Lame-ric: Island in the Sun

This alternative set of lyrics looks at the meaning (from my perspective) of a song and, by outlining a sentiment (from my perspective), highlights the actual intent (from my perspective). 

I wrote this "Lame-ric" (like a limerick and a lyric but then not) for "Island in the Sun," by Weezer. (Island in the Sun music video.) I have had this one song in my head for days and days. I don't know why. Even when I worked on the last lameric I kept thinking about this song. Humming its tune. Sure, it could be taken on its face as a poppy, sweet song about going away on vacation, but I read into it deeper.

I read it to be a song about the danger of escapism. I think every person encounters numerous events in life it would feel good to just avoid and run away from. I know I have. But in the song the protagonist "can't control [his] brain." I took that to mean that time spent "on the island in the sun" leads to loss of self-control. The idea that "we'll never feel bad anymore" sounds extreme and scares me a bit. How does anyone know "good" if they no longer have "bad" for comparison? Chemical means of escape, like drugs and alcohol, dominated our past and now technological means threaten to dominate the future (see Ready Player One; Wall-e). Basically, to me, it seems the song deals with the alluring nature of drugs specifically, but as a whole more generally escapism too. Crazily however, the song does so in a completely palatable way. Here's a possibly less palatable alternative:

 

Shoul-der

Shoul-der

Shoul-der

Shoul-der

 

On a break from your hard life

away from all the crazy strife

Some fools gold just for the soul

I could fit into that hole

 

In the perfect place to be

No more cares and it's all free

It's just so wonderful that

nothing else matters here

 

Shoul-der

Shoul-der

 

At the perfect little place

Who cares about a face?

As long as you can stay

Long enough to slip away

 

It's almost perfect you see

You don't care, it's mostly free

It's all pretty nice

So now just worry less

 

Just follow me to somewhere

Trust in me that you will not care

A place where you are always good

 

Shoul-der

Shoul-der

Shoul-der

 

It's not the same it used to be

It's so far from being free

Now it's such a scary place

it's all I think about

 

Just follow me to somewhere

Trust me that you will not care

A place where you are always good

 

Shoul-der

 

A place where you are always good

So good

A place where you are always good

So good