Can't Knock the Hustle (Weezer song)

"Can't Knock the Hustle" is a song by the American rock band Weezer, released on October 11, 2018 as the lead single for their 2019 self titled album, also called the Black Album. A music video was released on the same day.

"Can't Knock the Hustle"
Single by Weezer
from the album Weezer (The Black Album)
ReleasedOctober 11, 2018
Recorded2018
Genre
Length3:42
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Rivers Cuomo
Producer(s)Dave Sitek
Weezer singles chronology
"California Snow"
(2018)
"Can't Knock the Hustle"
(2018)
"Zombie Bastards"
(2018)

Composition

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"Can't Knock the Hustle" was produced by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio fame.[1] The song contains influences from funk music and Latin music.[2] It is described as a funk rock song by Stereogum[3] and disco by Paste,[4] while Beyond the Stage Magazine categorizes it as pop rock[5] and Rolling Stone as rap rock.[6] It is also one of the only Weezer songs to use strong profanity.

Music video

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A music video was released for the song on October 11, 2018, and was produced by Jerry Media and directed by Guy Blelloch.[7]

None of the band's members appear in the video, but Rivers Cuomo's glasses are worn by Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz (known as Rivers Wentz in the video),[3] who is driving the car. Wentz's character is repeatedly disrupted by two passengers in the back of the vehicle, played by James Ohliger and Romane Recalde,[7] who are shown to be making out, and later, arguing and stabbing each other, ending with them being driven to the emergency room.

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
Czech Republic Modern Rock (IFPI)[8] 19
Iceland (RÚV)[9] 16
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[10] 23

Year-end charts

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Chart (2019) Position
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] 36

References

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  1. ^ Sam Moore Oct 11, 2018 4:01 pm (11 October 2018). "Weezer announce 'The Black Album' with single 'Can't Knock the Hustle'". Nme.com. Retrieved 2018-10-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Billboard. "Weezer Announces 'The Black Album' & Drops 'Can't Knock The Hustle' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  3. ^ a b "Weezer Announce 'The Black Album' & Tour With Pixies, Share "Can't Knock The Hustle" Video Starring Pete Wentz". Stereogum. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  4. ^ Zimmerman, Lee. "Weezer Share Video for "Can't Knock the Hustle," off Forthcoming The Black Album :: Music :: News :: Weezer :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  5. ^ "New Music Friday: October 12, 2018". Beyond The Stage Magazine. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  6. ^ Dolan, Jon (March 4, 2019). "Review: Weezer's Latest Hunk of Cali-Rock Malaise, 'The Black Album'". Rolling Stone. "Can't Knock the Hustle" taps the same winking rap-rock Cuomo kicked back on the 2005 hit "Beverly Hills," though this time out the sense of irony is somewhat less blanched and the music a great deal more fun.
  7. ^ a b "Weezer - Can't Knock The Hustle (starring Rivers Wentz)". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  8. ^ "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock - Can't Knock the Hustle - Weezer" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "Topplistinn 17. November 2018". RÚV. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  10. ^ "Weezer Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  11. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.