Exclusive: Rivers Cuomo Explains Weezer’s Cover Of “Un-Break My Heart”

Updated:

October 25, 2010 12:15 pm

American Songwriter participates in affiliate programs with various companies. Links originating on American Songwriter’s website that lead to purchases or reservations on affiliate sites generate revenue for American Songwriter . This means that American Songwriter may earn a commission if/when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

Videos by American Songwriter

We’re big fans of crazy covers, but when we saw the track list for Death To False Metal, the upcoming rarities album from Weezer, we had to do a double take. The last track on the album is a reading of Toni Braxton’s R&B power ballad “Un-Break My Heart.” What’s next? Could Weezer have a version of “We Are The World” In the works? Don’t give them any ideas.

We got the scoop from Weezer leader Rivers Cuomo, who swears there was no irony involved:

“No. I loved that song. It was actually Rick Rubin’s suggestion. We both loved that song and we both thought it would be great for Weezer, and for my voice, and it’d be great to do like a rock version of it with more of an alternative aesthetic. And you know, just the way I would sing it versus in the way Toni Braxton would sing it. And I love the way it came out, and I think probably the rest of the band really does not like it, and that’s probably why it didn’t make our fifth record, in 2005 when we were recording it.”