25 essential Weezer songs

As The Blue Album turns 25, we take a look at some key entries in Weezer's discography

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25 essential Weezer songs
Weezer Photo: Chelsea Lauren

When Weezer released their eponymous debut album back in May of 1994, few would’ve predicted that they would remain near the center of rock culture for the next three decades. Weezer—now commonly called “The Blue Album,” thanks to a proliferation of color-coded self-titled albums the group has released over the years— seemed very much the product of its time. Rife with pop culture references and maximizing the quiet-loud-quiet structure popularized by Pixies, the album also had deep roots in pop and metal, genres leader Rivers Cuomo would continue to explore over the years, accompanied by his faithful drummer Patrick Wilson, guitarist Brian Bell, and bassist Scott Shriner, who wound up replacing original member Matt Sharp once Weezer mounted a comeback early in the 2000s.

Weezer is still an active band, taking the time to explore new musical territory, as on 2021's baroque OK Human. Still, the band’s core catalog remains forged in the 1990s and 2000s, when the band dominated modern rock radio with songs that were simultaneously catchy, funny, and emotional. The 30th anniversary of The Blue Album allows us to take a look at 25 songs that explain why Weezer has proved unexpectedly enduring.

previous arrow24. “Perfect Situation” (2005) next arrow
Weezer - Perfect Situation (With Intro)

One of the highlights from the slightly overcooked Make Believe, “Perfect Situation” keeps the focus on Weezer’s eternal strengths: heavy guitars and heavy hooks in service of heavy self-loathing. The titular situation isn’t a sign of bliss: it refers to Cuomo mourning the relationship he let go down the drain. From a certain angle, the big melody and riffs can camouflage this anguish but they never quite erase it.

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