What would Outkast’s “Hey Ya” sound like played solo and acoustic by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo? What about Nirvana’s “Drain You” or Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” as stripped-down, emotional ballads?
Over the weekend, Cuomo uploaded more than a dozen covers to YouTube under the playlist title “randum cuverz.” The uploads, marked as private, appear to have been recorded in 2018 and 2019. The collection opens with a cover of Radiohead’s 1992 single “Creep,” with Cuomo delivering a vulnerable, unadorned version.
Cuomo then moves to a quick, acoustic version of André 3000’s “Hey Ya” from Outkast’s 2003 album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.” He adds his own style through layered vocals and a playful take on the “lend me some sugar” line.
Other songs include nearly a minute of Green Day’s “When I Come Around,” a few minutes of Nirvana’s “Drain You” and a rough take on “Lithium.” Cuomo also covers Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” adding a sense of longing to the vocals in one of the more fully arranged tracks.
Unexpected covers in the playlist include a straightforward take on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” complete with a falsetto and signature yelp, and a somber version of Harry Nilsson’s “Without You.” Cuomo also records a light, indie pop cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” a brief rendition of Post Malone and Quavo’s “Congratulations,” and Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road.”
Some covers, such as the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” seem more expected for Cuomo. He also performs Morgan Evans’ “Country Outta My Girl” and ends the list with a 2021 piano sonata by Schumann.
As of Monday, Cuomo had not commented on the uploads, and a spokesperson for Weezer did not respond to a request for comment.
It is not clear if these covers will receive an official release. Cuomo has previously shared home demos, including “Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo” in 2007 and two follow-up collections in 2008 and 2010.
Weezer is set to begin “The Gathering” tour this fall with the Shins and Silversun Pickups, starting Sept. 8 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.