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Also, in response to many posters here, Billie's lyrics (especially those seemingly nonsensical metaphors) make sense pretty much always if you're willing to think about it. I think what I want to emphasize is just because we don't get a line, doesn't mean it doesn't make sense, it just means we don't get it yet.

I think the fact that we're debating the meaning of the lyrics shows that they're pretty strong. Nothing from the Trilogy really made you think, and there weren't many standout phrases.

So most songs are shitty in your opinion, because lots of songs have debates over lyrical meaning (thus the lyric meaning websites, etc). You'd rather a song like "Work" by Rihanna where the subjects goes no deeper than talking about work? A TON of songs "click" when you know the lyrical context. "How to Save a Life" by the Fray is super touching when you realize it's written about kid's at an at risk suicide camp. "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind is a jumble of words until you realize it's about meth addiction. "Hotel California" is essentially a jumble of lyrical statements, but it using a setting to make a statement on greed. "Blackbird" by the Beatles is a song about a bird that symbolizes the Civil Rights Movement. I could go on and on. Again, you're making really dumb statements that make you look like you have no idea what you're talking about. Once again you're dismissing thousands of songs based on some stupid criteria just so you can be a contrarian. My question is why you're even on this forum. You clearly just want to piss people off and be an outsider. You're not even subtle about it. Go to reddit and be a contrarian like everybody else. I'm cool with dissenting opinions and a variety of opinions, but you cannot present your opinion in a non-confrontational, normal way.

referring to Religion as a handicap, he realized he did not need his Philosophical ‘Crutches’ and got rid of them in the metaphorical river of doubt about the legitimacy of Religion.

Bang Bang was #13 on Alt Nations most requested list last week and this week it is #9. A move up is good.

I mean, don't hold back though.

A bit of an oldie, but I was looking for it for a long time in good quality AND in color

Sighhhhh... Anything else to complain about?

Insomniac has complex lyrics FILLED with metaphors. Armatage Shanks, Geek Stink Breath, Panic Song, Jaded, Westbound Sign, Walking Contradiction: all lyrically filled with metaphors and quite mature compared to Dookie. Nimrod has some lyrical blunders, but great songs there. Hitchin' a Ride is full of cool plays on words that convey multiple meanings (Cold turkey's gettin' stale, tonight I'm eating crow). Prosthetic Head is a violent take on vanity and image. The problem with the Trilogy wasn't that the lyrics weren't political and complex. I'd argue that 21CB was a bit too complex lyrically. The problem with the Trilogy was that none of the lyrics made you think or really went beyond surface level, and none of them had any classic Green Day humor or perspective. Even Dookie songs had deeper meanings and clever deliveries.

I absolutely agree with you that Bang Bang lyrics are much stronger than all of the trilogy lyrics in a political or social sense, there's no doubt about that. And that's exactly what I've been missing in the last couple of years, because I personally love that! But I don't think that all trilogy-lyrics are weak or too simple, some of them are very personal, and that makes them special and valuable from a different perspective. For example, in Little Boy Named Train: "I'm always lost and nothing will change. Give me directions and I'll get lost again." That line simply broke my heart. Not to mention Lazy Bones, which deals so obviously with Billie's personal problems.

That's disappointing to hear. It seems like most fans have viewed the song as a great comeback song for them. It's fast, it's loud, it's the exact opposite of a lot of the stuff on the trilogy. We can agree on the lyrics. I don't mind them, they fit the song, but they could have been better. I'm curious what you're comparing it to that you'd consider it a "bad album track". For me, it's one of the best songs they've had since Horseshoes & Handgrenades. I appreciate that it doesn't sound exactly like any other Green Day song, but still familiar, and I appreciate that it has a message behind it.

I like complicated lyrics- it makes for good poetry. Billie's a poet whether some people on this forum like it or not. Simple songs are fun and easy, but I appreciate and respect musicians who can string together words and meanings in an artistic, metaphorical way.

I think both simple lyrics and more complex lyrics can work, and have worked for Green Day. However I don't think many of Green Day's lyrics are massively complex, even their most complex ones on 21st CB that take a while to get your head round are work-out-able and not nearly as obscure or abstract as many other band's lyrics are. Pretty much all their albums have some clear lyrics and some that give you a bit more to think about, including the trilogy (I've had many conversations about trilogy lyric meanings, and I think if the band had done more interviews/talked about the songs more they probably would've been looked into in more detail by fans). AI, 21st CB and going by Bang Bang possibly Revolution Radio give you more to think about than average but there hasn't been anything that mind boggling so far.

"I testify like a lullaby of memories" could be like he's trying to dignify his actions by saying he had a rough childhood.

Another example of his strange metaphorical lyrics that don't make sense. Like the river of a shadow of doubt. That one kills me.

I know I gave my opinion on this a few pages back and you may already have seen it but I just wanted to say I don't think the idea is that the shooter has any conflict between right and wrong. Billie told Kerrang he was writing about mental illness and "psychotic" shooters. People like that tend not to grapple with the issue of right and wrong particularly in the heat of the moment. Since Billie himself discussed how he found it sick that shooters had an obsession with seeking glorification and fame through social media I found the lines "I got my photobomb, I got my Vietnam" to mean that despite any bloodshed, death, destruction, horror etc the shooter has caused and indeed despite the outcome he faces he got his fifteen minutes of fame and his "Vietnam", his chance to play soldier. As Billie later sings "I want to be like the soldiers on the screen".

Put like this I don't see it as right and wrong, the first two lines seem like they should be taken together (I just got the whole thing with a jolt), he hears the reports of what he's done on the radio and it's like a lullaby to him, the photobomb/Vietnam thing is conflating social media glorification with shooting much as other bits of the song are (I can't think off the top of my head but it was discussed before), and "I love a lie" I think is about how shooters are portrayed in the media and often how their race or political leanings lead them to either be the whole "troubled, mentally ill teen" or "terrorist thug" regardless of truth.

Me reading that MTV article

I haven't checked this thread for a couple of days.

Wait what does this mean and why is it a bad thing?

too bad MTV is pay-tv now :/ i would have tuned in but paying for that crappy channel really isn't worth it anymore

literally nobody said that a good song can't be fun or has to have serious complex lyrics. what was being said was that complicated lyrics don't mean the writing is "shitty" just because some people don't bother looking into them. this is getting ridiculous.

The person who tipped me off on Twitter said they aired the lyric video. Not sure where you're getting the WMUWSE and "nothing" from...

Was just thinking the exact thing.

I could never write a setlist since it would contain only songs they haven't played live or that I haven't seen- I always love everything they play, but I am one of those fans that hits the restroom during BOBD and groans when it's Basket Case/ KFAD time since I've seen it so many times. However, in recent years, I've been lucky enough to see Scattered, Razorbacks, No Pride, Christie, 80 teased, Gloria!, 86 Church, Coming Clean, FOD, Brat, Castaway, Waiting, Road to Acceptance, Armitage, and some other deeper tracks, so as long as they keep doing this I will be happy. Instead of a full setlist, I'll just post a list of "deep tracks never heard/ don't expect to hear" that I would love somewhere in the set on the next tour: -Grouch (heard once in '97 and it was killer) -Having A Blast -80 (full- only got the first verse at show) -Westbound (don't think it's ever been played) -Jinx/ Haushinka (ditto) -Uptight (ditto) -Horseshoes -Rusty James -409 -Desensitized (one can dream) -Judge's Daughter -Eminus -Road to Acceptance (broke my own rule, I saw it on the Insomiac tour, but it was so good...it's been ages, it would be phenomenal to see it again!)

I definitely agree with your interpretation. It's the most challenging line of lyrics in the song, but I think BJA beautifully and succinctly encompasses the chaotic and misguided the mind state of the killer, and does so succinctly. I believe the analysis of great lyrics can be similar to peeling back the layers of an onion- the more you dig in, the more you'll uncover. And I believe this is by design- this is a great line by BJA. It's confusing at first, it challenges the listener, and it holds a ton of meaning once your start to think critically and analyze. Many thanks to Andres for setting this exercise in motion- otherwise I would have been content to continue to listen to Tre's revival over and over nonstop. I feel like Tre took this one over and nearly dominates this song with his insane chops- not in a bad way, but to me this song seems to be a "welcome back Tre" track given how absolutely perfect and powerful his drumming is throughout. Do you guys get the same impression?

Thinking about it today, I thought it could mean that this person was justifying their twisted views because of the things they convinced themselves of growing up. "testifying" = Justifying or recalling something "lullaby of memories" = something you hear over and over, maybe as a kid or a young person, bad memories or experiences that have shaped a warped view.

Insomniac. All the way through. I'll make a better setlist later.

I like this. Every time I listen to the song this is the line that baffles me the most. I think about the 3 main words: testify, lullaby, and memories. To me, testify is when you defend yourself, when you explain yourself for why you did something like in a trial. Lullabies are children's songs meant to calm and soothe...could also be like mother goose rhymes or Aesop fables that teach lessons/morals. Memories- obvious enough. So putting it all together, to me it describes someone who is set in their ways of belief and morals perhaps that were taught or observed at a young age which shaped their persona and led them to be the way they are and they "testify" these beliefs in their proclamations of radicalism and why they did what they did...........man I don't know is that a stretch?

Haha, that can't be a serious take by the OP- the MTV segment was a complete troll. If you want to start dissecting lyrics (if that's all an analysis of a song is, which it certainly is not), then I challenge the OP to tackle "I've got a fever for violent behavior...I'm sweating bullets like a Modern Romeo." One of the best lines of lyrics from any recent song I've heard. Billie's still got it.

HEY HO! Moments like this. Thank God I'm alive. Do you wanna start a war? A little bit softer now. Brisbane. Get those fists in the air. 1. BANG BANG 2. Dominated Love Slave 3. Shout 4. Panic Song 5. One of my Lies 6. Long Time Gone 7. Wake Me Up When September Ends / My December 8. St. Jimmy 9. Maria 10. Take Me Out to the Ball Game 11. Jaded 12. Knowledge 13. Stand By Me 14. 2000 Light Years Away 15. Carpe Diem 16. I wanna be your boyfriend 17. Chump 18. Burnout 19. Outlaws 20. A Little Boy Named Train 21. Somewhere Now 22. Basketcase 23. Holiday 24. Boulevard of Broken Dreams 25. Outsider 26. Rape Me 27. That Girls From Outer Space 28. Born to Lose 29. When I Come Around

What do you guys think he means with "I testify like a lullaby of memories"

For a while it would confuse me because how Lazy Bones ended. Messed with my head making me ask myself "How long have I been listening to Wild One?" even though it just started. Although I do like Wild One

I came across this video on youtube, it's from a show MTV did in the late 90's where they pick a fan to go meet up with their favorite artist. I actually remember watching this back in the day, I'm pretty sure I taped it back then, I think the episode was Green Day and Usher. Anyways, I wonder if the fan in this episode is on here

This

I've seen people say BJ should shut up if his history knowledge only goes as far as Hitler. Which is fucking stupid, because he was completely right in that interview, and that comparison is very much on point. Seems like some people need to educate themselves more about the Second Reich and volksgemeinschaft. It's a little upsetting that he had to draw back and make a milder comparison, I wish he stood his ground, but I suppose anything to make the people understand. And they still won't.

Fuck! Is that possible?? might be an interesting thread on its own.

American Idiot was the album the world needed in that post 9/11 era, now I hope Revolution Radio becomes that album we need in this chaotic and messy world we live in.

Are people really interpreting this song as meaning "fuck men"? Jesus. I agree with your interpretation but I haven't seen much in this thread that contradicts it, maybe it's a good thing I haven't been reading many elsewhere.

Finally got my copy of Kerrang today and had the chance to read it properly rather than squinting at the pics on the Kerrang thread and read that Billie got the inspiration for the song from the shooter (Elliot Rodgers) in San Diego in 2014 which I actually found many of the lyrics fit perfectly with/reminded me of before he had said that. I watched a documentary on the guy and it was scary as hell. His mentality and the way he documented his behaviour and ideas on social media both in YouTube videos and in a detailed blog "broadcasting from my room" and his obsession with guns "playing with my toys". As it transpired in the case of Rodgers police had searched his apartment a week before the mass shooting looking for guns as his parents had been concerned but the police did not search Rodgers bedroom hence failed to find the weapons later used in the attack. Also his entire reason for killing people was because he couldn't get girls "give me death or give me head" and he also craved attention "I wanna be a celebrity martyr". I guess given the intro with the various news reports the song grew to be about the wider culture of mass shootings not just one case and that would account for lines like "I testify like a lullaby of memories, Broadcasting live and it's on my radio". To me that sounds like a shooter testifying at trial and the memory of the shooting is like a lullaby for him and while it's being broadcast live, giving him more "fame" which is what he so desperately seeks it's on his radio in his cell in prison. My favourite line though is "I got my photo bomb, I got my Vietnam" It's just so screwed up like oh well, you're all dead but I got my photo op and my chance at playing soldier or zombie apocalypse for thirty minutes. And you know that there are people out there that have thought and do think like this and scarier yet they have access to weapons. Anyway I really love the lyrics. So brilliant. So many clever references and metaphors. Sorry for the long post

I get what you mean by that, it's a happy sounding chorus for a dark theme. But I think they've done that on purpose; this song is from the perspective of the shooter, so while it may be dark to an onlooker, the jubilant tone actually serves to make it even darker. This guy's having all these thoughts about this horrible stuff, yet he's happy about it. That really emphasises the twisted mentality of a mass shooter.

Judging from that facebook live video Billie says if you enjoy bang bang you'll love the rest of the album looks like you'll probably have to skip this one budday. bummer

Best lead single since American Idiot. Yes, that's my opinion. No, I won't dig up a fuck to give if you disagree.

To be fair, I don't think the song 'perfectly captures' the mindset of a shooter, because do we really know that mindset? And are all those mindsets the same? But I think Billie Joe was just exploring the possibilities of it - because of course he has no genuine connection with a mass shooter, come on! Some of the lyrics are jarring, contradictory, maybe even a bit clumsy, but I'm pretty sure that's intentional. That's not me trying to change anyone's mind - just explaining why I personally love the lyrics. I love the song. There've been songs I haven't liked, and I don't think it's fair to insinuate that because people love this song, they love everything the band put out. Though even if they do, lol who even cares? Good for them, whatever. It doesn't affect my opinions of the music. Edit: @Comrade, I don't question your love of the band btw. I'm a huge fan of a TV show that could do better a lot of the time and I rag on it a lot, but it's my show, y'know? I want what's best for it. And I can see it's the same for you and GD. I just don't agree with your assessment of the song on this occasion. And that's totally fine!

If you take the format=750w out of his pictures's URLs they get bigger/better But I found a HQ version of the full photo here! It's BW though but the quality is great

Okay i decided to make one. This must be so annoying for bands haha, so tough. Yeah just picked stuff I think would be absolutely amazing to hear live. Also assume the other new songs we don't know yet are in here. 1. Welcome to Paradise 2. Bang Bang 3.Stuart and the Ave. 4. Christie Road 5. East Jesus Nowhere 6. Longview 7. Oh Love 8. Paper Lanterns 9. Dominated Love Slave/All By Myself 10. Scattered 11. She 12, Armatage Shanks 13. Minority 14. Coming Clean 15. King For a Day (w.out shout) 16. Let Yourself Go 17. Burnout 18. Murder City 19. Basket Case 20. Church on Sunday 21. Whatsername 22. Waiting 23. WMUWSE 24. American Eulogy 25. American Idiot 26. JOS 27. Good Riddance

my favorite part is I WANNA BE A CELEBRITY MARTYRRR

Or how about a show of songs with the most cursing! 1. Kill the DJ 2. Loss of Control 3. St. Jimmy 4. The Grouch 5. Holiday 6. American Idiot 7. 99 Revolutions 8. 2000 Light Years Away 9. Dominated Love Slave 10. Before the Lobotomy 11. My Generation 12. Longview 13. FOD 14. Having a Blast 15. All By Myself 16. DUI 17. Stuck with ME 18. Geek Stink Breath 19. No Pride 20. Bab’s Uvula Who? 21. 86 22. Panic Song 23. Stuart and the Ave 24. Jaded 25. Walking Contradiction 26. American Eulogy 27. The Static Age 28. Horseshoes and Hand Grenades 29. Platypus (I Hate You) ENCORE: 30. Letterbomb (Okay, that was harder than I thought. I treid to get the most offensive songs but I know there are a few more out there with strong language. But this is a down and dirty, angry show right here!)

Damn this shirt is so fucking awesome!