10 Rock Songs That Were Written As An Apology
6. Back to the Shack - Weezer
Towards the end of the '00s, it was getting more and more difficult for Weezer fans to really defend their favorite band. Even though time had been kinder to the group's '90s work like Pinkerton, them trying to reinvent themselves in the next decade made for one bad decision after another, from lackluster songwriting to someone suggesting that making a song with Lil Wayne was a good idea. It looked like the loveable nerds from back in the day were gone...until 2014.
Taking some time to refocus themselves and hit on a sound that was more suited to their style, Rivers Cuomo came through with a classic Weezer album with Everything Will Be Alright in the End, with Back to the Shack as its calling card. Rivers isn't even trying to hide his shame anymore here, speaking directly to the fans about he didn't realize that he needed them so much, which led to these bad decisions. Looking to make a record that they were proud of, this is the kind of song that reminded us of the old Weezer, back when they were jamming out in the garage in the old days.
There's also a bit of self awareness in the song as well, as Rivers says that he doesn't know whether his old fans will embrace him anymore, but says that he's content to go down swinging if he needs to. That spark in Weezer felt like it was tapped out for the past few years, but in hearing this song, it felt like them writing a new version of Buddy Holly was actually possible again.