Back to the Shack
{{Infobox song
| name = Back to the Shack
| cover = Weezer - Back to the Shack cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Weezer
| album = Everything Will Be Alright in the End
| released = July 22, 2014
| format =
| recorded = 2014
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{Flat list|
}}
| length = 3:07
| label = Republic
| writer = {{Flat list|
- Rivers Cuomo
- Jacob Kasher Hindlin
}}
| producer = Ric Ocasek
| prev_title = Hang On
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = Cleopatra
| next_year = 2014
}}
"Back to the Shack" is a song by the American rock band Weezer. It was released as the first single from their ninth studio album Everything Will Be Alright in the End on July 22, 2014. The song was sent to radio stations and uploaded to Weezer's YouTube channel a day before the single's official release. It was written in response to the band's past several albums, with lead vocalist Rivers Cuomo wanting to return to their roots. The song received generally favorable reviews.
Background and composition
File:Weezer eastscene-no watermark.jpg
"Back to the Shack" was written by Rivers Cuomo and Jacob Kasher Hindlin. The song was produced by Ric Ocasek. Cuomo wrote a majority of the song, with Karl Koch describing Jacob Kasher Hindlin's contribution to the song as "randomly singing out the title while hanging out on the couch listening to [Rivers Cuomo] strumming the song. It doesn't take much to get half a songwriting credit."{{cite web|author=Koch, Karl |title=allthingsweezer |url=http://allthingsweezer.com/index.php?threads/this-isnt-our-website.29187/page-12#post-844086 |access-date=August 11, 2014 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At one point, the song was performed with the bridge containing the lyric "we belong in the rock zone", before Cuomo, based on fan suggestions changed it from "rock zone" to "rock world".{{cite magazine |last=Franich |first=Darren |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2014/07/11/weezer-new-album-back-to-the-shack/ |title=Weezer's Rivers Cuomo on new album's 'Back To The Shack' | The Music Mix | EW.com |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=July 22, 2014 |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716153836/http://music-mix.ew.com/2014/07/11/weezer-new-album-back-to-the-shack/ |url-status=live }} Regarding the composition of the song, Cuomo stated that he "tried to find different melodies and different beats and all these different things." Further, he stated that as he "couldn't crack the code" they had to go ahead and record it anyway. Ocasek introduced a synth melody line to the song during this period.
Cuomo explained that the lyrics refer to how he feels bad for the direction the band has taken on some of their past material. He admitted that sometimes he "went over the edge". He explained his desire to create "a classic alt-rock record."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/story/weezer-s-rivers-cuomo-admits-band-mistakes_4319514 |title=Weezer | Weezer's Rivers Cuomo admits band mistakes |magazine=Contactmusic |date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=August 11, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812204738/http://www.contactmusic.com/story/weezer-s-rivers-cuomo-admits-band-mistakes_4319514 |url-status=live }} The "shack" serves as a reference to Amherst house, a home where some of the original Weezer members had lived and recorded a few of their demos.{{cite magazine |last=Mapes |first=Jillian |url=http://flavorwire.com/450144/being-a-weezer-fan-will-break-your-heart-but-their-new-album-seems-promising |title=Weezer's New Album: Why Fans Can Get Excited – Flavorwire |magazine=Flavorwire |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-date=July 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722061049/http://flavorwire.com/450144/being-a-weezer-fan-will-break-your-heart-but-their-new-album-seems-promising/ |url-status=live }}
Lyrically, "Back to the Shack" deals with the theme of nostalgia and a wish to return "to [the band's] 1994 roots".{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Dave |url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/weezer-tries-to-capture-that-90s-feeling-on-new-single-back-to-the-shack |title=Weezer tries to capture that 90s feeling on new single Back to the Shack |work=HitFix |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=July 23, 2014 |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726105035/http://www.hitfix.com/news/weezer-tries-to-capture-that-90s-feeling-on-new-single-back-to-the-shack |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Trefor |first=Cai |url=http://www.gigwise.com/videos/92818/listen-weezer-unveil-brand-new-single-back-to-the-shack |title=Listen: Weezer unveil brand new single 'Back To The Shack' |work=Gigwise |date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=August 2, 2014 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054049/http://www.gigwise.com/videos/92818/listen-weezer-unveil-brand-new-single-back-to-the-shack |url-status=live }} Dave Lewis stated the song serves as a thematic continuation of two previous Weezer songs, "In the Garage" and "Memories". It also deals with Weezer's relationship with their fans and serves as "basically an apology for the past two decades and a promise to embrace their nerdy roots."{{cite magazine |last=Shetty |first=Sharan |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/07/21/weezer_back_to_the_shack_listen_to_the_band_s_first_single_off_everything.html |title=Weezer Back to the Shack: Listen to the band's first single off Everything Will Be Alright in the End (VIDEO) |magazine=Slate |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724052200/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/07/21/weezer_back_to_the_shack_listen_to_the_band_s_first_single_off_everything.html |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last=Menyes |first=Carolyn |url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/6761/20140612/weezer-announces-new-album-title-everything-will-alright-end-ric.htm |title=Weezer Announces New Album Title 'Everything Will Be Alright In The End', with Ric Ocasek as Producer |journal=Music Times |date=June 12, 2014 |access-date=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714154924/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/6761/20140612/weezer-announces-new-album-title-everything-will-alright-end-ric.htm |url-status=live }} The song's opening lines—"I'm sorry guys, I didn't realize that I needed you so much"—in particular reinforce this theme. The song has been categorized under alternative rock{{cite web |last=Plaugic |first=Lizzie |url=http://www.cmj.com/news/listen-weezer-back-shack/ |title=Weezer - "Back To The Shack" | News |publisher=CMJ |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726022145/http://www.cmj.com/news/listen-weezer-back-shack/ |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }} and power pop.{{cite journal |last=DeGroot |first=Joey |url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/7986/20140725/5-ways-weezer-could-actually-get-back-to-the-shack.htm |title=5 Ways Weezer Could Actually Get 'Back To The Shack' |journal=Music Times |date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729131030/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/7986/20140725/5-ways-weezer-could-actually-get-back-to-the-shack.htm |url-status=live }}
Critical reception
"Back to the Shack" received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Carolyn Menyes from Music Times regarded "Back to the Shack" to be instrumentally similar to the band's second album Pinkerton, and stated that the song "features hooks for days, and the turn of events in the chorus is nothing short of a pure earworm."{{cite journal |last=Menyes |first=Carolyn |url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/7803/20140721/review-weezer-back-to-the-shack-back-everything-will-be-alright-end-listen.htm |title=REVIEW: Weezer Takes Fans 'Back to the Shack', Back to Rock 'N' Roll in New Single from 'Everything Will Be Alright in the End' [LISTEN] |journal=Music Times |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=July 22, 2014 |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728195424/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/7803/20140721/review-weezer-back-to-the-shack-back-everything-will-be-alright-end-listen.htm |url-status=live }} Mike Ayers of The Wall Street Journal described the song as "three minutes of pure Weezer joy", particularly for "its simple, yet heavy riffs and self-deprecating lyrics",{{cite news |last=Ayers |first=Mike |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/07/21/weezer-back-to-the-shack-stream/ |title=Weezer Return With Punchy New Single 'Back to the Shack' - Speakeasy - WSJ |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724003535/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/07/21/weezer-back-to-the-shack-stream/ |url-status=live }} while Spin critic Colin Joyce complimented the song for its "anthemic choruses and guitar anti-heroics".{{cite web |last=Joyce |first=Colin |url=https://www.spin.com/2014/07/weezer-back-to-the-shack-everything-will-be-alright-in-the-end-stream/ |title=Weezer 'Rock Out Like It's '94' on 'Back to the Shack' | SPIN | Music News |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=July 23, 2014 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403060705/http://www.spin.com/2014/07/weezer-back-to-the-shack-everything-will-be-alright-in-the-end-stream/ |url-status=live }} HitFix reviewer Dave Lewis called the song "generic rock", although he went on to compliment the middle eight and considered the song as a whole to be "a lot more promising", than their more recent releases.
Chris Payne of Billboard ranked it as the band's fifth best lead single, beating out "Hash Pipe", "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To", "Pork and Beans", and "Memories".{{cite magazine |last=Payne |first=Chris |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6174316/weezer-lead-singles-best-worst-back-to-the-shack |title=Weezer's Lead Singles, Ranked Best to Worst |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729163105/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6174316/weezer-lead-singles-best-worst-back-to-the-shack |url-status=live }} Hilary Hughes of Fuse praised it as a return to the band's old sound, saying "a promising look at what's sure to be a satisfying listen for new and old fans alike."{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Hilary |url=http://www.fuse.tv/2014/07/weezer-back-to-the-shack |title=Weezer Returns to Rock (and Radio!) with "Back To The Shack" - New Song - Fuse |publisher=Fuse |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=August 2, 2014 |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725015816/http://www.fuse.tv/2014/07/weezer-back-to-the-shack |url-status=live }} Ian Rogers from The Vine commented that it "Sounds exactly like a highly professional, crassly commercial L.A. rock band performing a Weezer-styled song about Weezer returning to their roots."{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Ian |url=http://www.thevine.com.au/music/50orless/50-words-or-less-july-2014-20140804-284049/ |title=50 Words or Less: July 2014 - Life & pop culture, untangled |publisher=The Vine |date=August 4, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808001429/http://www.thevine.com.au/music/50orless/50-words-or-less-july-2014-20140804-284049 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 }}
Release and live performances
"Back to the Shack" was released as the first single from Everything Will Be Alright in the End on July 22, 2014. The day before its release, the song was sent to radio stations, and uploaded to the band's YouTube channel.{{cite magazine |last=Reed |first=Ryan |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/weezer-share-nerdy-self-referential-new-single-back-to-the-shack-20140721 |title=Weezer Share Nerdy, Self-Referential New Single 'Back to the Shack' | Music News |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 27, 2014 |access-date=July 22, 2014 |archive-date=July 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721215851/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/weezer-share-nerdy-self-referential-new-single-back-to-the-shack-20140721 |url-status=live }}
Prior to release, the song was performed in February during the 2014 Weezer Cruise.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/weezer-reveal-new-album-title-preview-new-riff-in-studio-teaser-20140613 |title=Weezer Reveal New Album Title 'Everything Will Be Alright in the End' - Video |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 13, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714110946/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/weezer-reveal-new-album-title-preview-new-riff-in-studio-teaser-20140613 |url-status=live }} The band performed it on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on July 23, the song's first performance on television.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6185465/weezer-back-to-the-shack-tonight-show-with-jimmy-fallon-video-live |title=Weezer Perform 'Back to the Shack' on 'Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon' Weezer Go 'Back to the Shack' on 'Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon' (Video) |magazine=Billboard |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011232627/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6185465/weezer-back-to-the-shack-tonight-show-with-jimmy-fallon-video-live |url-status=live }} In August, the song was played during Musikfest.{{cite news |last=Pacheco |first=Jessyca |url=http://www.mcall.com/news/local/musikfest/mc-musikfest-review-weezer-20140810,0,7328631.story |title=Weezer at Musikfest shows it may have gotten better with age: Concert review - themorningcall.com |newspaper=The Morning Call |access-date=August 11, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812203246/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/musikfest/mc-musikfest-review-weezer-20140810,0,7328631.story |url-status=live }}
Music video
The music video for "Back to the Shack" was directed by Warren Fu and released on September 29, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/weezer-back-to-the-shack-video/|title=Hell Yes! It's the Premiere of Weezer's Video for "Back to the Shack"|work=Noisey|date=September 29, 2012|access-date=October 6, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006144601/http://noisey.vice.com/blog/weezer-back-to-the-shack-video|url-status=live}} The video features the band performing the song on the moon.
Chart performance
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! Chart (2014) ! Peak |
| {{singlechart|Billboardcanadianhot100|72|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2014}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardcanadarock|1|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=August 23, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|CIS|200|artist=Weezer|song=Back to the Shack|songid=58099|access-date=March 4, 2024|refname="CIS"|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardjapanhot100|64|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=October 8, 2014}} |
| scope="row"| Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2014-08-16/mexico-ingles |title=Mexico Ingles Airplay |magazine=Billboard |date=August 16, 2014 |access-date=August 23, 2014 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=November 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122114550/http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2014-08-16/mexico-ingles |url-status=live }}
| style="text-align:center;"| 35 |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Billboardrocksongs|13|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2014}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardrockairplay|4|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2014}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardalternativesongs|5|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=August 25, 2014}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardmainstreamrock|5|artist=Weezer|rowheader=true|access-date=August 8, 2014}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Weezer}}
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{{Good article}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Ric Ocasek
Category:Songs written by Rivers Cuomo
Category:Songs written by Jacob Kasher