pasalaska Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 This week’s Song of the Week is the punchy Governator, originally released in 2004 as a b-side of the American Idiot single. Governator is an unusual song for Green Day as it was both written and sung by Mike. It’s this fact, coupled with the song’s punctuated, simple guitar and drums that have lead fans to draw comparisons between it and the sound of Green Day’s (reported) side-band The Network. Both the title and lyrics of the song make reference to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who at the time of the song’s release was the Republican Governor of Green Day’s home-state, California. The “I’ll be back” chorus of the song references the Terminator movies, and the song seems to draw comparisons between the destructive action of the movie and the media coverage of the ongoing ‘War on Terrorism’ (“it makes great television watching the world end”), just as American Idiot’s lyrics do. There’s no live footage of Governator out there (in fact, Mike said he didn’t remember the words when the song was requested in 2009 in Australia), so here’s the studio version for your enjoyment: Lyrics: He's at it again And he's gonna win Gonna take it for a hell ride anyway He's on your side Gonna throw you aside And let the vultures pick apart what's left Seems like everything was just a fraction of a second from being okay So run and hide 'cause we're all gonna die And let the vultures pick apart what's left I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back He's at it again, He's at it again And it makes great television watching the world end He's at it again He's gonna win Gonna take it for a joyride anyway You're standing in line, better make up your mind And let the bastards pick apart what's left of you Seems like everything was just a fraction of a second from being a dream So run and hide 'cause we're all gonna die Let the government decide what's left I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back He's at it again, He's at it again And it makes great television watching the world end I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back Walk around I see Million possibilities Well I know Nowhere to go And I can't comprehend Things this real seems so pretend I know...I don't know But I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back And it makes great television watching the world end I'll be back, I'll be back, I'll be back And it makes great television watching the world end I'll be back ********************************************************************************************************* You can nominate songs for discussion as Song of the Week in the SotW Nominations and Archive thread, which contains links to each previous Song of the Week in its first post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrossstar Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Mike Dirnt got a little offended when I asked why they didn't use Governator for Money Money 20/20. In his opinion it sounds NOTHING like a Network song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather. Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Mike Dirnt got a little offended when I asked why they didn't use Governator for Money Money 20/20. In his opinion it sounds NOTHING like a Network song Not that I would want to offend Mike, but this song for me is a less entertaining version of Spike. I'm not a fan of this song, but it's still really cool to hear things coming from Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I've always really liked this song. I tend to like anything Mike sings though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatherotti Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 You're right about it being one of the more unusual Green Day songs lol But I've always liked it cause Mike wrote and sang it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malleus Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I like Mike singing but I was never a huge fan of this song. I've only listened to this fully a couple times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archer In a Cape Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Iv allways loved this song this is one of my favorate B-sides. I have allways wondered if this song was writen in the American Idiot sessions or if it was a hold-over from the Cigarettes and Valentines sessions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayfabe Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 It makes great television watching the world end! Classic Green Day sound IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie, get your gun Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I don't like this song so much... but the one thing I love is that Mike sings it <also all the "hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey's> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain peroxide Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I like the idea of Mike writing and singing songs (and J.A.R is one of the best songs Green Day have done), but I really dislike this song. The music is nothing special, and the lyrics are completely uninspired, to the point of being embarrassing. Not to mention that, despite the fact that he was a Republican, The Terminator wasn't all that terrible of a governor, and pretty moderate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karol Oliveira Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I like Mike singing but I was never a huge fan of this song. I've only listened to this fully a couple times. Same with me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I like this song, and AI b sides are very under rated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Forgotten Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Mike Dirnt got a little offended when I asked why they didn't use Governator for Money Money 20/20. In his opinion it sounds NOTHING like a Network song Maybe he was offended that you implied that they we're The Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenRanger Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Yeah, I'm a fan of this song, actually. Maybe it's because I don't listen to themes or lyrics too much, but I dunno, I just find it really nice to listen to. Either way the world needs more of Mike's punk rock chops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drugstore hooligan Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I've always liked mikes writing. JAR, Scumbag etc, Govetnator is no exception. Really like this song glad to see it get some love. Let's hope mike gets to sing on something in the trilogy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green day is Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 ...why not Let Yourself Go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alienlifeform Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 it's a nice song..most because of its fun about schwarzennegger and the terminator... and for our luck it is just a b-side.. i think it would be odd on a green day album but anyways i like it... i'll be back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mar Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Not that I would want to offend Mike, but this song for me is a less entertaining version of Spike. I'm not a fan of this song, but it's still really cool to hear things coming from Mike. Totally agree with you. It just doesn't do anything for me, which makes me sad because I love Mike so much. It's just that the vocals get a little irritating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 ...why not Let Yourself Go? Too late now. Maybe next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Gag Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 In my community college days, I remember playing this one on the radio a few times. Someone called up and said, "that band kind of sounds like Green Day." True story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritz Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I like this song. Its one of my favourites. Mainly cos its sung and written by The Mike Dirnt ! I'll love anything that Mike will offer ! Well, I'm a Mike fanatic, so yeah ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasalaska Posted July 31, 2012 Author Share Posted July 31, 2012 ...why not Let Yourself Go? Because everyone is already talking about it in the live video thread. Making a SotW would be redundant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Met Fan Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I came in here to say that song sounds like it belongs on Money Money 2020 and I see others think so as well. We can't be wrong heh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecanoLP Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I don't like this song at all. Terrible lyrics and music, the only good thing is the bass - line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyDirnt Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 (in fact, Mike said he didn’t remember the words when the song was requested in 2009 in Australia), Ok, I have to admit Mike let me down here because I love Governator. What a shame, because if he had remembered the words we would have got a live version for it and see what Mike's voice can really do live. I wonder if now he learned the lesson and memorised the lyrics again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.