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| artist = [[Weezer]]
| artist = [[Weezer]]
| album = [[Weezer (Blue Album)|Weezer (The Blue Album)]]
| album = [[Weezer (Blue Album)|Weezer (The Blue Album)]]
| B-side = {{hlist|"Mykel & Carli"|"Susanne"|"My Evaline"}}
| B-side =
* "Holiday"
* "Mykel & Carli"
* "Susanne"
* "My Evaline"
| released = June 24, 1994
| released = 1994
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio = [[Electric Lady Studios|Electric Lady]] (New York City)
| studio = [[Electric Lady Studios|Electric Lady]] (New York City)
| venue =
| genre =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/08/100-best-alternative-rock-songs-1994-alt/f3n7l99dapf6k6me0ko6moo8e04/|title=100 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1994|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>|[[emo]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/best-weezer-songs-2127871 |title=Weezer's 10 best songs |work=[[NME]] |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>}}
* [[Alternative rock]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/08/100-best-alternative-rock-songs-1994-alt/f3n7l99dapf6k6me0ko6moo8e04/|title=100 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1994|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Maginnis"/><ref name="Cuomo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0195279|title=Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Sheet Music in G Major - Download & Print|last=Cuomo|first=Rivers|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard Music Publishing]]|access-date=January 12, 2013}}</ref>
* [[power pop]]<ref name="Maginnis"/><ref name="Cuomo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0195279|title=Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Sheet Music in G Major - Download & Print|last=Cuomo|first=Rivers|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard Music Publishing]]|access-date=January 12, 2013}}</ref>
⚫
| length = {{ubl|5:05 (album version)|3:58 (single [[radio edit]])}}
* [[emo]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/best-weezer-songs-2127871 |title=Weezer's 10 best songs |website=[[NME]] |last=Beaumont |first=Mark |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref>
| length =
* 5:05 (album version)
⚫
* 3:58 (single [[radio edit]])
| label = [[DGC Records|DGC]]
| label = [[DGC Records|DGC]]
| writer = [[Rivers Cuomo]]
| writer = [[Rivers Cuomo]]
Line 23: Line 31:
}}
}}


"'''Undone – The Sweater Song'''" is a song by the American [[alternative rock]] band [[Weezer]], released on the band's [[Weezer (Blue Album)|self-titled 1994 debut]] album. It was released as their debut single in 1994.
"'''Undone – The Sweater Song'''" is the debut single by American [[alternative rock]] band [[Weezer]], released in 1994 from their [[Weezer (Blue Album)|self-titled debut album]].


==Overview==
==Background==
Originally, the band intended to insert various sound clips into the song but were wary of the cost of licensing them. Instead, the studio version of the song features a spoken introduction by then [[bassist]] [[Matt Sharp]] and longtime friend of the band Karl Koch, as well as an "intermission" set of dialogue between Karl and one of the founding members of Weezer's official fan club and early supporter of the band, Mykel Allan. This dialogue is frequently ad-libbed during concerts and other live recordings.
The band originally intended to insert various sound clips into ''Undone'', but were wary of the cost of licensing them. Instead, the studio version of the track features a [[spoken word|spoken]] introduction by bassist [[Matt Sharp]] and [[Karl Koch (Weezer assistant)|Karl Koch]], a longtime friend of the band. The track also features dialogue between Koch and Mykel Allan, an early supporter of the band. This dialogue is frequently ad-libbed during concerts and other live recordings.


Weezer frontman [[Rivers Cuomo]] has commented on the song, saying:
Weezer frontman [[Rivers Cuomo]] has commented on the song, saying:
{{cquote|"Undone" is the feeling you get when the train stops and the little guy comes knockin' on your door. It was supposed to be a sad song, but everyone thinks it's hilarious.<ref>{{harvnb|Luerssen|2004|page=111}}</ref>|cquote}}
{{cquote|"Undone" is the feeling you get when the train stops and the little guy comes knockin' on your door. It was supposed to be a sad song, but everyone thinks it's hilarious.<ref>{{harvnb|Luerssen|2004|page=111}}</ref>|cquote}}


Cuomo has also said that it was his attempt at writing "a [[The Velvet Underground|Velvet Underground]]-type song,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4096|title=Undone - The Sweater Song by Weezer Songfacts|access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> but he later referred to the song as an inadvertent rip-off of [[Metallica]]'s "[[Welcome Home (Sanitarium)]]", with the band's [[heavy metal music|metal]] roots showing through.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rivers-cuomo-we-ripped-off-the-sweater-song-from-metallica-20090827/|title=Rivers Cuomo: We Ripped Off "The Sweater Song" From Metallica|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=August 27, 2009}}</ref>
Cuomo has also said that it was his attempt at writing "a [[The Velvet Underground|Velvet Underground]]-type song,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4096|title=Undone - The Sweater Song by Weezer Songfacts|access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> but he later called the song an inadvertent derivative of [[Metallica]]'s "[[Welcome Home (Sanitarium)]]", with the band's [[heavy metal music|metal]] roots showing through.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rivers-cuomo-we-ripped-off-the-sweater-song-from-metallica-20090827/|title=Rivers Cuomo: We Ripped Off "The Sweater Song" From Metallica|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=August 27, 2009}}</ref>


The song was originally only known as "Undone"; however, the band decided to add "The Sweater Song" to the title after fans at their early shows repeatedly referred to the song as "The Sweater Song" or "that song about the sweater". As Cuomo thought song titles with [[Bracket|parentheses]] looked "ugly", a [[dash]] was used in the title.<ref>{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.singforscience.org/episodes/rivers-cuomo-guido-van-rossum |title=Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo and Guido van Rossum |website=Sing for Science |last=Whyte |first=Matt |date=2022-11-23 |time=9:23 |access-date=2023-02-01}}</ref>
The song was originally known as simply "Undone" but the band added "The Sweater Song" to the title after fans at their early shows repeatedly referred to the song as "the sweater song" or "that song about the sweater." As Cuomo thought that song titles with [[Bracket|parentheses]] look "ugly", a [[dash]] was used in the title.<ref>{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.singforscience.org/episodes/rivers-cuomo-guido-van-rossum |title=Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo and Guido van Rossum |website=Sing for Science |last=Whyte |first=Matt |date=2022-11-23 |time=9:23 |access-date=2023-02-01}}</ref>


==Composition==
==Composition==
"Undone – The Sweater Song" is a mid-tempo [[alternative rock]] song that runs for a duration of four minutes and fifty-eight seconds.<ref name="Maginnis"/><ref name="Cuomo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0195279|title=Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Sheet Music in G Major - Download & Print|last=Cuomo|first=Rivers|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard Music Publishing]]|access-date=January 12, 2013}}</ref> Its musical arrangement utilizes [[Dynamics (music)|dynamics]] and thick [[Distortion (music)|distortion]] during the chorus in order to drive home the song's melody.<ref name="Maginnis"/> According to the [[sheet music]] published at Musicnotes.com by [[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard Music]], it is written in the [[time signature]] of [[Time signature#Frequently used time signatures|common time]], with a moderately slow rock [[tempo]] of 80 [[Tempo#Beats per minute|beats per minute]].<ref name="Cuomo"/> "Undone – The Sweater Song" is composed in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[G-flat major|G{{music|flat}} major]]. It has a basic sequence of G{{music|flat}}<sub>6</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>7</sub>–D{{music|flat}}<sub>7</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>7</sub> during the intro and interludes, changes to G{{music|flat}}–C{{music|flat}}–D{{music|flat}}–C{{music|flat}} in the verses and follows G{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub>–D{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub> at the chorus as its [[chord progression]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0112529|title=Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Guitar Tab in G Major - Download & Print|last=Cuomo|first=Rivers|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard Music Publishing]]|access-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> The song opens with a circular [[riff]] built from [[Guitar picking|picked]] guitar strings. The spoken dialogue features adolescent characters engaged in frivolous conversation as the band's music gradually rises in the background.<ref name="Maginnis"/>
"Undone – The Sweater Song" is a mid-tempo [[alternative rock]] song that runs for a duration of four minutes and fifty-eight seconds.<ref name="Maginnis"/><ref name="Cuomo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0195279|title=Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Sheet Music in G Major - Download & Print|last=Cuomo|first=Rivers|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard Music Publishing]]|access-date=January 12, 2013}}</ref> Its musical arrangement utilizes [[Dynamics (music)|dynamics]] and thick [[Distortion (music)|distortion]] during the chorus in order to drive home the song's melody.<ref name="Maginnis"/> The song is written in the [[time signature]] of [[Time signature#Frequently used time signatures|common time]], with a moderately slow rock [[tempo]] of 80 [[Tempo#Beats per minute|beats per minute]].<ref name="Cuomo"/> "Undone – The Sweater Song" is composed in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[G-flat major|G{{music|flat}} major]]. It has a basic sequence of G{{music|flat}}<sub>6</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>7</sub>–D{{music|flat}}<sub>7</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>7</sub> during the intro and interludes, changes to G{{music|flat}}–C{{music|flat}}–D{{music|flat}}–C{{music|flat}} in the verses and follows G{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub>–D{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub>–C{{music|flat}}<sub>5</sub> at the chorus as its [[chord progression]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0112529|title=Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Guitar Tab in G Major - Download & Print|last=Cuomo|first=Rivers|work=Musicnotes.com|publisher=[[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard Music Publishing]]|access-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> The song opens with a circular [[riff]] built from [[Guitar picking|picked]] guitar strings. The spoken dialogue features adolescent characters engaged in frivolous conversation as the band's music gradually rises in the background.<ref name="Maginnis"/>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Tom Maginis for [[Allmusic]] wrote, "The song is not only meticulously crafted, it's smart, quirky, poignant, and insanely catchy -- all characteristics that would go on to define Weezer as a band and their debut as one of the most successful alternative rock records of the '90s."<ref name="Maginnis">{{cite web |author=Maginnis, Tom|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/undone-the-sweater-song-mt0044883813|title=Weezer – Undone Review by Tom Maginnis |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=July 4, 2010}}</ref>
Tom Maginis for [[AllMusic]] wrote, "The song is not only meticulously crafted, it's smart, quirky, poignant, and insanely catchy -- all characteristics that would go on to define Weezer as a band and their debut as one of the most successful alternative rock records of the '90s."<ref name="Maginnis">{{cite web |author=Maginnis, Tom|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/undone-the-sweater-song-mt0044883813|title=Weezer – Undone Review by Tom Maginnis |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=July 4, 2010}}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
Line 78: Line 86:


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
'''Weezer'''
* [[Rivers Cuomo]] – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar
* [[Matt Sharp]] – bass guitar, backing vocals
* [[Rivers Cuomo]] – lead vocals, guitar
* [[Matt Sharp]] – bass guitar, backing vocals, dialogue
* [[Patrick Wilson (drummer)|Patrick Wilson]] – drums
* [[Patrick Wilson (drummer)|Patrick Wilson]] – drums
* [[Brian Bell]] – backing vocals
* [[Brian Bell]] – backing vocals

⚫
* Karl Koch – piano
'''Additional personnel'''
⚫
* Karl Koch – dialogue, piano
* Mykel Allen – dialogue


==Charts==
==Charts==
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "Undone – The Sweater Song"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Undone – The Sweater Song"
!Chart (1994)
!Chart (1994)
!Peak<br/>position
!Peak<br/>position
Line 105: Line 117:
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|30|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|30|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2019}}
|}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Weezer|title=Say It Ain't So|award=Gold|relyear=1994|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=December 19, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Weezer|title=Undone - The Sweater Song|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1994|certyear=2024|access-date=October 25, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="row"|United States
|June 24, 1994
|{{n/a}}
|[[DGC Records|DGC]]
|{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|January 30, 1995
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}
|[[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=27|date=January 28, 1995}}</ref>
|}
|}


==Cover versions==
==Cover versions==
[[The Offspring]] covered it in 1994 and 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=undone+cover+offspring&search_type= |title=undone cover offspring |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> NewFangled Contraption covered it at every show in 2002 and 2003. [[The Fray]], who toured with Weezer in 2005, played a cover version of this song live during 2007 touring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fray+undone&search=Search |title=Fray undone |publisher=YouTube |date=January 27, 2007 |access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> [[Bloodhound Gang]] covered it with a mix of [[Wu-Tang Clan]]'s "Ain't Nuttin To F Wit". [[Punk rock]] band [[Titus Andronicus (band)|Titus Andronicus]] have covered the song multiple times on various tours; the band included one of these live covers on their [[mixtape]], ''Titus Andronicus LLC Mixtape Vol 1''. [[Mac DeMarco]] performed a version of the song in April 2013 for ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'s}} A.V. Undercover series.<ref name="undercover">{{cite web|title=Mac DeMarco covers Weezer|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/mac-demarco-covers-weezer,93891/|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref> In May 2013, UK Based Label Tiny Lights Recordings released a cover of the song recorded by a number of its artists to commemorate its second birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tinylightsrecordings.com/2013/05/23/new-music-the-tiny-lights-birthday-band-single-number-2/ |access-date=October 2, 2016|title=亚洲国产99在线精品一区_巨大乳bbwsex中国_久久国产乱子伦精品免费女,日韩乱码人妻无码中文字幕,香港三日本三级少妇三级99,国产在线精品一区二区三区不卡 }}</ref> In 2014, [[Mac DeMarco]] performed a cover of the song for Onion's A.V. Undercover.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/gPw_pJ74oz4 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201011143117/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPw_pJ74oz4 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPw_pJ74oz4| title = mac demarco - undone the sweater song (weezer cover) | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The song was also covered by [[dream pop]] band [[Beach House]] live in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.spin.com/2015/11/beach-house-weezer-sweater-song-cover-watch/ | title=Watch Beach House Cover Weezer's 'Sweater Song' | work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] | date=November 6, 2015 | access-date=February 28, 2016 | author=Brodsky, Rachel}}</ref>
[[The Offspring]] covered it in 1994 and 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=undone+cover+offspring&search_type= |title=undone cover offspring |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> NewFangled Contraption covered it at every show in 2002 and 2003. [[The Fray]], who toured with Weezer in 2005, played a cover version of this song live during 2007 touring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fray+undone&search=Search |title=Fray undone |publisher=YouTube |date=January 27, 2007 |access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> [[Bloodhound Gang]] covered it with a mix of [[Wu-Tang Clan]]'s "Ain't Nuttin To F Wit". [[Punk rock]] band [[Titus Andronicus (band)|Titus Andronicus]] have covered the song multiple times on various tours; the band included one of these live covers on their [[mixtape]], ''Titus Andronicus LLC Mixtape Vol 1''. [[Mac DeMarco]] performed a version of the song in April 2013 for ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'s}} A.V. Undercover series.<ref name="undercover">{{cite web|title=Mac DeMarco covers Weezer|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/mac-demarco-covers-weezer,93891/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425210636/http://www.avclub.com/articles/mac-demarco-covers-weezer%2C93891/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 25, 2013|access-date=April 24, 2013}}</ref> In May 2013, UK Based Label Tiny Lights Recordings released a cover of the song recorded by a number of its artists to commemorate its second birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tinylightsrecordings.com/2013/05/23/new-music-the-tiny-lights-birthday-band-single-number-2/ |access-date=October 2, 2016|title=亚洲国产99在线精品一区_巨大乳bbwsex中国_久久国产乱子伦精品免费女,日韩乱码人妻无码中文字幕,香港三日本三级少妇三级99,国产在线精品一区二区三区不卡 }}</ref> In 2014, [[Mac DeMarco]] performed a cover of the song for Onion's A.V. Undercover.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/gPw_pJ74oz4 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201011143117/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPw_pJ74oz4 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPw_pJ74oz4| title = mac demarco - undone the sweater song (weezer cover) | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The song was also covered by [[dream pop]] band [[Beach House]] live in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.spin.com/2015/11/beach-house-weezer-sweater-song-cover-watch/ | title=Watch Beach House Cover Weezer's 'Sweater Song' | work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] | date=November 6, 2015 | access-date=February 28, 2016 | author=Brodsky, Rachel}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 120: Line 159:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Undone - The Sweater Song}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Undone - The Sweater Song}}
⚫
[[Category:Weezer songs]]
⚫
[[Category:1990s ballads]]
⚫
[[Category:1994 debut singles]]
[[Category:1994 songs]]
[[Category:1994 songs]]
⚫
[[Category:1994 debut singles]]
⚫
[[Category:Weezer songs]]
⚫
[[Category:DGC Records singles]]
[[Category:Geffen Records singles]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Spike Jonze]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Spike Jonze]]
⚫
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Ric Ocasek]]
[[Category:Songs about suicide]]
[[Category:Songs about suicide]]
[[Category:Songs written by Rivers Cuomo]]
[[Category:Songs written by Rivers Cuomo]]
⚫
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Ric Ocasek]]
[[Category:Alternative rock ballads]]

Latest revision as of 22:00, 19 December 2024

"Undone – The Sweater Song"
Single by Weezer
from the album Weezer (The Blue Album)
B-side
  • "Holiday"
  • "Mykel & Carli"
  • "Susanne"
  • "My Evaline"
Released1994
StudioElectric Lady (New York City)
Genre
Length
LabelDGC
Songwriter(s)Rivers Cuomo
Producer(s)Ric Ocasek
Weezer singles chronology
"Undone – The Sweater Song"
(1994) 		"Buddy Holly"
(1994)
Music video
"Undone – The Sweater Song" on YouTube

"Undone – The Sweater Song" is the debut single by American alternative rock band Weezer, released in 1994 from their self-titled debut album.

Background

[edit]

The band originally intended to insert various sound clips into Undone, but were wary of the cost of licensing them. Instead, the studio version of the track features a spoken introduction by bassist Matt Sharp and Karl Koch, a longtime friend of the band. The track also features dialogue between Koch and Mykel Allan, an early supporter of the band. This dialogue is frequently ad-libbed during concerts and other live recordings.

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has commented on the song, saying:

"Undone" is the feeling you get when the train stops and the little guy comes knockin' on your door. It was supposed to be a sad song, but everyone thinks it's hilarious.[5]

Cuomo has also said that it was his attempt at writing "a Velvet Underground-type song,"[6] but he later called the song an inadvertent derivative of Metallica's "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", with the band's metal roots showing through.[7]

The song was originally known as simply "Undone" but the band added "The Sweater Song" to the title after fans at their early shows repeatedly referred to the song as "the sweater song" or "that song about the sweater." As Cuomo thought that song titles with parentheses look "ugly", a dash was used in the title.[8]

Composition

[edit]

"Undone – The Sweater Song" is a mid-tempo alternative rock song that runs for a duration of four minutes and fifty-eight seconds.[2][3] Its musical arrangement utilizes dynamics and thick distortion during the chorus in order to drive home the song's melody.[2] The song is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderately slow rock tempo of 80 beats per minute.[3] "Undone – The Sweater Song" is composed in the key of G♭ major. It has a basic sequence of G♭6–C♭7–D♭7–C♭7 during the intro and interludes, changes to G♭–C♭–D♭–C♭ in the verses and follows G♭5–C♭5–D♭5–C♭5 at the chorus as its chord progression.[9] The song opens with a circular riff built from picked guitar strings. The spoken dialogue features adolescent characters engaged in frivolous conversation as the band's music gradually rises in the background.[2]

Critical reception

[edit]

Tom Maginis for AllMusic wrote, "The song is not only meticulously crafted, it's smart, quirky, poignant, and insanely catchy -- all characteristics that would go on to define Weezer as a band and their debut as one of the most successful alternative rock records of the '90s."[2]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Undone" was Weezer's first music video. According to Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story by John D. Luerssen, the band insisted that the video not have anything to do with a sweater; yet, Geffen received 25 treatments for the video, all involving sweaters. The video marks one of the early directorial efforts of Spike Jonze, whose pitch was simply "A blue stage, a steadicam, a pack of wild dogs."[10] The $60,000 video was shot on a steadicam in one unbroken shot, featuring the band playing to a sped up version of the song. When played at a slower speed, the illusion is created that the band is playing the song in the correct time, yet moving in slow motion. The one shot was taken over 25 times, and the final version is between take number 15 and take number 20, in which the band had abandoned the idea of taking the video seriously at all. The humor was brought on by the frustration of shooting the same shot over and over to a sped up version of the song as well as the fact that one of the dogs defecated on Patrick Wilson's bass drum pedal. The video became an instant hit on MTV.[11] An alternate take of the video can be found on the band's Video Capture Device DVD.

For their official video for their cover of "Africa", Weezer used a parody of the "Undone" video with stand-ins for themselves, including "Weird Al" Yankovic as Cuomo's stand-in.[12]

Live performances

[edit]

During live performances in 2005, the band would often invite a fan up to play the acoustic guitar part of "Undone" with the band. On the last night of the Foozer tour, Dave Grohl came up and played it with the band. On the 2008 Troublemaker Tour, Tom DeLonge – lead singer of the tour's opening act Angels & Airwaves – sang it as a duet with Cuomo.[13] On their tour in 2011, the song was performed with the members of the Flaming Lips.

Track listings

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Weezer

Additional personnel

  • Karl Koch – dialogue, piano
  • Mykel Allen – dialogue

Charts

[edit]
Weekly chart performance for "Undone – The Sweater Song"
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[22][23] 63
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[24] 71
Scotland (OCC)[25] 31
UK Singles (OCC)[26] 35
US Billboard Hot 100[27] 57
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[28] 6
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[29] 30

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[30] Gold 15,000‡
United States (RIAA)[31] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 24, 1994 — DGC [citation needed]
United Kingdom January 30, 1995
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Geffen [32]

Cover versions

[edit]

The Offspring covered it in 1994 and 1995.[33] NewFangled Contraption covered it at every show in 2002 and 2003. The Fray, who toured with Weezer in 2005, played a cover version of this song live during 2007 touring.[34] Bloodhound Gang covered it with a mix of Wu-Tang Clan's "Ain't Nuttin To F Wit". Punk rock band Titus Andronicus have covered the song multiple times on various tours; the band included one of these live covers on their mixtape, Titus Andronicus LLC Mixtape Vol 1. Mac DeMarco performed a version of the song in April 2013 for The A.V. Club's A.V. Undercover series.[35] In May 2013, UK Based Label Tiny Lights Recordings released a cover of the song recorded by a number of its artists to commemorate its second birthday.[36] In 2014, Mac DeMarco performed a cover of the song for Onion's A.V. Undercover.[37] The song was also covered by dream pop band Beach House live in 2015.[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "100 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1994". Spin. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Maginnis, Tom. "Weezer – Undone Review by Tom Maginnis". AllMusic. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Cuomo, Rivers. "Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Sheet Music in G Major - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Hal Leonard Music Publishing. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  4. ^ Beaumont, Mark (August 24, 2017). "Weezer's 10 best songs". NME. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Luerssen 2004, p. 111
  6. ^ "Undone - The Sweater Song by Weezer Songfacts". Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  7. ^ "Rivers Cuomo: We Ripped Off "The Sweater Song" From Metallica". Rolling Stone. August 27, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  8. ^ Whyte, Matt (November 23, 2022). "Weezer's Rivers Cuomo and Guido van Rossum". Sing for Science (Podcast). Event occurs at 9:23. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  9. ^ Cuomo, Rivers. "Weezer 'Undone - The Sweater Song' Guitar Tab in G Major - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Hal Leonard Music Publishing. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  10. ^ Luerssen 2004, p. 120
  11. ^ Luerssen 2004, p. 121
  12. ^ Kreps, Daniel (September 24, 2018). "Weezer Recruit 'Weird Al' Yankovic for Video of Toto Cover 'Africa'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  13. ^ King, Brian (September 24, 2008). "Weezer Kick Off North American Tour | SPIN | Live | We Were There". SPIN. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  14. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Weezer. DGC Records. 1994. DGCS7-19378.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (US cassette single cassette notes). Weezer. DGC Records. 1994. DGCCS-19378.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (Australian CD single liner notes). Weezer. Geffen Records. 1994. GEFDM-21948.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (Australian cassette single sleeve). Weezer. Geffen Records. 1994. GEFCS-19239.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (UK CD single liner notes). Weezer. Geffen Records. 1994. GFSTD 85.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (UK cassette single sleeve). Weezer. Geffen Records. 1994. GFSC 85.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Weezer. Geffen Records. 1994. GFS 85.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Undone – The Sweater Song (French CD single liner notes). Weezer. Geffen Records. 1994. GED 22062.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 06 Nov 1994". Australian Record Industry Association Ltd. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  23. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 298.
  24. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 7. February 18, 1995. p. 19. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  27. ^ "Weezer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  28. ^ "Weezer Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  29. ^ "Weezer Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  30. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Weezer – Say It Ain't So". Radioscope. Retrieved December 19, 2024. Type Say It Ain't So in the "Search:" field.
  31. ^ "American single certifications – Weezer – Undone - The Sweater Song". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  32. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. January 28, 1995. p. 27.
  33. ^ "undone cover offspring". YouTube. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  34. ^ "Fray undone". YouTube. January 27, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  35. ^ "Mac DeMarco covers Weezer". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  36. ^ "亚洲国产99在线精品一区_巨大乳bbwsex中国_久久国产乱子伦精品免费女,日韩乱码人妻无码中文字幕,香港三日本三级少妇三级99,国产在线精品一区二区三区不卡". Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  37. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "mac demarco - undone the sweater song (weezer cover)". YouTube.
  38. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (November 6, 2015). "Watch Beach House Cover Weezer's 'Sweater Song'". Spin. Retrieved February 28, 2016.

Bibliography

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