2001 Mellow Alt-Rock Staple Never Hit No. 1, But It's Still a Timeless Summer Anthem
One of Weezer's most iconic songs may not have been a chart-topper back in its day, but it's still considered a classic Y2K summer staple.
Even almost 25 years after the alternative rock band released their mellow feel-good favorite, "Island in the Sun," the song still holds up as a nostalgic summertime anthem.
Originally featured on their self-titled third studio album (often referred to as "The Green Album") in May 2001, Weezer's "Island in the Sun" was released as a single the following July, just in time for summer.
With a radio-friendly sound and a beachy, easygoing vibe, the track appeared on a few Billboard airplay charts, but it never reached any No. 1 spots. It also never even cracked the Hot 100 list.
"Island in the Sun" peaked at No. 11 on the Alternative Airplay chart in September 2001, and also appeared on both the Adult Alternative Airplay chart (peaking at No. 8) and the Adult Pop Airplay chart (ranked at No. 33).
But its highest chart placement wasn't until more than 20 years after its initial release, when it spiked in popularity in 2022, thanks to TikTok users using the song for new video trends. It peaked at No. 3 on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart in May 2022, and in the same month reached No. 18 on the Digital Song Sales chart for all genres.
The song still holds up as a summertime favorite, often earning a spot on curated "beach playlists," It's also ranked as one of the Top 30 Beach Songs by Southern Living, and earned the No. 5 spot on Billboard's 2024 ranking of the 10 Best Beach Songs.
"Island in the Sun" also ranks on Parade's roundup of the 81 Best Summer Songs of All Time, coming in at No. 48.
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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 7:12 AM.