02 - Bang Bang

[Hermione]

1 hour ago, James11693 said:

I love the song but I still can't figure out the point of it. What are the viewers supposed to get out if it? Just that the shooters pyscho? Just nothing to relate to or anything. I'm still wondering why someone would put themselves in the mind of the shooter in the first place. But for some reason, I still like the song, even after saying all of that  lol

I don't think you always have to directly relate to a song. To me it's more that it's a subject that's important and that everyone has thought about and wants to make sense of after seeing it happening so much. So it's compelling to see it explored and in some way explained - not relatable as in directly relating to what's being described, but relatable as in also wanting to make sense of this subject.

I do think it's a shame it isn't being promoted more, so it can do as well as it deserves but mostly just because I'd like to see it being played live or hear the band talking about it on TV!

[DeJennsitized]

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7494582/green-day-bang-bang-mainstream-rock-songs-no-1

"The song becomes Green Day's fourth No. 1 on the chart as the band completes its fastest rise to the top; "Bang Bang" reigns in just its third week, topping the trio's previous best, a five-week ascent for 2009's "Know Your Enemy.""

[Josh100_3]

5 hours ago, James11693 said:

I love the song but I still can't figure out the point of it. What are the viewers supposed to get out if it? Just that the shooters pyscho? Just nothing to relate to or anything. I'm still wondering why someone would put themselves in the mind of the shooter in the first place. But for some reason, I still like the song, even after saying all of that  lol

what's the point of any song? What's the point of an instrumental?

[DeJennsitized]

5 hours ago, James11693 said:

I love the song but I still can't figure out the point of it. What are the viewers supposed to get out if it? Just that the shooters pyscho? Just nothing to relate to or anything. I'm still wondering why someone would put themselves in the mind of the shooter in the first place. But for some reason, I still like the song, even after saying all of that  lol

I don't think he's putting himself in the mind of a shooter, per say. He's using that imagined POV to make a satirical comment on that culture/mentality. And this way we can relate to it because we've seen the media coverage and in some cases (too many unfortunately), have been affected by the consequences of a shooter's actions.

[Chin for a Day]

3 minutes ago, Jenn123 said:

I don't think he's putting himself in the mind of a shooter, per say. He's using that imagined POV to make a satirical comment on that culture/mentality. And this way we can relate to it because we've seen the media coverage and in some cases (too many unfortunately), have been affected by the consequences of a shooter's actions.

He said in interviews that he put himself in the mind of a shooter.  That when he was done all he wanted was to get that out of his brain.  Here is the exact quote:

"To me, that is so twisted," he added. "To get into the brain of someone like that was freaky. It freaked me out. After I wrote it, all I wanted to do was get that out of my brain because it just freaked me out."

I think the song is meant to show us how these people think and that how the media showcases and plays into their minds. 

[DeJennsitized]

2 minutes ago, JJ1964 said:

He said in interviews that he put himself in the mind of a shooter.  That when he was done all he wanted was to get that out of his brain.  Here is the exact quote:

"To me, that is so twisted," he added. "To get into the brain of someone like that was freaky. It freaked me out. After I wrote it, all I wanted to do was get that out of my brain because it just freaked me out."

I think the song is meant to show us how these people think and that how the media showcases and plays into their minds. 

Well, yeah, the lyrics are still pretty dark and I'm not saying he wouldn't have been a bit freaked out. But they do read to me as more sarcastic, like classic Green Day black humour. You can't really put yourself into the mind of someone like that, for real. You'd probably need therapy!

[Chin for a Day]

Just now, Jenn123 said:

Well, yeah, the lyrics are still pretty dark and I'm not saying he wouldn't have been a bit freaked out. But they do read to me as more sarcastic, like classic Green Day black humour. You can't really put yourself into the mind of someone like that, for real. You'd probably need therapy!

Well, he said he did.  So not sure why you would think he didn't. Yes they are dark and yes putting yourself in that mind set would definitely freak you out.  I don't think the song is supposed to be black humor at all.  I think it is meant to bring attention to something that is fueling these people.  They get off on what they see in the media and how they are portrayed.  Maybe, if we look at the world through their viewpoints, something can change.    

[DeJennsitized]

12 minutes ago, JJ1964 said:

Well, he said he did.  So not sure why you would think he didn't. Yes they are dark and yes putting yourself in that mind set would definitely freak you out.  I don't think the song is supposed to be black humor at all.  I think it is meant to bring attention to something that is fueling these people.  They get off on what they see in the media and how they are portrayed.  Maybe, if we look at the world through their viewpoints, something can change.    

Look, I love Billie Joe, but he doesn't know what goes on inside a shooter's head. Nobody does. That's what's so terrifying - you can't rationalise something like that. And when I say 'black humour', I don't mean to say I think Bang Bang trivialises the subject, but rather it's Billie Joe doing what he does best and creating a sort of character he can tell a satirical POV from. Having A Blast, Brat, The Grouch, St. Jimmy, etc are all examples of this. It's just that this time it's a subject that's particularly relevant in America right now.  

[James11693]

4 hours ago, Hermione said:

I don't think you always have to directly relate to a song. To me it's more that it's a subject that's important and that everyone has thought about and wants to make sense of after seeing it happening so much. So it's compelling to see it explored and in some way explained - not relatable as in directly relating to what's being described, but relatable as in also wanting to make sense of this subject.

I do think it's a shame it isn't being promoted more, so it can do as well as it deserves but mostly just because I'd like to see it being played live or hear the band talking about it on TV!

Thanks! Very good point. I agree, It's a bummer seeing how it's been been promoted so far.. hopefully that changes once the video drops. 

1 hour ago, Jenn123 said:

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7494582/green-day-bang-bang-mainstream-rock-songs-no-1

"The song becomes Green Day's fourth No. 1 on the chart as the band completes its fastest rise to the top; "Bang Bang" reigns in just its third week, topping the trio's previous best, a five-week ascent for 2009's "Know Your Enemy.""

So has it surpassed Bored to Death yet?

[DeJennsitized]

8 minutes ago, James11693 said:

So has it surpassed Bored to Death yet?

I feel like if it's at number 1 then nothing can surpass it whilst it's there  in all seriousness though, it's still really new compared to BTD and it still hasn't got a music video yet so I guess we just wait and see!

[Chin for a Day]

1 hour ago, Jenn123 said:

Look, I love Billie Joe, but he doesn't know what goes on inside a shooter's head. Nobody does. That's what's so terrifying - you can't rationalise something like that. And when I say 'black humour', I don't mean to say I think Bang Bang trivialises the subject, but rather it's Billie Joe doing what he does best and creating a sort of character he can tell a satirical POV from. Having A Blast, Brat, The Grouch, St. Jimmy, etc are all examples of this. It's just that this time it's a subject that's particularly relevant in America right now.  

You are correct that no one can actually know how another person, or type of person, thinks or feels.  However, someone pretending to be another person and interpreting a situation from that view point happens everyday, it's called acting.  I consider Bang Bang to be Billie's interpretation of how a mass shooter thinks and feels.  What you have described is exactly that, getting in someones head and pretending to be that person.  

Considering this is how Billie stated he wrote this song, I am choosing to believe him.

Just because someone writes something from another point of view, does not mean it is satirical.  I don't believe this is satirical at all, I think it was written to show the horrors of mass shooters and how their thinking is swayed based on mass media.  

[DeJennsitized]

23 minutes ago, JJ1964 said:

You are correct that no one can actually know how another person, or type of person, thinks or feels.  However, someone pretending to be another person and interpreting a situation from that view point happens everyday, it's called acting.  I consider Bang Bang to be Billie's interpretation of how a mass shooter thinks and feels.  What you have described is exactly that, getting in someones head and pretending to be that person.  

Considering this is how Billie stated he wrote this song, I am choosing to believe him.

Just because someone writes something from another point of view, does not mean it is satirical.  I don't believe this is satirical at all, I think it was written to show the horrors of mass shooters and how their thinking is swayed based on mass media.  

I dunno, "give me death or give me head" seems pretty satirical to me!

I'm probably not explaining too well but all I'm saying is that I don't think we're meant to see the song as black and white as 'how a shooter thinks from Billie's POV'. I think it's more complex than that, is all.

[DookieLukie]

I agree with Jenn123. The whole "put myself inside the shooter's head" and "got so freaked out about it" seems a little over-dramatic for someone who's a songwriter, not a method actor or something. I see it as him singing from the perspective of the shooter while making social commentary about the state of social media fame. He can't make that critique of social media or have that sarcastic tone if he's actually coming from the shooter's brain. 

[Chin for a Day]

7 minutes ago, Jenn123 said:

I dunno, "give me death or give me head" seems pretty satirical to me!

I'm probably not explaining too well but all I'm saying is that I don't think we're meant to see the song as black and white as 'how a shooter thinks from Billie's POV'. I think it's more complex than that, is all.

I agree it is more complex. I actually think we are agreeing but nit quite getting how we are saying it.  I never said it was black and white.  I think what I'm disagreeling with is the use of the word satirical.  Being more abstract does not mean it is satirical. That is pretty much all of what you said I disagree with. I don't think this song is supposed to mock a mass shooters thinking but to show how the environment around them affects them.  

[DeJennsitized]

11 minutes ago, JJ1964 said:

I agree it is more complex. I actually think we are agreeing but nit quite getting how we are saying it.  I never said it was black and white.  I think what I'm disagreeling with is the use of the word satirical.  Being more abstract does not mean it is satirical. That is pretty much all of what you said I disagree with. I don't think this song is supposed to mock a mass shooters thinking but to show how the environment around them affects them.  

We cool then  I guess it's open to interpretation. I think it's satirical because a shooter's possible reasoning to kill is so irrational that trying to take it seriously is near impossible. I mean, satire isn't strictly humour and I don't think the song meant to be amusing, but it is rather mocking in tone.

[Chin for a Day]

9 minutes ago, Jenn123 said:

We cool then  I guess it's open to interpretation. I think it's satirical because a shooter's possible reasoning to kill is so irrational that trying to take it seriously is near impossible. I mean, satire isn't strictly humour and I don't think the song meant to be amusing, but it is rather mocking in tone.

I never said satirical meant humorous, I said it is mocking.  I also disagree that you can't take a shooters reasoning to kill seriously, it is a very serious subject.  It must be taken seriously if it is ever going to stop.  They are very sick individuals and to be able to stop this type of situation we must try to understand how they think.  You can't stop it from happening if you don't understand why.  I think that is the perspective Billie wrote this song from.  To try and understand, not mock.  

[xXRustyJamesXx]

when are you guys expecting the music video for Bang Bang to come out?

[Sanity Loan]

6 minutes ago, xXRustyJamesXx said:

when are you guys expecting the music video for Bang Bang to come out?

Before October 7th

Who knows... this band isn't predictable. I'd guess mid to late September.

[Chin for a Day]

9 minutes ago, Matt. said:

Before October 7th

Who knows... this band isn't predictable. I'd guess mid to late September.

Of what year?

[Hermione]

1 hour ago, Jenn123 said:

We cool then  I guess it's open to interpretation. I think it's satirical because a shooter's possible reasoning to kill is so irrational that trying to take it seriously is near impossible. I mean, satire isn't strictly humour and I don't think the song meant to be amusing, but it is rather mocking in tone.

I agree that it's satirical and mocking in tone. Not that it's mocking the shooter per se, but it does have a sarcastic tone and some hints of dark humour when describing his motives and seems to be mocking of how the media makes mass shooters famous, perhaps as satire on the whole messed up situation. I don't think that means it isn't true that he was writing from the shooter's perspective, just that he didn't do it in a completely literal way and also added to it.

[Hero_Of_The_Hour]

4 hours ago, Jenn123 said:

I don't think he's putting himself in the mind of a shooter, per say. He's using that imagined POV to make a satirical comment on that culture/mentality. And this way we can relate to it because we've seen the media coverage and in some cases (too many unfortunately), have been affected by the consequences of a shooter's actions.

 

3 hours ago, Jenn123 said:

Look, I love Billie Joe, but he doesn't know what goes on inside a shooter's head. Nobody does. That's what's so terrifying - you can't rationalise something like that. And when I say 'black humour', I don't mean to say I think Bang Bang trivialises the subject, but rather it's Billie Joe doing what he does best and creating a sort of character he can tell a satirical POV from. Having A Blast, Brat, The Grouch, St. Jimmy, etc are all examples of this. It's just that this time it's a subject that's particularly relevant in America right now.  

 

1 hour ago, Jenn123 said:

I dunno, "give me death or give me head" seems pretty satirical to me!

I'm probably not explaining too well but all I'm saying is that I don't think we're meant to see the song as black and white as 'how a shooter thinks from Billie's POV'. I think it's more complex than that, is all.

 

56 minutes ago, Jenn123 said:

We cool then  I guess it's open to interpretation. I think it's satirical because a shooter's possible reasoning to kill is so irrational that trying to take it seriously is near impossible. I mean, satire isn't strictly humour and I don't think the song meant to be amusing, but it is rather mocking in tone.

 

You should head over to the Kerrang thread and read the direct quotes from Billie about the song. He also spoke about it to Rolling Stone. 

Billie wrote the song in 2014 after the San Diego shooting by Elliot Rodgers who documented his "manifesto" in YouTube videos and a blog before he committed his killing spree. For months Rodgers documented his thoughts that led to his mass shooting therefore allowing investigators understand the reasons why he committed his crimes and therefore it would allow Billie and the general public have an insight into his thought process at the time. Billie specifically stated Rodgers inspired the song. Rodgers killed because women wouldn't have sex with him, hence "give me death or give me head". There's really nothing satirical about it. 

[DeJennsitized]

3 minutes ago, Hermione said:

I agree that it's satirical and mocking in tone. Not that it's mocking the shooter per se, but it does have a sarcastic tone and some hints of dark humour when describing his motives and seems to be mocking of how the media makes mass shooters famous, perhaps as satire on the whole messed up situation. I don't think that means it isn't true that he was writing from the shooter's perspective, just that he didn't do it in a completely literal way and also added to it.

That's pretty much what I meant. That's it's not literal. I think 'serious' was possibly the wrong word!

2 minutes ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

You should head over to the Kerrang thread and read the direct quotes from Billie about the song. He also spoke about it to Rolling Stone. 

Billie wrote the song in 2014 after the San Diego shooting by Elliot Rodgers who documented his "manifesto" in YouTube videos and a blog before he committed his killing spree. For months Rodgers documented his thoughts that led to his mass shooting therefore allowing investigators understand the reasons why he committed his crimes and therefore it would allow Billie and the general public have an insight into his thought process at the time. Billie specifically stated Rodgers inspired the song. Rodgers killed because women wouldn't have sex with him, hence "give me death or give me head". There's really nothing satirical about it. 

I've read the interviews. I still think it's satirical. How can you take 'I killed them because they wouldn't have sex with me' seriously? It's a serious subject but the motives behind the shootings are not reasonable in any way. That's what I mean when I say it's mocking in tone. You can't justify or understand something like that. And you wouldn't try to either in a three minute song!

[Hermione]

I don't believe Billie's said it's not satirical? He can have put himself in the position of the shooter when writing it and have been inspired by real events, and it can be satirical (or not, it's a matter of opinion). The two things don't rule each other out.

[Hero_Of_The_Hour]

4 minutes ago, Jenn123 said:

That's pretty much what I meant. That's it's not literal. I think 'serious' was possibly the wrong word!

I've read the interviews. I still think it's satirical. How can you take 'I killed them because they wouldn't have sex with me' seriously? It's a serious subject but the motives behind the shootings are not reasonable in any way. That's what I mean when I say it's mocking in tone. You can't justify or understand something like that. And you wouldn't try to either in a three minute song!

 

How can you take it seriously?  Maybe because it's true. Elliot Rodgers was a real person who horrifically murdered six people because he was still a virgin. He had psychological problems. There is nothing mocking in Billie's lyrics. He was in his own words "freaked out" by the whole situation. It's not something that people should not take seriously. Mental health problems are by their very nature serious and not something that should be mocked nor is the murder of six young people. Come on.

[Chin for a Day]

10 minutes ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

 

How can you take it seriously?  Maybe because it's true. Elliot Rodgers was a real person who horrifically murdered six people because he was still a virgin. He had psychological problems. There is nothing mocking in Billie's lyrics. He was in his own words "freaked out" by the whole situation. It's not something that people should not take seriously. Mental health problems are by their very nature serious and not something that should be mocked nor is the murder of six young people. Come on.

I don't think I have ever agreed with you more.