Behind the Songs of Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Weezer

Although I hold clear memories of singing “Buddy Holly” on the playground, it’s still hard to believe that Weezer has been rocking out since my grade school days. In the past nineteen years, the Rivers Cuomo fronted nerd-rock garage band has sold nine million albums in the United States alone and has revitalized the horn-rimmed glasses market in the process. With Rockabye Baby’s Lullaby Renditions of Weezer’s biggest hits, you can share soothing versions of your favorite Weezer jams with a new generation of fans. These are the stories behind each song on the album:

My Name is Jonas: Cuomo wrote this 1994 “Blue Album” classic about issues his brother was having with his insurance company after getting into a car accident.

Island in the Sun: The band didn’t plan on putting this track on their 2001 “Green Album,” but the album’s producer, former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek, liked the song and fought for its inclusion, and he won.

Susanne: This song’s line “Even Izzy, Slash, and Axl Rose, when I call you put ‘em all on hold,” refers to three members of  Guns ‘N Roses.

Say it Ain’t So: Cuomo wrote the lyrics to this song about his fear that his mother and stepfather might divorce. Music website Pitchfork ranked the song at number 10 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s

Across the Sea: This Pinkerton track was inspired by a letter Cuomo received from a Japanese fan while he was attending Harvard University. Cuomo has never contacted the girl.

Buddy Holly: This “Blue Album” classic was released on September 7, 1994, which would have been Buddy Holly’s 58^th birthday.

Beverly Hills: The video for this Make Believe track was shot at The Playboy Mansion, which is not actually in Beverly Hills.

El Scorcho: This Pinkerton track is rumored to have been named after a packet of hot sauce from fast food chain Del Taco named Del Scorcho. Cuomo has neither confirmed nor denied this claim.

Undone – The Sweater Song: Weezer’s first music video was for “Undone,” from the “Blue Album.” The video was shot by a young Spike Jonze for a modest $60,000 and was a major MTV hit.

In the Garage: This track appears on Weezer, better known as “The Blue Album.” The record was recorded at New York’s legendary Electric Lady Studios, a facility originally built by Jimi Hendrix.

The Good Life: This Pinkerton track was the album’s second single. It was rush ordered by the record company in an effort to save the commercially failing LP. The tactic did not work, although the album remains a critical hit and cult favorite.

Only in Dreams: Weezer’s final track has run time of seven minutes and 59 seconds, making it the album’s longest song.

(Psst!…And don’t forget: This little bundle of joy is arriving on February 15th, 2011!!)