"Africa" is a cover version of Toto's popular 1982 song, as performed by American rock band Weezer. The cover was released as a single on May 29, 2018, and later included on Weezer's self-titled 12th studio album, nicknamed the Teal Album.
"Africa" | ||||
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Single by Weezer | ||||
from the album Weezer (Teal Album) | ||||
B-side | "Rosanna" | |||
Released | May 29, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2018 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:58 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Patrick Wilson[5] | |||
Weezer singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Africa" on YouTube |
Release
In December 2017, Twitter user "@WeezerAfrica," run by a 15-year-old Cleveland, Ohio resident,[6] tweeted, "@RiversCuomo it's about time you bless the rains down in Africa." The band released a cover of "Rosanna", a different Toto song, in order to troll the user and those clamoring for a version of "Africa".[7]
Weezer finally released "Africa" on May 29, 2018. It was the band's first Hot 100 hit since "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" in 2009.[8] "Africa" reached number 51 on the Hot 100 and peaked at number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in August 2018, becoming the band's first number-one single in that chart since "Pork and Beans" in 2008.[9]
A limited edition 7-inch vinyl pressing was released by Weezer in July 2018 and sold exclusively through Urban Outfitters. The pressing was limited to 1,500 copies, with "Africa" as the A-side and "Rosanna" as the B-side. The cover artwork features a background of palm fronds with the tweet that inspired the song in the center of the cover.[10][11]
Shortly after the song's release, Weezer appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! along with keyboardist Steve Porcaro of Toto to promote the single.[11] Toto responded on August 9, 2018, by releasing a cover of Weezer's 2001 single "Hash Pipe", after debuting it in concert a week prior.[12][13]
Weezer included the cover on their surprise release of the all-covers "Teal Album" in January 2019.[14]
Music video
Weezer released a music video of their "Africa" cover in September 2018, styled as a parody of the video for their earlier single "Undone – The Sweater Song." Stand-ins for the band members perform the song on a soundstage, with "Weird Al" Yankovic replacing singer/guitarist Rivers Cuomo, with his band members replacing Weezer. Yankovic had previously appeared onstage during the band's tour to perform "Africa" with them.[15]
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Rock (Billboard)[16] | 33 |
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[17] | 42 |
US Billboard Hot 100[18] | 51 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[19] | 19 |
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[20] | 3 |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[21] | 5 |
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[22] | 26 |
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[23] | 1 |
Year-end charts
References
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