It feels like the closer we get to the end of this election season the more we come across Weezer‘s ode to the United States of America, their single “I Love the USA.” Originally recorded this summer as part of the celebration for the Juno explorer reaching Jupiter’s orbit, it slowly started showing up more and more as the presidential election kicked into super high, super surreal gear. Then last week, in the midst of all these contentious debates, they released their video for the song, featuring Patton Oswalt in American flag cosplay shredding a patriotic guitar in the Oval Office, and last night they performed it live on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
So is it becoming a modern day anthem? Like a 21st century “Proud to Be An American?” And if so, why is it so serious? Watching this performance by the band, which starts off slowly with lead man Rivers Cuomo on the piano, and then stays low key throughout, almost sounds like a tribute to a late friend than it does a grand celebration.
But it could just be that Rivers is a weirdo, one that was sincerely moved to express his personal love for America, but could only do it by being really intense.
No matter your politics though, there is one thing we can all unite behind: that guitar solo is America as f***.
What do you think of this song? Will we look back on it like a new American anthem? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Image:Â Geffen
