Studio Album · No. 2
Pinkerton Songwriting Credits by Weezer
Produced by Weezer · Engineered by Joe Barresi, Dave Fridmann, Adam Kasper, Clif Norrell, Jack Joseph Puig, George Marino
DGC Records
EmoPower PopPop PunkIndie RockAlternative Rock
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Weezer carries a lyricist or composer credit.
10 trackswritten by Weezer
0 tracksoutside writers
Weezer's roles on this album
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
10
Tracks
1
Lyricists
1
Producers
1 million
US Copies Sold
1996
Released
Data Insight
Rivers Cuomo wrote all of Pinkerton and the band produced it themselves, a deliberate break from the polish Ric Ocasek brought to the debut. Drawing on his time as a Harvard student and on the Puccini opera Madama Butterfly, Cuomo turned the record into a raw, confessional song cycle about isolation, desire and self-doubt. The rougher production and unguarded lyrics led to a critical and commercial cooling on release, but the album was later reassessed as one of the most influential records in emo. Songs like 'El Scorcho' and 'The Good Life' show Cuomo writing with an unfiltered intimacy he largely retreated from afterward.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Tired of Sex
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Getchoo
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
No Other One
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Why Bother?
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Across the Sea
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
The Good Life
#32
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
El Scorcho
#19
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Pink Triangle
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Falling for You
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Butterfly
|
Rivers Cuomo | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer | Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 2 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Pinkerton
Did Rivers Cuomo write Pinkerton?
Yes. Rivers Cuomo wrote all ten songs on Pinkerton. The album is among his most personal work, drawing directly on his experiences as a student at Harvard and his struggles with isolation and relationships.
Who produced Pinkerton?
Weezer produced Pinkerton themselves, with no outside producer. The self-produced approach gave the record a rawer, more abrasive sound than the Ric Ocasek-produced Blue Album.
Why was Pinkerton initially considered a failure?
Pinkerton was met with mixed reviews and weaker sales than the Blue Album when it came out in 1996, and Rolling Stone readers once voted it one of the worst albums of the year. Its confessional lyrics and rough production were later embraced, and the album is now widely regarded as a landmark of emo.
What is El Scorcho about?
'El Scorcho' is Rivers Cuomo's awkward, openly vulnerable song about a crush on a woman he was too shy to approach. It was the album's lead single and peaked at number 19 on the Alternative Airplay chart.
What inspired Pinkerton's title and themes?
Cuomo took the album's name and concept partly from Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly, whose character Lieutenant Pinkerton inspired the record's themes of longing and emotional damage. The opera influences run through several songs, including 'Butterfly.'
Is Pinkerton certified Platinum?
Yes. Pinkerton is certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States, having passed one million copies, a milestone it reached well after its 1996 release as the album's reputation grew.
Did any Pinkerton singles reach the Billboard Hot 100?
No. Neither 'El Scorcho' nor 'The Good Life' entered the Billboard Hot 100. Both charted on the alternative/modern rock airplay chart now known as Alternative Airplay, at number 19 and number 32 respectively.