02 - Bang Bang

[Sixtrix]

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

[Chin for a Day]

9 hours ago, Libertine Angel said:

Fair point, though I'm still not sure about him being morally conflicted, I mean he wants to be the celebrity martyr so I don't see why he'd be reluctant to die.

Because they don't realize the gravity of what they have done until after they have done it.   Yes, he wants to be the celebrity martyr but what he imagines that is going to be and what it actually is are very different.  Have you ever read Crime and Punishment?  The lead character plans the murder of the pawn shop owner because he feels that he can use that money to perform good deeds, so he justified the crime.  Then after he commits the crime, morals kick in and he can't handle what he has done.  

 

[Sanity Loan]

Someone pointed this out to me on Twitter, but it looks like MTV Rocks in the UK is airing something related to "Bang Bang" at 3:55pm UK time (30 minutes-ish)? Could it be the music video? Doesn't seem like they'd air it unannounced.

http://www.mtv.co.uk/mtv-rocks

"After 4 years, Green Day are back with a 'Bang Bang'! Check out their new video right here!"

[HAPPY ZOMBIE UNICORN]

39 minutes ago, Matt. said:

Someone pointed this out to me on Twitter, but it looks like MTV Rocks in the UK is airing something related to "Bang Bang" at 3:55pm UK time (30 minutes-ish)? Could it be the music video? Doesn't seem like they'd air it unannounced.

http://www.mtv.co.uk/mtv-rocks

"After 4 years, Green Day are back with a 'Bang Bang'! Check out their new video right here!"

I'm tuned on the channel. I'll let you know what they'll show. 

EDIT: They showed WMUWSE and nothing more. 

[AmyxLongview]

12 hours ago, Andres said:

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.

 

I like that interpretation!

 

This may sound weird, but does anyone else feel kinda creeped out when thinking about the lyrics? I know it's supposed to be unsettling, but I usually feel comforted when listening to Green Day (even the angrier songs) and that's not really the case with this one.

I still really like the song but I don't think it could ever become one of my favorites because of what it's about.

[Joe K]

20 minutes ago, J a c said:

I'm tuned on the channel. I'll let you know what they'll show. 

EDIT: They showed WMUWSE and nothing more. 

What? -_-

[HAPPY ZOMBIE UNICORN]

4 minutes ago, Joe K said:

What? -_-

Yep, I checked both the european channel via my satellite tv and the online streaming of the UK version (sometimes they air exclusive stuff) and nothing happened  I guess it's just an error of the online guide. Maybe something is coming but they put the wrong date.

[Sanity Loan]

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...

[HAPPY ZOMBIE UNICORN]

4 minutes ago, Matt. said:

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...

We have a european version of MTV Rock that is usually the same of UK, but sometimes they air exclusive stuff for Uk. I also checked a streaming of the Uk version, but it seems it was the wrong one, sorry. 

[Jesus of Seneca]

I don't know how many of you ordered that issue of Kerrang with them on the cover, but does anyone know about how long an issue takes to arrive in America?

[Chin for a Day]

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

[Billie Hoe]

I'm sure it will go up again when the music video is released  

[Stefano Bras]

11 hours ago, DookieLukie said:

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.

Speak for yourself.

[Steven Seagull]

13 hours ago, DookieLukie said:

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.

That fact that you must debate the meaning behind the lyrics means that they are shitty. If Billie wouldn't say that the song was written from shooters perspective no one would understand them. It's just bunch of random metaphors and similes thrown together and mixed in a big dump of nothing if you ask me. Where the fuck did their simple lyrics go? When you knew exactly what the song tried to tell you. I'm sorry but Bang Bang really sucks at this. Trilogy songs were much more simple but they still had a message.

[Billie Hoe]

5 minutes ago, Steven Seagull said:

That fact that you must debate the meaning behind the lyrics means that they are shitty. If Billie wouldn't say that the song was written from shooters perspective no one would understand them. It's just bunch of random metaphors and similes thrown together and mixed in a big dump of nothing if you ask me. Where the fuck did their simple lyrics go? When you knew exactly what the song tried to tell you. I'm sorry but Bang Bang really sucks at this. Trilogy songs were much more simple but they still had a message.

Simple lyrics don't equal good lyrics, except maybe for people who are too lazy to give thought to the song. Simply lyrics are fine generally but you get bored with them way too fast. Guess why so many people (except for you obviously) think the trilogy was ... not that good. I'm glad you actually have to think about their songs for a while to understand them fully. Bang Bang is better as it is than how it would be with simple lyrics. That would be way too easy... Saying they're shitty is a bit passionate, don't you think? If thinking about the song is too much for you, don't overstrain yourself and listen to the trilogy instead  

Being able to debate about art is what makes it good in my opinion. Imagine going into a gallery and knowing instantly what all the artworks are about after giving them one glance? How fucking boring would that be? 

[DookieLukie]

9 minutes ago, Steven Seagull said:

That fact that you must debate the meaning behind the lyrics means that they are shitty. If Billie wouldn't say that the song was written from shooters perspective no one would understand them. It's just bunch of random metaphors and similes thrown together and mixed in a big dump of nothing if you ask me. Where the fuck did their simple lyrics go? When you knew exactly what the song tried to tell you. I'm sorry but Bang Bang really sucks at this. Trilogy songs were much more simple but they still had a message.

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.

[Z J]

18 hours ago, Andres said:

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

To my mind, it seems he's talking about the defendant/shooter testifying, recounting the events and taking a very disturbing comfort in the memories he's reciting, like a lullaby. 

[Thatsername]

1 hour ago, Jake69 said:

Then name one.

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.

[Z J]

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. 

[Harry Potter.]

21 minutes ago, Z J said:

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. 

Billie said himself that sometimes he doesn't know what something means but writes it anyway. We should accept the fact that not everything has to mean something.

[Steven Seagull]

21 minutes ago, Billie Hoe said:

Simple lyrics don't equal good lyrics, except maybe for people who are too lazy to give thought to the song. Simply lyrics are fine generally but you get bored with them way too fast. Guess why so many people (except for you obviously) think the trilogy was ... not that good. I'm glad you actually have to think about their songs for a while to understand them fully. Bang Bang is better as it is than how it would be with simple lyrics. That would be way too easy... Saying they're shitty is a bit passionate, don't you think? If thinking about the song is too much for you, don't overstrain yourself and listen to the trilogy instead  

Being able to debate about art is what makes it good in my opinion. Imagine going into a gallery and knowing instantly what all the artworks are about after giving them one glance? How fucking boring would that be? 

 

21 minutes ago, DookieLukie said:

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.

GD used to write simple lyrics until like Warning and no one can say that those lyrics were bad. To me lyrics really don't mean much because the melodic part is way more important. That's why a good song will always have good instrumentals not the lyrics. I don't like songs where you don't understand what the writer is saying when you listen to the song. You can say something in a really simple way, you don't have to package your every thought in a metaphor so you can say you're a better writer. Now go listen to Bloodbath at Burger King by TB for example and tell me if those lyrics aren't awesome even though they couldn't get more simple. They just work. Or go listen When The Wild wind blows by IM. Again lyrics are simple but they tell a story and you understand them immediately. I really don't like the writing style Billie uses now. To me it's completely unnecessary and I don't understand shit he's sayin'

[Harry Potter.]

2 minutes ago, Steven Seagull said:

GD used to write simple lyrics until like Warning and no one can say that those lyrics were bad. To me lyrics really don't mean much because the melodic part is way more important. That's why a good song will always have good instrumentals not the lyrics. I don't like songs where you don't understand what the writer is saying when you listen to the song. You can say something in a really simple way, you don't have to package your every thought in a metaphor so you can say you're a better writer. Now go listen to Bloodbath at Burger King by TB for example and tell me if those lyrics aren't awesome even though they couldn't get more simple. They just work. Or go listen When The Wild wind blows by IM. Again lyrics are simple but they tell a story and you understand them immediately. I really don't like the writing style Billie uses now. To me it's completely unnecessary and I don't understand shit he's sayin'

I wouldn't discredit more complex writing like that. Some writing is pretentious and nonsensical, but when the writing is good, it's a great feeling when you interpret a complex song or when the lyrics finally click with you.

[JardyOfSuburbia]

I just had this unfortunate thought today, but what if a mass shooter were to be inspired by Bang Bang to do something terrible?

That CBS News piece had me thinking about how national news would dissect the lyrics and then the song would be pulled from mainstream radio and how it'd be a PR disaster for a band that can't afford to have one.

Just a thought and I obviously hope it's not something that ever comes up.

 

[Eric]

10 minutes ago, Steven Seagull said:

 

GD used to write simple lyrics until like Warning and no one can say that those lyrics were bad. To me lyrics really don't mean much because the melodic part is way more important. That's why a good song will always have good instrumentals not the lyrics. I don't like songs where you don't understand what the writer is saying when you listen to the song. You can say something in a really simple way, you don't have to package your every thought in a metaphor so you can say you're a better writer. Now go listen to Bloodbath at Burger King by TB for example and tell me if those lyrics aren't awesome even though they couldn't get more simple. They just work. Or go listen When The Wild wind blows by IM. Again lyrics are simple but they tell a story and you understand them immediately. I really don't like the writing style Billie uses now. To me it's completely unnecessary and I don't understand shit he's sayin'

Lyrics got to be serious dude to be a good song bro don't you know serious complex lyrics are the only thing that makes songs good, you can't have zero fun or anything. Gotz to be non simple

[Billie Hoe]

1 minute ago, Eric said:

Lyrics got to be serious dude to be a good song bro don't you know serious complex lyrics are the only thing that makes songs good, you can't have zero fun or anything. Gotz to be non simple

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.