Archive:List of people mentioned in Weezer lyrics

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The chorus for Weezer's first big hit reads Ooo wee ooo I look just like Buddy Holly / Oh, oh and you're Mary Tyler Moore.

This list attempts to document every reference made to a person - living, dead, fictional, or real - in a Weezer lyric.

Weezer (The Blue Album) (1994) and b-sides

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Mykel and Carli Allan	"Mykel and Carli"	The Allan sisters are the subject of this song.	After their passing, Weezer would put on an entire tribute concert and contribute to a tribute album in the name of their fan club founders. A demo of the song would be released on 2010's Death To False Metal
The Beach Boys	"Holiday"	Let's go away for a while You and I To a strange and distant land Where they speak no word of truth But we don't understand anyway	"Let's Go Away for Awhile" is a track off the Beach Boys' 1966 album Pet Sounds.
Peter Criss	"In the Garage"	I've got posters on the wall My favorite rock group Kiss I've got Ace Frehley I've got Peter Criss	Ace Frehley, along with Criss, was a member of KISS.
Kurt Cobain	"Susanne"	Even Kurt Cobain and Axl Rose When I call you put them all on hold	This was an initial lyric, which Cuomo has taken to singing live since the Memories Tour. He rewrote the lyric before recording it, mentioning Izzy Stradlin and Slash of Guns N Roses alongside Axl Rose.
Leaves Cuomo	"My Name Is Jonas" "Say It Ain't So"	MNIJ: Guess what I received In the mail today Words of deep concern From my little brother SIAS: Flip on the tele' Wrestle with Jimmy Something is bubbling Behind my back The bottle is ready to blow	Leaves Cuomo is the birth name of Rivers' younger brother. Leaves goes by James Kitts, using an adopted first name and the last name of his stepfather, Steven Kitts. Both Steven Kitts and the Cuomos' birth father, Frank Cuomo, are mentioned in "Say It Ain't So."
Frank Cuomo	"Say It Ain't So"	The entirety of the song concerns Rivers' relationship to his father, stepfather, and alcohol.	Frank Cuomo is also addressed in "Back to the Shack" and "Foolish Father" from 2014's Everything Will Be Alright in the End.
Ace Frehley	"In the Garage"	I've got posters on the wall My favorite rock group Kiss I've got Ace Frehley I've got Peter Criss	Peter Criss, along with Frehley, was a member of KISS. Cuomo would make a nod to Frehley in the early oughts, using Ace as a username on Weezer message boards.
Buddy Holly	"Buddy Holly"	Woo-ee-oo I look just like Buddy Holly Oh-oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore I don't care what they say about us anyway I don't care 'bout that	An initial draft of the chorus read: "ooo-we-ooo you look just like Ginger Rogers. Oh-oh I move just like Fred Astaire."
Jack Kerouac	"Holiday"	On the road with Kerouac Sheltered in his Bivouac On this road we'll never die Let's go away	Kerouac was a big influence on Rivers Cuomo in the lead up to the band being signed to Geffen Records.
KISS	"In the Garage"	I've got posters on the wall My favorite rock group Kiss I've got Ace Frehley I've got Peter Criss	KISS was a major influence on several members of Weezer. This lyric also mentions Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, two members of KISS.
Steven Kitts	"Say It Ain't So"	This bottle of Steven's Awakens ancient feelings Like father, stepfather, the son is drowning in the flood	The entirety of "Say It Ain't So" concerns Rivers' relationship to his father, stepfather, and alcohol.
Amy Moore	"Paperface"	Amy Moore blew her top Stole a car, shot a cop (Bang) Sped away 2000 miles Didn't stop until she hit New Orleans	Moore was a high school classmate of Cuomo's. See a full story on the song from the Alone II liner notes.
Mary Tyler Moore	"Buddy Holly"	Woo-ee-oo I look just like Buddy Holly Oh-oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore I don't care what they say about us anyway I don't care 'bout that	An initial draft of the chorus read: "ooo-we-ooo you look just like Ginger Rogers. Oh-oh I move just like Fred Astaire."
Nightcrawler	"In the Garage"	I've got the Dungeon Master's Guide I've got a 12-sided die I've got Kitty Pryde And Nightcrawler too	Kitty Pryde, another character from the X-Men, is also mentioned in this lyric.
Kitty Pryde	"In the Garage"	I've got the Dungeon Master's Guide I've got a 12-sided die I've got Kitty Pryde And Nightcrawler too	Nightcrawler, another character from the X-Men, is also mentioned in this lyric.
Ratt	"Surfwax America"	I'm goin' surfin cuz I don't like your face I'm bailin' out because I hate the race of Ratts that run Round and Round in the maze I'm goin' surfin', I'm goin' surfin'!	As indicated in Cuomo's handwritten lyric sheet, the line was actually written "Ratts" to reference the band, not the animal. "Round and Round" is a song off the band's 1984 album Out of the Cellar.
Axl Rose	"Susanne"	Even Izzy, Slash, and Axl Rose When I call you put them all on hold	Original lyrics for the song mentioned Kurt Cobain in place of Izzy Stradlin and Slash.
Slash	"Susanne"	Even Izzy, Slash, and Axl Rose When I call you put them all on hold	Original lyrics for the song mentioned Kurt Cobain in place of Izzy Stradlin and Slash.
Izzy Stradlin	"Susanne"	Even Izzy, Slash, and Axl Rose When I call you put them all on hold	Original lyrics for the song mentioned Kurt Cobain in place of Izzy Stradlin and Slash.
Suzanne	"Susanne"	Suzanne, an A&R representative at Geffen Records, is the subject of this song.
Initial lineup of Weezer	"Buddy Holly"	What's with these homies dissin' my girl? Why do they gotta front? What did we ever do to these guys That made them so violent?	As Cuomo explained in the liner notes for Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo: The life-situation that inspired the lyric was an incident in which the Weezer guys were making fun of my friend Kyung He (also in the Santa Monica College Choir). They were the "homies dissin' my girl"
Jamie Young	"Jamie" "Mrs. Young"	Young is the subject of both of these songs.	"Mrs. Young" would never see proper release as a Weezer song, though it was demoed by the band. It would eventually be released by The Rentals as "Please Let that Be You."

Pinkerton (1996) and b-sides

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Anonymous Japanese fan	"Across the Sea"	You are 18 year old girl who live in small city of Japan And you heard me on the radio about one year ago	"Across the Sea" quotes directly from, and is addressed to, an 18-year-old fan from Japan who wrote a letter to Cuomo.
Beverly Shoenberger	"Across the Sea"	At 10 I shaved my head and tried to be a monk I thought the older women would like me if I did You see, ma, I'm a good little boy It's all your fault, momma, it's all your fault	Beverly Shoenberger is Rivers Cuomo's mother.
Cio Cio San	"El Scorcho" "Butterfly"	El Scorcho: So I went to your room and read your diary: "watching Grunge leg-drop New-Jack through a press table..." and then my heart stopped: "listening to Cio-Cio San fall in love all over again." Butterfly: I told you I would return When the robin makes his nest But I ain't never comin' back I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry	Cio Cio San is the main character of Madama Butterfly, the Puccini opera that Cuomo based Pinkerton off of. The lyrics at the close of "Butterfly" are a direct quote from this opera, translated into English from Italian.
Green Day	"El Scorcho"	I asked you to go to the Green Day concert You said you never heard of them How cool is that?	Weezer has changed this line live to reference other bands, including The Pixies and the Foo Fighters.
Grunge and New Jack	"El Scorcho"	So I went to your room and read your diary: "watching Grunge leg-drop New-Jack through a press table..." and then my heart stopped: "listening to Cio-Cio San fall in love all over again."	New Jack and Grunge were professional wrestlers. This lyric includes direct quotes from essays written by some of Cuomo's classmates at Harvard.
Public Enemy	"El Scorcho"	But you won't talk, won't look, won't think of me I'm the epitome of Public Enemy Why you wanna go and do me like that? Come down on the street and dance with me	This lyric includes a direct quote from the revolutionary hip hop group's song "Don't Believe the Hype."
KISS	"Devotion"	Suddenly our shortcomings Don't seem to matter that much Your IQ is twenty points low And I'm no six-foot hot look all-American man	This lyric is a direct quote from KISS's 1977 song "All American Man," from Alive II.
Characters from Songs from the Black Hole	"Getchoo", "I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams," "Devotion," "Longtime Sunshine," "Waiting on You," "You Won't Get With Me Tonight."		These songs were, at one point, included in the plans for Songs from the Black Hole, Rivers Cuomo's initial plan for Weezer's sophomore record. Maria, Laurel, Jonas, Wuan, Dondo, and M1 are all referenced throughout Pinkerton and its various b-sides, though they are not mentioned by name in the official releases of the tracks, as Cuomo eventually abandoned the concept.

Maladroit (2002)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Weezer fans	"Space Rock"	Ooo-hooo... You wanna cry When you're dealing with the kids Ooo-hoo.... They know it all And they're pinning you to the boards	Cuomo was outwardly antagonistic towards fans of the band's first two records in this era. The "pinning you to boards" lyric is in reference to his time on the Rivers Correspondence Board. Cuomo would go on to address Weezer's fanbase throughout Everything Will Be Alright in the End, most overtly on "Back to the Shack" and "I've Had It Up to Here."

Make Believe (2005) and b-sides

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Jennifer Chiba	"The Other Way"	The entire song is addressed to Chiba, reflecting Cuomo's conflicted feelings about consoling her after Elliot Smith's death.

Weezer (The Red Album) (2008) and b-sides

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
ABBA	"Heart Songs"	Abba, Devo, Benatar were there the day John Lennon died	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Rick Astley	"Heart Songs"	Never gonna give you up, this new love a wishing well	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. This line is in reference to Astley's hit "Never Gonna Give You Up."
Joan Baez	"Heart Songs"	And Joan Baez, I never listened to too much jazz But hippie songs could be heard in our pad	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Sheeny Bang	"Miss Sweeney"	It is presumed by fans that this song is a nod to Bang, Cuomo's longtime personal assistant.	The song has a co-write credit for Sarah C. Kim, who replaced Bang as Cuomo's assitant.
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock	"Heart Songs"	It takes two to make a thing go right, if the Fresh Prince starts a fight	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. This line is in reference to Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's hit "It Takes Two."
Pat Benatar	"Heart Songs"	Abba, Devo, Benatar were there the day John Lennon died	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Cat Stevens	"Heart Songs"	a cat named Stevens found a faith he could believe in	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Terence Trent D'Arby	"Heart Songs"	Never gonna give you up, this new love a wishing well	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. This line is in reference to D'Arby's hit "Wishing Well."
DEVO	"Heart Songs"	Abba, Devo, Benatar were there the day John Lennon died	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Elvis Presley	"The Greatest Man that Ever Lived (Variations on the Shaker Hymn)"	Somebody said all the world's a stage And each of us is a player That's what I've been trying to tell you In Act I, I was struggling to survive	The spoken word section of this song borrows from Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight?." The lyrics of that original song, which are repeated here, are themselves in reference to William Shakespeare.
Geffen Records	"Pork and Beans"	This song is addressed to the Geffen executives who rejected Weezer's initial draft of The Red Album on the basis that it didn't have enough uptempo, radio-friendly songs.
Debbie Gibson	"Heart Songs"	Debbie Gibson, tell me that you think we're all alone	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. Cuomo erroneously attributes "I Think We're Alone Now" to Gibson here.
Iron Maiden	"Heart Songs"	Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Slayer taught me how to shred	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Michael Jackson	"Heart Songs"	Michael Jackson's in the mirror, I gotta have faith if I wanna see clear	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. Weezer has covered Jackson live, and he was also referenced in "Turning Up the Radio" from 2010's Death to False Metal.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Will Smith)	"Heart Songs"	It takes two to make a thing go right, if the Fresh Prince starts a fight	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. This line is in reference to DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's theme song to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Judas Priest	"Heart Songs"	Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Slayer taught me how to shred	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
The Beatles	"Heart Songs"	Abba, Devo, Benatar were there the day John Lennon died	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Gordon Lightfoot	"Heart Songs"	Gordon Lightfoot sang a song about a boat that sank in the lake At the break of the mornin'	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
George Michael	"Heart Songs"	Michael Jackson's in the mirror, I gotta have faith if I wanna see clear	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. This line is in reference to Michaels's hit "Faith."
Nirvana	"Heart Songs"	Back in 1991 I wasn't having any fun 'Til my roommate said "C'mon" and put a brand new record on Had a baby on it, he was naked on it then I heard the chords that broke the chains I had up on me	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. This line is in reference to Nirvana's Nevermind record.
Adam Orth	"Everybody Get Dangerous"	They were all just a little bit wicked They'd blow up mail boxes With a baseball bat Go for direct hits	Orth is a longtime friend of the band and has sat in with Weezer several times. "Everybody Get Dangerous" catalogues his and Cuomo's wilder, younger days. Orth penned a short essay about the song.
Quiet Riot	"Heart Songs"	Quiet Riot got me started with the banging of my head	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Eddit Rabbit	"Heart Songs"	Eddie Rabbitt sang about how much he loved a rainy night	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Kevin Ridel	"Troublemaker"	I’m a troublemaker, not a double-taker I don’t have the patience to keep it on the up	Ridel, a longtime friend and frequent musical collaborator of Rivers Cuomo, used to say "keep it on the up" a lot in their youth.
William Shakespeare	"The Greatest Man that Ever Lived (Variations on the Shaker Hymn)"	Somebody said all the world's a stage And each of us is a player That's what I've been trying to tell you In Act I, I was struggling to survive	The spoken word section of this song (itself a reference to Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight?") quotes from Shakespeare's famous line from As You Like It.
Slayer	"Heart Songs"	Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Slayer taught me how to shred	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. Slayer is also mentioned in "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" from Raditude.
Bruce Springsteen	"Heart Songs"	Mr. Springsteen said he had a hungry heart	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.
Tiffany Darwish	"Heart Songs"	Debbie Gibson, tell me that you think we're all alone	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life. This line is in reference to Tiffany Darwish's hit "I Think We're Alone Now," which Weezer has covered live.
Timbaland	"Pork and Beans"	Everyone likes to dance to a happy song With a catchy chorus and beat so they can sing along Timbaland knows the way to reach the top of the chart Maybe if I work with him I can perfect the art	Timbaland was at the height of his commercial popularity at the time of Cuomo's writing this song.
Grover Washington	"Heart Songs"	Grover Washington was happy on the day he topped the chart	"Heart Songs" is an homage to the musicians and songs that Cuomo has admired throughout his life.

Raditude (2009)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Shirley Applebee	"Trippin' Down The Freeway"	You've got the Shirley Applebee look I'm totally caught up on your hook You know that we are gonna be okay We'll stick together as we're trippin' down the freeway	It isn't known who Shirley Applebee is. It may be a nod to Shirley Temple, or a name meant to evoke some kind of traditional, 20th century image of an American woman. Some speculate that the lyric is meant to refer to actress Shiri Appleby, though this has not been confirmed.
Mia Cuomo	"I'm Your Daddy"	You are my baby tonight And I'm your daddy	The lyrics of the song's main hook were purportedly inspired by an experience Cuomo had with his daughter.
Jay-Z	"Let It All Hang Out"	Me and my girl ain't speak in weeks and I can't remember the reason why why why On top of that it's a recession, I feel like Jay-Z; this can't be life life	"Let It All Hang Out" was written with Jermaine Dupri, explaining why Cuomo is making a rather unbelievable reference to a hip hop icon. Dupri is also referenced in the song. Jay-Z is also mentioned in the song "Can't Knock the Hustle".
Jill	"The Girl Got Hot"	I stepped to the floor with her best friend Jill And tried to thicken the plot The thing I finally found with these other girls in town She got hot and they did not	"The Girl Got Hot" is, presumably, a (very bad) story-song with no basis in reality. Cuomo has said that the song was inspired by a woman he re-encountered at a high school reunion, but Kiki Dee and Jill are likely invented characters.
Jermaine Dupri	"Let It All Hang Out"	Me and JD chillin in the shack Sharing Chiclets from the same pack	Jermaine Dupri co-wrote this song.
Kiki Dee	"The Girl Got Hot"	I went to a show last Saturday night The band was doing their thing A moshpit started and then the crowd parted And there was Kiki Dee	"The Girl Got Hot" is, presumably, a (very bad) story-song with no basis in reality. Cuomo has said that the song was inspired by a woman he re-encountered at a high school reunion, but Kiki Dee and Jill are likely invented characters.
Kevin Greene	"Trippin' Down The Freeway"	I told you that you had put on some weight You went out with somebody named Kevin Greene You preferred to go to a volleyball game I told you that you couldn't be more lame	It isn't known who Kevin Greene is.
Lil' Wayne	"Can't Stop Partying"	Okay bitches, Weezer and it's Weezy Upside down MTV Please don't shoot me down because I'm an endangered species	Lil' Wayne refers to himself by his nickname, Weezy.
"M."	"The Prettiest Girl in the Whole Wide World"	And I got the prettiest girl in the whole wide world And nobody can take her from me And in the evening when she goes out walking alone I wait at home patiently I've never been so happy I've never been so sure	Cuomo wrote this song about a fan he met signing autographs in December of 1996.
Slayer	"(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To"	The moon was shining on the lake that night Your Slayer t-shirt fit the scene just right Through smeared mascara, I looked into your eyes and saw a light	Slayer is also mentioned in the 2008 song Red Album track "Heart Songs.
Pat Wilson	"In the Mall"	Attention shoppers, will Pat Wilson's mother please come to the Eastern Hills Mall Information Desk?	Wilson wrote this song about his experiences whiling away time at malls as a kid. Wilson is also mentioned in "Back to the Shack."

Hurley and b-sides (2010)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Audioslave	"Memories"	Pissing in plastic cups before we went on stage Playing hacky sack back when Audioslave was still Rage	Members of Rage Against the Machine formed Audioslave after the former band dissolved in 2000.
Diddy	"Trainwrecks"	Someday we'll cut our critics down to size And crash a Diddy party in disguise	It is difficult to tell what Cuomo could have possibly meant here. Apparently crashing a P. Diddy party in disguises is the way that the Trainwrecks will persevere.
"Meg"	"Where's My Sex?"	Meg likes to hide it She says that it gives her a kick It may be under the rug Or stuck in a shoe closet	The song may have been inspired by something Cuomo's daughter Mia said, mistaking the word "sex" for "socks." It's possible "Meg" is a stand in for "Mia."
Rage Against the Machine	"Memories"	Pissing in plastic cups before we went on stage Playing hacky sack back when Audioslave was still Rage	Members of Rage Against the Machine formed Audioslave after the former band dissolved in 2000.
The 2010 US Men's Olympic Soccer Team	"Represent"	US Soccer 2010! Represent	Cuomo wrote this song as a tribute to the team. "My Day is Coming" was written for the same purpose in 2006.
St. Peter	"Viva la Vida"	For some reason I can't explain I know St Peter won't call my name	A cover of a Coldplay song, "Viva la Vida" contains numerous historical and Christian references.
Names in "Smart Girls"	"Smart Girls"	Yumi, Sherie, Alison, Mary Which one do I want to marry? ... Lisa, Brittany, Paula, Whitney Which one do I want here with me? ... Debbie, Donna, Tatiana Don't you know you make me lose my mind?	The misogynistic origins of this song are fairly well documented.
Members of Weezer	"Brave New World"	We hate to leave our shelter But there’s so much waiting out there If only we’d open our eyes and see	Cuomo said in the PacSun Hurley commentary that "Brave New World" was written in response to the rest of the band's unwillingness to explore new genres. Intra-band relations are also mentioned in "Buddy Holly," release on "The Blue Album" in 1994.

Death to False Metal (2010)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Mykel and Carli Allan	"Mykel and Carli"	The Allan sisters are the subject of this song.	After their passing, Weezer would put on an entire tribute concert and contribute to a tribute album in the name of their fan club founders. A proper studio recording of the song would be released as a b-side during the Blue Album era.
Kyoko Ito Cuomo	"The Odd Couple"	The odd couple is what we are in reality But we are so happy in everything we do The odd couple is what they're saying of you and me But we know the feeling that we share is true	According to Karl Koch, this is an autobiographical song about Rivers Cuomo and his wife. Kyoko Cuomo is also referenced on "Back to the Shack."
Michael Jackson	"Turning Up the Radio"	It's the hits, it's the flops Billie Jean and She Bop	Jackson's 1983 hit "Billie Jean" is mentioned, alongside "She Bop" by Cyndi Lauper. Jackson is also mentioned in 2008's "Heart Songs."
Cyndi Lauper	"Turning Up the Radio"	It's the hits, it's the flops Billie Jean and She Bop	Lauper's 1984 hit "She Bop" is referenced here, alongside Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

Everything Will Be Alright in the End (2014)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
The Astronauts	"Ain't Got Nobody"	In the "Where Are They Now?" category: The Astronauts, with their first big hit...	A fictional band at the center of the on-and-off narrative that structures the entire record, the Astronauts are based on Weezer and Cuomo's career.
Bella	Throughout the album		Bella is one of the characters devised as part of the album's narrative. She is a romantic interest of Sebastian, the character based on Rivers Cuomo.
George Blotkin	Throughout the album		George Blotkin is one of the characters devised as part of the album's narrative. He is an executive of Electric Records, alongside Cleo.
British soldiers in the American Revolutionary War	"The British are Coming"	Punk-ass redcoats trying to run the show Telling me what to do and where to go	Though initially taking a more abstract approach to the song's lyrics, Cuomo would revise them to write a fairly straight-ahead recounting of the American Revolutionary War.
Claire	Throughout the album		Claire is one of the characters devised as part of the album's narrative. She is the mother of Sebastian, the character based on Rivers Cuomo. Ostentisibly she is based on Beverly Shoenberger, Cuomo's real-life mother.
Cleo	"Cleopatra"	You can't control me no more, Cleopatra	Cleo is one of the characters devised as part of the album's narrative. She is an executive of Electric Records, the record label that The Astronauts are signed to.
Cleopatra	"Cleopatra"	You can't control me no more, Cleopatra	The song discusses an aging woman. It is also a reference to Cleo, one of the many characters devised for the album's narrative.
Kyoko Ito Cuomo	"Back to the Shack"	I finally settled down with my girl and I made up with my dad Had to go and make a few mistakes so I could find out who I am	Rivers Cuomo married Kyoko Ito in 2006.
Frank Cuomo	"Ain't Got Nobody" "Back to the Shack" "Foolish Father"	AGN: My daddy loved me No one could touch me Until he went up and left me lonely BttS: I finally settled down with my girl and I made up with my dad Had to go and make a few mistakes so I could find out who I am FF: Forgive your foolish father He did the best that he could do	On "Ain't Got Nobody," the lyric addresses the fact that Frank Cuomo left his family when Rivers Cuomo was very young. Their reunion much later in life is described on "Back to the Shack." On "Foolish Father," the lyrics double as both Rivers addressing his father and Rivers' own children addressing him. Fatherhood is a persistent theme of Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Frank Cuomo is also referenced on "Say It Ain't So."
George III	"The British are Coming"	This is the night Light up a fire in the forge We're not the coins in the coffer of old King George	Though initially taking a more abstract approach to the song's lyrics, Cuomo would revise them to write a fairly straight-ahead recounting of the American Revolutionary War.
Stephen Hawking	"Da Vinci"	Even Da Vinci couldn't paint you And Stephen Hawking can't explain you Rosetta Stone could not translate you I'm at a loss for words	In true Weezer fashion, the song heaps praise on a love interest of the narrator. She is so fascinating to him that he can't understand her.
KISS	"Ain't Got Nobody" "Eulogy for a Rock Band" (speculated)	"Look, rock is dead. Guitars are dead."	This is a nod to a then-recent quote by KISS's guitarist Gene Simmons: "Rock is finally dead." Critics and fans have wondered if KISS is the band referenced in "Eulogy for a Rock Band," though Cuomo hasn't yet revealed who the song is addressed to. KISS is referenced in many Weezer other songs, including "In the Garage and "Devotion."
Joe Laffoley	Throughout the album		Joe Laffoley is one of the characters devised as part of the album's narrative. He is viewing the narrative of the album unfold via transmissions from the future. He discovers through these transmissions that they center on his son, Sebastian, who is based on Rivers Cuomo.
The Sons of Liberty	"The British are Coming"	We'll show 'em we are the true sons of liberty	The Sons of Liberty was a secret revolutionary organization that was founded by Samuel Adams in the Thirteen American Colonies to advance the rights of the European colonists and to fight taxation by the British government. Though initially taking a more abstract approach to this song's lyrics, Cuomo would revise them to write a fairly straight-ahead recounting of the American Revolutionary War.
Sebastian	Throughout the album		Sebastian is the lead character of the album's narrative. He is the lead musician in a band called The Astronauts.
Paul Revere	"The British are Coming"	One if by land Two if they come by the sea	Though initially taking a more abstract approach to this song's lyrics, Cuomo would revise them to write a fairly straight-ahead recounting of the American Revolutionary War.
Leonardo da Vinci	"Da Vinci"	Even Da Vinci couldn't paint you And Stephen Hawking can't explain you Rosetta Stone could not translate you I'm at a loss for words	In true Weezer fashion, the song heaps praise on a love interest of the narrator. She is so fascinating to him that he can't understand her.
Weezer fans	"Back to the Shack" "I've Had It Up to Here"	BttS: "Sorry guys, I didn't realize that I needed you so much I thought I'd get a new audience, I forgot that disco sucks I ended up with nobody and I started feeling dumb" IHIUTH: I tried to give my best to you But you plugged up your ears And now I just can't take no more I've had it up to here	On "Back to the Shack," Cuomo is apologizing for steering the band away from the sound and style preferred by the band's more devoted fanbase. The band has wrestled for much of their career with the legacy of their 90's output and its perceived superiority to everything they've released since. On "I've Had It Up To Here," Cuomo is less conciliatory. Cuomo has previously addressed his fanbase on "Space Rock."
Current line-up of Weezer	"Back to the Shack"	We belong in the rock world There is so much left to do If we die in obscurity, oh well At least we raised some hell	Cuomo had written "Brave New World" on Hurley about the rest of the band not wanting to explore other genres of music. He appears to be walking that criticism back here. He would, of course, veer Weezer into very new (and decidedly non-rock) genre territories on both The Black Album and Pacific Daydream.
Brian Wilson	"Eulogy for a Rock Band" (speculated)	The entire song is addressed to, according to Cuomo, one of Weezer's "forefathers."	Some fans and critics have wondered if Wilson is the subject of this song.
Pat Wilson	"Back to the Shack"	Maybe I should play the lead guitar and Pat should play the drums	Starting with his contribution of "Automatic" on The Red Album, Wilson began regularly playing guitar for Weezer, both live and in the studio. Josh Freese filled Wilson's role frequently behind the drums. Wilson is also referenced on "In the Mall" from Raditude.

Weezer (The White Album) (2016)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Charles Darwin	"Wind in Our Sail"	We got the wind in our sail Like Darwin on the Beagle	"Wind in Our Sail" is reportedly about the momentum and optimism that the band felt after the positive reception that met Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Cuomo compares this to the voyage of the HMS Beagle, which was the name of the ship that bore the famed naturalist around the world when he made some of his most famous discoveries.
God	"Thank God for Girls" "Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori"	TGFG: Thank God for girls Holla Jesu Christe From Tennessee to LA SEDD: Good witch or bad witch God is a woman	Religion and divinity are recurring themes through much of Cuomo's songwriting in this era. "Thank God For Girls" invokes helplessness and self-criticism over the idealizaiton (and even deification) of women. "Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori," written via a patch-work, word-collage songwriting method, makes isolaed reference to these same topics without having the entire song focus around them.
Members of Homie, Rivers Cuomo Band, and Lovely	"California Kids"	And your old friends Chilling back in Boston You never forgot them	Cuomo retreated to Boston between the success of The Blue Album and the perceived failure of Pinkerton, then returned there after Pinkerton and played with these three ensembles.
Gregor Mendel	"Wind in Our Sail"	We got the wind in our sail Like Darwin on the Beagle And Mendel experimenting with a pea	"Wind in Our Sail" is reportedly about the momentum and optimism that the band felt after the positive reception that met Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Cuomo compares this to the scientific breakthroughs of Gregor Mendel, whose pea plant experiments conducted between 1856 and 1863 established many of the rules of heredity, now referred to as the laws of Mendelian inheritance.
Sisyphus	"Wind in Our Sail"	Pushing the stone up the hill And if it rolls back down Whoa Sisyphus, it rolls back down	"Wind in Our Sail" is reportedly about the momentum and optimism that the band felt after the positive reception that met Everything Will Be Alright in the End. The bridge of the song injects some pessimism, however, comparing their efforts to the mythically futile task of Sisyphus. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus, the king of Ephyra, was punished for his self-aggrandizing craftiness and deceitfulness by being forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll down every time it neared the top, repeating this action for eternity.

Pacific Daydream (2017)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Katy Goodman	"Mexican Fender"	" Met her at a guitar shop on Santa Monica and 7th Street The salesman tried to get my attention to sell me a Mexican Fender "	The her in this song is Katy Goodman of the band La Sera. Her and Rivers have hung out in Santa Monica on at least one occasion, which is the basis for this song.
Truetone salesman	“Mexican Fender”	“ Met her at a guitar shop on Santa Monica and 7th Street The salesman tried to get my attention to sell me a Mexican Fender ”	While it is unknown who this is, if they are even real, it is known they are an employee at Truetone Music, as this is the only guitar shop on Santa Monica and 7th street .
Todd Wisenbaker	“Mexican Fender”	“ She came to get her 10,000 steps and hang out with her boyfriend But I was only trying to get to know her so I took her out to the ocean ”	Todd Wisenbaker is the guitarist for La Sera and was Katy Goodman’s boyfriend at the time. They are now married.
Heartbreak DJ	“Mexican Fender”	“ And the trash overflowed out on the street The heartbreak DJ stepped to me but I just couldn't get enough”	It is unknown who the heartbreak DJ is, or even if they are a real person.
The Beach Boys	“Beach Boys”	The whole song	This song is both named after the Beach Boys and has several references to them such as interpolating quotes from Murry Wilson, the father of Brian and Dennis Wilson as well as the manager of the band at one point.
June bride	“Feels Like Summer”	“ June bride, shine so bright Flowers in her hair, but it just ain’t right June bride, shine so bright Flowers in her hair, we look good together ”	It is unknown who the June bride is.
Stevie Ray Vaughan	“Happy Hour”	“ I’m like Stevie Ray Vaughan on the stage High on music ”	Stevie Ray Vaughan was an American blues guitarist known for being the frontman of the band Double Trouble. He is considered one of the best blues guitarists of all times. In an interview with Billboard Rivers talks about watching DVD’s Stevie Ray Vaughan shred while backstage, which was the inspiration for this lyric.
Monty Python	“Happy Hour”	“ But then my boss calls and she’s crushing me with a 20-ton weight Just like in Monty Python ”	The 20-ton weight in the lyric is most likely referring to the 16-ton weight, a recurring gag in several Monty Python sketches such as “Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit.”
Ponce de Leon	“Happy Hour	“ I’m like Ponce de Leon Sailing on a ship for the new world Checking out the birds and flowers ”	Ponce de Leon is a Spanish explorer known for being the first explorer to reach Florida as well as settling Puerto Rico.
God	“Weekend Woman”	“ When God made her he threw away the formula ”	God, in monotheistic religions, is seen as the creator of all. Rivers is saying that when God made this Weekend Woman, he broke the mold and made someone truly unique.
Weekend Woman	“Weekend Woman”	“ All I want is to see her All I want is to reach my weekend woman ”	Rivers has said that the Weekend Woman is not a specific person but rather an amalgamation of several people.
Virgin Mary	“Sweet Mary”	“ My sweet Mary comes To help me to find my way ”	Rivers has hinted at Sweet Mary being a reference to the Virgin Mary. This would certainly not be the first, nor last time religious figures would be referenced in Cuomo’s lyrics, explicitly or otherwise.
Diane	“Any Friend of Diane's”	“ Any friend of Diane's is a friend of mine Any friend of Diane's is a friend of mine ”	Like with the person in “Weekend Woman,” Diane is not based on a single woman but instead on several important women throughout Rivers’ life.

Weezer (The Black Album) (2019)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Jay-Z	"Can't Knock the Hustle"	Can’t knock the hustle Can’t knock the hustle Leave a five star review and I’ll leave you one too Can’t knock the hustle	"Can't Knock the Hustle" is a track off of Jay-Z’s first album Reasonable Doubt. Jay-Z is also mentioned in the song "Let It All Hang Out".
Queen	“Zombie Bastards”	“Walking between the raindrops, ‘tween the raindrops Singing along to queen”	Queen is a British rock band from the 70’s.
Betty	“Piece of Cake	“ We’ll eat ice cream Weep for Betty ”	It is unknown who Betty is
Charles Baudelaire	“Piece of Cake”	“ Now I’m hanging out With a kitty named Baudelaire on my lap ”	Charles Baudelaire is a French poet from the 19th century.
Mary Poppins	“Too Many Thoughts in My Head”	“ Stay up reading Mary Poppins Overwhelmed by Netflix options ”	Mary Poppins is a fictional character from a book series of the same name, written by P. L. Travers.
Moses	“Too Many Thoughts in My Head”	“ Fuel up, bit, there’s no more slackin’ Moses looks upon the promised land ”	Moses is a religious figure who viewed the promised land from the peak of Mount Nebo.
Lawrence Welk	“Too Many Thoughts in My Head”	“ I never thought that I’d feel empty I’m really tired of this Lawrence Welk shit	Lawrence Welk was an American musician and TV host. The shit Rivers is most likely tired of is champagne music, which is what Welk’s style has come to be known as.
Prince	“The Prince Who Wanted Everything”	The whole song is about Prince
Neil Young	“Byzantine”	“ I want Neil Young on your phone speaker in the morning And fuck him if he just can't see This is how his songs are supposed to be heard No more lectures on fidelity ”	Neil Young has a dislike for many digital audio formats, calling them deeply flawed. Rivers is saying that he doesn’t care what Young’s thoughts are, and that all audio qualities are fine.
Tennessee Williams	“Byzantine”	“ Tennessee Williams in Stuart Weitzman boots Yeah, you're just too wild to believe ”	Tennessee Williams was an American playwright who died in 1983. Stuart Weitzman as a company didn’t start until 1986, so Tennessee Williams wearing a pair would be impossible, and a wild thing to believe happened.
Stuart Weitzman	“Byzantine”	“ Tennessee Williams in Stuart Weitzman boots Yeah, you're just too wild to believe ”	Stuart Weitzman is an American shoe designer who started the Stuart Weitzman company in 1986.
Judas Iscariot	“California Snow”	“ C’mon, Judas, give me a kiss I can’t take no more of this ”	Judas is a religious figure who kissed Jesus in order to identify him to soldier, who took him in. Rivers is asking for Judas to kiss him in order to turn himself in.

OK Human (2021)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Serge Gainsbourg	“Aloo Gobi”	“ Order up a decaf latte Spin Gainsbourg tunes ”	Serge Gainsbourg was a French Musician who is regarded as one of the most important figures in French pop. In his 30+ years of work he made music in several different genres such as jazz, rock, and electronica.
Winston Smith	“Grapes of Wrath”	“ Count on me to show support For Winston Smith in ‘ ‘1984’ ‘ ”	Winston Smith is the main character of George Orwell’s ‘ ‘1984’ ‘ in which he tries to rebel against Big Brother, the all-seeing leader of Oceania. Rivers is showing his support for privacy by siding with Winston Smith. This idea of lack of privacy is probably connected to the idea of technology ruining or lives, something that was talked about in prerelease interviews but is not really seen in the final album.
Yossarian	“Grapes of Wrath”	“ Take me up to Neverland, hanging with Yossarian He's kinda just like me; We fight 'til we get free ”	Yossarian is a character from Joseph Heller’s ‘ ‘Catch 22’ ‘ in which he is fighting in order to escape World War II.
Frodo Baggins	“Grapes of Wrath”	“ Frodo jonesing for the ring Soon I'll be there smiling ”	Frodo is the bearer of the One Ring, a ring of immense power, which overtime corrupted him and made him addicted to the power the ring had.
Leo Tolstoy	“Grapes of Wrath”	“ I'd prefer a Tolstoy read Soon I'll be there smiling ”	This line is from the original bridge that was heard during an OK Human livestream with Rivers Cuomo. It references Leo Tolstoy, a Russian author who is considered one of the best authors of all time. Rivers is saying he’d rather read then use other things to find pleasure.
Kyoko Ito Cuomo	“Playing My Piano”	“ My wife is upstairs My kids are upstairs ”	This line is a reference to how Rivers is completely alone while he is playing his piano. This line also references his kids, Mia Cuomo and Leo Cuomo.
Mia Cuomo	“Playing My Piano”	“ My wife is upstairs My kids are upstairs ”	This line is a reference to how Rivers is completely alone while he is playing his piano. This line also references his other child Leo Cuomo and his wife, Kyoko Ito Cuomo.
Leo Cuomo	“Playing My Piano”	“ My wife is upstairs My kids are upstairs ”	This line is a reference to how Rivers is completely alone while he is playing his piano. This line also references his other child Mia Cuomo and his wife, Kyoko Ito Cuomo.
Kim Jong-un	“Playing My Piano”	“ Kim Jong-un could blow up my city; I'd never know I just can't let go </small.”	Kim Jong-un is the supreme leader of North Korea. In recent years he has significantly ramped up production and advancement of ballistic missiles. This has led to some tension between several countries and has led to fear and speculation of attacks using such missiles.
Mia Cuomo	“Screens”	“ Young girl, lying flat on her bed Streaming images to her head ”	This song is one of the few to tackle the topic of technology on the album. This line is about Rivers’ daughter Mia and her constant screen time. Cuomo is worried about his family being so attached to screens.
Beverly Shoenberger	“Screens”	“ Old maid in the cottage next door We don't see her much anymore ”	The old maid referenced is most likely Rivers’ mother as she lives next door to him. She, likes everyone else in Cuomo’s life is obsessed with screens.

Van Weezer (2021)

Person	Song	Lyric	Note
Iron Fist	“Hero”	“ I'd hammer down hard like I'm Iron Fist Then disappear like I don't exist”	Iron Fist is a superhero owned by Marvel comics. He was created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane in 1974. He is known for his martial arts powers.
Friedrich Nietzsche	“All the Good Ones”	“ She plays for all the marbles Her Nietzsche books are conversation starters”	Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher and poet. His writings have influenced many modern day ideas.
Suzy Shinn	“The End of the Game”	“ Hey, Suzy, where you been today? I'm looking for you every way”	Suzy Shinn is an American producer, who has worked with Weezer on multiple occasions, most notably, producing Van Weezer. Several names were considered for the lyric before deciding on the name Suzy.
Aslan	“The End of the Game”	“ I feel like I've known you my whole life You got me cryin' like when Aslan died”	Aslan is a talking lion from The Chronicles of Narnia series. He dies in the first book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Mick Jagger	“The End of the Game”	“ I was Mick and you were Marianne You would harmonize when I felt bad”	The line is a reference to the relationship between Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull.
Marianne Faithfull	“The End of the Game”	“ I was Mick and you were Marianne You would harmonize when I felt bad”	The line is a reference to the relationship between Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull.
Aerosmith	“I Need Some of That”	“ Listening to Aerosmith Later on I will call my mom”	“I Need Some of That” is about thinking about and trying to relive the past. Aerosmith is a band Rivers listened to in his early years, and so he’s trying to reconnect to that time in his life. This line also mentions his mother Beverly Shoenberger
Beverly Shoenberger	“I Need Some of That”	“ Listening to Aerosmith Later on I will call my mom”	“I Need Some of That” is about thinking about and trying to relive the past. Calling his mom may be just another way he is trying to reconnect to his past. This lyric also mentions Aerosmith .
Nostradamus	“Beginning of the End”	“ Nostradamus predicted a bomb would drop And all the guitars would be hung in an old pawn shop”	Nostradamus was a French astrologer. He’s known for writing Les Prophéties a book of poems which allegedly predicted the future.
Rachel Haden	“Sheila Can Do It”	“ If Sheila can do it, I can do it I don't see the problem with that”	“Sheila Can Do It” Is at least partially inspired by Rachel Haden.
Faster Pussycat	“Precious Metal Girl”	“ Look like you could have been in Faster Pussycat In your leather jacket With the patches on the back”	Faster Pussycat is a band from the 80’s Hair Metal scene in LA.
L.A. Guns	“Precious Metal Girl”	“ The battles lost and won With the L.A. Guns”	L.A. Guns is a band from the 80’s Hair Metal scene in LA.

See also

• Weezer influences
• Gallery:Lyric sheets
• List of food and beverages mentioned in Weezer lyrics