So It's Come To This: A Weezer Snuggie
Weezer is known for its quirky nods to pop culture. The band has recorded music videos featuring the Muppets and every Internet meme this decade. And now, the band has taken on the Snuggie.
If you didn't already know, the Snuggie is essentially a blanket you can wear. It's been the subject of many parodies that have elevated the Snuggie to the status of ironic pop-culture icon.
To promote the band's new album, Raditude, Weezer embraced the phenomenon by offering its own Snuggie, as well as an infomercial in which all four band members proudly wear the bright blue garments.
"Well, like Weezer, Snuggies are just this weird, cool product that everyone seems to like," says singer Rivers Cuomo. "They're really popular, and you can't really figure out why. So we figured it's a good match."
The band even played The Late Show With David Letterman while dressed in Snuggies.
"It's actually great to play in a Snuggie," Cuomo says. "Your arms are free, so you can play guitar and drums, or you can do big rock poses — unlike a blanket that would be falling all over the place."
There's an older Weezer song that seems to challenge the very fabric of it all, called "Undone": "If you want to destroy my sweater / Hold this thread as I walk away."
In an interview with Cuomo, NPR's Guy Raz wonders whether a Snuggie could be destroyed the same way.
"I don't think Snuggies destroy that easily," says Cuomo. "They're very well-made."
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- Raditude by Weezer
GUY RAZ, host:
It's hard to miss these commercials on late night TV.
(Soundbite of Snuggie commercial)
Unidentified Woman #1: You want to keep warm when you're feeling chilled but you don't want to raise your heating bill. Blankets are okay, but they can slip and slide, and when you need to reach for something, your hands are trapped inside.
RAZ: This is, of course, an ad for the Snuggie. That's the full-sized, wearable blanket with sleeves. Now, the Snuggie's cult-like following is likely to grow now that it's got the imprimatur of a bonafide rock and roll band.
(Soundbite of Snuggie commercial)
Unidentified Woman #2: Now, there's the Weezer Snuggie, the blanket that has sleeves. The Weezer Snuggie keeps you totally warm.
RAZ: That's right - Weezer, these guys.
(Soundbite of song, "Sweater Song")
WEEZER (Band): (Singing) If you want to destroy my sweater, pull this thread as I walk away.
RAZ: To find out what's going on here, we've got Weezer's lead singer, Rivers Cuomo, on the phone with us.
Welcome to the show.
Mr. RIVERS CUOMO (Lead Singer, Weezer): Hi.
RAZ: First, I have to ask, if you want to destroy your Snuggie, can I hold this thread as you walk away?
Mr. CUOMO: I don't think Snuggies destroy that easily. They're very well made, and it's not as simple as holding a thread and walking away.
RAZ: Because they're made out of fleece, right?
Mr. CUOMO: They are.
RAZ: So, tell me, how did this, you know, this synergy happen?
Mr. CUOMO: Well, like Weezer, Snuggies are just this weird, cool product that everyone seems to like. They're really popular, and you can't really figure out why. So, we figured it's a good match.
RAZ: So, you didn't get, like, a group of MBAs around who said, you know, guys, you've got to get out with a Snuggies hit.
Mr. CUOMO: No. It's all very intuitive.
RAZ: Now, you actually performed on David Letterman's show wearing the Snuggie, and I saw a clip of it. Is that hard to do, to play in a Snuggie?
Mr. CUOMO: No. It's actually great to play in the Snuggie. Of course, your arms are free so you can play guitar or drums or you can do big rock poses, unlike with a blanket, which would be falling all over the place. And also, any performer knows this, if you've ever played Letterman, that set is freezing. They keep it literally 45 degrees at the most in there, and it's quite uncomfortable to play an instrument, your fingers freeze up. So, this is just ideal for us.
RAZ: Now, obviously, there's a kind of an element of irony here, right? I mean, this is sort of half-serious.
Mr. CUOMO: I have no idea what irony means anymore - half-serious, half-joking, I don't know. It definitely feels funny to me.
RAZ: That's Rivers Cuomo. He is the front man for the band Weezer. The band's new album, "Raditude," and new Snuggie are both available now.
Rivers Cuomo, thanks for joining us.
Mr. CUOMO: Thank you.
(Soundbite of song, "(If You're Wondering If I Want To) I want You To")
Mr. CUOMO: (Singing) Your mom cooked meatloaf, even though I don't eat meat. I dug you so much, I took some for the team. Your dad was silent, his eyes were fixed on what was on TV. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.
