WTF: IF NO PRESS IS BAD PRESS, I GUESS WE'VE GOT TO COVER TOTO’S ‘AFRICA’ TO GET ANY PRESS

by Beca Arredondo
9/13/18

This is all the Internet’s fault.

Weezer covering Toto’s “Africa,” that is. Why would anyone be to blame in such an excellent occurrence, you ask? It’s weird.

It’s not that the cover is a problem in and of itself, as much as he harrowing half a year journey that got us to this point.

Let’s begin at the beginning as one is known to do.

First @weezerafrica starts a twitter whisper campaign in December 2017 for Weezer to perform a cover song of the seminal 80’s classic “Africa” by Toto. It’s perfect, if not a little annoying. It mostly consists of tweeting at Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell and Rivers Cuomo, asking them to. Is this someone’s entire existence? To tweet at people and offer the suggestion that maybe Weezer’s cover of this song might be worthwhile? Yes. This is what we’ve come to, people.

 

Then six months later, spitefully (or hilariously), Weezer covers “Rosanna” instead. It’s a good troll. Almost as good as @weezerafrica begging Weezer to cover “Africa” in the first place. Is it even a troll? Or is it genuine? I legitimately have no idea. With this cover Weezer successfully reminds everyone that Toto is much more than a one-hit-wonder. Rosanna bangs. Weezer does a damn good cover of it. Maybe @weezerafrica is onto something?

 

Then out of nowhere, Toto responds by covering “Hashpipe.” It’s great too. For a second it appears that maybe all is right in the world. Or as right as we’re going to get, at least. Are these bands really tried and true spiritual siblings? How come we weren’t able to see this before? What lack of insight on our behalf with regards to two bands we love so very much.

Then BOOM out of nowhere Weezer drops an official release of “Africa” like they’re supposed to, like the good Lord intended, like the Internet demands. It’s the best press they’ve gotten in years. How could they possibly turn the attention down?

 

“If no press is bad press, I guess we’ve got to cover Toto’s Africa to get any press,” Weezer says in the press release accompanying the release (that I’ve made up to match our headline).

This release is about as juicy of news that we’ve got from Rivers and the boys since we found out that he had been bouncing a ball on the wall of his Harvard dorm for months, unable to write anything new after the masterpiece that was “Pinkerton.”

And to take it one step even further Weezer covers “Africa” with Weird Al doing the vocals in LA. Weird Al and Weezer together performing a non-parodical cover? Internet nerddom perfection achieved? I feel like those characters in Ready Player One when they win the big game.

It’s all so good. Every moment of every second of this. It’s all we’ve ever wanted and didn’t have the remotest clue of. The Internet is a magical place. Oh what a journey we’ve all been on.

soundcloud

Beca Arredondo is easily unamused with all things not related to her interests. On her good days you can catch her avoiding the California sun and glued to her Mac plotting the next big thing. If you happen to run into her on the street and notice her wearing headphones do NOT disturb her. She is not responsible for any possible damage. Aside from the above she's very sweet and perky and responds well to good music and food.