night"
(RC# 185)

"Why Bother?" is the fourth track on Pinkerton.

Appearances

Overview

"Why Bother?" was written and demoed by Rivers Cuomo in early 1994, months prior to the release of The Blue Album. Initial pressings of Pinkerton feature a sticker on the shrink wrap listing "Why Bother?" as an included track. It is unknown if this suggests that the song was considered for release as a single release at some point. Alongside "El Scorcho," it is one of two Pinkerton tracks to feature a guitar solo played by Brian Bell.

Live versions

A live version recorded during the Enlightenment Tour in 2002 was released as the lead track on a 2003 double 7" compilation To Benefit Petra Haden, alongside AM Radio, Phantom Planet, and Ben Kweller. The record set was released as a benefit to help cover medical bills for That Dog's Petra Haden, a longtime friend of the band who had recently been in a serious car accident.

In 2005 and for a few years after, "Why Bother?" was typically performed with guitarist Brian Bell singing lead vocals. One such recording from 2005 was included on the Japanese Red Album bonus DVD in 2008. The lyrics "So I'd rather keep wackin'," are sung by Bell as "You better start packin'." Eventually, in 2009, Cuomo would resume lead vocals on the song. Another live version, recorded in Tribeca at the PC Richard and Son Theater, was released on the 2010 EP Raditude ...Happy Record Store Day!.

Black Hole connection

"Why Bother?" was considered for inclusion at some point during the writing of the scrapped concept album Songs from the Black Hole. An early draft slots it in towards the end of the story. "Why Bother?" was included in the "Longtime Sunshine" coda, first released on the Deluxe Edition of Pinkerton.

Known recordings

Performer(s) Title Filename Date of recording Recording location Length Appeared on Notes
Rivers Cuomo Why Bother? 20 Why Bother.mp3 January 1994[1] 2:30 Alone IV: The Blue-Pinkerton Years
Weezer Why Bother? August 28, 1995[2] Electric Lady Studios, New York City, NY
Weezer Why Bother? September 1995[2] Fort Apache Studios, Boston, MA 2:11 Leaked online
Weezer Why Bother? 19951996 2:06 Pinkerton
Weezer Why Bother? August 23, 1996 Reading Festival, Reading, England, United Kingdom 2:18 Pinkerton (Deluxe Edition)
Weezer Why Bother? July 29, 2002 HiFi Buy Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA 2:58 To Benefit Petra Haden
Weezer Why Bother? December 20, 2005 Studio Coast, Tokyo, Japan Brian Bell on lead vocals
Weezer Why Bother? 2008 2:11 Sessions@AOL (2008) (web video) Brian Bell on lead vocals
Weezer Why Bother? October 28, 2009 PC Richard & Son Theater, New York, NY 2:19 Raditude ...Happy Record Store Day!
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Personnel

Audio/video

Album versions

Notable live versions

Lyrics

Why-Bother-lyrics.jpg

Album Version

I know I should get next to you
You got a look that made me think you're cool
But it's just sexual attraction
Not somethin' real so I'd rather keep wackin'

Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
It's gonna kill when you desert me
This happened to me twice before
It won't happen to me anymore

I've known a lot of girls before
What's the harm in knowin' one more?
Maybe we could even get together
Maybe you could break my heart next summer

Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
It's gonna kill when you desert me
This happened to me twice before
It won't happen to me anymore

It's a crying shame I'm all alone
Not with you, nor her, nor anyone
Won't you knock me on my head
Crack it open let me outta here

Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
It's gonna kill when you desert me
This happened to me twice before
It won't happen to me anymore

(Why bother?) Why bother?
(It's gonna hurt me) It's gonna hurt me
(It's gonna kill when) Why bother?
(You desert me) It's gonna hurt me
(Why bother?) Why bother?
(It's gonna hurt me) It's gonna hurt me
Why Bother?
It's gonna hurt me

Rivers Cuomo demo

I know I should get next to you
You got a look that makes me think you're cool
I know it's not just sexual attraction
It's somethin' real that I know I'm lackin'

Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
It's gonna kill when you desert me
This happened to me twice before
It won't happen to me anymore

I've known a lot of girls before
What's the harm in knowin' one more?
Maybe even we could get together
Maybe you could break my heart next summer

Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
It's gonna kill when you desert me
This happened to me twice before
Won't happen to me anymore

It's a crying shame I can't talk to you
It's not a matter of fear I've done it once baby
Won't you knock me on my head?
Crack it open let me outta here now

Don't bother
It's gonna hurt me
It's gonna kill when you desert me
Don't you bother
It's gonna hurt me
It's gonna kill when you desert me
This happened to me twice before
It won't happen to me anymore

Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
Why bother?
It's gonna hurt me
Why bother?
You're gonna hurt me

See also

External Links

Teenage Victory Songs entry for "Why Bother?"