Photograph
| "Photograph" | |||||
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| Single by Weezer | |||||
| Album | Weezer (The Green Album) | ||||
| Released | May 15, 2001 | ||||
| Format | CD | ||||
| Recorded | December 2000, Cello Studios, Los Angeles, California | ||||
| Length | 2:19 | ||||
| Label | Geffen | ||||
| Writer(s) | Rivers Cuomo | ||||
| RC# | 536 | ||||
| COR# | 217 | ||||
| Producer(s) | Ric Ocasek | ||||
| Status | Officially released | ||||
| Stream |  Spotify |
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| Professional reviews | |||||
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| Weezer singles chronology | |||||
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| Weezer (The Green Album) track listing | |||||
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| Rivers Cuomo song chronology | |||||
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"Photograph" (originally known as "If You Want It") is the second song and third single from Weezer's self-titled 2001 album, (The Green Album).
Contents
Appearances
- Weezer (The Green Album)
- Photograph (Radio Only Promo CD)
- Photograph (Japan Retail CD)
- Keep Fishin' (UK Retail CD #1) (Live)
Overview
| "It's about a young man who has been through some recent failures, so this song is trying to cheer him up—obviously, me writing to myself—so every time you hear the word "you" it's really 'I.'" |
"Photograph" was released in Japan as the lead-off promo single for The Green Album, which differs from the US's "Hash Pipe." The song enjoyed only modest success on the radio, peaking at #17 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.
There are two alternate mixes of "Photograph." A longer, unmastered mix with an alternate chorus leaked prior to the release of The Green Album alongside thirteen other tracks. Another alternate mix of the song appeared on Japanese promo CDs, featuring an edited intro and no applause at the end.
During many live shows since 2005, the band has performed the song live with drummer Patrick Wilson on lead vocals and guitar with Rivers Cuomo on drums. Often, the band has performed the song as a lead-in to a cover of "Song 2" by Blur.
Photograph's release as a single was the last officially-released Weezer song to feature Mikey Welsh.
Reception
"Photograph" was selected as a "Track Pick" in Stephen Thomas Erlewine's 2001 review of The Green Album. In a mostly positive review for the Weezer Songblog Teenage Victory Songs, Soymilkrev compared the song to "Buddy Holly" from The Blue Album. The review included "Photograph" as among "The Very Best" of Weezer's catalogue.
Known recordings
| Performer(s) | Title | Filename | Date of recording | Recording location | Length | Appeared on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weezer | If You Want It | October 27, 2000[1] | 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA | ||||
| Weezer | If You Want It | October 28, 2000[1] | 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA | ||||
| Weezer | If You Want It | October 29, 2000[1] | 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA | ||||
| Weezer | If You Want It | October 30, 2000[1] | 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA | ||||
| Weezer | If You Want It | December 7, 2000[1] | 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA | ||||
| Weezer | If You Want It | December 14, 2000[1] | Swing House Studios, Los Angeles, CA | Rehearsal with Ric Ocasek, ver. 1 | |||
| Weezer | If You Want It | December 14, 2000[1] | Swing House Studios, Los Angeles, CA | Rehearsal with Ric Ocasek, ver. 2 | |||
| Weezer | If You Want It | December 29, 2000[2] | Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA | ||||
| Weezer | If You Want It | January 1—February 1, 2001[2][3] | Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA | 2:57 | Leaked online | Unmastered leak | |
| Weezer | Photograph | January 1—February 1, 2001[2][3] | Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA | 2:19 | Weezer (The Green Album) | ||
| Weezer | Photograph | January 1—February 1, 2001[2][3] | Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA | 2:09 | "Photograph" (Japanese promo) | Shortened mix |
Music video
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This was the first video featuring Scott. "What if we just made our own video and pit it out there?" "Yeah!" "Karl, sort it out!" "...well, alrighty then..." Shot across America. |
The music video for the song is notable for being directed by Weezer.com webmaster and longtime friend of the band Karl Koch. It consists of footage shot while the band was touring for The Green Album. Among the notable footage is Cuomo playing soccer, guitarist Brian Bell attempting to skateboard and juggle (not at the same time), Wilson riding a Razor Scooter, a brief clip of the duo from Tenacious D running onstage during a Weezer show and a scene with Cuomo playing a prank on new bassist Scott Shriner. Interestingly enough, although Mikey Welsh plays bass and sings backup vocals on the studio recording, Shriner is in the video, as Welsh had left the band at that point. During the very end of the video, when Cuomo is playing the prank on Shriner, a demo of "Death and Destruction" can be heard in the background. This song would later surface on the band's next album, 2002's Maladroit. The video is featured on Video Capture Device, the band's DVD.
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
Album lyricsIf you want it, you can have it |
Leak lyricsIf you want it, you can have it |
