Pork and Beans

Album: Weezer (Red) (2008)
Charted: 33 64
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Songfacts®:

  • This was inspired by a record-company meeting where the band was told it needed to record more-commercial material. Frontman Rivers Cuomo explained to Rolling Stone magazine: "I came out of it pretty angry. But ironically, it inspired me to write another song."
  • This was produced by Garrett "Jacknife" Lee (Snow Patrol, U2, R.E.M) during the third and final session for the album.
  • Many YouTube "stars" can be found in the music video such as: Chris Crocker, The Chocolate Rain Guy, The "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" Banana, and the Star Wars kid. Shriner spilled the beans to Buzznet about the video: "The video is based on YouTube phenomenon, and we really took it to a whole 'nother level. We brought a bunch of YouTube celebrities into L.A. and shot a video with them, and it was really insane and surreal. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm not a huge YouTube guy, but even to someone who's not that interested in YouTube, it's still a really interesting video. It's gonna be a trip." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Airk - Skagway, AK
  • This was the third Weezer album that they simply named Weezer. This one is known as "The Red Album." Rivers Cuomo said: "We put a lot of emphasis on blowing our minds with creative freakouts." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • Bassist Scott Shriner told Buzznet about this track: "To me, it's just got a really interesting sound, right off the top. "The words that Rivers wrote just kind of draw you in. The clever way that he writes and then the chorus, to me, is just classic, killer Weezer. Big guitars... edgy-sounding, classic Weezer rock. It's a great formula. It's taken it to another level of Weezer as well, without repeating the old. The song has captured the spirit of Weezer, but taken it to another place."
  • The director of the video, Matthew Cullen, told Rolling Stone magazine: "The non-conformist message of 'Pork & Beans' felt like a very natural anthem for the self expression going on YouTube. And I thought this could be a good way to celebrate that, so I brought those two ideas together, knowing I could accurately replicate these moments."
  • When Weezer performed this on their 2018 tour, Cuomo took the line "I don't give a hoot about what you think" in a profane direction, changing it to "I don't give a f--k about what you think" and giving the middle finger.

Comments: 20

  • Cornwalis from Portlandpork and beans with a lot of chopped onions, a brown sugar and mustard mix and layered with bacon, bake for about 55 minutes at 375, totally awesome, got it off tic toc, have made it several times and enjoy it every time.
  • Ccmix from Reading, PaPork and beans was an unflattering nickname my awesome bro endured. Candy is the extras in life I plan to share with him.
  • Moanin' Lisa from Chillicothe Mo.Love Weezer & this song. Heard it on the radio again this week late at night. My late sister gave me The Red Album when it was just released, for my birthday some years ago. I still love that crazy & fun video. Oh yes, that "chicken squawking" sound mentioned by Aiken Nutz?? My boyfriend insists he heard in a Weezer interview that it was a squeeze-doll. I never ever heard that! Personally, I don't know what it is. Maybe someone out there knows.
  • Aiken Nutz from Tahlequah OkI love this song. I love the big guitars and the "attitude" on this Weezer hit. When it became a hit, I wondered about a background sound Weezer used that is puzzling. It is repeated several times & it sounds like a chicken squawking----or maybe it's a doll "crying"----or a squeeze toy in the background briefly as the lyrics go along. I was in high school when this was a hit & my friends heard this sound too, but no one had a clue what it was. The Red Album was my first Weezer album ever & I loved it so much I got their other albums.
  • Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkYep, kids, this is one of Weezer's best songs. I noticed that Billboard.com has it as a #1 hit on their Modern Rock charts for 2008, but I recall that Songfacts uses Billboard's pop charts as reference. I started watching the Modern Rock charts years ago, rather than the Hot 100 pop chart. Weezer still has a huge impact on the charts without really "selling out." But who cares if any artist "sells out" as long as it's good music or great rock & roll?? Ooops......I'm babbling on...
  • Rotunda from Tulsa, OkGotta say I do not agree that this is not their best song. I love it and say it's among their best. So there!! Weezer has been around since 1994 & they are still going strong here in 2014. Staying power! And I think it's because they've got a huge fan base. I think they're the most significant rock band in the past 15 years. So says Rotunda! Now go. Go in peace!
  • Semper from Toms River, NjThis song is about not being American, because America is a cultural deathtrap that lures you with popular culture.
  • Kathleen from Chatham, NjThis is a great song, I think its the first Weezer song that I listened to and now they're my favorite band.
  • Devin from AustriaMy interpretation of the song is that Weezer doesn't want to sell out and they're happy with themselves and what they're doing.
  • Robert from Los Angeles, CaAdam, my son, this is why we listen to songs and digest the lyrics, in context of the music, then decide if we think the song sucks or not. don't be so ignorant. Ben, you're not the only one who wants them to change the word, but do you think it would make the song better? you're the only on ewho got vocal about it, and that's not bad, but the song would still be the same. it just proves that you don't have to go off saying every swear word you know, some you don't and some you just made up to have a good song.
  • Adam from Boyce, VaI love when I'm wrong about a song because of its title. I've always been a big Weezer fan but when I heard that "Pork & Beans" was the name of their latest single and seen how goofy Weezer liked to get in the past I was like this song is gonna suck. How wrong I was, classic Weezer with the big guitars and melodic chorus.
  • Cory from Victor, NyI think this song is mainly about doing what you want and living the way you want. songs great and the video is hilarious.
  • Ben from Manchester, United KingdomGreat song! But i Think Hoot should be changed to 'F**K' lol
  • Nick from Edmonton, Canadapretty good song from a great band, but definatly not their best. Check out The Blue Album or Pinkerton for a better definition of Weezer's greatness
  • Matt from Boston, MaOne of the best songs i have ever heard. AMAZINGLY AWSOME
    -Matt,Boston,MA
  • Chris from Louisville, KyThe song and video are both awesome!! I love Weezer...can't wait for the CD to be released.
  • Walker from Clackamas, OrPretty odd lyrically, but the video is one the most awesome things I've ever seen.
  • Vince from San Francisco, CaWhat a great song!
  • Bert from Pueblo, Nmthe only rock song ever to use the terms "fine and dandy," "tickled pink," and "don't give a hoot!"
  • Will from New York, Nyits a pretty good song, not their best
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