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For me, it goes beyond the music, length and lyrics. It's more of the entire concept — the introduction to the title character, the themes and overall feel of the album. To me, American Idiot (the song) is just a prologue, but JOS is the true beginning of the album. The punchiness of those first two lines makes it nearly impossible to not listen to the rest of the song. Beyond that, it was unlike anything the band had ever done to that point, and was definitely a risky move. So in the context of their careers, it's also epic in that regard. But once everything is tied together at the end of the album, with Letterbomb (the lines "You're not the Jesus of Suburbia, etc.") and Homecoming (the line "We're coming home, again" contrasting with the line "You're leaving home"), it's impossible for me not to consider JOS the coolest fucking thing ever. Like I said, it doesn't mean it's the song I listen to most, but I don't understand how anyone can dislike it.

No doubt Jesus of Suburbia is one of their best songs, if not the best. It's so incredibly powerful lyrically, instrumentally, and emotionally. For me, JOS really sums up in essence what the whole American Idiot album was - a masterpiece. To this day, I can't listen to it without being blown away. Like someone previously mentioned, they really proved what they are capable of with that song.

I believe that a "best green day song" would be one that captures the band in it's entirety. Songwriting from AI and 21stCB is only a blip in their entire catalogue, and I think that Green Day's overall simplicity is what has kept them a timeless band. Having basic chords doen't necessarily make a song boring, or common. Tracks from Nimrod (such as those stated previously) encompass the "simple" vibe of Kerplunk and Dookie, while progressing into lyrics with more emotion. Panic Song or No Pride from Insomniac would also fit well into this train of thought.

Thanks for finding the article and quote. I don't agree that 99 Revolutions is one of the best either, it's probably my least favourite Trilogy song . Brutal Love is the best indeed . But yeah I wouldn't have been surprised to hear him say that about any of the songs, he must have felt that way about them in order to want to release them and it's particularly unsurprising that he's say it about a protest song on a subject he feels passionate about

OK, I stand corrected. I thought he had said that it was the best song I ever wrote. The exact quote is: "I listen to "99 Revolutions" on Tre and think it's one of the best I ever wrote". I absolutely agree that you have to think that the material you are releasing is some of your best ever, but why release it. Oh, I know this may open some floodgates, but I think there is much better on the Trilogy. Brutal Love. http://www.greendayauthority.com/articles/176/6/

The awesomeness of JOS has nothing to do with length anyway. I mean sure, it's very impressive that they wrote such a simple punk song that's 9 minutes long but doesn't even begin to feel bloated, but everything about it is just perfect. Every line of the lyrics hit me so hard, and the performance is just brilliant. It might sound simple, but if you try replicating those opening chords in a band it's actually very difficult to play tight enough to get the power behind it that the original has. Despite everyone loving it I still think it's incredibly underrated. The only thing that could come close to JOS would be Homecoming.

VH1 Classic is re-airing their Behind the Music Remastered Satuday (13th) at 11 a.m. and Sunday (14th) at 8 a.m. EST.

Remember that guy who said Sweet 16 was better? Fuck.

* Dos front cover

Billie's been cracking into the Advent Calendar behind him

Anyone who says Jesus of Suburbia isn't a masterpiece is a fucking idiot.

No matter what's the question Be it weird, crazy or odd They answer with exhilaration the apprentice and the mod

Agreed 100% Funny, because I actually posted earlier on (possibly in this thread) that in order for it to not come off as cheesy, the AI movie must be the antithesis of the JOS music video.

I haven't looked at GDA since I was 14 Well except this one time last week, looking through the picture archives.

Yeah, I use it to check lyrics and stuff like that.

I agree that because a song is simple does not mean it is bad. There are plenty of simple, great songs. However, I disagree that their simplicity is what has kept them a timeless band. Their ability to experiment and adapt are some of the reasons that has kept them going. If it wasn't for AI I would not be refreshing my email every 5 seconds waiting for an email from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Don't blame me, blame Billie. He said the 99 Revolutions thing, I just quoted it.

It was in the Rolling Stone post-rehab interview

To be fair, if you don't think your new material is amongst your best, why would you release it at all? It's very usual that an artist cannot judge their compositions objectively immediately afterwards.

Oh my god, I never realized the coming home/leaving home connection. You just made this album even better for me! :-/ those are just standard chord progressions, average Green Day songs to me. What do you see in them?

Oh no, lol. I hope I didn't come across as tart either

I wasn't having a go - I was just curious what you thought.

Unless they deserve it

I wouldn't say it's necessarily my favorite song to listen to all the time, but if I had to pick what their "best" song was, objectively, it'd be hard to argue anything but JOS. It's just too epic, in the truest sense of the word.

haha - no JOS is a brilliant song but not my favourite

My brain is starting to hurt again

*Insert bitching comment about the trilogy*

Damn... I think I can't think about a bad Green Day album.

No, NimJim is just desperately grasping at straws as he tries to make an argument about Billie not being a good judge of his own songwriting.

You're brilliant Sauli

h HQ version for your enjoyment

^ :woot:

Well in the song he's this brash character who's unashamedly himself, I think making such a statement fits with that. And the other ones are fun