| "Hero" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Weezer | ||||
| from the album Van Weezer | ||||
| Released | May 6, 2020 | |||
| Recorded | 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Suzy Shinn | |||
| Weezer singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Hero" on YouTube | ||||
"Hero" is a song by the American rock band Weezer. It was released on May 6, 2020, as the second single from the band's fifteenth studio album, Van Weezer.
Composition
Rolling Stone described "Hero" as an outcast anthem, which focuses on frontman Rivers Cuomo's feelings of inadequacy. [1] The band described the song as for "the stay at home dreamers, the zoom graduators, the sourdough bakers, and the essential workers". [2] Following the style of Van Weezer's return to the band's roots in hard rock, "Hero" has been described musically as an upbeat Weezer song with heavy guitar usage. [3] Spin described it as "a dose of power pop". [4]
On July 30, the band released an alternate version of the song titled "Hero (Piano)", arranged as a piano ballad. [5]
Music video
The music video for the song was directed by Brendan Walter and Jasper Graham. It begins with a scene of Cuomo writing a letter, which is then seen passed along Weezer fans, accompanied with footage of the band performing the song. At the end of the video, the letter is opened to reveal a tribute to essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] The video includes a cameo from the band Real Estate. [6]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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References
- ^ a b Blistein, Jon (6 May 2020). "Weezer Honor Essential Workers With New Outcast Anthem 'Hero'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania. "Weezer Return With New Song 'Hero' – And Here's How They're Honoring Real Heroes Caring For COVID-19 Patients". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (6 May 2020). "Weezer Delay Album and Share New Song "Hero": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Weezer Share "Hero" Video That's Dedicated to Frontline Workers". Spin. May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Hero (Piano)" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Hello – we make an appearance in a new @Weezer music video, thus fulfilling childhood dreams we didn't know we had". Real Estate on Twitter. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ " Weezer – Hero" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
- ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
