Surf Wax America

"Surf Wax America" is the sixth track on the Blue Album.

The music for "Surf Wax America" was originally written by Patrick Wilson and recorded to 4-track. In a 2019 Billboard interview on the 25th anniversary of the release of The Blue Album, Patrick Wilson said of the song:

That was another song that I had most of on four track. Another desperately needed uptempo number. Rivers especially really loved the Beach Boys, and I think he tapped into that vibe a little, but in a more punk rock way. I don’t believe any of us had ever surfed at that point. We were painfully lacking in self-awareness. It’s a young person’s take on the world -- saying, ‘this is all bullshit, I’m just gonna do whatever I want to do.’ I think it’s a rejection of paths chosen for you.

Rivers Cuomo called "Surf Wax" "a total sarcastic call to hedonism, to sing along, drink and be merry. I hate drinking and only do so when I absolutely have to." The song's first verse contains a reference to the song "Round and Round" by American heavy-metal band Ratt. The song was once the band's go-to show closer, having closed most shows on the Blue Album and Pinkerton tours. The live version found on "Buddy Holly" singles and the deluxe release of Blue, recorded in New York in December of 1994, was that show's closer. Collector-savvy fans have taken to shouting "smoke dope!" at the song's breakdown section, during live performances, mimicking a fan heard on this recording.

At a solo Rivers Cuomo concert in 2018 in which Cuomo was joined by former Weezer guitarist Jason Cropper, Cuomo introduced "Surf Wax" by stating that Cropper had written the song's guitar riff.

A demo of the song was recorded during the sessions for Weezer's third demo, but was deemed lacking. It was only included on some copies of the tape, typically given only to friends of, or people close to, the band, as the only track on side B. Digital audio of this recording has surfaced, but does not match the audio quality of the other songs from these sessions.

## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

The sea is foaming like a bottle of beer

The wave is coming, but I ain't got no fear

I'm waxing down, so that I'll go real fast

I'm waxing down, because it's really a blast

I'm going surfing, 'cause I don't like your face

I'm bailing out, because I hate the race

Of rats that run around and 'round in the maze

I'm going surfing, I'm going surfing

[Chorus]

You take your car to work, I'll take my board

And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat

[Verse 2]

My buddies and their honeys all come along

They seem invincible as they trip along

The sea is rolling like a thousand pound keg

We're going surfing, going surfing

[Chorus]

You take your car to work, I'll take my board

And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat

You take your car to work, I'll take my board

And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat

[Bridge]

All along the undertow is strengthening its hold

I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home

All along the undertow is strengthening its hold

I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home

[Chorus]

You take your car to work, I'll take my board

And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat

You take your car to work, I'll take my board

(All along the undertow is strengthening its hold)

And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat

(I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home)

[Outro]

You take your car to work, I'll take my board

And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat

You take your car, I'll take my board

You take your car, I'll take my board, let's go

## See Also

 Standard