21st Century Breakdown
1. Song of the CenturyPosted by st.jimmys girl on January 17 2010
i think ''song of the century'' addresses sort of sitting in front of the radio searching for something worth listening to and all of a sudden you hear something that in a way speaks of life and a life in war ''that's louder than bombs and eternity''life in war
''era of static and contraband''
life
i believe that it stands for the way war and life itself influences everyone.
2/20
Posted by Alex Brooks on December 11 2009
I think this song is trying to say that the things people didn't want to happen are happening, and there's nothing we can do about it. Americans are either in panic or they're prosperous. They're all caught up in promises that will never be kept. They're talking about how fuzzy everything has become with all the scare tactics in America like contraband (smuggling) for example. The people in charge are saying "Look at that man committing crime!" Then they sneak something right past you. When Billie Joe talks about the promised land he's talking about what the government promised America would become. We're waging the war meaning we've started something with another country (betting we would win) and instead of winning like we thought we're losing. I think when he says tell us a story that's by candlelight they're talking about how our freedom is slowly being stripped from us and soon we'll have to tell people what's going on in secret. "Sing us a song for me" means please stand up for me! I need your help! That's pretty much what this song is screaming. 3/20
Posted by Sparks on September 08 2009
Someone is tuning the radio trying to find something worth hearing. They land on this, the song of the century. It paves the way for everything to come. It is the summation of this album and it grasps many of the concepts while at the same time summing up the 21st Century. The war reference, "Louder than bombs and eternity." The violence and media reference, "The era of static and contraband." Religion, "Leading us into the promised land." It also relates to the personal fight of the characters, "Waging a war and losing the fight." This fight could be Gloria's fight against the system or her fight against her drug addiction and herself; it could be Christian's violent torch and kill fight, but this foreshadows that this fight will be lost. It finally uses three words that do justice to the emotions of Americans right now, "Panic, and promise, and prosperity." This is the song of the century. 4/20
Posted by Joost on July 17 2009
Billie Joe said in Q-magazine the song is about where he come from and how it is to live in this new age. The new century. 5/20
Posted by St. Jimmy on June 17 2009
This song is about how the world is fucked up and society is trying to get the youth to go with the majority's ideals, trying to convince them that it'll lead them "into the promised land" 6/20
Posted by Francois Meyer on June 10 2009
Song of the Century is a clear and poetic introduction to the album. It asks for honest music that covers everything that's been going on this century. Its about the war ("louder than bombs"), the overwhelming media ("the era of static and contraband"), religion ("leading us into the promised land") and is sung out of the point of view of someone who's desperate for the world to be as it once was. 7/20
Posted by Anisa Key on June 09 2009
this song to me is about the people who survived the war and riots - then they tune into the radio and hear a voice that reaches out to them 8/20
Posted by Dookie on June 08 2009
Gloria tunes into the radio to hear a man, Christian, singing to her. Christian is asking Gloria to tell him her story, her feelings, and her dreams. 9/20
Posted by Whatsername on June 07 2009
This song is the Class of '13 saying tell us the story of hope (They're playing the song of the century/ of panic and promise and prosperity/ / tell me a story into THAT goodnight / sing us a song for me) It represents that maybe there is some hope 10/20
Posted by Spencer on June 07 2009
A voice on the radio speaking out to the survivors who are left of the fall of America after the destruction of riots and political agendas. The voice on the radio trying to give hope and comfort to the last remaining maybe only Christian and Gloria. 11/20
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This serves an introductory piece, basically lays down the foundation for the story. It examines the life that Christian and Gloria are dealing with. The war, terrorism, and the fact that they have to learn to make it on their own – as even the adults that raised them cannot be trusted. “Raised by the bastards of 1969”. 12/20
Posted by Shannen on June 04 2009
This song is really the prologue to the whole album and what has happened in the the 21st century so far. This is the way I look at it.The radio sends out this almost ironic, punky lullaby that talks about the destruction of the world we live in, but yet there's hope, underneath all of the misfortune. It asks for people to talk about the story of their lives so far beside a bed near candle light. Maybe a child's parents didn't pay the electricity bill and it's completely dark - the only light is the candle. And they're asking what happened, and why their life is that way. The parents could talk to their child about the war, and how we're losing the fight, maybe the child doesn't believe them, and thinks that there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The darkness of the room could represent the "breakdown" of the century, but the burning candle represents hope.
13/20
Posted by --MavericK-- on June 03 2009
just a theory, but this song could insinuate that the entire album is a bed-time story for Billie's son ["Tell me a story into that goodnight"]. His son is of the class of '13, being born in 95. It could be Joseph [billie's son] asking what life was like when his dad was his age and Billie's response is the album that follows. 14/20
Posted by JonN on May 27 2009
Christian and/or Gloria are tuning into the radio. They hear a voice directing them to tell the story of their broken century, and their rebellion. 15/20
Posted by Chris Moore (Warrensburg) on May 27 2009
To me, this song is the voice of hope reaching out over the surviving airwaves after the riots and destruction of whatever apocalypse has just happened; whether it be in the world itself or the mind of a character... or you. It is the symbol that someone is still out there and willing to cry for help with you. It is the voice that is about to take you on the journey through the ups and downs of the incredible album ahead. 16/20
Posted by wackydelly918 on May 27 2009
This song is your basic opening narrative....sung by the people...The song is about hope and waiting for hope....This song sets up the whole feeling of the album 17/20
Posted by Petrina Yuen on May 27 2009
Song of the centuryIntro to the setting for the album.
Basically painting an image of destruction and chaos, but yet being optimistic for the future.
Told from the point of view of a child ( the class of 13) asking for a bed time story
18/20
Posted by Angela H. on May 26 2009
I think Song Of The Century is a callout to the class of 13. It's what the class of 13 thinks, desires, and dreams of, but won't say. And therefore, Billie Joe says it for them. The message is that the class of 13 wants an era of peace, and above all, an era of clarity. Previous classes didn't have that luxury. We were forced to sit through an era of war, and an idiot for a President. But now that we have a new President, the class of 13 has a better chance for peace and security than previous classes did. 19/20
Posted by Michael on May 26 2009
This short intro, sung quietly a capella over nothing but radio static, is either presented to or requested by the "Class of '13" (the future generation that is first named in the title track) as if it were a children's lullabye or good-night story. In keeping with the album's overall concept of chronicling the death of the American Dream, the reference to the "promised land" could be viewed as symbolic of the promise of the American Dream that drew so many to make the United States their home in the late 20th Century. "Candlelight" foreshadows the "light" that Gloria, the album's protagonist and torchbearer, represents. It also has parallels to the flame of liberty from Emma Lazarus' poem, "The New Colossus", that is affixed to the Statue of Liberty ("A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame/Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name/Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand/Glows world-wide welcome...I lift my lamp beside the golden door!") Also suggested by Lazarus' poem is the awesome force that the power of freedom, which the flame represents, can take on; implied is the destructive power that this freedom can unleash if misused. Thus, the lyric "Waging a war and losing the fight" foreshadows the character Christian (the negative, destructive force), and introduces his negative influence on the ideal of the American Dream -- specifically, the destruction unleashed on the world when fundamentalist religious zealots took control of the U.S. government in the early 21st Century, initiating a holy war against foreign infidels, bankrupting the country financially and morally, and marking the beginning of the end of the American Dream. 20/20
Song of the Century
Posted by Parent Of a Heart With a Handgrenade AKA: teenager on April 23 2010
I believe this song begins the album much like a kid turning channels on tv - he flips and hears somthing his parents enjoy and the mom goes "hey stop that sounds nice." Then it goes into the contraband violence and the mom sits there stunned and the kid smirks looking at her and the next song begins.
Posted by st.jimmys girl on January 17 2010
i think ''song of the century'' addresses sort of sitting in front of the radio searching for something worth listening to and all of a sudden you hear something that in a way speaks of life and a life in war ''that's louder than bombs and eternity''
life in war
''era of static and contraband''
life
i believe that it stands for the way war and life itself influences everyone.
life in war
''era of static and contraband''
life
i believe that it stands for the way war and life itself influences everyone.
Posted by Alex Brooks on December 11 2009
I think this song is trying to say that the things people didn't want to happen are happening, and there's nothing we can do about it. Americans are either in panic or they're prosperous. They're all caught up in promises that will never be kept. They're talking about how fuzzy everything has become with all the scare tactics in America like contraband (smuggling) for example. The people in charge are saying "Look at that man committing crime!" Then they sneak something right past you. When Billie Joe talks about the promised land he's talking about what the government promised America would become. We're waging the war meaning we've started something with another country (betting we would win) and instead of winning like we thought we're losing. I think when he says tell us a story that's by candlelight they're talking about how our freedom is slowly being stripped from us and soon we'll have to tell people what's going on in secret. "Sing us a song for me" means please stand up for me! I need your help! That's pretty much what this song is screaming.
Posted by Sparks on September 08 2009
Someone is tuning the radio trying to find something worth hearing. They land on this, the song of the century. It paves the way for everything to come. It is the summation of this album and it grasps many of the concepts while at the same time summing up the 21st Century. The war reference, "Louder than bombs and eternity." The violence and media reference, "The era of static and contraband." Religion, "Leading us into the promised land." It also relates to the personal fight of the characters, "Waging a war and losing the fight." This fight could be Gloria's fight against the system or her fight against her drug addiction and herself; it could be Christian's violent torch and kill fight, but this foreshadows that this fight will be lost. It finally uses three words that do justice to the emotions of Americans right now, "Panic, and promise, and prosperity." This is the song of the century.
Posted by Joost on July 17 2009
Billie Joe said in Q-magazine the song is about where he come from and how it is to live in this new age. The new century.
Posted by St. Jimmy on June 17 2009
This song is about how the world is fucked up and society is trying to get the youth to go with the majority's ideals, trying to convince them that it'll lead them "into the promised land"
Posted by Francois Meyer on June 10 2009
Song of the Century is a clear and poetic introduction to the album. It asks for honest music that covers everything that's been going on this century. Its about the war ("louder than bombs"), the overwhelming media ("the era of static and contraband"), religion ("leading us into the promised land") and is sung out of the point of view of someone who's desperate for the world to be as it once was.
Posted by Anisa Key on June 09 2009
this song to me is about the people who survived the war and riots - then they tune into the radio and hear a voice that reaches out to them
Posted by Dookie on June 08 2009
Gloria tunes into the radio to hear a man, Christian, singing to her. Christian is asking Gloria to tell him her story, her feelings, and her dreams.
Posted by Whatsername on June 07 2009
This song is the Class of '13 saying tell us the story of hope (They're playing the song of the century/ of panic and promise and prosperity/ / tell me a story into THAT goodnight / sing us a song for me) It represents that maybe there is some hope
Posted by Spencer on June 07 2009
A voice on the radio speaking out to the survivors who are left of the fall of America after the destruction of riots and political agendas. The voice on the radio trying to give hope and comfort to the last remaining maybe only Christian and Gloria.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This serves an introductory piece, basically lays down the foundation for the story. It examines the life that Christian and Gloria are dealing with. The war, terrorism, and the fact that they have to learn to make it on their own – as even the adults that raised them cannot be trusted. “Raised by the bastards of 1969”.
Posted by Shannen on June 04 2009
This song is really the prologue to the whole album and what has happened in the the 21st century so far. This is the way I look at it.
The radio sends out this almost ironic, punky lullaby that talks about the destruction of the world we live in, but yet there's hope, underneath all of the misfortune. It asks for people to talk about the story of their lives so far beside a bed near candle light. Maybe a child's parents didn't pay the electricity bill and it's completely dark - the only light is the candle. And they're asking what happened, and why their life is that way. The parents could talk to their child about the war, and how we're losing the fight, maybe the child doesn't believe them, and thinks that there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The darkness of the room could represent the "breakdown" of the century, but the burning candle represents hope.
The radio sends out this almost ironic, punky lullaby that talks about the destruction of the world we live in, but yet there's hope, underneath all of the misfortune. It asks for people to talk about the story of their lives so far beside a bed near candle light. Maybe a child's parents didn't pay the electricity bill and it's completely dark - the only light is the candle. And they're asking what happened, and why their life is that way. The parents could talk to their child about the war, and how we're losing the fight, maybe the child doesn't believe them, and thinks that there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The darkness of the room could represent the "breakdown" of the century, but the burning candle represents hope.
Posted by --MavericK-- on June 03 2009
just a theory, but this song could insinuate that the entire album is a bed-time story for Billie's son ["Tell me a story into that goodnight"]. His son is of the class of '13, being born in 95. It could be Joseph [billie's son] asking what life was like when his dad was his age and Billie's response is the album that follows.
Posted by JonN on May 27 2009
Christian and/or Gloria are tuning into the radio. They hear a voice directing them to tell the story of their broken century, and their rebellion.
Posted by Chris Moore (Warrensburg) on May 27 2009
To me, this song is the voice of hope reaching out over the surviving airwaves after the riots and destruction of whatever apocalypse has just happened; whether it be in the world itself or the mind of a character... or you. It is the symbol that someone is still out there and willing to cry for help with you. It is the voice that is about to take you on the journey through the ups and downs of the incredible album ahead.
Posted by wackydelly918 on May 27 2009
This song is your basic opening narrative....sung by the people...The song is about hope and waiting for hope....This song sets up the whole feeling of the album
Posted by Petrina Yuen on May 27 2009
Song of the century
Intro to the setting for the album.
Basically painting an image of destruction and chaos, but yet being optimistic for the future.
Told from the point of view of a child ( the class of 13) asking for a bed time story
Intro to the setting for the album.
Basically painting an image of destruction and chaos, but yet being optimistic for the future.
Told from the point of view of a child ( the class of 13) asking for a bed time story
Posted by Angela H. on May 26 2009
I think Song Of The Century is a callout to the class of 13. It's what the class of 13 thinks, desires, and dreams of, but won't say. And therefore, Billie Joe says it for them. The message is that the class of 13 wants an era of peace, and above all, an era of clarity. Previous classes didn't have that luxury. We were forced to sit through an era of war, and an idiot for a President. But now that we have a new President, the class of 13 has a better chance for peace and security than previous classes did.
Posted by Michael on May 26 2009
This short intro, sung quietly a capella over nothing but radio static, is either presented to or requested by the "Class of '13" (the future generation that is first named in the title track) as if it were a children's lullabye or good-night story. In keeping with the album's overall concept of chronicling the death of the American Dream, the reference to the "promised land" could be viewed as symbolic of the promise of the American Dream that drew so many to make the United States their home in the late 20th Century. "Candlelight" foreshadows the "light" that Gloria, the album's protagonist and torchbearer, represents. It also has parallels to the flame of liberty from Emma Lazarus' poem, "The New Colossus", that is affixed to the Statue of Liberty ("A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame/Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name/Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand/Glows world-wide welcome...I lift my lamp beside the golden door!") Also suggested by Lazarus' poem is the awesome force that the power of freedom, which the flame represents, can take on; implied is the destructive power that this freedom can unleash if misused. Thus, the lyric "Waging a war and losing the fight" foreshadows the character Christian (the negative, destructive force), and introduces his negative influence on the ideal of the American Dream -- specifically, the destruction unleashed on the world when fundamentalist religious zealots took control of the U.S. government in the early 21st Century, initiating a holy war against foreign infidels, bankrupting the country financially and morally, and marking the beginning of the end of the American Dream.
Billie Joe was born into the year Nixon was elected and was the youngest of 7 and his father died when he was 10 so his mother worked the double shift supporting all of them so he was a welfare child, the last one born the first one to run saying that he was the last one born and the first one to move out, and he grew up next to a refinery " my town was blind from refinery sun" my generation is zero,then he is saying he was never a working class hero because he never had an actual job, like im saying most of this song is about his past life and current life just like jesus of suburbia and basket case and the whole album insomniac because he had insomnia
Posted by TheSaintJimmy1998 on April 08 2010
I view this song as Christian and Gloria talking to each other, realising the mess that, not just America, but the world is in. 2/31
Posted by Ben Cl. on December 26 2009
Two teenagers living in the chaos that our former "leaders" left us in. I guess it's safe to say that they embrace it, sometimes fight it, and sometimes even give in to it. It also is about what we live in and describes problems in the past and also problems leading to today. "Born into Nixon I was raised in hell" to "dream America dream" to "scream america scream." 3/31
Posted by miftahul choir on September 14 2009
The title track's opening lyric "Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" references Armstrong's birth year of 1972, while "We are the class of '13" references the fact that his eldest son, Joseph, will graduate from high school in 2013. 4/31
Posted by Sparks on September 08 2009
This song is really three songs put together to make one epic. All three parts are Billie Joe describing his life and his feelings on the 21st century so far. However on the album it is the mind of the characters. To me it is not Christian or Gloria telling it but both of them. It is the mind of any American right now. In the first part of the song the characters describe their life and their fear that their chance of making a difference is over thanks to the 20th century deadline. The second part of the song is them preparing to pass the challenge to the Class of '13 and then they get pissed. Billie Joe uses America itself as a symbol but he also says it in a way that it is an individual American. "My name is no one the long lost son, Born on the 4th of July. Raised in the era of heroes and cons that left me for dead or alive." This could be America the country talking saying the people let the country get screwed up until it reached this point. But it could also be one person saying that everyone in their life left them alone to do their work of making America right. The song references many of the songs on the album as well. "I choked on my faith," "Wasting my time and waiting for judgment day," - these are both shots at religion. The point of view is from a non-believer. It also references Viva la Gloria! when it says, "I've been to the edge and I've thrown the bouquet." "Gloria, are you standing close to the edge?... Gloria, this is why we're on the edge." "Flowers left over the grave," could be a war reference." My favorite thing about this song is that Billie Joe uses patriotic songs and twists them into this anti-patriotic song. "I once was lost but never was found," hmmm that calls to mind Amazing Grace, "I once was lost but now am found." This leads me into the final part of this song. Billie Joe urging Americans to dream and scream. "I can't even sleep from the light's early dawn," sounds a lot like the National Anthem, "Oh say, can you see by the dawn's early light?" This is a very cool composing tool of this song. Finally the epic ends with Billie Joe singing, "Believe what you see from heroes and cons." They left the characters and the country for dead or alive, what will they do next? 5/31
Posted by Wephy on August 29 2009
I think this song refers to how messed up the world is today, but also it is quite autobiographical of Billie, as it's a very personal song. The lyrics "Born into Nixon I was raised in hell..../The last one born and the first one to run.../My town was blind from refinery sun," refer to his somewhat difficult childhood."We are the Class of, the class of 13....../We are the desperate in the decline, raised by the bastards of 1969," refers to his eldest son Joey's graduation year, and how Billie thought it was such an unlucky year to graduate. 1969 refers to the year his wife, Adie, was born.
6/31
Posted by Raven on August 09 2009
From my point of view, it's talking about Billie Joe. *Last one born and the first one to run, I never made it as a working class hero,etc.* Along with the album, i think this song is also talking about how were heading into the next Great Depression. "I think I am losing what's left of my mind To the 20th Century Deadline" is somewhat talking about how life was much simpler back in the 90's. 7/31
Posted by giulia on July 29 2009
do you think the sentence "I NEVER MADE IT AS A WORKING CLASS HERO" means that billie joe or christian aren't part of the machine, they are rebels? In the song "Working class hero" by Lennon i've understood that finally a working class hero is a person controlled by the nation, it isn't a real hero of the working class, the government tries to cheat people saying they are working class hero and classless and free but in the end they are controlled, drugged by television and religion....so the sentence maybe means that bj isn't controlled by the nation
8/31
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
The story opens with the older generation lamenting the destruction of the nation and their own disillusionment. Things seem boring and lodged in routine until the sudden arrival of the mysterious 'No-one' and his band of rebels, the Class of '13. In what is almost a recruitment, they rally others to their cause; the demolition and restructuring of the broken America. Among the many swayed by their words is the impressionable young Christian, who ignores the doubts and suspicions of his lover Gloria; 'Scream, America scream, believe what you see, from heroes and cons.' 9/31
Posted by St. Jimmy on June 17 2009
THIS IS GREEN DAY'S BEST SONG EVERThis song mostly sums up the theme of the album; its the youth (Christian and Gloria) realizing they have to change the world before it goes to hell. The first part is describing that the generation that'll have control will soon change from "Born into Nixon" to "Class of 13". I think that the mid-section of this song is about Christian saying he tried to do things the way society and everyone else does it...( "I swallowed my pride and choked on my faith") but he realized that that's not the way he wanted to do things. The last part of the song mocks the national anthem ("I cant even sleep from the lights early dawn") because Christian feels that he can't put up with how America is now.
10/31
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This serves as an introductory piece, basically lays down the foundation for the story. It examines the life that Christian and Gloria are dealing with. It shows the adult figures you're supposed to be looking up to are not the greatest of example figures for trustworthiness. For example, you think the president is a nice man - not sinful - but really he's just as bad as the next door neighbor that uses drugs. It also shows how the world is going down in a shithole, hint the Breakdown. 11/31
Posted by Spencer on June 07 2009
Billie talking about what it's been like to be raised in the 21st century and the disappointments of the century. Also he might be talking through Christian. 12/31
Posted by Dani on June 06 2009
I think this is like the intro of the album, it also talks about everything the album contains, it can also be the way to describe the world we live in right now ...like all the anecdotes of all people. it talks of the people and how Green Day sees our world (I'm not from the united states even though i'm in a country with the same problems) and how we see the world as the songs says. I'm just a fan. 13/31
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This serves an introductory piece, basically lays down the foundation for the story. It examines the life that Christian and Gloria are dealing with. The war, terrorism, and the fact that they have to learn to make it on their own – as even the adults that raised them cannot be trusted. “Raised by the bastards of 1969”. 14/31
Posted by Shannen on June 04 2009
This is really where the album gets an introduction, the song kind of sets the mood about how much destruction there really is. This song really comes from Billie's point of view in the beginning. "Born into Nixon I was raised in hell", "My town was blind from the Refinery Sun", are all lyrics that could represent how he felt like he had to get out of where he lived.When it switches to the lyrics,
"We are the cries of the class of thirteen.
Born in the era of humility.
We are the desperate in the decline.
Raised by the bastards of 1969. "
it's coming more from Christian's point of view, and how he's asking for anyone or anything to change his world and what kind of personal hell he lives in.
the lyrics
"Oh dream, America dream.
I can't even see from the lights early dawn.
Oh scream, scream.
Believe what you read from heroes and cons. "
are Christian's cry for help, and realizing the destruction of the american dream.
15/31
Posted by Chloe!- chaoschloe... on June 04 2009
ok, i think this song really just brings the listener into the realisation of the album,it's like the song that launches you into the albumit tells of how america is in a bad way from Geogre Bush,and how america needs to change
16/31
Posted by Katie Hamende on June 03 2009
This song is about the struggles that people face in everyday life in the 21st century and how Christian and Gloria struggle with their problems as well as the tough times we are going through right now. 17/31
Posted by Alaric on June 03 2009
I think this song is kind of an intro to the characters in the story christian and gloria with christian being the first verse of the first and second part and gloria being the second verse in the first and second parts 18/31
Posted by Chelsea on June 03 2009
This song relays where Billie is coming from and not necessarily where he's going but rather where his kids are going. "We are the class of 13" - Billie's son will actually graduate in the year 2013 (as will Tre's daughter Ramona). He said in an article he thought "Wow what an unlucky year to graduate, but also what a cool one. Its also about being an underdog. Billie states in an article "Once working class, always working class." Basically, you should always know your roots and be cognitive of who you really are (or once were). 19/31
Posted by matt on June 01 2009
This song is like an anthem sang by the "Class of 13" about how the "Bastards of 1969" have screwed the world up so much and the world at its present state. 20/31
Posted by GD fan on June 01 2009
1st song of heroes and cons, and, from my point of view, explains the early childhood of Christian and Gloria in a world of misconception, non-hope and poorness. (I was raised in hell, a welfare child, my town was blind from refinery sun, i was made of poison of blood, my generation is zero, condemnation is what I understood, etc... are some of the lines that prove my POV of the song). 21/31
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
I think it's about where Billie comes from, and what it's like to be in the current era, financially. I think it was written with a kinda of underdog spirit, like, someone who hasn't quite made it. 22/31
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
I think this song is about how fucked up this world has become, and not being able to take it anymore, you start to loose your mind. Like having exaclty what the title saysa "21st Century Breakdown".
23/31
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
21st Century Breakdown is sort of Billie Joe's life story; explaining where he is from and some of his beliefs and ideas of this still very young era of Heroes and Cons 24/31
Posted by Petrina Yuen on May 27 2009
This ones a bit complicated. There seems to be 2 characters here.One is the older generation :
"born into nixon "
" bastards of 1969"
The other is the younger generation ,Perhaps its Christian:
"We are the class of 13"
"The long lost son"
From what i can tell its a kind of passing the torch song from the old generation to the new, from the bastards of 1969 to the class of 13' .
The old generation sings of its failed era and how it's failed to change things and kinds of beckons the new generation to do what it could not do and to take over in ensuring the future .
"I've thrown the bouquet" - passing it on to the class of 13
"left over the grave" - it symbolizes the ruin and chaos of the era of the old generation
"I sat in the waiting room
wasting my time
and waiting for
judgement day"
Its pretty loaded. first impression is of how the “bastards of 1969” didnt change things and were apathetic. Second interpretation is the waiting room , which could be in the hospital waiting for the new generation to be born to takeover.
Overall the song criticizes the lack of change in the past and that now the future generation can and should do something about it , despite the dire situation.
25/31
Posted by Ben on May 27 2009
I see it as an Anthem to the world in which we live, which is rapidly in decline, but is forever hopeful due to the prosper of youth 26/31
Posted by AGM on May 26 2009
This song depicts the difficult journey of a young generation, taught by the previous to believe that by working hard dreams are realized. Events of the new century largely prove this untrue. The decline of America affects even the hardest of workers-- who have given everything they have to realize their dreams, but are still compromising, and losing hope. American leaders cannot be trusted and are no longer serving for the public good. 27/31
Posted by jake on May 26 2009
its about christian and his struggle with the post-bush world. basically everything hes been through since the beginning of his lifetime of his years (resembled Billie joes life - born into Nixon, welfare child, last one born first to run and so on...). near the end of the song he starts to realize the worlds issues and feels so angry about it he just leaves. 28/31
Posted by Mike on May 26 2009
It's about Billie's life growing up ("Born into Nixon I was raised in hell...") then contrasts to what his son's life is and what his future will be like, living in the post-Bush era. The lines "We are the class of '13" echo Billie's oldest son's expected graduation year. 29/31
Posted by Angela. H on May 26 2009
I think 21st Century Breakdown is an in-depth description of the problems the world has experienced as a result of poor decisions of the world's leaders and ex-leaders. The song also gives listeners an introduction to Christian, and his view on today's life. And above all, this is a powerful anthem for the class of 13. It says what the class of 13 might not be able to properly say themselves. 30/31
Posted by Michael on May 26 2009
This song represents the passing of the torch from "the Bastards of 1969" (the ruinous generation that destroyed the American Dream in the early 21st Century) to "The Class of '13" (the future generation, as represented by the year that Billie Joe Armstrong's oldest son is expected to graduate from high school). The song begins autobiographically, as Armstrong describes the failing society into which he was born and raised ("Born into Nixon I was raised in hell/A welfare child where the teamsters dwelled"). References to "the 20th Century Deadline" suggest the beginning of the end of the American Dream at the end of the 20th Century and the turn of the 21st. "The tower's fall" and "Homeland Security" would seem to refer to the key events that influenced our leaders at the beginning of the 21st Century -- 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and our tipping the balance so sharply in favor of security that our founding principles of liberty and freedom were compromised. Armstrong then points the blame directly at his own generation when, changing the narrator's perspective to the younger generation (The Class of '13), he introduces the children as having been "Raised by the Bastards of 1969"."Born on the 4th of July" is a direct reference to the crippling consequences of war, as presented in the best-selling autobiography of the same name by Ron Kovic, a paralyzed Vietnam veteran. "I am a nation" implies that this track goes much deeper than simply talking about the lives of the album's two protagonists, Gloria and Christian. The destructive class and culture wars that our political parties have engaged in by manipulating the nation's honest, hard-working middle class is suggested in the lyric "the scars on my hands/and a means to an end/is all that I have to show." "I've broken my fingers and lied through my teeth" can be read as metaphoric for those "Bastards of 1969" having lied to the nation about its conduct during wartime, or to the hand-wringing lip-service that was paid to the real problems that now threaten to destroy us. Transitioning into the close, "The freedom to obey/is the song that strangles me" sets up Know Your Enemy (The choir infantry/revolts against the honor to obey), and the song closes by introducing the name of the album's first act and describing the death of the American Dream: "Oh, scream America, scream/Believe what you see/from heroes and cons."
31/31
21st Century Breakdown
Posted by Jdmchoes on April 22 2010
Billie Joe was born into the year Nixon was elected and was the youngest of 7 and his father died when he was 10 so his mother worked the double shift supporting all of them so he was a welfare child, the last one born the first one to run saying that he was the last one born and the first one to move out, and he grew up next to a refinery " my town was blind from refinery sun" my generation is zero,then he is saying he was never a working class hero because he never had an actual job, like im saying most of this song is about his past life and current life just like jesus of suburbia and basket case and the whole album insomniac because he had insomnia
Posted by TheSaintJimmy1998 on April 08 2010
I view this song as Christian and Gloria talking to each other, realising the mess that, not just America, but the world is in.
Posted by Ben Cl. on December 26 2009
Two teenagers living in the chaos that our former "leaders" left us in. I guess it's safe to say that they embrace it, sometimes fight it, and sometimes even give in to it. It also is about what we live in and describes problems in the past and also problems leading to today. "Born into Nixon I was raised in hell" to "dream America dream" to "scream america scream."
Posted by miftahul choir on September 14 2009
The title track's opening lyric "Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" references Armstrong's birth year of 1972, while "We are the class of '13" references the fact that his eldest son, Joseph, will graduate from high school in 2013.
Posted by Sparks on September 08 2009
This song is really three songs put together to make one epic. All three parts are Billie Joe describing his life and his feelings on the 21st century so far. However on the album it is the mind of the characters. To me it is not Christian or Gloria telling it but both of them. It is the mind of any American right now. In the first part of the song the characters describe their life and their fear that their chance of making a difference is over thanks to the 20th century deadline. The second part of the song is them preparing to pass the challenge to the Class of '13 and then they get pissed. Billie Joe uses America itself as a symbol but he also says it in a way that it is an individual American. "My name is no one the long lost son, Born on the 4th of July. Raised in the era of heroes and cons that left me for dead or alive." This could be America the country talking saying the people let the country get screwed up until it reached this point. But it could also be one person saying that everyone in their life left them alone to do their work of making America right. The song references many of the songs on the album as well. "I choked on my faith," "Wasting my time and waiting for judgment day," - these are both shots at religion. The point of view is from a non-believer. It also references Viva la Gloria! when it says, "I've been to the edge and I've thrown the bouquet." "Gloria, are you standing close to the edge?... Gloria, this is why we're on the edge." "Flowers left over the grave," could be a war reference." My favorite thing about this song is that Billie Joe uses patriotic songs and twists them into this anti-patriotic song. "I once was lost but never was found," hmmm that calls to mind Amazing Grace, "I once was lost but now am found." This leads me into the final part of this song. Billie Joe urging Americans to dream and scream. "I can't even sleep from the light's early dawn," sounds a lot like the National Anthem, "Oh say, can you see by the dawn's early light?" This is a very cool composing tool of this song. Finally the epic ends with Billie Joe singing, "Believe what you see from heroes and cons." They left the characters and the country for dead or alive, what will they do next?
Posted by Wephy on August 29 2009
I think this song refers to how messed up the world is today, but also it is quite autobiographical of Billie, as it's a very personal song. The lyrics "Born into Nixon I was raised in hell..../The last one born and the first one to run.../My town was blind from refinery sun," refer to his somewhat difficult childhood.
"We are the Class of, the class of 13....../We are the desperate in the decline, raised by the bastards of 1969," refers to his eldest son Joey's graduation year, and how Billie thought it was such an unlucky year to graduate. 1969 refers to the year his wife, Adie, was born.
"We are the Class of, the class of 13....../We are the desperate in the decline, raised by the bastards of 1969," refers to his eldest son Joey's graduation year, and how Billie thought it was such an unlucky year to graduate. 1969 refers to the year his wife, Adie, was born.
Posted by Raven on August 09 2009
From my point of view, it's talking about Billie Joe. *Last one born and the first one to run, I never made it as a working class hero,etc.* Along with the album, i think this song is also talking about how were heading into the next Great Depression. "I think I am losing what's left of my mind To the 20th Century Deadline" is somewhat talking about how life was much simpler back in the 90's.
Posted by giulia on July 29 2009
do you think the sentence "I NEVER MADE IT AS A WORKING CLASS HERO" means that billie joe or christian aren't part of the machine, they are rebels? In the song "Working class hero" by Lennon i've understood that finally a working class hero is a person controlled by the nation, it isn't a real hero of the working class, the government tries to cheat people saying they are working class hero and classless and free but in the end they are controlled, drugged by television and religion....
so the sentence maybe means that bj isn't controlled by the nation
so the sentence maybe means that bj isn't controlled by the nation
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
The story opens with the older generation lamenting the destruction of the nation and their own disillusionment. Things seem boring and lodged in routine until the sudden arrival of the mysterious 'No-one' and his band of rebels, the Class of '13. In what is almost a recruitment, they rally others to their cause; the demolition and restructuring of the broken America. Among the many swayed by their words is the impressionable young Christian, who ignores the doubts and suspicions of his lover Gloria; 'Scream, America scream, believe what you see, from heroes and cons.'
Posted by St. Jimmy on June 17 2009
THIS IS GREEN DAY'S BEST SONG EVER
This song mostly sums up the theme of the album; its the youth (Christian and Gloria) realizing they have to change the world before it goes to hell. The first part is describing that the generation that'll have control will soon change from "Born into Nixon" to "Class of 13". I think that the mid-section of this song is about Christian saying he tried to do things the way society and everyone else does it...( "I swallowed my pride and choked on my faith") but he realized that that's not the way he wanted to do things. The last part of the song mocks the national anthem ("I cant even sleep from the lights early dawn") because Christian feels that he can't put up with how America is now.
This song mostly sums up the theme of the album; its the youth (Christian and Gloria) realizing they have to change the world before it goes to hell. The first part is describing that the generation that'll have control will soon change from "Born into Nixon" to "Class of 13". I think that the mid-section of this song is about Christian saying he tried to do things the way society and everyone else does it...( "I swallowed my pride and choked on my faith") but he realized that that's not the way he wanted to do things. The last part of the song mocks the national anthem ("I cant even sleep from the lights early dawn") because Christian feels that he can't put up with how America is now.
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This serves as an introductory piece, basically lays down the foundation for the story. It examines the life that Christian and Gloria are dealing with. It shows the adult figures you're supposed to be looking up to are not the greatest of example figures for trustworthiness. For example, you think the president is a nice man - not sinful - but really he's just as bad as the next door neighbor that uses drugs. It also shows how the world is going down in a shithole, hint the Breakdown.
Posted by Spencer on June 07 2009
Billie talking about what it's been like to be raised in the 21st century and the disappointments of the century. Also he might be talking through Christian.
Posted by Dani on June 06 2009
I think this is like the intro of the album, it also talks about everything the album contains, it can also be the way to describe the world we live in right now ...like all the anecdotes of all people. it talks of the people and how Green Day sees our world (I'm not from the united states even though i'm in a country with the same problems) and how we see the world as the songs says. I'm just a fan.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This serves an introductory piece, basically lays down the foundation for the story. It examines the life that Christian and Gloria are dealing with. The war, terrorism, and the fact that they have to learn to make it on their own – as even the adults that raised them cannot be trusted. “Raised by the bastards of 1969”.
Posted by Shannen on June 04 2009
This is really where the album gets an introduction, the song kind of sets the mood about how much destruction there really is. This song really comes from Billie's point of view in the beginning. "Born into Nixon I was raised in hell", "My town was blind from the Refinery Sun", are all lyrics that could represent how he felt like he had to get out of where he lived.
When it switches to the lyrics,
"We are the cries of the class of thirteen.
Born in the era of humility.
We are the desperate in the decline.
Raised by the bastards of 1969. "
it's coming more from Christian's point of view, and how he's asking for anyone or anything to change his world and what kind of personal hell he lives in.
the lyrics
"Oh dream, America dream.
I can't even see from the lights early dawn.
Oh scream, scream.
Believe what you read from heroes and cons. "
are Christian's cry for help, and realizing the destruction of the american dream.
When it switches to the lyrics,
"We are the cries of the class of thirteen.
Born in the era of humility.
We are the desperate in the decline.
Raised by the bastards of 1969. "
it's coming more from Christian's point of view, and how he's asking for anyone or anything to change his world and what kind of personal hell he lives in.
the lyrics
"Oh dream, America dream.
I can't even see from the lights early dawn.
Oh scream, scream.
Believe what you read from heroes and cons. "
are Christian's cry for help, and realizing the destruction of the american dream.
Posted by Chloe!- chaoschloe... on June 04 2009
ok, i think this song really just brings the listener into the realisation of the album,it's like the song that launches you into the album
it tells of how america is in a bad way from Geogre Bush,and how america needs to change
it tells of how america is in a bad way from Geogre Bush,and how america needs to change
Posted by Katie Hamende on June 03 2009
This song is about the struggles that people face in everyday life in the 21st century and how Christian and Gloria struggle with their problems as well as the tough times we are going through right now.
Posted by Alaric on June 03 2009
I think this song is kind of an intro to the characters in the story christian and gloria with christian being the first verse of the first and second part and gloria being the second verse in the first and second parts
Posted by Chelsea on June 03 2009
This song relays where Billie is coming from and not necessarily where he's going but rather where his kids are going. "We are the class of 13" - Billie's son will actually graduate in the year 2013 (as will Tre's daughter Ramona). He said in an article he thought "Wow what an unlucky year to graduate, but also what a cool one. Its also about being an underdog. Billie states in an article "Once working class, always working class." Basically, you should always know your roots and be cognitive of who you really are (or once were).
Posted by matt on June 01 2009
This song is like an anthem sang by the "Class of 13" about how the "Bastards of 1969" have screwed the world up so much and the world at its present state.
Posted by GD fan on June 01 2009
1st song of heroes and cons, and, from my point of view, explains the early childhood of Christian and Gloria in a world of misconception, non-hope and poorness. (I was raised in hell, a welfare child, my town was blind from refinery sun, i was made of poison of blood, my generation is zero, condemnation is what I understood, etc... are some of the lines that prove my POV of the song).
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
I think it's about where Billie comes from, and what it's like to be in the current era, financially. I think it was written with a kinda of underdog spirit, like, someone who hasn't quite made it.
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
I think this song is about how fucked up this world has become, and not being able to take it anymore, you start to loose your mind. Like having exaclty what the title says
a "21st Century Breakdown".
a "21st Century Breakdown".
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
21st Century Breakdown is sort of Billie Joe's life story; explaining where he is from and some of his beliefs and ideas of this still very young era of Heroes and Cons
Posted by Petrina Yuen on May 27 2009
This ones a bit complicated. There seems to be 2 characters here.
One is the older generation :
"born into nixon "
" bastards of 1969"
The other is the younger generation ,Perhaps its Christian:
"We are the class of 13"
"The long lost son"
From what i can tell its a kind of passing the torch song from the old generation to the new, from the bastards of 1969 to the class of 13' .
The old generation sings of its failed era and how it's failed to change things and kinds of beckons the new generation to do what it could not do and to take over in ensuring the future .
"I've thrown the bouquet" - passing it on to the class of 13
"left over the grave" - it symbolizes the ruin and chaos of the era of the old generation
"I sat in the waiting room
wasting my time
and waiting for
judgement day"
Its pretty loaded. first impression is of how the “bastards of 1969” didnt change things and were apathetic. Second interpretation is the waiting room , which could be in the hospital waiting for the new generation to be born to takeover.
Overall the song criticizes the lack of change in the past and that now the future generation can and should do something about it , despite the dire situation.
One is the older generation :
"born into nixon "
" bastards of 1969"
The other is the younger generation ,Perhaps its Christian:
"We are the class of 13"
"The long lost son"
From what i can tell its a kind of passing the torch song from the old generation to the new, from the bastards of 1969 to the class of 13' .
The old generation sings of its failed era and how it's failed to change things and kinds of beckons the new generation to do what it could not do and to take over in ensuring the future .
"I've thrown the bouquet" - passing it on to the class of 13
"left over the grave" - it symbolizes the ruin and chaos of the era of the old generation
"I sat in the waiting room
wasting my time
and waiting for
judgement day"
Its pretty loaded. first impression is of how the “bastards of 1969” didnt change things and were apathetic. Second interpretation is the waiting room , which could be in the hospital waiting for the new generation to be born to takeover.
Overall the song criticizes the lack of change in the past and that now the future generation can and should do something about it , despite the dire situation.
Posted by Ben on May 27 2009
I see it as an Anthem to the world in which we live, which is rapidly in decline, but is forever hopeful due to the prosper of youth
Posted by AGM on May 26 2009
This song depicts the difficult journey of a young generation, taught by the previous to believe that by working hard dreams are realized. Events of the new century largely prove this untrue. The decline of America affects even the hardest of workers-- who have given everything they have to realize their dreams, but are still compromising, and losing hope. American leaders cannot be trusted and are no longer serving for the public good.
Posted by jake on May 26 2009
its about christian and his struggle with the post-bush world. basically everything hes been through since the beginning of his lifetime of his years (resembled Billie joes life - born into Nixon, welfare child, last one born first to run and so on...). near the end of the song he starts to realize the worlds issues and feels so angry about it he just leaves.
Posted by Mike on May 26 2009
It's about Billie's life growing up ("Born into Nixon I was raised in hell...") then contrasts to what his son's life is and what his future will be like, living in the post-Bush era. The lines "We are the class of '13" echo Billie's oldest son's expected graduation year.
Posted by Angela. H on May 26 2009
I think 21st Century Breakdown is an in-depth description of the problems the world has experienced as a result of poor decisions of the world's leaders and ex-leaders. The song also gives listeners an introduction to Christian, and his view on today's life. And above all, this is a powerful anthem for the class of 13. It says what the class of 13 might not be able to properly say themselves.
Posted by Michael on May 26 2009
This song represents the passing of the torch from "the Bastards of 1969" (the ruinous generation that destroyed the American Dream in the early 21st Century) to "The Class of '13" (the future generation, as represented by the year that Billie Joe Armstrong's oldest son is expected to graduate from high school). The song begins autobiographically, as Armstrong describes the failing society into which he was born and raised ("Born into Nixon I was raised in hell/A welfare child where the teamsters dwelled"). References to "the 20th Century Deadline" suggest the beginning of the end of the American Dream at the end of the 20th Century and the turn of the 21st. "The tower's fall" and "Homeland Security" would seem to refer to the key events that influenced our leaders at the beginning of the 21st Century -- 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and our tipping the balance so sharply in favor of security that our founding principles of liberty and freedom were compromised. Armstrong then points the blame directly at his own generation when, changing the narrator's perspective to the younger generation (The Class of '13), he introduces the children as having been "Raised by the Bastards of 1969".
"Born on the 4th of July" is a direct reference to the crippling consequences of war, as presented in the best-selling autobiography of the same name by Ron Kovic, a paralyzed Vietnam veteran. "I am a nation" implies that this track goes much deeper than simply talking about the lives of the album's two protagonists, Gloria and Christian. The destructive class and culture wars that our political parties have engaged in by manipulating the nation's honest, hard-working middle class is suggested in the lyric "the scars on my hands/and a means to an end/is all that I have to show." "I've broken my fingers and lied through my teeth" can be read as metaphoric for those "Bastards of 1969" having lied to the nation about its conduct during wartime, or to the hand-wringing lip-service that was paid to the real problems that now threaten to destroy us. Transitioning into the close, "The freedom to obey/is the song that strangles me" sets up Know Your Enemy (The choir infantry/revolts against the honor to obey), and the song closes by introducing the name of the album's first act and describing the death of the American Dream: "Oh, scream America, scream/Believe what you see/from heroes and cons."
"Born on the 4th of July" is a direct reference to the crippling consequences of war, as presented in the best-selling autobiography of the same name by Ron Kovic, a paralyzed Vietnam veteran. "I am a nation" implies that this track goes much deeper than simply talking about the lives of the album's two protagonists, Gloria and Christian. The destructive class and culture wars that our political parties have engaged in by manipulating the nation's honest, hard-working middle class is suggested in the lyric "the scars on my hands/and a means to an end/is all that I have to show." "I've broken my fingers and lied through my teeth" can be read as metaphoric for those "Bastards of 1969" having lied to the nation about its conduct during wartime, or to the hand-wringing lip-service that was paid to the real problems that now threaten to destroy us. Transitioning into the close, "The freedom to obey/is the song that strangles me" sets up Know Your Enemy (The choir infantry/revolts against the honor to obey), and the song closes by introducing the name of the album's first act and describing the death of the American Dream: "Oh, scream America, scream/Believe what you see/from heroes and cons."
I thought this was the begining to Gloria ans Christan's fight.
Posted by R on March 30 2010
This is all about what affects you the most, I guess. There are people who try to bring sadness to your life. But the real enemy is yourself. If you have a faith in yourself, those aweful things won't hurt you at all. Be yourself and trust your self - that's what my interpretion. 2/32
Posted by Maggie on March 26 2010
This was my very first song I heard from Green Day! What i thought is that everyone has to have an enemy (ex lover, bully, compention, jealousy, or etc). So Billie is saying like do you really know who is your enemy? Also enemies are here for enternity 3/32
Posted by TheSaintJimmy1998 on March 23 2010
That when you rebel or fight someone or something, you should always "Know Your Enemy", so you shouldn't rebel or fight just for the fun of it. You must have a reason to fight your enemy. 4/32
Posted by Jesse on March 20 2010
Kinda telling you not to let people silence you when you want something. You have to fight for it! 5/32
Posted by Riley on February 27 2010
I think the song is telling you to make your voice heard, and not to be oppressed by the authority figures of the world, but also not to rebel for the sake of it. To know your enemy and know why you're opposing them. The line "Silence is the enemy" suggests that you should always fight against those who try to silence you. 6/32
Posted by Catie Pannill on February 06 2010
I think know your enemy is also about knowing who is actually bringing you down. in restless heart syndrome he says, "what ails you is what impales you." know your enemy could be referring to that in saying you need to realize what is hurting you in order to help yourself. 7/32
Posted by Raquel V. on February 05 2010
Know Your Enemy is about fighting and rebeling against those in power and showing that you are in control. It's about never giving up on what you believe in no matter what happens. And doing everything you can to get your point through. 8/32
Posted by Sophie on January 29 2010
I think that this is Christian trying to convince other people to fight against those in power. He is saying that "Violence is an energy", "Silence is the enemy" and then "So rally up the demons of your soul" 9/32
Posted by Ben Cl. on December 26 2009
A perfect complement to 21st century breakdown, it is a repeated rock anthem urging us deep down in the demons of our souls to truly know who our enemies are and not to shy away but fight them for the betterment of our society. Also, we are advised that staying silent and not fighting our urgency let alone our enemy, is a crime. "Silence is the enemy against your urgency so rally up the demons of your soul." I think people rationalize and don't really care about or even want to deal with these problems we have. They refuse to even see who truly is hurting them. Thus the lines "do you know the enemy? do you know your enemy? well gotta know the enemy." It keeps repeating over and over again how important this cause is. And it really is important. 10/32
Posted by Martin on October 20 2009
Personally, i think it´s a song that´s trying to give power to the people, by fighting against ignorance in them - that´s politicians' best weapon. They shouldn´t hypnotize you with shiny things, superficial and pointless arguments, where the image is being sold.It´s revolutionary, anarchist, but´s also a call for the people to make things right. You´ve gotta know your enemy and gotta know yourself.
11/32
Posted by alex brooks on September 29 2009
know your enemy in my interpretation is about making choices about what to believe. not everyone will look at something the same way. what i think Billie Joe means with these lyrics is know your weakness. you don't tell a story without a beginning, and you don't have an enemy/weakness without a problem. 12/32
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
This song is a personal question to yourself. The characters are both asking themselves this question. The message is pretty simple. "Violence is an energy." Billie Joe is making a rally cry in this song. He urges us to "Revolt against the honor to obey," - this line connects with 21stCB towards the end of the song when Billie Joe sings, "The freedom to obey is the song that strangles me." But what are we rallying ourselves against? "Silence is the enemy against your urgency, so rally up the demons of your soul." Against silencing ourselves and not trying our hardest to make a difference. This is suggesting that if we become a victim of silence, then it's not the silence that is the enemy but our own inability to fight this silence. "The blood's been sacrificed," references East Jesus Nowhere, suggesting that this could be a rallying point for the characters. "Don't be blinded by the lies," the lies of religion, of politicians or even of ourselves. The climax of the song is Billie Joe screaming "Gimme Gimme Revolution!" Gloria and Christian are both ready for their own fights. 13/32
Posted by Eli on September 03 2009
This song is about the War in Iraq. "Do you know your enemy" is saying who are we actually fighting. Then it comes to say "Silence is the enemy" which is against the US Government for not telling us what is going on. Another large hint is "Insurgency will rise, when the blood's been sacrificed" saying that all this fighting that we have been doing in Iraq will cause insurgency. 14/32
Posted by zach on July 24 2009
I think this song know your enemy is about the war in iraq. Green Day thinks the US is fighting the wrong country and that Iraq isn't a threat to the US. In the song it says " When the blood's been sacrificed". This quote is saying that the US is wasting too much blood and energy on the war. This song is trying to tell people that Iraq isn't the US's enemy and that people shouldn't believe that it is. 15/32
Posted by Joost on July 17 2009
The song is about violence and silence. How do you liberate yourself from all the bullshit on TV?-Billie Joe Armstrong in Q-Magazine-
16/32
Posted by St. Jimmy on June 17 2009
The meaning of "Know Your Enemy" is to not let people force you to do anything you don't want to do. "Silence is the Enemy" means speak up and stand up for your beliefs, don't stay silent while people boss you around. "Don't be blinded by the lies in your eyes" is saying that you shouldn't fall for the tricks that the media tries to play to make you think that you should follow the "Vast majority" blindly. 17/32
Posted by Eleni on June 15 2009
i think "know your enemy" is basicaly saying what you look up to is really just pushing you down. Like your family when they are "encouraging" you they sometimes say to go ahead and try but you'll fail anyway 18/32
Posted by Lauren on June 08 2009
In my opinion, Christian is a 13 year old boy, still a child, but beginning to form his own views of the world. Being raised as an American in the Bush era, he has been taught that the enemies are the countries in the Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan), and the terrorist groups that exist there (Taliban, Al Queda). It's also important to note that Christian was only about 7 when 9/11 occurred and his knowledge of the incident is gained from his parents' generation. He has also been taught that North Korea is an enemy, because it was considered a part of Bush's "Axis of Evil". Since Christian is becoming more and more knowledgeable of the world, he views that the enemy can also be the United States, Bush, or his parents' generation because the mess they have created will be his generation's job to fix. Christian understands that sitting back and doing nothing to change the world is wrong ("Silence is the enemy"). In order to fix what the "bastards of 1969" have done they will have to join together and rebel against the corruption of the American government ("Overthrow the effigy"), otherwise, who knows what will become of the world? 19/32
Posted by Whatsername on June 07 2009
"Silence is the enemy" is what this song is plainly saying. It's like someone wants to stand up and not let themselves obey everything or be silent. In other words fight yourself to not fall in line with what the rest of the world follows. 20/32
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song serves as a narrative piece rather then talking specifically about the plot (the couple). It's asking them, and the listener who is the person they should be angry at. – who is the enemy. It also serves as a story device, because later on in the story we return to the question – “do you know the enemy?”' 21/32
Posted by Ethan D. on June 03 2009
This song is basically a call to arms and make sure you know your enemy before you confront him/her 22/32
Posted by Amanda on June 02 2009
I was trying to understand the whole story in the CD and I came up with the idea that it's Gloria who's singing those lines ("do you know the enemy? do you know your enemy?"). I think that she's protesting against something in the street, telling the people to speak up, don't stay in silence, 'cause that's the real enemy: Don't say what you're thinking, don't share your opinion... Don't have a voice. And it's then when Christian meets her. 23/32
Posted by Noah on June 02 2009
This song is about speaking out. The line "Silence is the enemy..." is the key clue. It is followed up with " ...so rally up the demons of your soul." 24/32
Posted by Keza! on June 02 2009
About liberating yourself from alot of the bull shit that gets on TV 25/32
Posted by GD fan on June 01 2009
I think this song is about the government doing anything they want and no one speaking up to them, creating some sort of "apocalypse" that the rest of the album is based on, refering to Christian and Gloria's point of view. 26/32
Posted by Lydia Hekman on May 27 2009
With lines like, "Do you know the enemy... Well gotta know the enemy," the song is saying, basically, that you have to know what you are up against. Later in the song, it says that silence is the enemy. “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented," is a famous quote by Elie Wiesel. In "Know Your Enemy", I believe Billie Joe is picking up on the same idea Wiesel did, in that silence is the worst enemy you could be faced with. Think what it created - silence in regards to racism resulted in hundreds of blacks being killed for no reason except for their skin colour. Silence during WWII resulted in millions of Jews and other ethnicities being slaughtered in the thousands. Silence of witnesses can result in people being executed for no legitimate cause. You have to speak up, be heard, and not let silence win. Let your opinion be expressed and don't allow anyone shut you up. These are a couple of themes from "Know Your Enemy" anyway. 27/32
Posted by Rory Cullen on May 27 2009
Rallying yourself from what you are sold. Learning who the real enemy is in your life. 28/32
Posted by Jon Cromley on May 27 2009
the song has the chorus of "do you know the enemy,do you know your enemy,well gotta know the enemy". its about knowing who your enemy is,and how to deal with him/her/it. when Billie Joe sings "silence is the enemy against your urgency,so rally up the demons of your soul." That's the main clue that the enemy is no one else but yourself. So in other words Billie Joe may be singing through the character named Christian,because he's the character that doesn't like anyone and just wants to burn the whole place down. So christian is his own enemy. You are your own enemy. 29/32
Posted by Drake on May 27 2009
As said in the title this song is about knowing who your enemy is. Knowing what it is you are fighting against. The line "Silence is the enemy" explains that being suppressed is the enemy. To speak out for freedom, so to speak. 30/32
Posted by jake on May 26 2009
basically the message is - find out who your enemy is and fight him until you are the victor. "silence is the enemy so rally up the demons of your soul" - don't shut up, just stay out for the fight if you truly believe in what you are doing. 31/32
Posted by bnorton on May 26 2009
Know your enemy is about risng up against apathy and being heard. KYE is telling us silence IS the enemy, 32/32
Know Your Enemy
Posted by Mascara_Tears on April 05 2010
I thought this was the begining to Gloria ans Christan's fight.
Posted by R on March 30 2010
This is all about what affects you the most, I guess. There are people who try to bring sadness to your life. But the real enemy is yourself. If you have a faith in yourself, those aweful things won't hurt you at all. Be yourself and trust your self - that's what my interpretion.
Posted by Maggie on March 26 2010
This was my very first song I heard from Green Day! What i thought is that everyone has to have an enemy (ex lover, bully, compention, jealousy, or etc). So Billie is saying like do you really know who is your enemy? Also enemies are here for enternity
Posted by TheSaintJimmy1998 on March 23 2010
That when you rebel or fight someone or something, you should always "Know Your Enemy", so you shouldn't rebel or fight just for the fun of it. You must have a reason to fight your enemy.
Posted by Jesse on March 20 2010
Kinda telling you not to let people silence you when you want something. You have to fight for it!
Posted by Riley on February 27 2010
I think the song is telling you to make your voice heard, and not to be oppressed by the authority figures of the world, but also not to rebel for the sake of it. To know your enemy and know why you're opposing them. The line "Silence is the enemy" suggests that you should always fight against those who try to silence you.
Posted by Catie Pannill on February 06 2010
I think know your enemy is also about knowing who is actually bringing you down. in restless heart syndrome he says, "what ails you is what impales you." know your enemy could be referring to that in saying you need to realize what is hurting you in order to help yourself.
Posted by Raquel V. on February 05 2010
Know Your Enemy is about fighting and rebeling against those in power and showing that you are in control. It's about never giving up on what you believe in no matter what happens. And doing everything you can to get your point through.
Posted by Sophie on January 29 2010
I think that this is Christian trying to convince other people to fight against those in power. He is saying that "Violence is an energy", "Silence is the enemy" and then "So rally up the demons of your soul"
Posted by Ben Cl. on December 26 2009
A perfect complement to 21st century breakdown, it is a repeated rock anthem urging us deep down in the demons of our souls to truly know who our enemies are and not to shy away but fight them for the betterment of our society. Also, we are advised that staying silent and not fighting our urgency let alone our enemy, is a crime. "Silence is the enemy against your urgency so rally up the demons of your soul." I think people rationalize and don't really care about or even want to deal with these problems we have. They refuse to even see who truly is hurting them. Thus the lines "do you know the enemy? do you know your enemy? well gotta know the enemy." It keeps repeating over and over again how important this cause is. And it really is important.
Posted by Martin on October 20 2009
Personally, i think it´s a song that´s trying to give power to the people, by fighting against ignorance in them - that´s politicians' best weapon. They shouldn´t hypnotize you with shiny things, superficial and pointless arguments, where the image is being sold.
It´s revolutionary, anarchist, but´s also a call for the people to make things right. You´ve gotta know your enemy and gotta know yourself.
It´s revolutionary, anarchist, but´s also a call for the people to make things right. You´ve gotta know your enemy and gotta know yourself.
Posted by alex brooks on September 29 2009
know your enemy in my interpretation is about making choices about what to believe. not everyone will look at something the same way. what i think Billie Joe means with these lyrics is know your weakness. you don't tell a story without a beginning, and you don't have an enemy/weakness without a problem.
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
This song is a personal question to yourself. The characters are both asking themselves this question. The message is pretty simple. "Violence is an energy." Billie Joe is making a rally cry in this song. He urges us to "Revolt against the honor to obey," - this line connects with 21stCB towards the end of the song when Billie Joe sings, "The freedom to obey is the song that strangles me." But what are we rallying ourselves against? "Silence is the enemy against your urgency, so rally up the demons of your soul." Against silencing ourselves and not trying our hardest to make a difference. This is suggesting that if we become a victim of silence, then it's not the silence that is the enemy but our own inability to fight this silence. "The blood's been sacrificed," references East Jesus Nowhere, suggesting that this could be a rallying point for the characters. "Don't be blinded by the lies," the lies of religion, of politicians or even of ourselves. The climax of the song is Billie Joe screaming "Gimme Gimme Revolution!" Gloria and Christian are both ready for their own fights.
Posted by Eli on September 03 2009
This song is about the War in Iraq. "Do you know your enemy" is saying who are we actually fighting. Then it comes to say "Silence is the enemy" which is against the US Government for not telling us what is going on. Another large hint is "Insurgency will rise, when the blood's been sacrificed" saying that all this fighting that we have been doing in Iraq will cause insurgency.
Posted by zach on July 24 2009
I think this song know your enemy is about the war in iraq. Green Day thinks the US is fighting the wrong country and that Iraq isn't a threat to the US. In the song it says " When the blood's been sacrificed". This quote is saying that the US is wasting too much blood and energy on the war. This song is trying to tell people that Iraq isn't the US's enemy and that people shouldn't believe that it is.
Posted by Joost on July 17 2009
The song is about violence and silence. How do you liberate yourself from all the bullshit on TV?
-Billie Joe Armstrong in Q-Magazine-
-Billie Joe Armstrong in Q-Magazine-
Posted by St. Jimmy on June 17 2009
The meaning of "Know Your Enemy" is to not let people force you to do anything you don't want to do. "Silence is the Enemy" means speak up and stand up for your beliefs, don't stay silent while people boss you around. "Don't be blinded by the lies in your eyes" is saying that you shouldn't fall for the tricks that the media tries to play to make you think that you should follow the "Vast majority" blindly.
Posted by Eleni on June 15 2009
i think "know your enemy" is basicaly saying what you look up to is really just pushing you down. Like your family when they are "encouraging" you they sometimes say to go ahead and try but you'll fail anyway
Posted by Lauren on June 08 2009
In my opinion, Christian is a 13 year old boy, still a child, but beginning to form his own views of the world. Being raised as an American in the Bush era, he has been taught that the enemies are the countries in the Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan), and the terrorist groups that exist there (Taliban, Al Queda). It's also important to note that Christian was only about 7 when 9/11 occurred and his knowledge of the incident is gained from his parents' generation. He has also been taught that North Korea is an enemy, because it was considered a part of Bush's "Axis of Evil". Since Christian is becoming more and more knowledgeable of the world, he views that the enemy can also be the United States, Bush, or his parents' generation because the mess they have created will be his generation's job to fix. Christian understands that sitting back and doing nothing to change the world is wrong ("Silence is the enemy"). In order to fix what the "bastards of 1969" have done they will have to join together and rebel against the corruption of the American government ("Overthrow the effigy"), otherwise, who knows what will become of the world?
Posted by Whatsername on June 07 2009
"Silence is the enemy" is what this song is plainly saying. It's like someone wants to stand up and not let themselves obey everything or be silent. In other words fight yourself to not fall in line with what the rest of the world follows.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song serves as a narrative piece rather then talking specifically about the plot (the couple). It's asking them, and the listener who is the person they should be angry at. – who is the enemy. It also serves as a story device, because later on in the story we return to the question – “do you know the enemy?”'
Posted by Ethan D. on June 03 2009
This song is basically a call to arms and make sure you know your enemy before you confront him/her
Posted by Amanda on June 02 2009
I was trying to understand the whole story in the CD and I came up with the idea that it's Gloria who's singing those lines ("do you know the enemy? do you know your enemy?"). I think that she's protesting against something in the street, telling the people to speak up, don't stay in silence, 'cause that's the real enemy: Don't say what you're thinking, don't share your opinion... Don't have a voice. And it's then when Christian meets her.
Posted by Noah on June 02 2009
This song is about speaking out. The line "Silence is the enemy..." is the key clue. It is followed up with " ...so rally up the demons of your soul."
Posted by Keza! on June 02 2009
About liberating yourself from alot of the bull shit that gets on TV
Posted by GD fan on June 01 2009
I think this song is about the government doing anything they want and no one speaking up to them, creating some sort of "apocalypse" that the rest of the album is based on, refering to Christian and Gloria's point of view.
Posted by Lydia Hekman on May 27 2009
With lines like, "Do you know the enemy... Well gotta know the enemy," the song is saying, basically, that you have to know what you are up against. Later in the song, it says that silence is the enemy. “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented," is a famous quote by Elie Wiesel. In "Know Your Enemy", I believe Billie Joe is picking up on the same idea Wiesel did, in that silence is the worst enemy you could be faced with. Think what it created - silence in regards to racism resulted in hundreds of blacks being killed for no reason except for their skin colour. Silence during WWII resulted in millions of Jews and other ethnicities being slaughtered in the thousands. Silence of witnesses can result in people being executed for no legitimate cause. You have to speak up, be heard, and not let silence win. Let your opinion be expressed and don't allow anyone shut you up. These are a couple of themes from "Know Your Enemy" anyway.
Posted by Rory Cullen on May 27 2009
Rallying yourself from what you are sold. Learning who the real enemy is in your life.
Posted by Jon Cromley on May 27 2009
the song has the chorus of "do you know the enemy,do you know your enemy,well gotta know the enemy". its about knowing who your enemy is,and how to deal with him/her/it. when Billie Joe sings "silence is the enemy against your urgency,so rally up the demons of your soul." That's the main clue that the enemy is no one else but yourself. So in other words Billie Joe may be singing through the character named Christian,because he's the character that doesn't like anyone and just wants to burn the whole place down. So christian is his own enemy. You are your own enemy.
Posted by Drake on May 27 2009
As said in the title this song is about knowing who your enemy is. Knowing what it is you are fighting against. The line "Silence is the enemy" explains that being suppressed is the enemy. To speak out for freedom, so to speak.
Posted by jake on May 26 2009
basically the message is - find out who your enemy is and fight him until you are the victor. "silence is the enemy so rally up the demons of your soul" - don't shut up, just stay out for the fight if you truly believe in what you are doing.
Posted by bnorton on May 26 2009
Know your enemy is about risng up against apathy and being heard. KYE is telling us silence IS the enemy,
I believe that this song introduces Gloria, the character, and also the hope that maybe things can be changed for the better. As for the character, she is viewed as the Saint of all the Sinners. She's a sinner, only because she fell through the cracks. In other words she's the best sinner around, because she once was a Saint. Anyhow Christian notices her, and begins to try to figure her out. He wants to know the story of her life. He wants her to be his.
Posted by Elmo on January 18 2010
I think this song means a lot for people who are struggling with life. All of what's going on around them is becoming too much. When I listen to this song i get the image of myself standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out into the sunset, just stood trying to work out what my head is telling me. I can personally see two sides to this song, one side that relates to how I personally feel on a day to day basis, and the other being Christian reaching out to Gloria trying to make her understand that life isn't all that bad.With it being the first ''Christian & Gloria'' song it shows them both falling in love for the first time. The image i am getting now...(i'm towards the end of the song) is of Christian taking Gloria by the hand, Pulling her away from the edge where she is standing, and holding her. Letting her know he is there.
Gloria comes across as a very confused girl. Unable to make ends meet in her life and very troubled. Christian is just what she needs to get her life back on track.
2/23
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
I see this song as Gloria and Christian have fallen in love and he's talking to her, telling her that together they're going to change the world (or something related to that), but she shouldn't think that they can be like this forever ("eternal youth is the landscape of a lie, the cracks in my skin can prove as years will testify"). When the main bit starts he's hailing her and is proud that someone like her has fallen for someone like him, and he's telling her never to change and to stay strong no matter what. Overall I think it's a positive song that introduces the character of Gloria and how much Christian loves her. 3/23
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
I believe Billie Joe wrote this song about becoming old and trying to hang on to your beliefs through the tough times that you may face. Christian is talking to Gloria in this song. He asks her if she is "Standing close to the edge," referencing 21CB. This could mean suicide, or giving up her fight. He tells her that "eternal youth is the landscape of the lie." This means that you can't fight aging - it's a natural thing that you must face. He states that he himself is aging but he's not letting it depress him. He urges her on in her fight saying, "We're gonna start a war, you're slogan's a gun for hire. It's what we've waited for." This means that Gloria's ideas have a following and she can really begin to fight the system. Finally you realize that they are in love, but it seems Christian couldn't get the message across in the nice way.He kicks it up a notch and tells her why he follows her ideas and that he understands that she is in pain from it. He also says that when she made her bed amongst the ruins that meant "ashes to ashes of our youth." He says that she is the leader and the chosen one. Again he urges her against her depression saying, "Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete." "Don't look back on last November when your banners were burning down." Look to the current not to the troubles of the past. He wishes he was more like her and states that he is brokenhearted. "Gloria send out your message of the light that shadows in the night. Gloria, where's your undying love? Tell me the story of your life."
4/23
Posted by LiAnna on August 27 2009
Viva la Gloria (meaning life to Gloria or long live Gloria) is basically a serende to Gloria from Christian. Its about how he is in love with her and knows that shes falling in life, she's self-destructive and full of rage, yet a bit lost in her own empty world. Anyway Christian falls in love with her and the song is supposed to show that. Christian is pretty much trying to appeal to her, but she continues to reject him, feeling sympathetic to herself, and losing her mind to her own morals. 5/23
Posted by Adam on August 17 2009
This song is about the character Gloria, and her past.. The first, softer part of the song shows how Gloria has had it hard, but she's recovering. "Hey Gloria, are you standing close to the edge?" is a line that shows she has considered suicide.The louder, harder part of the song is about Gloria managing to get though this by facing her past, where she was abused or raped. "Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete." At the end of the song, Gloria decides to go out into the world and try to help other people so that no one else has to suffer like she did. "Don't put away your burning light," and "Bring us the season that we always will remember," show how she feels that she can be the true leader, going forward into a new age.
On another level, this song is about how everything changes, using the seasons as an example. "She smashed her knuckles into winter/ As autumn's wind fades into black."
Altogether, this is a very good song.
6/23
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Elated in the wake of the rally, Christian returns home to Gloria, joyously telling her of his ideas and love for her, at the same time revealing that she provides him with his inspiration and direction; she is the only person who has ever been there for him and supported him, and for that he loves her more than anyone else. 7/23
Posted by Joost on July 17 2009
This song is about Gloria, a girl with a vision. Later in ¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl) she's the girl who ruined her vision by taking drugs and that stuff.-Billie Joe Armstrong in Q-Magazine
8/23
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This song is referring to Gloria (hint: the statue of liberty). She's supposed to be Gloria and it's saying how it's been pushed to the edge, because she's so desperate, hopeless and angry about her country that's she's representing. 9/23
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
While it is never mentioned when Christian Gloria met, this is when he first notices her. He is inspired by her progressive spirit and ideals. It also shows how the two have banded together, as they are in the “fight of their lives” and “pushed to the edge”. He wants to stay with her since he feels she will keep him sane. It also shows a glimpse of how Christian views her. He calls her “the saint of all sinners”. 10/23
Posted by Jinxy. on June 04 2009
I believe that this song represents all what the character Gloria is about. Gloria is a girl who wants something to believe in at a time when the world is at it's worst. While it seems as if everyone wants to just give up, she still has hope. Billie Joe says in an interview with Guitar World magazine, "I think if there's one positive character you could pull off of this record, it's Gloria, because she's the person who wants to carry the torch and declare her own independence and sense of worth in a punk rock way." He has also said that Gloria reflects one side of him, while Christian reflects the other. The lines, ( Falling through broken glass that's slashing through your spirit / I can hear it like a jilted crowd) suggests that Gloria was hurt and broken once, but she's still trying to live on and become somebody. The lines, (Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete) suggests that Gloria was once naive about the world, and how she needs to have faith in losing that naivete that she used to have. She now understands what this world is about and how it works, that the world is not a pretty place that we all think it is when we are little kids. (Weather the storm and don't look back on last November / When your banners were burning down) I believe this means that you shouldn't look back on mistakes and that you should move on and become a better person. I believe that the title "VIva La Gloria!" perfectly describes what the song is about because obviously "Viva" means "long live" which demonstrates that there is a burning hope deep inside Gloria to keep on living even when things are looking bad. 11/23
Posted by Ceara on June 04 2009
Okay, so I think that this is an introduction to Gloria. She is 'standing close to the edge' because she sees the upcoming war. Christian comes in and tells her why they are all on the edge (because of this war) and as a result, they both fall in love while Gloria starts doing drugs. In the 7th verse (Hey Gloria, don't lose your faith...), Christian tries to console her. Finally, to understand her better, he says 'Gloria, show me your undying love to end this. Tell me the story of your life.' 12/23
Posted by Chloe!-chaoschloe... on June 04 2009
okki think this track is how christian views gloria, it's like he's in love with her,
and he can see her weaknesses and her strengths, he know's how she can be insecure, but he doesn't care, he loves her,
'tell me the story of your life'
i think this line is him telling her he wants her to tell him everything, all her problems, he'll listen to them because he loves her !
:)
13/23
Posted by Jennifer Adams on June 03 2009
I think the song is about how Gloria want's to kill herself by jumping from a building ("Hey Gloria, are you standing close to the edge?...") because she's so dessperate, hopeless and angry about her country, and Christians (That the song is from his point of view), is trying to stop her by encouraging her ( "Dont lose your faith to your lost naivete...") and by telling her to keep on fighting and try to make a change ("Say your prayers and light a fire, we're gonna start a war...") and by that try and convince her to get off of the edge. 14/23
Posted by Chelsea on June 02 2009
Gloria is basically the character in the story that shows outward aggression towards life and situations in them. She is basically the opposite of Christian who is self-destructive and not as outspoken as Gloria. Billie said Gloria and Christian are kind of a yin and yang on the album. They're extremely different, but oddly alike. 15/23
Posted by Lauren on June 01 2009
Christian wants to know if Gloria is ready to give up. He is sick of the city and tells her that they're ready to fight back. He explains that the city is the reason why they want to give up. Their similar feelings resulted in their love for each other. He loves how she stands out from all the rest. She's a rebel. She has made her life out of fighting, violence, and drugs. He then again professes his love for her rebelliousness. He wants her to stay that way. He doesn't want her to give up just because she lost her innocence. He wants her to keep standing out and keep fighting for what she believes in. He wants the whole world to hear her message, and he wants to know more about her and her life aswell. 16/23
Posted by Richard Porteous on June 01 2009
Christian has this burning idea to destroy everything and be an anti-hero (much like St. Jimmy, though he is less renowned and not an alter-ego...). Upon finding Gloria, he realises that she is the missing ingredient, as she has this great soul and isn't jaded like him - yet. In a non-story-telling sense, it's a love song about finding someone that you've been waiting for. 17/23
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
I think it's about how when you're young, you're very naive and gullible. You'll take anything, believe anything. But as you get older, you loose that, so I think it's about how you keept that naivety and spark. 18/23
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
I think !Viva La Gloria! is about how Gloria is a punk who is sick of all the things wrong with our world and she feels helpless but trys her best to help anyway. 19/23
Posted by Ashley on May 27 2009
¡Viva la Gloria! is about a girl that is trying to hold on to her beliefs when the government and the world around her think otherwise. It's kind of like someone holding a torch and trying to keep the flame alive in pouring rain. Where Gloria is that person and she is keeping the flame of her life and beliefs burning. Like the line "So don't put away your burning light." She's keeping her life the way she wants to and kind of going against the law to keep her beliefs with her at all times. 20/23
Posted by JJ on May 27 2009
As sort of "Gloria's Track" on the album, this song talks about her fight for her ideals. "Look out at the setting sun, the brink of your vision," seems to come through as her visions for society. There is the constant feeling of doubt mixed in on whether to keep up that fight, or to just give in to society. It seems as if this song may be a consolation from Christian, with lines like, "don't lose your faith to your lost naivete" and "weather the storm" and "the fight of our lives been drawn to this undying love," acting as words of encouragement for Gloria to keep believing. 21/23
Posted by Bianca G. on May 27 2009
To me the song is from Christians point of view. He's met Gloria and likes her but she is sad/depressed about a past love. He wants her to decide to moan and groan about something she can't change or to be with him. He tells her not to lose faith and not to look back. He assures her that he'll be different. 'A burning light'' and 'bonfires' and 'fire' and 'light' are symbols of her. He doesnt want her to loose that light he loves about her. 22/23
Posted by Michael Sabares on May 26 2009
An introduction to Gloria. Gloria represents all religion in a common way as i see it. she also might represents the saviors in all religions like Jesus. Anyways in the song we ask 'where is Gloria' because with out her, we push the world onto the edge. So our we continue to rely and continue to believe that Gloria will come back and fix everything. 23/23
¡Viva La Gloria!
Posted by Alex on March 28 2010
I believe that this song introduces Gloria, the character, and also the hope that maybe things can be changed for the better. As for the character, she is viewed as the Saint of all the Sinners. She's a sinner, only because she fell through the cracks. In other words she's the best sinner around, because she once was a Saint. Anyhow Christian notices her, and begins to try to figure her out. He wants to know the story of her life. He wants her to be his.
Posted by Elmo on January 18 2010
I think this song means a lot for people who are struggling with life. All of what's going on around them is becoming too much. When I listen to this song i get the image of myself standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out into the sunset, just stood trying to work out what my head is telling me. I can personally see two sides to this song, one side that relates to how I personally feel on a day to day basis, and the other being Christian reaching out to Gloria trying to make her understand that life isn't all that bad.
With it being the first ''Christian & Gloria'' song it shows them both falling in love for the first time. The image i am getting now...(i'm towards the end of the song) is of Christian taking Gloria by the hand, Pulling her away from the edge where she is standing, and holding her. Letting her know he is there.
Gloria comes across as a very confused girl. Unable to make ends meet in her life and very troubled. Christian is just what she needs to get her life back on track.
With it being the first ''Christian & Gloria'' song it shows them both falling in love for the first time. The image i am getting now...(i'm towards the end of the song) is of Christian taking Gloria by the hand, Pulling her away from the edge where she is standing, and holding her. Letting her know he is there.
Gloria comes across as a very confused girl. Unable to make ends meet in her life and very troubled. Christian is just what she needs to get her life back on track.
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
I see this song as Gloria and Christian have fallen in love and he's talking to her, telling her that together they're going to change the world (or something related to that), but she shouldn't think that they can be like this forever ("eternal youth is the landscape of a lie, the cracks in my skin can prove as years will testify"). When the main bit starts he's hailing her and is proud that someone like her has fallen for someone like him, and he's telling her never to change and to stay strong no matter what. Overall I think it's a positive song that introduces the character of Gloria and how much Christian loves her.
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
I believe Billie Joe wrote this song about becoming old and trying to hang on to your beliefs through the tough times that you may face. Christian is talking to Gloria in this song. He asks her if she is "Standing close to the edge," referencing 21CB. This could mean suicide, or giving up her fight. He tells her that "eternal youth is the landscape of the lie." This means that you can't fight aging - it's a natural thing that you must face. He states that he himself is aging but he's not letting it depress him. He urges her on in her fight saying, "We're gonna start a war, you're slogan's a gun for hire. It's what we've waited for." This means that Gloria's ideas have a following and she can really begin to fight the system. Finally you realize that they are in love, but it seems Christian couldn't get the message across in the nice way.
He kicks it up a notch and tells her why he follows her ideas and that he understands that she is in pain from it. He also says that when she made her bed amongst the ruins that meant "ashes to ashes of our youth." He says that she is the leader and the chosen one. Again he urges her against her depression saying, "Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete." "Don't look back on last November when your banners were burning down." Look to the current not to the troubles of the past. He wishes he was more like her and states that he is brokenhearted. "Gloria send out your message of the light that shadows in the night. Gloria, where's your undying love? Tell me the story of your life."
He kicks it up a notch and tells her why he follows her ideas and that he understands that she is in pain from it. He also says that when she made her bed amongst the ruins that meant "ashes to ashes of our youth." He says that she is the leader and the chosen one. Again he urges her against her depression saying, "Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete." "Don't look back on last November when your banners were burning down." Look to the current not to the troubles of the past. He wishes he was more like her and states that he is brokenhearted. "Gloria send out your message of the light that shadows in the night. Gloria, where's your undying love? Tell me the story of your life."
Posted by LiAnna on August 27 2009
Viva la Gloria (meaning life to Gloria or long live Gloria) is basically a serende to Gloria from Christian. Its about how he is in love with her and knows that shes falling in life, she's self-destructive and full of rage, yet a bit lost in her own empty world. Anyway Christian falls in love with her and the song is supposed to show that. Christian is pretty much trying to appeal to her, but she continues to reject him, feeling sympathetic to herself, and losing her mind to her own morals.
Posted by Adam on August 17 2009
This song is about the character Gloria, and her past.. The first, softer part of the song shows how Gloria has had it hard, but she's recovering. "Hey Gloria, are you standing close to the edge?" is a line that shows she has considered suicide.
The louder, harder part of the song is about Gloria managing to get though this by facing her past, where she was abused or raped. "Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete." At the end of the song, Gloria decides to go out into the world and try to help other people so that no one else has to suffer like she did. "Don't put away your burning light," and "Bring us the season that we always will remember," show how she feels that she can be the true leader, going forward into a new age.
On another level, this song is about how everything changes, using the seasons as an example. "She smashed her knuckles into winter/ As autumn's wind fades into black."
Altogether, this is a very good song.
The louder, harder part of the song is about Gloria managing to get though this by facing her past, where she was abused or raped. "Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete." At the end of the song, Gloria decides to go out into the world and try to help other people so that no one else has to suffer like she did. "Don't put away your burning light," and "Bring us the season that we always will remember," show how she feels that she can be the true leader, going forward into a new age.
On another level, this song is about how everything changes, using the seasons as an example. "She smashed her knuckles into winter/ As autumn's wind fades into black."
Altogether, this is a very good song.
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Elated in the wake of the rally, Christian returns home to Gloria, joyously telling her of his ideas and love for her, at the same time revealing that she provides him with his inspiration and direction; she is the only person who has ever been there for him and supported him, and for that he loves her more than anyone else.
Posted by Joost on July 17 2009
This song is about Gloria, a girl with a vision. Later in ¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl) she's the girl who ruined her vision by taking drugs and that stuff.
-Billie Joe Armstrong in Q-Magazine
-Billie Joe Armstrong in Q-Magazine
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This song is referring to Gloria (hint: the statue of liberty). She's supposed to be Gloria and it's saying how it's been pushed to the edge, because she's so desperate, hopeless and angry about her country that's she's representing.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
While it is never mentioned when Christian Gloria met, this is when he first notices her. He is inspired by her progressive spirit and ideals. It also shows how the two have banded together, as they are in the “fight of their lives” and “pushed to the edge”. He wants to stay with her since he feels she will keep him sane. It also shows a glimpse of how Christian views her. He calls her “the saint of all sinners”.
Posted by Jinxy. on June 04 2009
I believe that this song represents all what the character Gloria is about. Gloria is a girl who wants something to believe in at a time when the world is at it's worst. While it seems as if everyone wants to just give up, she still has hope. Billie Joe says in an interview with Guitar World magazine, "I think if there's one positive character you could pull off of this record, it's Gloria, because she's the person who wants to carry the torch and declare her own independence and sense of worth in a punk rock way." He has also said that Gloria reflects one side of him, while Christian reflects the other. The lines, ( Falling through broken glass that's slashing through your spirit / I can hear it like a jilted crowd) suggests that Gloria was hurt and broken once, but she's still trying to live on and become somebody. The lines, (Don't lose your faith to your lost naivete) suggests that Gloria was once naive about the world, and how she needs to have faith in losing that naivete that she used to have. She now understands what this world is about and how it works, that the world is not a pretty place that we all think it is when we are little kids. (Weather the storm and don't look back on last November / When your banners were burning down) I believe this means that you shouldn't look back on mistakes and that you should move on and become a better person. I believe that the title "VIva La Gloria!" perfectly describes what the song is about because obviously "Viva" means "long live" which demonstrates that there is a burning hope deep inside Gloria to keep on living even when things are looking bad.
Posted by Ceara on June 04 2009
Okay, so I think that this is an introduction to Gloria. She is 'standing close to the edge' because she sees the upcoming war. Christian comes in and tells her why they are all on the edge (because of this war) and as a result, they both fall in love while Gloria starts doing drugs. In the 7th verse (Hey Gloria, don't lose your faith...), Christian tries to console her. Finally, to understand her better, he says 'Gloria, show me your undying love to end this. Tell me the story of your life.'
Posted by Chloe!-chaoschloe... on June 04 2009
okk
i think this track is how christian views gloria, it's like he's in love with her,
and he can see her weaknesses and her strengths, he know's how she can be insecure, but he doesn't care, he loves her,
'tell me the story of your life'
i think this line is him telling her he wants her to tell him everything, all her problems, he'll listen to them because he loves her !
:)
i think this track is how christian views gloria, it's like he's in love with her,
and he can see her weaknesses and her strengths, he know's how she can be insecure, but he doesn't care, he loves her,
'tell me the story of your life'
i think this line is him telling her he wants her to tell him everything, all her problems, he'll listen to them because he loves her !
:)
Posted by Jennifer Adams on June 03 2009
I think the song is about how Gloria want's to kill herself by jumping from a building ("Hey Gloria, are you standing close to the edge?...") because she's so dessperate, hopeless and angry about her country, and Christians (That the song is from his point of view), is trying to stop her by encouraging her ( "Dont lose your faith to your lost naivete...") and by telling her to keep on fighting and try to make a change ("Say your prayers and light a fire, we're gonna start a war...") and by that try and convince her to get off of the edge.
Posted by Chelsea on June 02 2009
Gloria is basically the character in the story that shows outward aggression towards life and situations in them. She is basically the opposite of Christian who is self-destructive and not as outspoken as Gloria. Billie said Gloria and Christian are kind of a yin and yang on the album. They're extremely different, but oddly alike.
Posted by Lauren on June 01 2009
Christian wants to know if Gloria is ready to give up. He is sick of the city and tells her that they're ready to fight back. He explains that the city is the reason why they want to give up. Their similar feelings resulted in their love for each other. He loves how she stands out from all the rest. She's a rebel. She has made her life out of fighting, violence, and drugs. He then again professes his love for her rebelliousness. He wants her to stay that way. He doesn't want her to give up just because she lost her innocence. He wants her to keep standing out and keep fighting for what she believes in. He wants the whole world to hear her message, and he wants to know more about her and her life aswell.
Posted by Richard Porteous on June 01 2009
Christian has this burning idea to destroy everything and be an anti-hero (much like St. Jimmy, though he is less renowned and not an alter-ego...). Upon finding Gloria, he realises that she is the missing ingredient, as she has this great soul and isn't jaded like him - yet. In a non-story-telling sense, it's a love song about finding someone that you've been waiting for.
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
I think it's about how when you're young, you're very naive and gullible. You'll take anything, believe anything. But as you get older, you loose that, so I think it's about how you keept that naivety and spark.
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
I think !Viva La Gloria! is about how Gloria is a punk who is sick of all the things wrong with our world and she feels helpless but trys her best to help anyway.
Posted by Ashley on May 27 2009
¡Viva la Gloria! is about a girl that is trying to hold on to her beliefs when the government and the world around her think otherwise. It's kind of like someone holding a torch and trying to keep the flame alive in pouring rain. Where Gloria is that person and she is keeping the flame of her life and beliefs burning. Like the line "So don't put away your burning light." She's keeping her life the way she wants to and kind of going against the law to keep her beliefs with her at all times.
Posted by JJ on May 27 2009
As sort of "Gloria's Track" on the album, this song talks about her fight for her ideals. "Look out at the setting sun, the brink of your vision," seems to come through as her visions for society. There is the constant feeling of doubt mixed in on whether to keep up that fight, or to just give in to society. It seems as if this song may be a consolation from Christian, with lines like, "don't lose your faith to your lost naivete" and "weather the storm" and "the fight of our lives been drawn to this undying love," acting as words of encouragement for Gloria to keep believing.
Posted by Bianca G. on May 27 2009
To me the song is from Christians point of view. He's met Gloria and likes her but she is sad/depressed about a past love. He wants her to decide to moan and groan about something she can't change or to be with him. He tells her not to lose faith and not to look back. He assures her that he'll be different. 'A burning light'' and 'bonfires' and 'fire' and 'light' are symbols of her. He doesnt want her to loose that light he loves about her.
Posted by Michael Sabares on May 26 2009
An introduction to Gloria. Gloria represents all religion in a common way as i see it. she also might represents the saviors in all religions like Jesus. Anyways in the song we ask 'where is Gloria' because with out her, we push the world onto the edge. So our we continue to rely and continue to believe that Gloria will come back and fix everything.
I think that before the lobotomy is about Christian's life before he became ill, then had to have a lobotomy. When he was "cured" the memories of his past life were scattered, Everything he did he has forgotten, because of the lobotomy. Dreaming is the only form of knowing what he has become.
Posted by billie joe is christ on January 18 2010
i think it's about gloria singing about her worries for her relationship with christian andtrying to hide her past from him "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold. We are normal and self-controlled." and feeling lucky for having him in her life but doubting it at the same time. "I'm not cursed 'cause I've been blessed. I'm not in love 'cause I'm a mess."
2/18
Posted by Im not giving my name to a machine. on January 02 2010
A Lobotomy is when someone cuts the nerves leading to your brain BTW. In this case one of the characters from the album is thinking about what everything was like Before everthing went bad. The character is dreaming and when he/she wakes up things are still bad but not really really bad. 3/18
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
Billie Joe said that this was the cross between a good time and disaster. The song is from the point of view of both characters - they both sing at different times. It starts with Gloria. ¡Viva la Gloria! ended with Christian asking her to tell him her story, so she does. She is dreaming of being from a different time. She can hear her family singing when the rain washed away these dreams. A death has made her very sad. "Hearts are washed in misery, drenched in gasoline." She says that the laughter has left her and the world.It is still Gloria for the next 4 lines as well. I think the Lobotomy is a symbol for the 21st Century, (Billie got the idea from the story of a man who got one recently). She says that life was better before this happened, and she has lost her memories of the better times before the end of the century.
Now Christian sings with his rage. These times make him sick and sad. "When the sky is falling down it burned your dreams into the ground." This symbolizes that if the sky did fall, dreams would be ruined.
Gloria says that "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold." She wants to, "Remember to learn to forget. Whiskey shots and cheap cigarettes." She wants to forget the times when she used to go out and be destructive and focus on her fight.
Christian comes in again and he is contradicting himself. "I'm not stoned I'm just fucked up. I got so high I can't stand up." He denies and the confirms that he uses drugs to get through these problems. "I'm not cursed cause I've been blessed," - this is what he's been sold, that the Church can help him. He continues saying that he and Gloria are both lost in the confusion, like refugees. "The brutality of reality is the freedom that keeps me from..." The song finishes how it ends, meaning that Christian does not feel the sadness of the past like Gloria does. He feels anger instead.
4/18
Posted by Adam on August 17 2009
Before the Lobotomy is a song about Christian and Gloria's pure feelings of hopelessness. The 'lobotomy' is just a metaphor, for them feeling like they're being controlled and they can't act like how they actually are. Christian is revealed as a drug addict. He dreams that he can hear his ancestors singing to him, trying to help him. The 'lobotomy' also signifies Gloria's past troubles, rape, abuse, or violence, which have changed her immeasurably.. 5/18
Posted by TheScatteredGrouch on July 22 2009
This song seems to depict a feeling of sadness and loss of innocence. A lobotomy is a procedure on the brain. So I think it's a song that anyone can take personally thinking about memories and then something tragic occured, and now you're looking back. You're also trying to heal and experiment new ways to move on. Partying, drinking, smoking yourself into denial of the tragic loss of such good times. 6/18
Posted by Dookie on June 08 2009
When Gloria begins to explain her story to Christian, she explains how she had a lobotomy when she was younger to relieve her of her pain and anger at what the world has become. She now feeling little emotion for the world around her. 7/18
Posted by Nathan on June 07 2009
This song is about life as it was before we were manipulated by our parents and governments. Our lives were once so innocent, we thought everything was rosy. It turned out we were wrong, and everything isn't rosy at all 8/18
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song has two layers to it. On it’s surface, it’s about Christian slowly losing his mind. He has started to get involved in drugs to numb the pain. “Well I’m not stoned, I’m just fucked up, I get so high I can’t stand up”. It even shows how Christian is a bit in denial, as he proclaims he’s not really getting stoned. On a deeper level, the song also talks about themes of the 21st Century Breakdown world. Such as Bush's leadership, 9/11 and the Iraq war. Those events are what have pushed Christian to be so angry/destructive and mistrusting of his government - he dreams of the time before when he and the world was calmer. The title also says it all, it’s literally Christian dwelling on who he used to be – before he is about to have a Lobotomy (drugs etc). 9/18
Posted by Angel Trufan1 A. on June 02 2009
it can easily be translated just from the first linesto me those lyrics mean "we remember the past...the happiness we knew as kids is gone...we cant dream anymore...there is death everywhere...we must face a new world with no laughter"
the lyrics literally scared the hell out of me and made me cry
10/18
Posted by Bob on June 01 2009
I think this song is about Christian. A recap on his life in someway and his destructive ways. The song really tells you that this character simply does not give a shit about the world. 11/18
Posted by FallenSeraphim on June 01 2009
I think this song describes how society/the world is forcing people to change who they are. "The Lobotomy" represents the, almost, loss of innocence and the change to the corrupted and society-following person. In the song, it states that Christian is reminiscing about life before now ("Life before the lobotomy/Christian sang the eulogy"). We lived such care-free and better lives before society changed us into the people we come to know as ourselves. The way things are and how we should think and feel is what society demands of us ("Christian's lesson is what he's been sold"). For those who want to resist and dream, we are lost in this abyss which has become the norm for the 21st century ("Life refugees/We're lost like refugees/The brutality of reality/Is the freedom that keeps me from/Dreaming"). The song in general describes the feelings and desires of life before we were shoved into the mess and conformity of society. 12/18
Posted by Kathryn on June 01 2009
This song is about wanting to get lost in drugs and wanting to forget about the shitty place the world has become.Christian has starting singing the eulogy for America, or he could be singing his own eulogy since his whole world is falling apart. Meanwhile, Gloria is trying to hold on to her beliefs while getting fucked up to stop herself from having a complete breakdown.
"The brutality of reality is the freedom that keeps me from
Dreaming...singing,...dying...laughing."
13/18
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
I think it's about how self-destructive behaviour and what effect that has on your ambitions/hopes etc. 14/18
Posted by xJenniferx on May 28 2009
The song's about looking back on your past and wondering what happened. And how things can change so fast. Life was so great, and everything you thought you knew and had, took a total 360. 15/18
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
I think "Before The Lobotomy" is about what the world would be like if all this shit wasn't happening. About wishing that the world was a better place and dreaming about it. 16/18
Posted by Estrella on May 27 2009
I believe Before the Lobotomy is about someone looking back on their past and remembering things before they made a life changing desicion. Then they look back on what had changed their life and realize they made a mistake so they remember what used to make them happy and what was their life before. 17/18
Posted by Michael Sabares on May 26 2009
Before The Lobotomy is a for shadowing of whats to come. Lobotomy is when they open the head, go into the brain cut off parts of it like say your memories or your aggressiveness and so on and it was used to manipulate people. 18/18
Before The Lobotomy
Posted by damine on April 06 2010
I think that before the lobotomy is about Christian's life before he became ill, then had to have a lobotomy. When he was "cured" the memories of his past life were scattered, Everything he did he has forgotten, because of the lobotomy. Dreaming is the only form of knowing what he has become.
Posted by billie joe is christ on January 18 2010
i think it's about gloria singing about her worries for her relationship with christian and
trying to hide her past from him "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold. We are normal and self-controlled." and feeling lucky for having him in her life but doubting it at the same time. "I'm not cursed 'cause I've been blessed. I'm not in love 'cause I'm a mess."
trying to hide her past from him "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold. We are normal and self-controlled." and feeling lucky for having him in her life but doubting it at the same time. "I'm not cursed 'cause I've been blessed. I'm not in love 'cause I'm a mess."
Posted by Im not giving my name to a machine. on January 02 2010
A Lobotomy is when someone cuts the nerves leading to your brain BTW. In this case one of the characters from the album is thinking about what everything was like Before everthing went bad. The character is dreaming and when he/she wakes up things are still bad but not really really bad.
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
Billie Joe said that this was the cross between a good time and disaster. The song is from the point of view of both characters - they both sing at different times. It starts with Gloria. ¡Viva la Gloria! ended with Christian asking her to tell him her story, so she does. She is dreaming of being from a different time. She can hear her family singing when the rain washed away these dreams. A death has made her very sad. "Hearts are washed in misery, drenched in gasoline." She says that the laughter has left her and the world.
It is still Gloria for the next 4 lines as well. I think the Lobotomy is a symbol for the 21st Century, (Billie got the idea from the story of a man who got one recently). She says that life was better before this happened, and she has lost her memories of the better times before the end of the century.
Now Christian sings with his rage. These times make him sick and sad. "When the sky is falling down it burned your dreams into the ground." This symbolizes that if the sky did fall, dreams would be ruined.
Gloria says that "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold." She wants to, "Remember to learn to forget. Whiskey shots and cheap cigarettes." She wants to forget the times when she used to go out and be destructive and focus on her fight.
Christian comes in again and he is contradicting himself. "I'm not stoned I'm just fucked up. I got so high I can't stand up." He denies and the confirms that he uses drugs to get through these problems. "I'm not cursed cause I've been blessed," - this is what he's been sold, that the Church can help him. He continues saying that he and Gloria are both lost in the confusion, like refugees. "The brutality of reality is the freedom that keeps me from..." The song finishes how it ends, meaning that Christian does not feel the sadness of the past like Gloria does. He feels anger instead.
It is still Gloria for the next 4 lines as well. I think the Lobotomy is a symbol for the 21st Century, (Billie got the idea from the story of a man who got one recently). She says that life was better before this happened, and she has lost her memories of the better times before the end of the century.
Now Christian sings with his rage. These times make him sick and sad. "When the sky is falling down it burned your dreams into the ground." This symbolizes that if the sky did fall, dreams would be ruined.
Gloria says that "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold." She wants to, "Remember to learn to forget. Whiskey shots and cheap cigarettes." She wants to forget the times when she used to go out and be destructive and focus on her fight.
Christian comes in again and he is contradicting himself. "I'm not stoned I'm just fucked up. I got so high I can't stand up." He denies and the confirms that he uses drugs to get through these problems. "I'm not cursed cause I've been blessed," - this is what he's been sold, that the Church can help him. He continues saying that he and Gloria are both lost in the confusion, like refugees. "The brutality of reality is the freedom that keeps me from..." The song finishes how it ends, meaning that Christian does not feel the sadness of the past like Gloria does. He feels anger instead.
Posted by Adam on August 17 2009
Before the Lobotomy is a song about Christian and Gloria's pure feelings of hopelessness. The 'lobotomy' is just a metaphor, for them feeling like they're being controlled and they can't act like how they actually are. Christian is revealed as a drug addict. He dreams that he can hear his ancestors singing to him, trying to help him. The 'lobotomy' also signifies Gloria's past troubles, rape, abuse, or violence, which have changed her immeasurably..
Posted by TheScatteredGrouch on July 22 2009
This song seems to depict a feeling of sadness and loss of innocence. A lobotomy is a procedure on the brain. So I think it's a song that anyone can take personally thinking about memories and then something tragic occured, and now you're looking back. You're also trying to heal and experiment new ways to move on. Partying, drinking, smoking yourself into denial of the tragic loss of such good times.
Posted by Dookie on June 08 2009
When Gloria begins to explain her story to Christian, she explains how she had a lobotomy when she was younger to relieve her of her pain and anger at what the world has become. She now feeling little emotion for the world around her.
Posted by Nathan on June 07 2009
This song is about life as it was before we were manipulated by our parents and governments. Our lives were once so innocent, we thought everything was rosy. It turned out we were wrong, and everything isn't rosy at all
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song has two layers to it. On it’s surface, it’s about Christian slowly losing his mind. He has started to get involved in drugs to numb the pain. “Well I’m not stoned, I’m just fucked up, I get so high I can’t stand up”. It even shows how Christian is a bit in denial, as he proclaims he’s not really getting stoned. On a deeper level, the song also talks about themes of the 21st Century Breakdown world. Such as Bush's leadership, 9/11 and the Iraq war. Those events are what have pushed Christian to be so angry/destructive and mistrusting of his government - he dreams of the time before when he and the world was calmer. The title also says it all, it’s literally Christian dwelling on who he used to be – before he is about to have a Lobotomy (drugs etc).
Posted by Angel Trufan1 A. on June 02 2009
it can easily be translated just from the first lines
to me those lyrics mean "we remember the past...the happiness we knew as kids is gone...we cant dream anymore...there is death everywhere...we must face a new world with no laughter"
the lyrics literally scared the hell out of me and made me cry
to me those lyrics mean "we remember the past...the happiness we knew as kids is gone...we cant dream anymore...there is death everywhere...we must face a new world with no laughter"
the lyrics literally scared the hell out of me and made me cry
Posted by Bob on June 01 2009
I think this song is about Christian. A recap on his life in someway and his destructive ways. The song really tells you that this character simply does not give a shit about the world.
Posted by FallenSeraphim on June 01 2009
I think this song describes how society/the world is forcing people to change who they are. "The Lobotomy" represents the, almost, loss of innocence and the change to the corrupted and society-following person. In the song, it states that Christian is reminiscing about life before now ("Life before the lobotomy/Christian sang the eulogy"). We lived such care-free and better lives before society changed us into the people we come to know as ourselves. The way things are and how we should think and feel is what society demands of us ("Christian's lesson is what he's been sold"). For those who want to resist and dream, we are lost in this abyss which has become the norm for the 21st century ("Life refugees/We're lost like refugees/The brutality of reality/Is the freedom that keeps me from/Dreaming"). The song in general describes the feelings and desires of life before we were shoved into the mess and conformity of society.
Posted by Kathryn on June 01 2009
This song is about wanting to get lost in drugs and wanting to forget about the shitty place the world has become.
Christian has starting singing the eulogy for America, or he could be singing his own eulogy since his whole world is falling apart. Meanwhile, Gloria is trying to hold on to her beliefs while getting fucked up to stop herself from having a complete breakdown.
"The brutality of reality is the freedom that keeps me from
Dreaming...singing,...dying...laughing."
Christian has starting singing the eulogy for America, or he could be singing his own eulogy since his whole world is falling apart. Meanwhile, Gloria is trying to hold on to her beliefs while getting fucked up to stop herself from having a complete breakdown.
"The brutality of reality is the freedom that keeps me from
Dreaming...singing,...dying...laughing."
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
I think it's about how self-destructive behaviour and what effect that has on your ambitions/hopes etc.
Posted by xJenniferx on May 28 2009
The song's about looking back on your past and wondering what happened. And how things can change so fast. Life was so great, and everything you thought you knew and had, took a total 360.
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
I think "Before The Lobotomy" is about what the world would be like if all this shit wasn't happening. About wishing that the world was a better place and dreaming about it.
Posted by Estrella on May 27 2009
I believe Before the Lobotomy is about someone looking back on their past and remembering things before they made a life changing desicion. Then they look back on what had changed their life and realize they made a mistake so they remember what used to make them happy and what was their life before.
Posted by Michael Sabares on May 26 2009
Before The Lobotomy is a for shadowing of whats to come. Lobotomy is when they open the head, go into the brain cut off parts of it like say your memories or your aggressiveness and so on and it was used to manipulate people.
Christians inferno is written to describe the rebelious character ; christian. How he was treated and where he is now, "i fell into the grip between this modern hell". The inferno symbolizes his rage, and his lust for gloria, demonstraited on the album cover.
Posted by Raquel V. on February 05 2010
Christian's Inferno is about Christian being upset with Gloria and not knowing how to let his feelings out without hurting Gloria's feelings. 2/13
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
This song is really just about being pissed off. It is not a literal song, the verses are all about characterization. It characterizes Christian as wanting to burn down everything to change the world. His inferno will destroy the evil. Billie Joe creates a double meaning here. Christian also means the Christian faith. The inferno is their version of modern hell, that it is filled with fire and you will burn for eternity if you don't follow them. It could also suggest that the Christians' themselves are the ones who will face the inferno. (This idea is also used in Lobotomy, "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold." This means that some Christians will believe whatever the Church tells them). Christian just wants to destroy what doesn't work and start over, not wait for political methods. 3/13
Posted by LiAnna on August 27 2009
Christian's Inferno is about Gloria's rejection to him (I got the rejection letter in the mail, it was already ripped to shreds) and how infuriated it makes him, he starts seeing the world ugly and fucked up and sees life as a complete waste. He gets to the point where his only alternatives are to burn the whole thing down (the city) or give up on life entirely. The song ends and goes into Last Night on Earth where Gloria gives up on rejecting him and basically falls in love with him...I'm pretty sure. 4/13
Posted by Adam on August 17 2009
Christian's Inferno is all about Christian, a private look into his mind,. His childhood was hard, but he had wanted to change all that. But he was not accepted into a good college, "I got the rejection letter in the mail and it was already ripped to shreds." and he became a drug addict "This bitter pill is chased with blood." All these things together caused him to become violent and hateful, with nearly no chance of recovery. 5/13
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Following the orders of No-one, Christian begins a systematic destruction of signs of authority, i.e. the police station that rejected him. The Class of '13 watches in awe and admiration, fascinated by Christian's inferno. 6/13
Posted by Whatsername on June 10 2009
The lyrics " This diabolic state is gracing my existence " give the impression that Christian doesn't see his negativity as a curse. In the way he looks at the world, burning everything down seems right. This song shows that Christian doesn't care because he believes that violence is the answer. 7/13
Posted by Gus Mantis on June 09 2009
Christian's Inferno is a song about rejection and how life can be a hatred environment to anyone who has to deal with being hated. 8/13
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song is a look at Christian's personality. This is his biography on the album – and it shows how much rage and anger he has built up; he is a loose cannon. His drug uses is also briefly mentioned – “This bitter pill is chased with blood”. But it also brings Gloria into the equation, because he now feels like she is the spark that can ignite his fire. (Fire is a recurring theme to describe Christian) – “Maybe you're the chemical reaction, I am the Atomic Bomb, I am the chosen one. Toxin Your Reservoir”. 9/13
Posted by ....... on June 02 2009
In this song the most recently added character, Christian, doesn't get into college "I got the rejection letter in the mail" it makes him mad obviously by the title Christian's INFERNO. This sets up the rest of the story and is the first part after the characters are introduced. 10/13
Posted by XxVivaLaLostXx on June 02 2009
I think it's Christian just pissed at the world, and is feeling trapped in his own life. He feels that he is the one to hate everything and that nothing will change what is going on. He wants to just torch everything and say that he did it. 11/13
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
Christian's Inferno is about Chiristian negativity. He is expecting the worst and cares but at the same time he doesn't care. 12/13
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
A love song written about Billie Joe's wife. Mike Dirt said' "It's the most unapologetic love song" in "Q" the magazine 13/13
Christian's Inferno
Posted by Stankycheeze@gmail.com on April 06 2010
Christians inferno is written to describe the rebelious character ; christian. How he was treated and where he is now, "i fell into the grip between this modern hell". The inferno symbolizes his rage, and his lust for gloria, demonstraited on the album cover.
Posted by Raquel V. on February 05 2010
Christian's Inferno is about Christian being upset with Gloria and not knowing how to let his feelings out without hurting Gloria's feelings.
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
This song is really just about being pissed off. It is not a literal song, the verses are all about characterization. It characterizes Christian as wanting to burn down everything to change the world. His inferno will destroy the evil. Billie Joe creates a double meaning here. Christian also means the Christian faith. The inferno is their version of modern hell, that it is filled with fire and you will burn for eternity if you don't follow them. It could also suggest that the Christians' themselves are the ones who will face the inferno. (This idea is also used in Lobotomy, "Christian's lesson's what he's been sold." This means that some Christians will believe whatever the Church tells them). Christian just wants to destroy what doesn't work and start over, not wait for political methods.
Posted by LiAnna on August 27 2009
Christian's Inferno is about Gloria's rejection to him (I got the rejection letter in the mail, it was already ripped to shreds) and how infuriated it makes him, he starts seeing the world ugly and fucked up and sees life as a complete waste. He gets to the point where his only alternatives are to burn the whole thing down (the city) or give up on life entirely. The song ends and goes into Last Night on Earth where Gloria gives up on rejecting him and basically falls in love with him...I'm pretty sure.
Posted by Adam on August 17 2009
Christian's Inferno is all about Christian, a private look into his mind,. His childhood was hard, but he had wanted to change all that. But he was not accepted into a good college, "I got the rejection letter in the mail and it was already ripped to shreds." and he became a drug addict "This bitter pill is chased with blood." All these things together caused him to become violent and hateful, with nearly no chance of recovery.
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Following the orders of No-one, Christian begins a systematic destruction of signs of authority, i.e. the police station that rejected him. The Class of '13 watches in awe and admiration, fascinated by Christian's inferno.
Posted by Whatsername on June 10 2009
The lyrics " This diabolic state is gracing my existence " give the impression that Christian doesn't see his negativity as a curse. In the way he looks at the world, burning everything down seems right. This song shows that Christian doesn't care because he believes that violence is the answer.
Posted by Gus Mantis on June 09 2009
Christian's Inferno is a song about rejection and how life can be a hatred environment to anyone who has to deal with being hated.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song is a look at Christian's personality. This is his biography on the album – and it shows how much rage and anger he has built up; he is a loose cannon. His drug uses is also briefly mentioned – “This bitter pill is chased with blood”. But it also brings Gloria into the equation, because he now feels like she is the spark that can ignite his fire. (Fire is a recurring theme to describe Christian) – “Maybe you're the chemical reaction, I am the Atomic Bomb, I am the chosen one. Toxin Your Reservoir”.
Posted by ....... on June 02 2009
In this song the most recently added character, Christian, doesn't get into college "I got the rejection letter in the mail" it makes him mad obviously by the title Christian's INFERNO. This sets up the rest of the story and is the first part after the characters are introduced.
Posted by XxVivaLaLostXx on June 02 2009
I think it's Christian just pissed at the world, and is feeling trapped in his own life. He feels that he is the one to hate everything and that nothing will change what is going on. He wants to just torch everything and say that he did it.
Posted by Kylie on May 27 2009
Christian's Inferno is about Chiristian negativity. He is expecting the worst and cares but at the same time he doesn't care.
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
A love song written about Billie Joe's wife. Mike Dirt said' "It's the most unapologetic love song" in "Q" the magazine
It's about what Christian would do for Gloria because he's so madly in love with her, and after the anger that was Christian's Inferno, he realises why he's sticking with Gloria. It's an amazing love song and it makes you think about what you'd do for that special person you can't get out of your head.
Posted by jacob w on March 04 2010
when i heard this song i instantly thought of the girl I'm madly in love with and would walk a thousand miles just to see. this song is for all those guys out there who love a girl but she doesn't know it until they do something miraculous for her........ i better start thinking, love you ja---ka 2/26
Posted by Kenny James (K.J) on February 27 2010
Last Night On Earth is a very beautiful song. I really connected to it. Very easy to fall in love with too. If you have not heard it yet, stop reading this and listen to it already!!! LOL. For those who have heard it, y'know what I am talking about. Very good song to listen to with the love of your life. I Gotta go, need to play this song to get my two year old brother to go to sleep, He loves it so much. :P 3/26
Posted by Dionella on December 09 2009
This song gave me goosebumps when I first heard it. I couldn't believe how much it hit me when i heard it because it talks about love that's never going to fade no matter what happens. You can play it over and over again that you won't get tired of what it says, it tells the love of your life that your heart is theirs... truely and only theirs. best true love song that i've ever heard, cause this person walked a thousand miles and didn't care if it was too much just because he knows he finally found the love of his life. breath taking... 4/26
Posted by Richie on October 28 2009
It's just an overall love song. Any guy would be an idiot not to play this song to your girlfriend. but in the story it's christian telling gloria how much he loves her and how he'd do anything for her. 5/26
Posted by Rocio Armstrong on October 08 2009
The most perfect love song I've ever heard. Made me cry when I heard it for the first time. It's about true love. An undying love. The one you just can feel once in a lifetime.Strong, but sweet no doubt Christian loves Gloria in a way that he does not even understand the magnitude of the case. It goes beyond all those simple things and the reality. It's not something everyone can understand, or feel. Just perfect.
6/26
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
In this song I think Christian is promising Gloria that although he's trying to burn everything down, no matter what happens and what he does to himself, she should never think that he doesn't love her. At the end he's wondering if he'll make it through, but all that really matters to him is Gloria. 7/26
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song about Adrienne. It is a love song from an apocalyptic view. Christian is telling Gloria that no matter what her doubts are, or no matter what happens, he is giving her his love. "If I lose everything in the fire, I'm sending all my love to you." The fire, the common symbol, is something they have to face many times. This is very symbolic because it could mean when he literally burns things down, or if the inferno of his mind destroys him. But either way he promises Gloria that he will always love her. 8/26
Posted by Raven on August 30 2009
This song expresses Christian's love for Gloria. "If I lose everything in the fire, I'm sending all my love to you," is saying from the previous song, Christan's Inferno, if he loses everything of himself - his mind, health, etc., that he wants Gloria to have all of his love, and what's left of him. It's saying that no matter what he goes though, Gloria will always have his heart. 9/26
Posted by She on August 18 2009
I took it as Gloria being sarcastic towards Christian. Like, she's trying to tell him in a sarcastic, kinda mean way that her world doesn't revolve around him if he's just going to keep pushing her away. "I made to honor you," "With every breath that I am worth," all kinda seem like sarcastic things to say to somebody. 10/26
Posted by Francois Meyer on August 16 2009
This song is a simple, classic love song. Billie Joe probably wrote it thinking of Adrienne, and the song is Christian thinking of Gloria. "My beating heart belongs to you / I walked for miles 'till I found you." The song uses many figures of speech to describe the way the person is feeling about the other person. 11/26
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Christian, fearing he may 'lose everything in the fire', professes his love for Gloria once again, reassuring her that he needs her more than anything. 12/26
Posted by antonio on June 18 2009
this song is all the love that christian feels for gloria...but it is not only that...i think this song is about loving somebody as though you have got only one night to show it...that is why the tittle is "last night on earth"...and you have to do and say everything you have not said before just because you have only one night... 13/26
Posted by Christiana on June 16 2009
I think this song is really about how dedicated Christian is to Gloria and is about what seems to be the end of the world. He sets out to find her one last time, to be with her as the world falls apart.... 14/26
Posted by Sine on June 08 2009
I think that its just telling someone how much you love them and that no matter what happens or what may go wrong that you always will. For Christian, he is telling Gloria that if he goes totally insane (Christian's Inferno) that he will always love her and that he belongs to her and only her. 15/26
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This is Christian’s love letter to Gloria - Christian's confession to Gloria most likely via phone (I text a postcard sent to you, did it go through), of his love for her. This is their connection moment. It is a positive end to this act, and really serves as a calming point for Christian. No matter how fucked up things get, he knows he has their love. He also mentions that “if he loses everything in the fire” – he will “send all his love” to her. This is a foreshadow to the end of the story. 16/26
Posted by Jen (longview_paradise) on June 04 2009
In an AP article published a while back, Billie Joe says, "if you read between the lines, it's about the things we hid behind and the sort of glass we put up between each other that we can never really break. The first line is, 'I text a postcard sent to you/Did it go through?' I would write Adrienne letters and text her messages, and I would say, "All my love,' which is not the sort of thing that people who are in love say to each other all the time. People don't normally say the things they should say - or else they write it too often instead."' 17/26
Posted by Amanda on June 02 2009
It's a ballad that Billie wrote for Adie, but, besides that, it's a letter from Christian to Gloria. I think that fire represents the self-destructive-pyromaniac Christian, so, in the song, he's telling Gloria that, no matter what happens to him because of his self-destruction, he's sending all his love... But you can realise that he's not sure that he's gonna make it through all ("if i lose everything in the fire... did i ever make it through?").It can be interpreted as a suicide note too (Last night on earth... I mean, even the title says it), but that's not the context.
18/26
Posted by Tawni Ann on June 02 2009
This song(I don't need to state the obvious about who it's for) is about being there for the person you love, knowing that you will always love them, and knowing that no matter what happens, you will always belong to them. You are there to honor that person, to make them feel happy, to give them everything and not care if you get anything for yourself. It's selfless love. At the end of the world, if you've lost everything, you still have your heart. This person is telling the person he loves that when it's all over and he's got nothing left but his heart, it belongs to her. 19/26
Posted by Chelsea on June 01 2009
Billie joe said in an article that this a love song almost like a love letter that any soldier in battle wants to write to a loved one back home. 20/26
Posted by Nathaniel on May 28 2009
This song is a love song that Bille wrote to his wife. 21/26
Posted by Victor on May 27 2009
It is a letter that Christian wrote for Gloria, it says that whatever it happens they will survive although times are hard or there are problems in the world. It's a little bit like "Poprocks and Coke". 22/26
Posted by Katherine on May 27 2009
Billie Joe wrote this to his wife Adrienne. The lyrics obviously express his love for her and he also tells her to never second guess or doubt his love for her. 23/26
Posted by Marcus on May 27 2009
It´s a pure love ballad Billie wrote for Adrienne. Well, this is the main theme that´s going on there. But in the story Christian is desperate and he´s looking for Gloria´s love. He´s sick, tired and it seems that there is no way out of his rage. He´s giving all his feelings to Gloria to get an adorable happy end with her.It could also be the story of Billie and Adrienne when they met first. Cause Billie was frustrated and hates everything before he and Adrienne went into a couple. So she saves the life of Billie Joe.
24/26
Posted by Topekachu on May 26 2009
This song is about someone forgetting about themselves, not caring what happens to them and completely, totally dedicating themselves to a person they love. 25/26
Posted by Erin on May 26 2009
I think this is connected directly to Christian's Inferno, like his thoughts directly after. The chorous says "If I lose everything in the fire," which fits in the fire-inferno metaphor (which I'm guessing is about anger and getting violent and fighting the power). It's like Christian is making a "just in case vow" and acknowledging that getting involved with "fire" could change or damage him. He wants to make sure his love is known before he starts to fight, and starts to let the "fire" influence him. 26/26
Last Night On Earth
Posted by eastbaypunkmafia1112 on April 05 2010
It's about what Christian would do for Gloria because he's so madly in love with her, and after the anger that was Christian's Inferno, he realises why he's sticking with Gloria. It's an amazing love song and it makes you think about what you'd do for that special person you can't get out of your head.
Posted by jacob w on March 04 2010
when i heard this song i instantly thought of the girl I'm madly in love with and would walk a thousand miles just to see. this song is for all those guys out there who love a girl but she doesn't know it until they do something miraculous for her........ i better start thinking, love you ja---ka
Posted by Kenny James (K.J) on February 27 2010
Last Night On Earth is a very beautiful song. I really connected to it. Very easy to fall in love with too. If you have not heard it yet, stop reading this and listen to it already!!! LOL. For those who have heard it, y'know what I am talking about. Very good song to listen to with the love of your life. I Gotta go, need to play this song to get my two year old brother to go to sleep, He loves it so much. :P
Posted by Dionella on December 09 2009
This song gave me goosebumps when I first heard it. I couldn't believe how much it hit me when i heard it because it talks about love that's never going to fade no matter what happens. You can play it over and over again that you won't get tired of what it says, it tells the love of your life that your heart is theirs... truely and only theirs. best true love song that i've ever heard, cause this person walked a thousand miles and didn't care if it was too much just because he knows he finally found the love of his life. breath taking...
Posted by Richie on October 28 2009
It's just an overall love song. Any guy would be an idiot not to play this song to your girlfriend. but in the story it's christian telling gloria how much he loves her and how he'd do anything for her.
Posted by Rocio Armstrong on October 08 2009
The most perfect love song I've ever heard. Made me cry when I heard it for the first time. It's about true love. An undying love. The one you just can feel once in a lifetime.
Strong, but sweet no doubt Christian loves Gloria in a way that he does not even understand the magnitude of the case. It goes beyond all those simple things and the reality. It's not something everyone can understand, or feel. Just perfect.
Strong, but sweet no doubt Christian loves Gloria in a way that he does not even understand the magnitude of the case. It goes beyond all those simple things and the reality. It's not something everyone can understand, or feel. Just perfect.
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
In this song I think Christian is promising Gloria that although he's trying to burn everything down, no matter what happens and what he does to himself, she should never think that he doesn't love her. At the end he's wondering if he'll make it through, but all that really matters to him is Gloria.
Posted by Sparks on September 11 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song about Adrienne. It is a love song from an apocalyptic view. Christian is telling Gloria that no matter what her doubts are, or no matter what happens, he is giving her his love. "If I lose everything in the fire, I'm sending all my love to you." The fire, the common symbol, is something they have to face many times. This is very symbolic because it could mean when he literally burns things down, or if the inferno of his mind destroys him. But either way he promises Gloria that he will always love her.
Posted by Raven on August 30 2009
This song expresses Christian's love for Gloria. "If I lose everything in the fire, I'm sending all my love to you," is saying from the previous song, Christan's Inferno, if he loses everything of himself - his mind, health, etc., that he wants Gloria to have all of his love, and what's left of him. It's saying that no matter what he goes though, Gloria will always have his heart.
Posted by She on August 18 2009
I took it as Gloria being sarcastic towards Christian. Like, she's trying to tell him in a sarcastic, kinda mean way that her world doesn't revolve around him if he's just going to keep pushing her away. "I made to honor you," "With every breath that I am worth," all kinda seem like sarcastic things to say to somebody.
Posted by Francois Meyer on August 16 2009
This song is a simple, classic love song. Billie Joe probably wrote it thinking of Adrienne, and the song is Christian thinking of Gloria. "My beating heart belongs to you / I walked for miles 'till I found you." The song uses many figures of speech to describe the way the person is feeling about the other person.
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Christian, fearing he may 'lose everything in the fire', professes his love for Gloria once again, reassuring her that he needs her more than anything.
Posted by antonio on June 18 2009
this song is all the love that christian feels for gloria...but it is not only that...i think this song is about loving somebody as though you have got only one night to show it...that is why the tittle is "last night on earth"...and you have to do and say everything you have not said before just because you have only one night...
Posted by Christiana on June 16 2009
I think this song is really about how dedicated Christian is to Gloria and is about what seems to be the end of the world. He sets out to find her one last time, to be with her as the world falls apart....
Posted by Sine on June 08 2009
I think that its just telling someone how much you love them and that no matter what happens or what may go wrong that you always will. For Christian, he is telling Gloria that if he goes totally insane (Christian's Inferno) that he will always love her and that he belongs to her and only her.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This is Christian’s love letter to Gloria - Christian's confession to Gloria most likely via phone (I text a postcard sent to you, did it go through), of his love for her. This is their connection moment. It is a positive end to this act, and really serves as a calming point for Christian. No matter how fucked up things get, he knows he has their love. He also mentions that “if he loses everything in the fire” – he will “send all his love” to her. This is a foreshadow to the end of the story.
Posted by Jen (longview_paradise) on June 04 2009
In an AP article published a while back, Billie Joe says, "if you read between the lines, it's about the things we hid behind and the sort of glass we put up between each other that we can never really break. The first line is, 'I text a postcard sent to you/Did it go through?' I would write Adrienne letters and text her messages, and I would say, "All my love,' which is not the sort of thing that people who are in love say to each other all the time. People don't normally say the things they should say - or else they write it too often instead."'
Posted by Amanda on June 02 2009
It's a ballad that Billie wrote for Adie, but, besides that, it's a letter from Christian to Gloria. I think that fire represents the self-destructive-pyromaniac Christian, so, in the song, he's telling Gloria that, no matter what happens to him because of his self-destruction, he's sending all his love... But you can realise that he's not sure that he's gonna make it through all ("if i lose everything in the fire... did i ever make it through?").
It can be interpreted as a suicide note too (Last night on earth... I mean, even the title says it), but that's not the context.
It can be interpreted as a suicide note too (Last night on earth... I mean, even the title says it), but that's not the context.
Posted by Tawni Ann on June 02 2009
This song(I don't need to state the obvious about who it's for) is about being there for the person you love, knowing that you will always love them, and knowing that no matter what happens, you will always belong to them. You are there to honor that person, to make them feel happy, to give them everything and not care if you get anything for yourself. It's selfless love. At the end of the world, if you've lost everything, you still have your heart. This person is telling the person he loves that when it's all over and he's got nothing left but his heart, it belongs to her.
Posted by Chelsea on June 01 2009
Billie joe said in an article that this a love song almost like a love letter that any soldier in battle wants to write to a loved one back home.
Posted by Nathaniel on May 28 2009
This song is a love song that Bille wrote to his wife.
Posted by Victor on May 27 2009
It is a letter that Christian wrote for Gloria, it says that whatever it happens they will survive although times are hard or there are problems in the world. It's a little bit like "Poprocks and Coke".
Posted by Katherine on May 27 2009
Billie Joe wrote this to his wife Adrienne. The lyrics obviously express his love for her and he also tells her to never second guess or doubt his love for her.
Posted by Marcus on May 27 2009
It´s a pure love ballad Billie wrote for Adrienne. Well, this is the main theme that´s going on there. But in the story Christian is desperate and he´s looking for Gloria´s love. He´s sick, tired and it seems that there is no way out of his rage. He´s giving all his feelings to Gloria to get an adorable happy end with her.
It could also be the story of Billie and Adrienne when they met first. Cause Billie was frustrated and hates everything before he and Adrienne went into a couple. So she saves the life of Billie Joe.
It could also be the story of Billie and Adrienne when they met first. Cause Billie was frustrated and hates everything before he and Adrienne went into a couple. So she saves the life of Billie Joe.
Posted by Topekachu on May 26 2009
This song is about someone forgetting about themselves, not caring what happens to them and completely, totally dedicating themselves to a person they love.
Posted by Erin on May 26 2009
I think this is connected directly to Christian's Inferno, like his thoughts directly after. The chorous says "If I lose everything in the fire," which fits in the fire-inferno metaphor (which I'm guessing is about anger and getting violent and fighting the power). It's like Christian is making a "just in case vow" and acknowledging that getting involved with "fire" could change or damage him. He wants to make sure his love is known before he starts to fight, and starts to let the "fire" influence him.
It's about standing up about what you believe in and not backing down to anyone who thinks they are stronger or better than you.
Posted by Brandon on February 14 2010
East Jesus Nowhere is taking a page from the book of John Lennon and bending it a little. Christian can only find fundamentalist religion on TV and radio, and he's so sick of it, he just yells out his frustration, with a song that pretty much shows me a blinking neon sign that says "Fundamentalists go home. Your religion sucks and we don't want it." Good thing Catholicism isn't fundamentalist, or I'd destroy my copy of 21st Century Breakdown 2/18
Posted by whit on January 03 2010
idk i have to disagree with some, of course this is about Christianity; however, not all Christians believe what they are told. This one goes out to all the ones that can't think for themselves and that try to convert people using force and hypocrisy. I am a firm believer, but i keep my own ideas. I'm not a church goer because it's all too political, but that doesn't mean i'm not stoked about the idea of going to a better place than the hell hole i came from here. East Jesus nowhere is about Christians who have lost sight of what Christianity is all about and now they are being bastards. 3/18
Posted by no one on October 25 2009
i think this song is about how religion isn't about going to a better place when you die, or being a better person anymore. it's all social status now. you have to be a christian to be accepted in society and how that is such bull shit. people should have the right to believe what they want and how no religion is right or wrong. personally, i'm not christian. i am nothing and i get such a hard time because of that. its just saying that all these "faith fanatics" are trying to convert everyone to believe what they believe because they think it's how it's supposed to be. basically, it's just all the christians being offended because someone doesn't believe what they do and how they can be such hypocrites. no one is right or wrong, just be who you are and don't let that change you. your beliefs are your own, and don't ever forget that especially because the world is going to shit. 4/18
Posted by DeAnna on August 28 2009
Green Day had gone to a friend's church. I think Billie was inspired and a bit mad all at once because the preacher basically told the congregation that it was wrong to have opinions. I think it kinda reminded him why he's against this whole popularity contest called religion. Religious groups try to convert you, they think they are God's favorite team and you should join them. East Jesus Nowhere just kinda says ...hey, look at yourself "Christian" this isn't right.you're a hypocrite and a liar. Yet they call it "holy."
they failed at reading between the lines "all the dogs that never learned to read"
5/18
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
I'll take this song part by part because of it's complexity. It was written about the hypocrisy of religion.Intro- (This is line by line). Billie Joe points out some of these hypocrisies. In some faiths the minister will raise their hands up and testify the truth. Confessing your sins makes you unholy and you must beg for forgiveness. Some faiths tell people to kill themselves to worship properly. Finally religion is compared to a sodomized dog (great comparison in my opinion.)
Verse 1- The stand up! sit down! refers to how in mass people have to constantly stand and sit when the priest tells you to. "The soldiers of the new world" is talking about how the church raises people to take down opposition to the church. Like an army.
Pre-Chorus 1- This is like a church flyer. Things that attract people to it. Putting faith in a miracle, calling it "the church of wishful thinking." That does sound enticing.
Chorus- The fire is a common symbol on the album, in this case burning "of blasphemy and genocide." "The sirens of decay will infiltrate the faith fanatics" shows that religion is corrupting and will eventually be forgotten.
Verse 2- Sung as a sarcastic confession. "I threw my crutches in the 'river of a shadow of doubt,'" (References the bible.)
Pre-Chorus 2- The church says saying prayers and giving alms will fix everything. "Ain't this uniform so flattering," talks about the soldiers and army again all dressed in sunday best.
Bridge- Billie Joe speaking as the church. If you test, second guess, or protest the church, "You will disappear." Their soldiers can make it happen.
Pre Chorus 3- "The dogs who never learned to read" are people who give faith blindly, without question, because they are the dumbest people of all. "Missionary politicians" are politicians who get voted in for their religious views. "The cops of a new religion" are the same as the soldiers. They protect the faith from critics.
Final Part- "The sirens of decay will infiltrate the inside." The corruptness and decay of the church will start from the heart of the church. Also, it will start in the hearts of blind believers.
6/18
Posted by Ebony Shawniece Jamerson on July 28 2009
I feel that this song basically is trying to let us know how we are becoming less and less religious because of pressure {"And we will see how Godless a nation we have become"} I think this is saying Christianity is fading out in the east as well as everywhere else. 7/18
Posted by mairy on June 10 2009
This is said to be a song talking about the hypocrisy of all the religions. To me this song is just against everything that's going wrong with the Catholic Church nowadays, and how despite the fact that they preach humility, peace etc. they can be fanatics. Also it's about all those hypocrites who go every Sunday to Church, they confess, they ''drop a coin for humanity'' and think that now they really are good Christians, but they miss the point of the true Christian values, and are just superficial. Also, it could be talking about all those people who put all their life and faith in a miracle, generally in religion and wait for that instead of taking action for their lives (and that's how i decode the line: dogs who never learn to read) they are still afraid and obey blindly to what they believe. 8/18
Posted by Francois Meyer on June 10 2009
This song is about hypocracy in religion. It may sound quite anti-Christianity, but its more against people who are just Christians because of the pressure society puts on them. Its also against the church as a munipilative authority. Its also about how in the world we live in, religion will probably someday fade out ("the sirens of decay / will infiltrate the faith fanatics"). 9/18
Posted by The Unforgiven on June 08 2009
Mostly about hypocrisy in religion. Billie once commented that there is nothing wrong with religion itself just those who push it too far. 10/18
Posted by John on June 05 2009
I think this is referring to all of the hypocrisy in the world, but more specifically religion, most likely because it is probably the one that affects us the most, and also how we are constantly forcing opinions into other people.Story-wise, I think this is the turning point where Christian is going all-out hateful against everyone.
11/18
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song tackles the hypocrisy in modern religions. It also serves as Christians and Gloria’s negative experiences with the church, although it’s mainly from Christian (there is irony in his name). This is his confession to how he feels about the state of religion, and the people who vote on religious reasons alone. 12/18
Posted by Ben on May 28 2009
To me its about Billie Joe singing about how Religion even though still considered so important in the modern world - its all a con, a myth and the people who are religious dont realise what they actually are! 13/18
Posted by Katherine on May 27 2009
Billie Joe points out the hypocrisy in many religions and that it's okay to question your religion. It was inspired after the band went to a friend's child's baptism. 14/18
Posted by Camillekaze on May 27 2009
East Jesus Nowhere refers to people who have perverted the meaning of religion. Many people who claim to be "religious" take on a holier-than-thou attitude nowadays without actually knowing why they believe in what they believe. These people then oppress who they deem "heathens" and the speaker in this song is one of those "heathens". The speaker announces that these people are hypocrites and that they, in fact, are the ones who need saving. 15/18
Posted by Drake on May 27 2009
This songs speaks out against hypocrisy in religion. How instead of praising God, people try to become God themselves. 16/18
Posted by Mike on May 26 2009
This song is attacking the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. Billie went to a friend of his' son's baptism, and was just shocked, like they were saying "be like this or you'll go to hell". Billie's friend later heard this song and commented, saying "was [the baptism] really that bad?"Also, Tre hates sandals.
17/18
Posted by Alison Wheatley on May 26 2009
Tre said on the Radio 1 sessions that this is about the contractions of religion, going to a "baby ritual" and being told to be open minded and then not to think so much. 18/18
East Jesus Nowhere
Posted by Raquel V. on March 03 2010
It's about standing up about what you believe in and not backing down to anyone who thinks they are stronger or better than you.
Posted by Brandon on February 14 2010
East Jesus Nowhere is taking a page from the book of John Lennon and bending it a little. Christian can only find fundamentalist religion on TV and radio, and he's so sick of it, he just yells out his frustration, with a song that pretty much shows me a blinking neon sign that says "Fundamentalists go home. Your religion sucks and we don't want it." Good thing Catholicism isn't fundamentalist, or I'd destroy my copy of 21st Century Breakdown
Posted by whit on January 03 2010
idk i have to disagree with some, of course this is about Christianity; however, not all Christians believe what they are told. This one goes out to all the ones that can't think for themselves and that try to convert people using force and hypocrisy. I am a firm believer, but i keep my own ideas. I'm not a church goer because it's all too political, but that doesn't mean i'm not stoked about the idea of going to a better place than the hell hole i came from here. East Jesus nowhere is about Christians who have lost sight of what Christianity is all about and now they are being bastards.
Posted by no one on October 25 2009
i think this song is about how religion isn't about going to a better place when you die, or being a better person anymore. it's all social status now. you have to be a christian to be accepted in society and how that is such bull shit. people should have the right to believe what they want and how no religion is right or wrong. personally, i'm not christian. i am nothing and i get such a hard time because of that. its just saying that all these "faith fanatics" are trying to convert everyone to believe what they believe because they think it's how it's supposed to be. basically, it's just all the christians being offended because someone doesn't believe what they do and how they can be such hypocrites. no one is right or wrong, just be who you are and don't let that change you. your beliefs are your own, and don't ever forget that especially because the world is going to shit.
Posted by DeAnna on August 28 2009
Green Day had gone to a friend's church. I think Billie was inspired and a bit mad all at once because the preacher basically told the congregation that it was wrong to have opinions. I think it kinda reminded him why he's against this whole popularity contest called religion. Religious groups try to convert you, they think they are God's favorite team and you should join them. East Jesus Nowhere just kinda says ...
hey, look at yourself "Christian" this isn't right.you're a hypocrite and a liar. Yet they call it "holy."
they failed at reading between the lines "all the dogs that never learned to read"
hey, look at yourself "Christian" this isn't right.you're a hypocrite and a liar. Yet they call it "holy."
they failed at reading between the lines "all the dogs that never learned to read"
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
I'll take this song part by part because of it's complexity. It was written about the hypocrisy of religion.
Intro- (This is line by line). Billie Joe points out some of these hypocrisies. In some faiths the minister will raise their hands up and testify the truth. Confessing your sins makes you unholy and you must beg for forgiveness. Some faiths tell people to kill themselves to worship properly. Finally religion is compared to a sodomized dog (great comparison in my opinion.)
Verse 1- The stand up! sit down! refers to how in mass people have to constantly stand and sit when the priest tells you to. "The soldiers of the new world" is talking about how the church raises people to take down opposition to the church. Like an army.
Pre-Chorus 1- This is like a church flyer. Things that attract people to it. Putting faith in a miracle, calling it "the church of wishful thinking." That does sound enticing.
Chorus- The fire is a common symbol on the album, in this case burning "of blasphemy and genocide." "The sirens of decay will infiltrate the faith fanatics" shows that religion is corrupting and will eventually be forgotten.
Verse 2- Sung as a sarcastic confession. "I threw my crutches in the 'river of a shadow of doubt,'" (References the bible.)
Pre-Chorus 2- The church says saying prayers and giving alms will fix everything. "Ain't this uniform so flattering," talks about the soldiers and army again all dressed in sunday best.
Bridge- Billie Joe speaking as the church. If you test, second guess, or protest the church, "You will disappear." Their soldiers can make it happen.
Pre Chorus 3- "The dogs who never learned to read" are people who give faith blindly, without question, because they are the dumbest people of all. "Missionary politicians" are politicians who get voted in for their religious views. "The cops of a new religion" are the same as the soldiers. They protect the faith from critics.
Final Part- "The sirens of decay will infiltrate the inside." The corruptness and decay of the church will start from the heart of the church. Also, it will start in the hearts of blind believers.
Intro- (This is line by line). Billie Joe points out some of these hypocrisies. In some faiths the minister will raise their hands up and testify the truth. Confessing your sins makes you unholy and you must beg for forgiveness. Some faiths tell people to kill themselves to worship properly. Finally religion is compared to a sodomized dog (great comparison in my opinion.)
Verse 1- The stand up! sit down! refers to how in mass people have to constantly stand and sit when the priest tells you to. "The soldiers of the new world" is talking about how the church raises people to take down opposition to the church. Like an army.
Pre-Chorus 1- This is like a church flyer. Things that attract people to it. Putting faith in a miracle, calling it "the church of wishful thinking." That does sound enticing.
Chorus- The fire is a common symbol on the album, in this case burning "of blasphemy and genocide." "The sirens of decay will infiltrate the faith fanatics" shows that religion is corrupting and will eventually be forgotten.
Verse 2- Sung as a sarcastic confession. "I threw my crutches in the 'river of a shadow of doubt,'" (References the bible.)
Pre-Chorus 2- The church says saying prayers and giving alms will fix everything. "Ain't this uniform so flattering," talks about the soldiers and army again all dressed in sunday best.
Bridge- Billie Joe speaking as the church. If you test, second guess, or protest the church, "You will disappear." Their soldiers can make it happen.
Pre Chorus 3- "The dogs who never learned to read" are people who give faith blindly, without question, because they are the dumbest people of all. "Missionary politicians" are politicians who get voted in for their religious views. "The cops of a new religion" are the same as the soldiers. They protect the faith from critics.
Final Part- "The sirens of decay will infiltrate the inside." The corruptness and decay of the church will start from the heart of the church. Also, it will start in the hearts of blind believers.
Posted by Ebony Shawniece Jamerson on July 28 2009
I feel that this song basically is trying to let us know how we are becoming less and less religious because of pressure {"And we will see how Godless a nation we have become"} I think this is saying Christianity is fading out in the east as well as everywhere else.
Posted by mairy on June 10 2009
This is said to be a song talking about the hypocrisy of all the religions. To me this song is just against everything that's going wrong with the Catholic Church nowadays, and how despite the fact that they preach humility, peace etc. they can be fanatics. Also it's about all those hypocrites who go every Sunday to Church, they confess, they ''drop a coin for humanity'' and think that now they really are good Christians, but they miss the point of the true Christian values, and are just superficial. Also, it could be talking about all those people who put all their life and faith in a miracle, generally in religion and wait for that instead of taking action for their lives (and that's how i decode the line: dogs who never learn to read) they are still afraid and obey blindly to what they believe.
Posted by Francois Meyer on June 10 2009
This song is about hypocracy in religion. It may sound quite anti-Christianity, but its more against people who are just Christians because of the pressure society puts on them. Its also against the church as a munipilative authority. Its also about how in the world we live in, religion will probably someday fade out ("the sirens of decay / will infiltrate the faith fanatics").
Posted by The Unforgiven on June 08 2009
Mostly about hypocrisy in religion. Billie once commented that there is nothing wrong with religion itself just those who push it too far.
Posted by John on June 05 2009
I think this is referring to all of the hypocrisy in the world, but more specifically religion, most likely because it is probably the one that affects us the most, and also how we are constantly forcing opinions into other people.
Story-wise, I think this is the turning point where Christian is going all-out hateful against everyone.
Story-wise, I think this is the turning point where Christian is going all-out hateful against everyone.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song tackles the hypocrisy in modern religions. It also serves as Christians and Gloria’s negative experiences with the church, although it’s mainly from Christian (there is irony in his name). This is his confession to how he feels about the state of religion, and the people who vote on religious reasons alone.
Posted by Ben on May 28 2009
To me its about Billie Joe singing about how Religion even though still considered so important in the modern world - its all a con, a myth and the people who are religious dont realise what they actually are!
Posted by Katherine on May 27 2009
Billie Joe points out the hypocrisy in many religions and that it's okay to question your religion. It was inspired after the band went to a friend's child's baptism.
Posted by Camillekaze on May 27 2009
East Jesus Nowhere refers to people who have perverted the meaning of religion. Many people who claim to be "religious" take on a holier-than-thou attitude nowadays without actually knowing why they believe in what they believe. These people then oppress who they deem "heathens" and the speaker in this song is one of those "heathens". The speaker announces that these people are hypocrites and that they, in fact, are the ones who need saving.
Posted by Drake on May 27 2009
This songs speaks out against hypocrisy in religion. How instead of praising God, people try to become God themselves.
Posted by Mike on May 26 2009
This song is attacking the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. Billie went to a friend of his' son's baptism, and was just shocked, like they were saying "be like this or you'll go to hell". Billie's friend later heard this song and commented, saying "was [the baptism] really that bad?"
Also, Tre hates sandals.
Also, Tre hates sandals.
Posted by Alison Wheatley on May 26 2009
Tre said on the Radio 1 sessions that this is about the contractions of religion, going to a "baby ritual" and being told to be open minded and then not to think so much.
This is gonna sound weird, but I think this is told form Gloria's perspective. In my opinion, she has just seen how ugly the world can get and is going to do something about it. "Death to the girl at the end of the serenade" is her saying "When this is over, you're not gonna recognize me". She's making herself heard, or at least trying to. "The lover that you were dreaming of" is her telling Christian to not underestimate her. "You thought I was a write-off..." says the same thing. "The place where it all began" can be any point in their lives where something has gone extremely wrong. "The caretaker" is herself, as she is becoming the "undertaker", meaning she's changing the way she lives her life. "Neo-St. Valentine" is also herself. The very end is about her picking up a bunch of weapons and joining the fight.
Posted by Carissa on August 22 2009
I think that the political side of this song is talking about the people who believe that war creates peace. "Call the peacemaker... I'm gonna send you back to the place where it all began"- that place being the middle east. It's about the people who say that they have to go kill the "enemy" to end the war and how hypocritical that really is. 2/9
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
To me this song has a double meaning just as Christian's name does. It is obviously, as Billie Joe said, about sexually-driven vengeance. This is how Christian's mind works - kill and burn to win this fight. "The fire and the desire, shots ringing out on a holy parasite." At the same time Billie Joe uses the name Christian to parallel that Christian faiths, and many other faiths today, often kill to silence opposition. "Holy parasite," could be someone who is opposing the church and is seen therefore as destroying it. So they must be silenced. "As God is my witness the infidels are gonna pay." This is how Christian fanatics justify their murder. They believe they are doing it for God and contradict their own blind fanatical faith. 3/9
Posted by Kylie on August 04 2009
A peacemaker is a type of gun. It says that Christian is looking for revenge and plans to use a peacemaker. 4/9
Posted by GreenDay on July 27 2009
This piece is about Christian's more violent and vengeful views on America, and what he plans to do about it, This is also a key point in Christian and Gloria's relationship because Gloria is more into passive resistance, but Christian refuses to listen to her, and he chooses to move on. (Death to the lover that you were dreaming of) 5/9
Posted by Michael (mjfisher209 in the forum) on June 15 2009
The best word I can think of to describe this track is "sinister." The catchy, driving rhythm nearly distracts you from the lyrics...then you dig into them a little. Then you realize that Christian is having yet another hissy fit, but this time it's a BIG one!There is religiously-fueled vengeance buried deeply in here: "as God as my witness/the infidels are gonna pay." This opening verse starts with a tip of the hat to the classic film "Gone With The Wind" and brings in a reference to war, in this case the Civil War, but takes it in a jihad (or holy-war -like) direction. At the end of the song, the verse "so call up the Gaza, hey hey" would seem to be more of a reference to the willingness of fanatically-inspired people to sacrifice their own children for their cause (whatever that cause might be) than a specific statement from the band on Middle East politics.
Sandwiched in between is commentary on how easily modern society finds solving the problems of today through violence. Do you have a problem? Do you want to put an end to "the lover that you were dreaming of?" Just "call up the Peacemaker" -- the Colt Single-Action Army handgun, otherwise known as the Colt .45!
The song ends the only way it really can -- by showing the listener where this cycle of violence and revenge, breeding still more violence and revenge, will enevitably lead us: "Death to the ones at the end of the serenade".
6/9
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Christian's destructive state is starting to become more organized and inspired thanks to how Gloria is having a positive effect on him. This also serves as splitting point between the couple. While they aren’t actually fighting, Gloria is more about changing things with voice and ideas/rebelling while Christian is more about physical action. This song depicts him buying a berretta. 7/9
Posted by Katherine on June 02 2009
Billie Joe stated in an interview that this song is about vengance. 8/9
Posted by 4thWarmasterKais on June 01 2009
This song has two possible perspectives:1. This song is a view from those considered "The Enemy of The State", who wish destroy a system that doesn't seem to work. It's violent language suggests that their despiration has led to violence being the only cry for help. After all, what attracts attention more than violence?
2. This song represents people like Christian, who feel that a higher authority has taken away what he/they consider rightfully theirs, and believe that there is only one way to get it back: To fight for it.
9/9
Peacemaker
Posted by Oceiana on April 19 2010
This is gonna sound weird, but I think this is told form Gloria's perspective. In my opinion, she has just seen how ugly the world can get and is going to do something about it. "Death to the girl at the end of the serenade" is her saying "When this is over, you're not gonna recognize me". She's making herself heard, or at least trying to. "The lover that you were dreaming of" is her telling Christian to not underestimate her. "You thought I was a write-off..." says the same thing. "The place where it all began" can be any point in their lives where something has gone extremely wrong. "The caretaker" is herself, as she is becoming the "undertaker", meaning she's changing the way she lives her life. "Neo-St. Valentine" is also herself. The very end is about her picking up a bunch of weapons and joining the fight.
Posted by Carissa on August 22 2009
I think that the political side of this song is talking about the people who believe that war creates peace. "Call the peacemaker... I'm gonna send you back to the place where it all began"- that place being the middle east. It's about the people who say that they have to go kill the "enemy" to end the war and how hypocritical that really is.
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
To me this song has a double meaning just as Christian's name does. It is obviously, as Billie Joe said, about sexually-driven vengeance. This is how Christian's mind works - kill and burn to win this fight. "The fire and the desire, shots ringing out on a holy parasite." At the same time Billie Joe uses the name Christian to parallel that Christian faiths, and many other faiths today, often kill to silence opposition. "Holy parasite," could be someone who is opposing the church and is seen therefore as destroying it. So they must be silenced. "As God is my witness the infidels are gonna pay." This is how Christian fanatics justify their murder. They believe they are doing it for God and contradict their own blind fanatical faith.
Posted by Kylie on August 04 2009
A peacemaker is a type of gun. It says that Christian is looking for revenge and plans to use a peacemaker.
Posted by GreenDay on July 27 2009
This piece is about Christian's more violent and vengeful views on America, and what he plans to do about it, This is also a key point in Christian and Gloria's relationship because Gloria is more into passive resistance, but Christian refuses to listen to her, and he chooses to move on. (Death to the lover that you were dreaming of)
Posted by Michael (mjfisher209 in the forum) on June 15 2009
The best word I can think of to describe this track is "sinister." The catchy, driving rhythm nearly distracts you from the lyrics...then you dig into them a little. Then you realize that Christian is having yet another hissy fit, but this time it's a BIG one!
There is religiously-fueled vengeance buried deeply in here: "as God as my witness/the infidels are gonna pay." This opening verse starts with a tip of the hat to the classic film "Gone With The Wind" and brings in a reference to war, in this case the Civil War, but takes it in a jihad (or holy-war -like) direction. At the end of the song, the verse "so call up the Gaza, hey hey" would seem to be more of a reference to the willingness of fanatically-inspired people to sacrifice their own children for their cause (whatever that cause might be) than a specific statement from the band on Middle East politics.
Sandwiched in between is commentary on how easily modern society finds solving the problems of today through violence. Do you have a problem? Do you want to put an end to "the lover that you were dreaming of?" Just "call up the Peacemaker" -- the Colt Single-Action Army handgun, otherwise known as the Colt .45!
The song ends the only way it really can -- by showing the listener where this cycle of violence and revenge, breeding still more violence and revenge, will enevitably lead us: "Death to the ones at the end of the serenade".
There is religiously-fueled vengeance buried deeply in here: "as God as my witness/the infidels are gonna pay." This opening verse starts with a tip of the hat to the classic film "Gone With The Wind" and brings in a reference to war, in this case the Civil War, but takes it in a jihad (or holy-war -like) direction. At the end of the song, the verse "so call up the Gaza, hey hey" would seem to be more of a reference to the willingness of fanatically-inspired people to sacrifice their own children for their cause (whatever that cause might be) than a specific statement from the band on Middle East politics.
Sandwiched in between is commentary on how easily modern society finds solving the problems of today through violence. Do you have a problem? Do you want to put an end to "the lover that you were dreaming of?" Just "call up the Peacemaker" -- the Colt Single-Action Army handgun, otherwise known as the Colt .45!
The song ends the only way it really can -- by showing the listener where this cycle of violence and revenge, breeding still more violence and revenge, will enevitably lead us: "Death to the ones at the end of the serenade".
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Christian's destructive state is starting to become more organized and inspired thanks to how Gloria is having a positive effect on him. This also serves as splitting point between the couple. While they aren’t actually fighting, Gloria is more about changing things with voice and ideas/rebelling while Christian is more about physical action. This song depicts him buying a berretta.
Posted by Katherine on June 02 2009
Billie Joe stated in an interview that this song is about vengance.
Posted by 4thWarmasterKais on June 01 2009
This song has two possible perspectives:
1. This song is a view from those considered "The Enemy of The State", who wish destroy a system that doesn't seem to work. It's violent language suggests that their despiration has led to violence being the only cry for help. After all, what attracts attention more than violence?
2. This song represents people like Christian, who feel that a higher authority has taken away what he/they consider rightfully theirs, and believe that there is only one way to get it back: To fight for it.
1. This song is a view from those considered "The Enemy of The State", who wish destroy a system that doesn't seem to work. It's violent language suggests that their despiration has led to violence being the only cry for help. After all, what attracts attention more than violence?
2. This song represents people like Christian, who feel that a higher authority has taken away what he/they consider rightfully theirs, and believe that there is only one way to get it back: To fight for it.
This song was written by BillieJoe about Adrienne his beautiful wife. Adrienne is the "Last of the American Girls" because she cares about everyone "Sinners and Saints", she's nonjudgmental! Adrienne is passionate about not distroying the world we live in and she will not sit idle for what she believes in! Adrienne stays focused by enjoying the simple things in life and she is passionate about helping those less fortunate.
Posted by eastbaypunkluv¢¾ on October 26 2009
My interpretation of this song is that it is about Adrienne and how she is one of the few people left that do what they want to, that don't follow the pack. She doesn't sit around on her ass like a lot of rock star wives are doing now. Like billie joe once said, "If britteny spears painted her ass green, you would see a lot of green asses all around hollywood."hes saying she isn't like that.
2/11
Posted by Elaina on September 08 2009
As Mike officially said in the Rolling Stone Mag interview, he thinks it was written about Adrienne. She stays strong for what she believes in. Also, it goes with the album story itself, with Christian's thoughts of how she was, quote, "Last of the American Girls." 3/11
Posted by William on August 26 2009
Billie wrote this in admiration of his wife. "She makes enough to survive for a holiday of working class," - meaning that she doesn't sit around on her ass like most rock star wives. 4/11
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
This song was written by Billie Joe about Adrienne. In the story it is Christian singing about Gloria and admiring her ideals. (There is also a religion shot thrown in. "She is riding her bike like a fugitive of critical mass." I believe this line suggests that the church is chasing her because she in a non-believer and she has has a following). These are the reasons he loves her and follows her. "She's a hero for the lost cause," she fights for the underdog. She's a sucker for all the criminals breaking the laws," she believes in innocence. "She wears her overcoat for the coming of the nuclear winter," she is politically conscientious. He puts aside his ways of violence so that he can follow her methods. In his mind she is the one who can make the world better, it's up to her to end the evil and corruption, "She is one of a kind, she's the last of the American girls." 5/11
Posted by Francois Meyer on August 16 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song about his wife, Adrienne. It's basically about her and her personality. It's about how she stays true to her roots and beliefs and refuses to do what she is told to do by the government and society - "She's a runaway of the establishment incorporated / She won't cooperate well she's the last of the American girls". It's a lot like "She's A Rebel". In the story it's Christian's view of Gloria. 6/11
Posted by Nate on July 16 2009
The song speaks out against the general 'American Way.' Each verse has to do with a stereotype of a typical American, whether it is believing in conspiracies, an endless war, riding a bike because they are told to, etc. 7/11
Posted by Sam on June 07 2009
I think it is about Hurricane Catrina. "She's a natural disaster, she's the last of the American Girls." I think i've heard Billie Joe say that anyway, makes sense 8/11
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This is Christian’s take on Gloria, and her personality. He basically holds her to the highest regard, and praises her for everything she is, and he is not. “She's the last of the American girls.” He loves how she doesn’t “Cooperate” – and furthermore, he really looks up to her. She is his anchor. 9/11
Posted by Cat C on June 01 2009
I don't see this girl as being Gloria, but a metaphor for the last of the unselfish people in the modern world. This 'girl' is something of an icon - she takes an interest in current events, cares about other people, and has a rebellious streak in her which sets her apart from everybody else. The narrator is trying to explain how she is of a dying race in a world which is self-absorbed and materialistic. He wants more people to be inspired to be like her, to take action and not be aftaid of being different. 10/11
Posted by Lyndsey McNitt on May 27 2009
When I first read the song title for "Last Of The American Girls" I thought it was just another Adrienne song (which are all very good), well, it is partially about her and written for her, but it is also about a girl (probably the Gloria character) who is the last of the pure american girls. A rebel, a revolutionist, unique, and widely opptimistic, listening to her vinyl records singing songs on the Eve of Destruction, this girl, Adrienne or not, is awesome. 11/11
Last Of The American Girls
Posted by Cinthia Len Eckert on March 30 2010
This song was written by BillieJoe about Adrienne his beautiful wife. Adrienne is the "Last of the American Girls" because she cares about everyone "Sinners and Saints", she's nonjudgmental! Adrienne is passionate about not distroying the world we live in and she will not sit idle for what she believes in! Adrienne stays focused by enjoying the simple things in life and she is passionate about helping those less fortunate.
Posted by eastbaypunkluv¢¾ on October 26 2009
My interpretation of this song is that it is about Adrienne and how she is one of the few people left that do what they want to, that don't follow the pack. She doesn't sit around on her ass like a lot of rock star wives are doing now. Like billie joe once said, "If britteny spears painted her ass green, you would see a lot of green asses all around hollywood."
hes saying she isn't like that.
hes saying she isn't like that.
Posted by Elaina on September 08 2009
As Mike officially said in the Rolling Stone Mag interview, he thinks it was written about Adrienne. She stays strong for what she believes in. Also, it goes with the album story itself, with Christian's thoughts of how she was, quote, "Last of the American Girls."
Posted by William on August 26 2009
Billie wrote this in admiration of his wife. "She makes enough to survive for a holiday of working class," - meaning that she doesn't sit around on her ass like most rock star wives.
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
This song was written by Billie Joe about Adrienne. In the story it is Christian singing about Gloria and admiring her ideals. (There is also a religion shot thrown in. "She is riding her bike like a fugitive of critical mass." I believe this line suggests that the church is chasing her because she in a non-believer and she has has a following). These are the reasons he loves her and follows her. "She's a hero for the lost cause," she fights for the underdog. She's a sucker for all the criminals breaking the laws," she believes in innocence. "She wears her overcoat for the coming of the nuclear winter," she is politically conscientious. He puts aside his ways of violence so that he can follow her methods. In his mind she is the one who can make the world better, it's up to her to end the evil and corruption, "She is one of a kind, she's the last of the American girls."
Posted by Francois Meyer on August 16 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song about his wife, Adrienne. It's basically about her and her personality. It's about how she stays true to her roots and beliefs and refuses to do what she is told to do by the government and society - "She's a runaway of the establishment incorporated / She won't cooperate well she's the last of the American girls". It's a lot like "She's A Rebel". In the story it's Christian's view of Gloria.
Posted by Nate on July 16 2009
The song speaks out against the general 'American Way.' Each verse has to do with a stereotype of a typical American, whether it is believing in conspiracies, an endless war, riding a bike because they are told to, etc.
Posted by Sam on June 07 2009
I think it is about Hurricane Catrina. "She's a natural disaster, she's the last of the American Girls." I think i've heard Billie Joe say that anyway, makes sense
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This is Christian’s take on Gloria, and her personality. He basically holds her to the highest regard, and praises her for everything she is, and he is not. “She's the last of the American girls.” He loves how she doesn’t “Cooperate” – and furthermore, he really looks up to her. She is his anchor.
Posted by Cat C on June 01 2009
I don't see this girl as being Gloria, but a metaphor for the last of the unselfish people in the modern world. This 'girl' is something of an icon - she takes an interest in current events, cares about other people, and has a rebellious streak in her which sets her apart from everybody else. The narrator is trying to explain how she is of a dying race in a world which is self-absorbed and materialistic. He wants more people to be inspired to be like her, to take action and not be aftaid of being different.
Posted by Lyndsey McNitt on May 27 2009
When I first read the song title for "Last Of The American Girls" I thought it was just another Adrienne song (which are all very good), well, it is partially about her and written for her, but it is also about a girl (probably the Gloria character) who is the last of the pure american girls. A rebel, a revolutionist, unique, and widely opptimistic, listening to her vinyl records singing songs on the Eve of Destruction, this girl, Adrienne or not, is awesome.
At a recent concert, Billie Joe said that this song was about a shooting and riot that occured in Oakland and how he felt afterwards and the chaos that had ensued.
Posted by Will Clarke on September 15 2009
I was at the concert in San Jose, near Billie Joe's hometown, and he said that this song was written about the BART shooting that happened in Oakland, CA. 2/18
Posted by triscuits on September 06 2009
I think it's about Gloria, right before she runs away in Viva la Gloria Little Girl), and she's awake after a riot and she's saying she doesn't want to be a part of it or Christian's violent ways of doing everything anymore - "This demonstration of our anguish," - and she sees no point in trying anymore - "This empty laughter has NO reason." She also feels that no matter how hard they try they don't accomplish anything - "We've come so far we've been so wasted" ... "We are the last call and we're so pathetic." So I think this song is basically about her giving up. 3/18
Posted by DeAnna on August 28 2009
I remember Billie saying that he was out having a good time with friends - "We've come so far we've been so wasted" - when a shooting took place down the street. Thus "I'm wide awake after the riot." There was really nothing they could do. "I feel so useless in the murder city."Possibly with the increase in catastrophes in our nation, the U.S. could be one big murder city in comparison with the world. "Christian's crying in the bathroom" - like all the religious people in the world who are metaphorically sobbing right now.
4/18
Posted by Dylan on August 25 2009
There was a shooting in Oakland where an innocent man was killed on New Years day at about 2:00 in the morning by a member of the B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit) police. Hundreds of witnesses got cell phone videos of the entire incident. Later that day, riots broke out in the streets of Oakland. Billie Joe was walking down the street watching the riots and the aftermath of the riots when he wrote the song. When he says "I'm wide awake after the riot/ This demonstration of our anguish", he is talking about how and why the riot started; a lot of people were pissed off and sad, and they wanted to fight back against the injustice that had occurred. 5/18
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song about the L.A. riot a few years ago. This riot took place after a prisoner was shot. The cops said he was struggling and they had to shoot him. However it was clear that he was shot in the back. "This empty laughter has no reason." On the night of this riot Billie Joe, Mike, and Tre were out partying and drinking without knowing what was going on. He writes this saying how they should not have been laughing and partying when something like this is going on.It ties into the story as well. I believe it is told by Gloria. They just got back from a riot and someone was killed. She is a mess but is trying to be calm and cool. However she begins to realize at this point that her fight is failing. "We are the last call and we're so pathetic." She is at a point where she starts to think that there is nothing more she can do. Christian is not helping her at all. She wants someone to help her reason through these negative thoughts and give her hope.
But Christian is completely distraught and all he can do is cry in the bathroom. (This is also a use of double meaning. Christian faiths believe that by following God everything will be alright. When something bad happens they do nothing and wait for God to intervene and make everything better. Christian does nothing in this time of crisis.) Gloria's attitude says that she is desperate and the fight may be over. "Desperate, but not hopeless I feel so useless in the Murder City." There is only a small ounce of hope in her that she can change the corruption but the clock strikes midnight and she is running out of time.
6/18
Posted by lindsey on July 30 2009
for me its about being in a terrible place (murder city) useless, pathetic but having hope and drive to go on 7/18
Posted by Kenny on July 16 2009
I'm not sure but I think this song is about something that Gloria did to Christian. She murdered him. Not literally but metaphorically. She did something that broke his heart so he left her. Now they are both somewhat dead on the inside. They both feel like they have nothing, They feel like they no longer have a reason to live - "Desperate But not hopeless. I feel so useless in the murder city." "I'm wide awake after the riot." There was no real riot, just some sort of a fight between Christian and Gloria. Christian goes to a friend or something to try to feel better but he just gets hysterical - "Christian's cryin in the bathroom. And I just wanna bum a cigarette." 8/18
Posted by Alice on July 15 2009
This song to me is just showing how much of an independent and somewhat cold person Gloria can be, and what a mess Christian can be. "Christian's crying In the bathroom And I just want to Bum a cigarette." As their world changes Gloria is holding on to what she sees as her freedom and Christian is breaking down with the new age and has a hard time seeing anything worth holding on to. "We are the last call And we're so pathetic" Gloria makes it clear that their generation was needed to pick up the broken pieces left and is failing to do so. 9/18
Posted by Zero on June 06 2009
Murder City is also the nickname of Detroit, Michigan. On October 31st 2008 Billie Joe visited Detroit during Horrorcore Rap group Insane Clown Posse's annual Hallowicked Concert and was inspired by the Insane actions that took place in Detroit on Halloween.Source: http://www.faygoluvers.net/main/?name=Main&file=index&id=reviews/albums#greenday21cb
10/18
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song is about Christian’s insecurities, and how he feels worthless. This song is split up into two perspectives. The first part is Christian, as he stays awake after the riots not being able to sleep. - "I'm awake after the riots". He realizes he will never be as mobilized or as torch-bearing as Gloria. This also calls back to “Peacemaker” when he had a gun, and felt tough. But when push comes to shove, as they get deeper into the city, he realizes he is being overwhelmed by the evil and deceit that runs the city. Because of this, he feels useless, and wonders if anything he does makes a difference. This song also starts to show a crack in the couple's relationship, and this part of the song is from Gloria's perspective: – “Christian is crying in the bathroom, and I just want to bum a cigarette”. It shows that Christian is emotionally venerable here, and Gloria is having a tough time dealing with it. The song is more about Christian being helpless, but it also ties Gloria into it when she says “We are the last call, and we're so pathetic.” 11/18
Posted by Lance Pierce on June 04 2009
I don't think it's a CITY they're talking about I think it is the condition of society/America. I think this song is about living in post-Bush America with all the violence that is going on (the Murder City). I think that it is also saying that people are looking to Obama for like total reformation and we are very desperate for him to help but we don't fully know if he can get us out of this economical crisis (Desperate but not hopeless) and that the characters Christian and Gloria feel like they can't do a thing to help (I feel so useless in the Murder City/Christians crying in the bathroom). 12/18
Posted by Jeff on June 04 2009
This album, like American Idiot, tells an epic story and it is fucking awesome. The way i like to look at this part of the story is that Christian and Gloria were at some kind of riot fighting for what they've been talking about the whole album ("Im wide awake after the riot"), but something goes wrong and a person or persons get killed, friends of Gloria and Christian maybe, chaos ensues but Christian and Gloria manage to make it out alive and un-arrested and they return to their apartment, Gloria thoughtful and hysterical at the same time is who is singing the song I believee, and Christian is just hysterical ("Christian's crying in the bathroom"). I love American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown for the stories they tell it's exciting trying to put yourself in Billie, Mike, and Tre's shoes and trying to figure out what they wanna say and what kinda story they're trying to tell. 13/18
Posted by Lucky on June 03 2009
The alienated in this 'murder city' have rioted to show their dislike of the powers-that-be and the authorities. It also shows that they're not "desperate" or "helpless" enough to actually do things civilly. They are the last of their 'kind' in this place, and they're trying to get help or something, but they're too "pathetic" to do anything that will really aid their cause. 14/18
Posted by ....... on June 02 2009
Christian has been a killer now for awhile but feels so stupid because there are so many people like him around him, he loses his sense of originality and questions his friends/occupation/life. 15/18
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
I think this is a reference to the state of the Nation (The United States of America) today. Telling that while the economy is desperate, it is neither hopeless nor helpless. 16/18
Posted by Lydia on May 27 2009
billie joe wrote this song after he and mike and tre went out for the night in downtown oakland, after there had been a police shooting due to riots in the area. he later said the atmosphere was "picturesque, you could see these blowing newspapers around...it was like there was a ghost or something like that... and we were just out getting hammered so there was this strange contradiction going on." 17/18
Posted by Michael Sabares on May 27 2009
"no one" is feeling the effects of the manipulation, the abused power and so on)this represents the murder city). he feels thats no matter how hard he fight its useless and he has this big burden to fight back. 18/18
Murder City
Posted by green day fan on November 30 2009
At a recent concert, Billie Joe said that this song was about a shooting and riot that occured in Oakland and how he felt afterwards and the chaos that had ensued.
Posted by Will Clarke on September 15 2009
I was at the concert in San Jose, near Billie Joe's hometown, and he said that this song was written about the BART shooting that happened in Oakland, CA.
Posted by triscuits on September 06 2009
I think it's about Gloria, right before she runs away in Viva la Gloria Little Girl), and she's awake after a riot and she's saying she doesn't want to be a part of it or Christian's violent ways of doing everything anymore - "This demonstration of our anguish," - and she sees no point in trying anymore - "This empty laughter has NO reason." She also feels that no matter how hard they try they don't accomplish anything - "We've come so far we've been so wasted" ... "We are the last call and we're so pathetic." So I think this song is basically about her giving up.
Posted by DeAnna on August 28 2009
I remember Billie saying that he was out having a good time with friends - "We've come so far we've been so wasted" - when a shooting took place down the street. Thus "I'm wide awake after the riot." There was really nothing they could do. "I feel so useless in the murder city."
Possibly with the increase in catastrophes in our nation, the U.S. could be one big murder city in comparison with the world. "Christian's crying in the bathroom" - like all the religious people in the world who are metaphorically sobbing right now.
Possibly with the increase in catastrophes in our nation, the U.S. could be one big murder city in comparison with the world. "Christian's crying in the bathroom" - like all the religious people in the world who are metaphorically sobbing right now.
Posted by Dylan on August 25 2009
There was a shooting in Oakland where an innocent man was killed on New Years day at about 2:00 in the morning by a member of the B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit) police. Hundreds of witnesses got cell phone videos of the entire incident. Later that day, riots broke out in the streets of Oakland. Billie Joe was walking down the street watching the riots and the aftermath of the riots when he wrote the song. When he says "I'm wide awake after the riot/ This demonstration of our anguish", he is talking about how and why the riot started; a lot of people were pissed off and sad, and they wanted to fight back against the injustice that had occurred.
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song about the L.A. riot a few years ago. This riot took place after a prisoner was shot. The cops said he was struggling and they had to shoot him. However it was clear that he was shot in the back. "This empty laughter has no reason." On the night of this riot Billie Joe, Mike, and Tre were out partying and drinking without knowing what was going on. He writes this saying how they should not have been laughing and partying when something like this is going on.
It ties into the story as well. I believe it is told by Gloria. They just got back from a riot and someone was killed. She is a mess but is trying to be calm and cool. However she begins to realize at this point that her fight is failing. "We are the last call and we're so pathetic." She is at a point where she starts to think that there is nothing more she can do. Christian is not helping her at all. She wants someone to help her reason through these negative thoughts and give her hope.
But Christian is completely distraught and all he can do is cry in the bathroom. (This is also a use of double meaning. Christian faiths believe that by following God everything will be alright. When something bad happens they do nothing and wait for God to intervene and make everything better. Christian does nothing in this time of crisis.) Gloria's attitude says that she is desperate and the fight may be over. "Desperate, but not hopeless I feel so useless in the Murder City." There is only a small ounce of hope in her that she can change the corruption but the clock strikes midnight and she is running out of time.
It ties into the story as well. I believe it is told by Gloria. They just got back from a riot and someone was killed. She is a mess but is trying to be calm and cool. However she begins to realize at this point that her fight is failing. "We are the last call and we're so pathetic." She is at a point where she starts to think that there is nothing more she can do. Christian is not helping her at all. She wants someone to help her reason through these negative thoughts and give her hope.
But Christian is completely distraught and all he can do is cry in the bathroom. (This is also a use of double meaning. Christian faiths believe that by following God everything will be alright. When something bad happens they do nothing and wait for God to intervene and make everything better. Christian does nothing in this time of crisis.) Gloria's attitude says that she is desperate and the fight may be over. "Desperate, but not hopeless I feel so useless in the Murder City." There is only a small ounce of hope in her that she can change the corruption but the clock strikes midnight and she is running out of time.
Posted by lindsey on July 30 2009
for me its about being in a terrible place (murder city) useless, pathetic but having hope and drive to go on
Posted by Kenny on July 16 2009
I'm not sure but I think this song is about something that Gloria did to Christian. She murdered him. Not literally but metaphorically. She did something that broke his heart so he left her. Now they are both somewhat dead on the inside. They both feel like they have nothing, They feel like they no longer have a reason to live - "Desperate But not hopeless. I feel so useless in the murder city." "I'm wide awake after the riot." There was no real riot, just some sort of a fight between Christian and Gloria. Christian goes to a friend or something to try to feel better but he just gets hysterical - "Christian's cryin in the bathroom. And I just wanna bum a cigarette."
Posted by Alice on July 15 2009
This song to me is just showing how much of an independent and somewhat cold person Gloria can be, and what a mess Christian can be. "Christian's crying In the bathroom And I just want to Bum a cigarette." As their world changes Gloria is holding on to what she sees as her freedom and Christian is breaking down with the new age and has a hard time seeing anything worth holding on to. "We are the last call And we're so pathetic" Gloria makes it clear that their generation was needed to pick up the broken pieces left and is failing to do so.
Posted by Zero on June 06 2009
Murder City is also the nickname of Detroit, Michigan. On October 31st 2008 Billie Joe visited Detroit during Horrorcore Rap group Insane Clown Posse's annual Hallowicked Concert and was inspired by the Insane actions that took place in Detroit on Halloween.
Source: http://www.faygoluvers.net/main/?name=Main&file=index&id=reviews/albums#greenday21cb
Source: http://www.faygoluvers.net/main/?name=Main&file=index&id=reviews/albums#greenday21cb
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This song is about Christian’s insecurities, and how he feels worthless. This song is split up into two perspectives. The first part is Christian, as he stays awake after the riots not being able to sleep. - "I'm awake after the riots". He realizes he will never be as mobilized or as torch-bearing as Gloria. This also calls back to “Peacemaker” when he had a gun, and felt tough. But when push comes to shove, as they get deeper into the city, he realizes he is being overwhelmed by the evil and deceit that runs the city. Because of this, he feels useless, and wonders if anything he does makes a difference. This song also starts to show a crack in the couple's relationship, and this part of the song is from Gloria's perspective: – “Christian is crying in the bathroom, and I just want to bum a cigarette”. It shows that Christian is emotionally venerable here, and Gloria is having a tough time dealing with it. The song is more about Christian being helpless, but it also ties Gloria into it when she says “We are the last call, and we're so pathetic.”
Posted by Lance Pierce on June 04 2009
I don't think it's a CITY they're talking about I think it is the condition of society/America. I think this song is about living in post-Bush America with all the violence that is going on (the Murder City). I think that it is also saying that people are looking to Obama for like total reformation and we are very desperate for him to help but we don't fully know if he can get us out of this economical crisis (Desperate but not hopeless) and that the characters Christian and Gloria feel like they can't do a thing to help (I feel so useless in the Murder City/Christians crying in the bathroom).
Posted by Jeff on June 04 2009
This album, like American Idiot, tells an epic story and it is fucking awesome. The way i like to look at this part of the story is that Christian and Gloria were at some kind of riot fighting for what they've been talking about the whole album ("Im wide awake after the riot"), but something goes wrong and a person or persons get killed, friends of Gloria and Christian maybe, chaos ensues but Christian and Gloria manage to make it out alive and un-arrested and they return to their apartment, Gloria thoughtful and hysterical at the same time is who is singing the song I believee, and Christian is just hysterical ("Christian's crying in the bathroom"). I love American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown for the stories they tell it's exciting trying to put yourself in Billie, Mike, and Tre's shoes and trying to figure out what they wanna say and what kinda story they're trying to tell.
Posted by Lucky on June 03 2009
The alienated in this 'murder city' have rioted to show their dislike of the powers-that-be and the authorities. It also shows that they're not "desperate" or "helpless" enough to actually do things civilly. They are the last of their 'kind' in this place, and they're trying to get help or something, but they're too "pathetic" to do anything that will really aid their cause.
Posted by ....... on June 02 2009
Christian has been a killer now for awhile but feels so stupid because there are so many people like him around him, he loses his sense of originality and questions his friends/occupation/life.
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
I think this is a reference to the state of the Nation (The United States of America) today. Telling that while the economy is desperate, it is neither hopeless nor helpless.
Posted by Lydia on May 27 2009
billie joe wrote this song after he and mike and tre went out for the night in downtown oakland, after there had been a police shooting due to riots in the area. he later said the atmosphere was "picturesque, you could see these blowing newspapers around...it was like there was a ghost or something like that... and we were just out getting hammered so there was this strange contradiction going on."
Posted by Michael Sabares on May 27 2009
"no one" is feeling the effects of the manipulation, the abused power and so on)this represents the murder city). he feels thats no matter how hard he fight its useless and he has this big burden to fight back.
I think it's right after Christian and Gloria separate and Gloria is all drugged up and Christian singing to her. Christian starts to see that Gloria isn't the person he thought she was (So unholy sister of grace), and he's being kinda sarcastic. You can kinda tell with some of the lyrics and the kinda circus sounding music that it's him being sarcastic (Little Girl why are you crying??).
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
The girl who was once so strong and made Christian proud in ¡Viva La Gloria! has turned to drugs and is trying to run away, but she's become so messed up that she can't. Christian is starting to wonder if she really is who he thought she was ("you dirty liar, you're just a junkie preaching to the choir"). She just wants him to tell her that he still loves her, but he's only sarcastic and asks her why she's crying. He tells her to run away, and in the end calls her "so unholy, sister of grace". 2/17
Posted by Rachel on August 25 2009
It's about someone being an addict to drugs and the narrator of the song is their conscience, being sarcastic about running away from it all - "and find yourself with your face in the gutter" - basically saying don't try and run away - it's not going to help anything.There's a lot of sarcasm and it seems as though the narrator is mocking her and saying exactly what she doesn't want to hear.
3/17
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
This song is told by Christian. He is mocking Gloria. "Runaway from the river to the street and find yourself with your face in the gutter." Obviously you can tell that Gloria has done something wrong, or else why would Christian, her love, taunt her like this. At this point everyone has abandoned Gloria except Christian. "The charlatans and saints of your abandon." Everyone, even the saints have left her. "The sky is falling," references Before the Lobotomy, "When the sky is falling down it burned your dreams into the ground." This suggests that her dream of fighting the system with her activism has completely failed now. Christian states that she has betrayed him. Finally we find out the cause for the shots against her. "You dirty liar, you're just a junkie preaching to the choir." She has been discovered using drugs and this has distorted her views. She was discovered because of the "traces of blood" that follow her home. Christian was destroyed by the riot in Murder City and now that Gloria has corrupted her views he realizes that his holding back from killing and burning for Gloria's ways was all for nothing. She runs away and he leaves her. 4/17
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Christian has come to realise that Gloria is cheating on him, and she knows this, as evidenced in 'Murder City'. After what could have been days of tension, Christian, in a drug fuelled rage, finally snaps and psychologically assaults her, taunting her and effectively kicking her out. He feels betrayed, but at the same time is consumed by self loathing, and he cannot take the fact that Gloria, the one person he had left to believe in, has lost faith in him. She departs and he is left alone and shattered. 5/17
Posted by Kenny on July 16 2009
To make sense of this you'll probably have to read the meaning i made for Murder City.Gloria realizes what she did and how stupid she was. Now she can't forgive herself. She wants to punish herself - "Little one, little one Your soul is purging Of love and razor blades. Your blood is surging."
"The traces of blood Always follow you home Like the mascara tears From your getaway. You're walking with blisters And running with shears So unholy Sister of grace." This makes it sound like she really killed him. But she didnt literally kill him.
She just feels terrible and she's crying.
6/17
Posted by SpeedDemon on June 08 2009
This song is about an idealist corrupted by an addiction to prescription drugs (Gloria, "A dirty liar, filthy junkie"). When she is found out she is so embarrassed she runs away. 7/17
Posted by Pyro on June 06 2009
I think in some way this could be interpreted like the part of the album when gloria and christian are fighting or, in a way, separating from each other. It gives me the feeling that this song is narrated by christian talking about/to gloria. 8/17
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Surprise surprise, Gloria isn't as pure as Christian thought, as this song reveals that she is a drug addict and a wreck underneath all what Christian first saw in her. Christian now has doubts about her – as his whole life has been full of lies and deceit. Not necessarily Gloria’s fault, but Christian really held her up as inspiration, and she was the perfection that he was not. This song also serves as a “conscience” piece, as Gloria is starting to fall apart, and feel guilty for what she is doing. “Little girl little girl, you dirty liar, you’re just a junkie preaching to the choir.” “Runaway, to your lost tranquility, and find yourself with your face in the gutter.” 9/17
Posted by XxVivaLaLostXx on June 02 2009
I think it's about Gloria lying to herself to get her through all the confusion and current state of America. Like, she tells herself that there is still hope, but inside she feels like giving up and running away from it all, however she can never bring herself to do so. 10/17
Posted by Tawni Ann on June 02 2009
It seems like this song is about Christian and Gloria's demise as a couple. Something happened, and Christian has left her. She is depressed and sad ("Why are you crying...love and razor blades..."). She is being told she has her life to live but she still loves Christians. The lines "Little Girl, you dirty liar" and "Your bloodshot eyesWill show your heart of treason"lead me to believe that 1) Gloria cheated on him and he found out or 2) he doesn't believe in her ideals and they seem false to him.Towards the end of the song it seems like Christian is just bashing her and calling her names and saying how wrong she is. At then end she doesn't have anyone anymore.
11/17
Posted by Greengirl18 on June 01 2009
To me this song is talking about someone (Gloria) running away from her demons. Trying to get away from the things that cause pain/are caused by pain. This is basically the negative force in the album calling out to Gloria. 12/17
Posted by Greengirl18 on June 01 2009
To me this song is talking about someone (Gloria) running away from her demons. Trying to get away from the things that cause pain/are caused by pain. This is basically the negative force in the album calling out to Gloria. 13/17
Posted by KC on June 01 2009
I think this song is about a girl who lies about herself to get people to feel sorry for her but she ends up getting caught up in all the lies and people find out. 14/17
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's about someone who has a drug addiction."Viva La Gloria! is about someone who has a vision, but this person is distorting this vision with drugs and self-destruction." Billie Joe Armstrong
15/17
Posted by Topekachu on May 26 2009
Taken in context with the whole story of the album, Little Girl seems to be the negative forces (think the perspective of Peacemaker) trying to talk Gloria back into being on their side rather than continuing life rebelling against them (lyric: There is no place like home). It also sounds like Gloria was actually a part of "them" before she turned away (lyric: So unholy/Sister of Grace). 16/17
Posted by Sandra on May 26 2009
Billie Joe said in an interview that this song is about the dark side of Gloria... he said "everybody has their own demons" 17/17
¿Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)
Posted by Richie on October 28 2009
I think it's right after Christian and Gloria separate and Gloria is all drugged up and Christian singing to her. Christian starts to see that Gloria isn't the person he thought she was (So unholy sister of grace), and he's being kinda sarcastic. You can kinda tell with some of the lyrics and the kinda circus sounding music that it's him being sarcastic (Little Girl why are you crying??).
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
The girl who was once so strong and made Christian proud in ¡Viva La Gloria! has turned to drugs and is trying to run away, but she's become so messed up that she can't. Christian is starting to wonder if she really is who he thought she was ("you dirty liar, you're just a junkie preaching to the choir"). She just wants him to tell her that he still loves her, but he's only sarcastic and asks her why she's crying. He tells her to run away, and in the end calls her "so unholy, sister of grace".
Posted by Rachel on August 25 2009
It's about someone being an addict to drugs and the narrator of the song is their conscience, being sarcastic about running away from it all - "and find yourself with your face in the gutter" - basically saying don't try and run away - it's not going to help anything.
There's a lot of sarcasm and it seems as though the narrator is mocking her and saying exactly what she doesn't want to hear.
There's a lot of sarcasm and it seems as though the narrator is mocking her and saying exactly what she doesn't want to hear.
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
This song is told by Christian. He is mocking Gloria. "Runaway from the river to the street and find yourself with your face in the gutter." Obviously you can tell that Gloria has done something wrong, or else why would Christian, her love, taunt her like this. At this point everyone has abandoned Gloria except Christian. "The charlatans and saints of your abandon." Everyone, even the saints have left her. "The sky is falling," references Before the Lobotomy, "When the sky is falling down it burned your dreams into the ground." This suggests that her dream of fighting the system with her activism has completely failed now. Christian states that she has betrayed him. Finally we find out the cause for the shots against her. "You dirty liar, you're just a junkie preaching to the choir." She has been discovered using drugs and this has distorted her views. She was discovered because of the "traces of blood" that follow her home. Christian was destroyed by the riot in Murder City and now that Gloria has corrupted her views he realizes that his holding back from killing and burning for Gloria's ways was all for nothing. She runs away and he leaves her.
Posted by Boone on July 17 2009
Christian has come to realise that Gloria is cheating on him, and she knows this, as evidenced in 'Murder City'. After what could have been days of tension, Christian, in a drug fuelled rage, finally snaps and psychologically assaults her, taunting her and effectively kicking her out. He feels betrayed, but at the same time is consumed by self loathing, and he cannot take the fact that Gloria, the one person he had left to believe in, has lost faith in him. She departs and he is left alone and shattered.
Posted by Kenny on July 16 2009
To make sense of this you'll probably have to read the meaning i made for Murder City.
Gloria realizes what she did and how stupid she was. Now she can't forgive herself. She wants to punish herself - "Little one, little one Your soul is purging Of love and razor blades. Your blood is surging."
"The traces of blood Always follow you home Like the mascara tears From your getaway. You're walking with blisters And running with shears So unholy Sister of grace." This makes it sound like she really killed him. But she didnt literally kill him.
She just feels terrible and she's crying.
Gloria realizes what she did and how stupid she was. Now she can't forgive herself. She wants to punish herself - "Little one, little one Your soul is purging Of love and razor blades. Your blood is surging."
"The traces of blood Always follow you home Like the mascara tears From your getaway. You're walking with blisters And running with shears So unholy Sister of grace." This makes it sound like she really killed him. But she didnt literally kill him.
She just feels terrible and she's crying.
Posted by SpeedDemon on June 08 2009
This song is about an idealist corrupted by an addiction to prescription drugs (Gloria, "A dirty liar, filthy junkie"). When she is found out she is so embarrassed she runs away.
Posted by Pyro on June 06 2009
I think in some way this could be interpreted like the part of the album when gloria and christian are fighting or, in a way, separating from each other. It gives me the feeling that this song is narrated by christian talking about/to gloria.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Surprise surprise, Gloria isn't as pure as Christian thought, as this song reveals that she is a drug addict and a wreck underneath all what Christian first saw in her. Christian now has doubts about her – as his whole life has been full of lies and deceit. Not necessarily Gloria’s fault, but Christian really held her up as inspiration, and she was the perfection that he was not. This song also serves as a “conscience” piece, as Gloria is starting to fall apart, and feel guilty for what she is doing. “Little girl little girl, you dirty liar, you’re just a junkie preaching to the choir.” “Runaway, to your lost tranquility, and find yourself with your face in the gutter.”
Posted by XxVivaLaLostXx on June 02 2009
I think it's about Gloria lying to herself to get her through all the confusion and current state of America. Like, she tells herself that there is still hope, but inside she feels like giving up and running away from it all, however she can never bring herself to do so.
Posted by Tawni Ann on June 02 2009
It seems like this song is about Christian and Gloria's demise as a couple. Something happened, and Christian has left her. She is depressed and sad ("Why are you crying...love and razor blades..."). She is being told she has her life to live but she still loves Christians. The lines "Little Girl, you dirty liar" and "Your bloodshot eyes
Will show your heart of treason"lead me to believe that 1) Gloria cheated on him and he found out or 2) he doesn't believe in her ideals and they seem false to him.Towards the end of the song it seems like Christian is just bashing her and calling her names and saying how wrong she is. At then end she doesn't have anyone anymore.
Will show your heart of treason"lead me to believe that 1) Gloria cheated on him and he found out or 2) he doesn't believe in her ideals and they seem false to him.Towards the end of the song it seems like Christian is just bashing her and calling her names and saying how wrong she is. At then end she doesn't have anyone anymore.
Posted by Greengirl18 on June 01 2009
To me this song is talking about someone (Gloria) running away from her demons. Trying to get away from the things that cause pain/are caused by pain. This is basically the negative force in the album calling out to Gloria.
Posted by Greengirl18 on June 01 2009
To me this song is talking about someone (Gloria) running away from her demons. Trying to get away from the things that cause pain/are caused by pain. This is basically the negative force in the album calling out to Gloria.
Posted by KC on June 01 2009
I think this song is about a girl who lies about herself to get people to feel sorry for her but she ends up getting caught up in all the lies and people find out.
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's about someone who has a drug addiction.
"Viva La Gloria! is about someone who has a vision, but this person is distorting this vision with drugs and self-destruction." Billie Joe Armstrong
"Viva La Gloria! is about someone who has a vision, but this person is distorting this vision with drugs and self-destruction." Billie Joe Armstrong
Posted by Topekachu on May 26 2009
Taken in context with the whole story of the album, Little Girl seems to be the negative forces (think the perspective of Peacemaker) trying to talk Gloria back into being on their side rather than continuing life rebelling against them (lyric: There is no place like home). It also sounds like Gloria was actually a part of "them" before she turned away (lyric: So unholy/Sister of Grace).
Posted by Sandra on May 26 2009
Billie Joe said in an interview that this song is about the dark side of Gloria... he said "everybody has their own demons"
This song eloquently describes the experience of addiction to prescription drugs.
Posted by billiejoeischrist on February 28 2010
It’s Christian and Gloria both singing different lyrics - Christian and Gloria have split up. Gloria is sad and Christian's angry. She's drugged up and alone. Christian isn't ready to forgive her yet. 2/16
Posted by sammuellina on February 09 2010
i think it's about realizing that your only enemy is yourself. 3/16
Posted by Richie on October 28 2009
This song I feel is about Gloria. She's all alone and she's addicted to drugs, and all she can think about is Christian and how she needs him. She wants to run away, and she refers to her drug problem as a really bad disease. 4/16
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
After "Viva la Gloria?" we find the character Gloria abandoned by everyone as she has run away from the fact that she has corrupted herself with drugs. Now that she is alone she finally gives herself a confession. She admits that she has taken drugs to deal with the pressure. "I've got a really bad disease, its got me begging on my hands and knees." This disease could be the fight that she is waging and losing. (Song of the Century) "Tell me a story into that goodnight, waging a war and losing the fight." I believe this is the fact that haunts Gloria. She can no longer deal with being "the light that shadows in the night." She just now realizes that she has destroyed her values with the drugs she took to escape this pressure. She has become a victim of her symptom and the system and she knows she has become her own worst enemy.The song also attacks pharmaceutical companies for giving people the drugs that make them junkies. Finally it warns people not to let drugs or anything else change who you are or you will become your own worst enemy.
5/16
Posted by Mitch on June 06 2009
i think this song is about Christian's feelings after he and Gloria have had a terrible fight. "Somebody take the pain away" He still loves Gloria, but Gloria doesn't have the same feelings for him anymore. The "really bad disease" is his undying love for Gloria. He feels so bad that he doesn't have her anymore he turns to drugs (probably prescription drugs) to make him forget. Billie Joe sings "Know Your Enemy" in this song too, That enemy could be love or Gloria. Gloria has gone back to the Majority instead of continuing to rebel with Christian, "You're a victim of the system" The line "you are your own worst enemy" is referring to the fact that Gloria has a weak mind because she was easily taken in by "the system" 6/16
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Drugs are affecting both characters destructively at this point. “ I got this really bad disease, it has me begging on my hands and knees. Please take me to Emergency”. “I’m elated, medicated”. They are both mad at each other and split angrily. This song acts as the big revelation in the story, and calls back to “Know Your Enemy”. The twist is that they are their own worst enemy. This whole time they were trying to fight deceit – yet they were deceiving themselves. “I'm a victim of my symptom, I am my own worst enemy, You're a victim of your symptom, You are your own worst enemy – Know Your Enemy”. As a result both characters finally realize who their enemy is (their destructiveness and the drugs they take). Unlike the last act, this one ends in a negative theme – and serves as the protagonist “lowest points”. Restless Heart is also a stab at the pharmaceutical companies, who now seem to prescribe you drugs for whatever “ails you”. 7/16
Posted by Tawni Ann on June 02 2009
(read my idea of ?Viva La Gloria? if this doesn't make sense)I think this song is about Gloria after Christian is gone. She feels like she's dying cause she doesn't have him anymore. She realizes the it's the system that downfalls everything, the government. She gets addicted to drugs to replace the feelings she had for Christian and because she's depressed about the government and all the shit going on around her. She sees a lot of other people in the same kinda of situation and relates hers to their. 8/16
Posted by Greengirl18 on June 01 2009
This song is about drugs and addiction to drugs. In the story about Christian's addiction to drugs. But beyond this, the song is about pain. "Ive got a really bad disease" can fit in with cutting or depression as well as drug addiction. It could also be feeling that you have something wrong with you and needing to numb this pain by doing drugs. Part of the song is about needing to get away from addiction to drugs/cutting/alcohol with the lyrics "Lord knows I tried to find a way to run away". Towards the end of the song, Billie starts singing the lyrics "I am my own worst enemy" and "You are your own worst enemy" and at the point where he says "Know your enemy" there is this climatic guitar part. This part of the song to me sort of depicts things going off the edge or falling apart, the world sort of in catastrophe and not being able to stop yourself from doing drugs/cutting/alcohol. Obviously the line "Know your enemy" has significance here because it's highlighting the fact that both the drugs/blade/bottle and yourself are to blame for pain.From what i've heard, overall this song is sort of blaming the pharmacutical companies for drug addiction to prescription drugs and such; as well as telling of Christian's struggles.
9/16
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's about drugs; how anyone can become a junkie if they get the right prescription, or by any other means. 10/16
Posted by Jessie on May 27 2009
As someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder, this song speaks volumes to me. To me, this song is about someone who is suffering from a problem, and this person is trying to get rid of that problem through drugs, and other means. Personally, i don't abuse drugs, however, i do know what it feels like to try and find any means to numb the pain you're experiencing. To me, this song is about acknowledging what it is that is wrong with you, regardless of what that problem may be, and learning that the only person who came overcome that problem is yourself. 11/16
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
I think "Restless Heart Syndrome" is about the pharmaceutical companies actually causing many people to develop drug addictions. In the magazine "Q", Billie Joe said this about the song - "It's about pharmaceuticals. A lot of people become junkies if they get the right prescription" 12/16
Posted by Camillekaze on May 27 2009
In context of the story, this song refers to the character's broken heart and how he allows himself to be crippled by his self-pity. It also alludes to America's need to solve all problems with a "quick-fix" or medication. America is addicted to medication and pharmaceutical companies will keep finding "illness" (like Restless Leg Syndrome) that need cures. The speaker in this song takes on the role of the ill saying that he has a disease that can't be cured which propels him into deeper despair but acknowledges that everyone is sick in some way. 13/16
Posted by Topekachu on May 26 2009
This song is all about what your heart wants and what you think the world wants from you. "You are your own worst enemy" if you let the world create you and if you let everyone else's thoughts and opinions destroy who you are as a person. 14/16
Posted by Mike on May 26 2009
This song attacks the pharmaceutical industry, and how many people become addicted to over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs and things that they find in their parents' cabinets. 15/16
Posted by Maria on May 26 2009
Its about being depressed and just wanting to get away from it all.It's about trying to run away from your problems and feeling like everything's caving in on you. Billie's said that it's about people being hooked on perscription drugs. 16/16
Restless Heart Syndrome
Posted by sonomadoc on April 30 2010
This song eloquently describes the experience of addiction to prescription drugs.
Posted by billiejoeischrist on February 28 2010
It’s Christian and Gloria both singing different lyrics - Christian and Gloria have split up. Gloria is sad and Christian's angry. She's drugged up and alone. Christian isn't ready to forgive her yet.
Posted by sammuellina on February 09 2010
i think it's about realizing that your only enemy is yourself.
Posted by Richie on October 28 2009
This song I feel is about Gloria. She's all alone and she's addicted to drugs, and all she can think about is Christian and how she needs him. She wants to run away, and she refers to her drug problem as a really bad disease.
Posted by Sparks on August 21 2009
After "Viva la Gloria?" we find the character Gloria abandoned by everyone as she has run away from the fact that she has corrupted herself with drugs. Now that she is alone she finally gives herself a confession. She admits that she has taken drugs to deal with the pressure. "I've got a really bad disease, its got me begging on my hands and knees." This disease could be the fight that she is waging and losing. (Song of the Century) "Tell me a story into that goodnight, waging a war and losing the fight." I believe this is the fact that haunts Gloria. She can no longer deal with being "the light that shadows in the night." She just now realizes that she has destroyed her values with the drugs she took to escape this pressure. She has become a victim of her symptom and the system and she knows she has become her own worst enemy.
The song also attacks pharmaceutical companies for giving people the drugs that make them junkies. Finally it warns people not to let drugs or anything else change who you are or you will become your own worst enemy.
The song also attacks pharmaceutical companies for giving people the drugs that make them junkies. Finally it warns people not to let drugs or anything else change who you are or you will become your own worst enemy.
Posted by Mitch on June 06 2009
i think this song is about Christian's feelings after he and Gloria have had a terrible fight. "Somebody take the pain away" He still loves Gloria, but Gloria doesn't have the same feelings for him anymore. The "really bad disease" is his undying love for Gloria. He feels so bad that he doesn't have her anymore he turns to drugs (probably prescription drugs) to make him forget. Billie Joe sings "Know Your Enemy" in this song too, That enemy could be love or Gloria. Gloria has gone back to the Majority instead of continuing to rebel with Christian, "You're a victim of the system" The line "you are your own worst enemy" is referring to the fact that Gloria has a weak mind because she was easily taken in by "the system"
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Drugs are affecting both characters destructively at this point. “ I got this really bad disease, it has me begging on my hands and knees. Please take me to Emergency”. “I’m elated, medicated”. They are both mad at each other and split angrily. This song acts as the big revelation in the story, and calls back to “Know Your Enemy”. The twist is that they are their own worst enemy. This whole time they were trying to fight deceit – yet they were deceiving themselves. “I'm a victim of my symptom, I am my own worst enemy, You're a victim of your symptom, You are your own worst enemy – Know Your Enemy”. As a result both characters finally realize who their enemy is (their destructiveness and the drugs they take). Unlike the last act, this one ends in a negative theme – and serves as the protagonist “lowest points”. Restless Heart is also a stab at the pharmaceutical companies, who now seem to prescribe you drugs for whatever “ails you”.
Posted by Tawni Ann on June 02 2009
(read my idea of ?Viva La Gloria? if this doesn't make sense)I think this song is about Gloria after Christian is gone. She feels like she's dying cause she doesn't have him anymore. She realizes the it's the system that downfalls everything, the government. She gets addicted to drugs to replace the feelings she had for Christian and because she's depressed about the government and all the shit going on around her. She sees a lot of other people in the same kinda of situation and relates hers to their.
Posted by Greengirl18 on June 01 2009
This song is about drugs and addiction to drugs. In the story about Christian's addiction to drugs. But beyond this, the song is about pain. "Ive got a really bad disease" can fit in with cutting or depression as well as drug addiction. It could also be feeling that you have something wrong with you and needing to numb this pain by doing drugs. Part of the song is about needing to get away from addiction to drugs/cutting/alcohol with the lyrics "Lord knows I tried to find a way to run away". Towards the end of the song, Billie starts singing the lyrics "I am my own worst enemy" and "You are your own worst enemy" and at the point where he says "Know your enemy" there is this climatic guitar part. This part of the song to me sort of depicts things going off the edge or falling apart, the world sort of in catastrophe and not being able to stop yourself from doing drugs/cutting/alcohol. Obviously the line "Know your enemy" has significance here because it's highlighting the fact that both the drugs/blade/bottle and yourself are to blame for pain.
From what i've heard, overall this song is sort of blaming the pharmacutical companies for drug addiction to prescription drugs and such; as well as telling of Christian's struggles.
From what i've heard, overall this song is sort of blaming the pharmacutical companies for drug addiction to prescription drugs and such; as well as telling of Christian's struggles.
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's about drugs; how anyone can become a junkie if they get the right prescription, or by any other means.
Posted by Jessie on May 27 2009
As someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder, this song speaks volumes to me. To me, this song is about someone who is suffering from a problem, and this person is trying to get rid of that problem through drugs, and other means. Personally, i don't abuse drugs, however, i do know what it feels like to try and find any means to numb the pain you're experiencing. To me, this song is about acknowledging what it is that is wrong with you, regardless of what that problem may be, and learning that the only person who came overcome that problem is yourself.
Posted by None of Your Business on May 27 2009
I think "Restless Heart Syndrome" is about the pharmaceutical companies actually causing many people to develop drug addictions. In the magazine "Q", Billie Joe said this about the song - "It's about pharmaceuticals. A lot of people become junkies if they get the right prescription"
Posted by Camillekaze on May 27 2009
In context of the story, this song refers to the character's broken heart and how he allows himself to be crippled by his self-pity. It also alludes to America's need to solve all problems with a "quick-fix" or medication. America is addicted to medication and pharmaceutical companies will keep finding "illness" (like Restless Leg Syndrome) that need cures. The speaker in this song takes on the role of the ill saying that he has a disease that can't be cured which propels him into deeper despair but acknowledges that everyone is sick in some way.
Posted by Topekachu on May 26 2009
This song is all about what your heart wants and what you think the world wants from you. "You are your own worst enemy" if you let the world create you and if you let everyone else's thoughts and opinions destroy who you are as a person.
Posted by Mike on May 26 2009
This song attacks the pharmaceutical industry, and how many people become addicted to over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs and things that they find in their parents' cabinets.
Posted by Maria on May 26 2009
Its about being depressed and just wanting to get away from it all.It's about trying to run away from your problems and feeling like everything's caving in on you. Billie's said that it's about people being hooked on perscription drugs.
This is about Gloria Finding Christian being more destroyed than she ever was, and he tells her too fuck off, saying that he will destroy anything she will ever try to make, but in the end, he is still loving her.
Posted by mel on November 02 2009
i think the meaning of this song is that christian and gloria are fed up of being second best to everything and feel that even if they try their best its just not good enough 2/36
Posted by Scott R. on September 26 2009
My interpretation is more from Billie's perspective, rather than Christian's. I think this song is about being fed up with everything that is going on in the country. The corruption, the lies, the reccession, and really setting out to do something yourself about it...and no one is going to get in your way, not even Gloria. 3/36
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
My take on this song is that it's actually Gloria singing to Christian. His reaction to her taking drugs in ¿Viva La Gloria? [Little Girl] has made her realise that she's made a mistake and she isn't going to let him fuck her around anymore. She sings "well you missed me, kissed me now you better kick me down" which maybe refers to how much he loved her at first and then decided to kick her down once she started on drugs. She's still pretty messed up, but she proves that she hasn't forgotten the person she once was with the "G-L-O-R-I-A" at the end. 4/36
Posted by Sparks on September 19 2009
Christian was going along with Gloria's methods for a long time. He believed in her and her ideals and thought that she was the one who could make a difference. He stopped his urge to burn down what didn't work. But Gloria has destroyed herself and corrupted her ideals with her drug use. They have both come to that realization. Christian abandoned her but he is back in a rage. If she failed then her cause is over and it's time to start the inferno. He's not "fucking around" and he'll take beating after beating until he accomplishes his task. However, his time with Gloria has made him see something that he did not see before. "Demolition, self-destruction. What to annihilate? This age old contradiction." He knows that he will lose everything in the fire" as he said in Last Night on Earth, and he is not so sure that he wants this to happen. If he burns down the world he will destroy himself. He's not fucking around! 5/36
Posted by Jack on August 18 2009
I view this song as how Christian has been going along with Gloria's sanctemoniousness until he finds out that she is such a hypocrite with her drug problems (ala Viva La Gloria?) and reverts to his self-destruction. He wants to burn everything down that Gloria has set up and worked for in revenge. 6/36
Posted by Words-I-Might-Have-Ate on August 11 2009
Too many people are over-thinking this one. It's the "breaking-point" in the album and it's about blowing everything up. Nihilism. 7/36
Posted by David on June 13 2009
This is Christian finally completely losing it with Gloria, kind of like he was afraid of in Last Night on Earth. He's completely lost hope for America, and is now just ready to completely destroy and burn everything. Before now, he's been second to Gloria, following her around and doing as she says. Now, he's sick of it, and he's screaming at her that "he's not fucking around" anymore, and he's not following her optimistic can-do can-fix attitude anymore. He's fucking doing what he wants now. 8/36
Posted by Daniel Whitaker on June 12 2009
The song is basically saying that Christian is as good if not better than Gloria, he tries to get his point across but Gloria is ignoring him being a snob. At the end of the song it says G-L-O-R-I-A which is Christian trying to get through to Gloria. Christian is saying instead of doing their "work" quietly why not get themselves known by burning everything down. 9/36
Posted by mrawesomeness on June 06 2009
Relating to Jack's idea, i think Gloria has put Christian into a state were he wants to fight back. He's been hiding and now he is ready for payback.He is tempting Gloria to hurtle back at him, and then telling her to stay the fuck away. Gloria could also be someone else and she is helping him regain emotion and strength 10/36
Posted by Caroline on June 06 2009
For me, it´s Christian that is singing to Gloria. He wants to warn her. He feels that he loves her, but he's still got that "bad" guy inside, who wants to burn everything down, and destroy everything, and build a new age. He can feel that Gloria will try to stop him, so he tells her to go away, or he (the "bad" Christian) will "shoot her down." But he still loves her, and actually wants her to stay, but for her sake, he wants her to leave him and go out of the way, at least until he has learned to control himself. 11/36
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This is basically part two to “Christian’s Inferno”. It serves as Christian's angry rant about life, himself, and Gloria. He has reached a destructive peak. Some of this song is actually about him being physically destructive. He has become a mess. “So don't you fuck me around, Because I'll shoot you down, I'm gonna drink, fight and fuck , And pushing my luck., All the time now”. “Well, you missed me kissed me Now you better kick me down” - I'm not fucking around G-L-O-R-I-A”. 12/36
Posted by Lois on June 04 2009
I think this song is about Christian realizing that his brand of revolution is as good as Gloria's. Before he was trying to be more like Gloria, but now he's saying to her "I'm not fucking around". Meaning that he's as serious as she is. He's realized that sometimes everyone has to "burn it all down". 13/36
Posted by Xavier on June 03 2009
I honestly believe its about how teens and punks of today are sick and tired of being pushed around by adults and rules. Its about how we have to take a stand, becuase we're not kids anymore, we are the resistance, we are the future of our nation, Not these dick sucking adults and politicians, us. We dont need to take other peoples shit, we take only our own shit, and we live with it. 14/36
Posted by Holly on June 02 2009
I interpret this song in 2 ways:1- About Christian's love for Gloria: I think this is Christian declaring his love for Gloria. He is "not fucking around" anymore, he's serious about it. He doesn't want to decieve or cheat anymore. He wants Gloria to save him, even be physically violent towards him to save him from his self destruction. When he says "Maybe you're the runner up, but the first one to lose the race" I think he means that Gloria may choose to reject him, but she'll be the only one because he has no one else. He tells Gloria not to "fuck me around" or he'll just "shoot you down", he wants her to be there for him. The G-L-O-R-I-A is Christian screaming for her and declaring his love.
2- How Christian feels about society: He's no longer "fucking around", he's not going to let society repress him any longer. He's going to "burn it all down" and destroy everything society has created. When it says "what to annialate the old age" I think it is Christian wanting to destroy those who have raised him. This could be the "bastards of 1969" mentioned in "21st Century Breakdown". He then screams Gloria, because he needs her if he's going to win this battle.
15/36
Posted by Moonbeam on June 02 2009
In my opinion, I think this song is about a self destructive person who wants to burn everything down. It could be from Christain's point of view to Gloria, (beacause of the G-L-O-R-I-A at the end), and everything she works and fights for he ruins, ("everything you employ is meant for me to destroy") because that's just his nature. 16/36
Posted by Kevin on June 02 2009
this song is about rebellion. flat-out hard nosed im gunna fuck you up if you step over the line rebellion. 17/36
Posted by Jimmy Jazz on June 02 2009
I think this song is about Christian telling Gloria how he needs to be this wild child, this animal who does things because they feel good, a virtual Iggy Pop in a sense. It also communicates how he sometimes needs to be this wild person and no one, not even Gloria, should stop him. "So don't you fuck me around because I'll shoot you down. I'm gonna drink, fight, and fuck, and I'm pushing my luck all the time now." 18/36
Posted by Maria on June 02 2009
Billie has mentioned East Jesus Nowhere and Christian's Inferno as angry songs but personally I think this song is more hardcore than both. Billie has also said that he has no idea what he was thinking when he wrote this,always saying something like,"Oh,damn you read the lyrics." I think it's just about being really pissed off and in a bad mood. "Maybe you're the runner up but the first one to lose the race", I think he's also sort of talking about not always getting what you want or doing the right thing,but not really caring. 19/36
Posted by Brianna on June 02 2009
I think that Horseshoes and hand grenades is all about coming out and rebelling. Christian is sick of being messed with and he’s not gonna take any more hence “I’m not fucking around/I think I’m coming out.” Also, it’s about having to get your point across the right way the first time. You can’t almost get it right. It doesn’t count if it's just an almost made it, almost got them to listen, almost got them to understand. If someone gets there first you're just second best, and who cares what second best has to say when there's someone better? Christian’s finally showing everyone who he really is and he’s gonna make sure you remember that no matter what, or who, he has to destroy to get his point across. 20/36
Posted by Sarahnade. on June 02 2009
First off, this flamepit of burning anger has the best opening line ever: "I'm not fuckin' around!" The song follows the bittersweet ballad, 'Restless Heart Syndrome,' and I think that's perfect. Christian or Gloria was suffering through drug abuse, and, through the agony, either one of them decided to turn everything up to 11 and scream their head off. I think the anger from the drugs angered one of them, and it became a whirlwind of emotions in this song. 21/36
Posted by greendayfanman on June 02 2009
About having to much power that doesn't belong to you, specificly in war. When the leader is down, that one person ruins the battle trying to be a "war god" It could also be about Christian seeking revenge over anyone who has shoved and pushed him around 22/36
Posted by trecool808 on June 02 2009
i think this song is basically talking about people who think they're better than the rest. It might come from Christian's point of view, or maybe even Gloria's. But i think its basically saying that no matter what you do, i'm gonna do my best and beat you down. it has a sort of "You can't keep me down. I'm gonna do whatever i can to win" vibe to it. Its a powerful and strong song. 23/36
Posted by Sam on June 01 2009
This song was actually written around the time of American Idiot, but greenday decided it was better to leave it for another day.This one is about just breaking free and going crazy, smashing everything in site and just basically letting lose.
its more a description of Christian, except the song ends in G-L-O-R-I-A.
24/36
Posted by Who cares? on June 01 2009
For me, I think this song is difficult to interpret. Here's what I think:The Christian character is basically feeling invincible so he picks fights or feeling incredibly masochistic as shown in the lines, "Want you to slap me around. Want you to knock me out. Well you missed me, kissed now you better kick me down." The lines, "I'm gonna drink, fight, and fuck and pushing my luck all the time now" pretty much sums this meaning up. Christian is doing whatever the hell he wants, and yet is still trying to remain somewhat sane for Gloria.
OR
It is talking about the violence in the world and is focusing on the US and its involvement in the Middle East. We are the ones feeling invincible and picking fights with other countries. No one really cares who is winning or losing in the war in Iraq anymore, right now everyone is just focusing on the weapons and violence. The lines, "Demolition, Self-Destruction. What to annihilate? This old age contradiction." suggest that the US has pretty much destroyed its standing and superiority in the world at this point in time.
25/36
Posted by Bob on June 01 2009
I think this song is about how Christian has had enough. He has had enough of Gloria, the world, and he just wants to burn everything. He thought that Gloria was going to want to burn everything down with him, but she has hope for America, and Christian does not, so she leaves him and he is left yelling her name in frustration. 26/36
Posted by Lindsay Snoke on June 01 2009
I think this song is about someone who has put up with enough tolerance,and betrayal in their life and they just want to rebel. They are tired of everybody putting them down and making them feel like an underdog, so therefor they go into a path of self destruction and rebellion, and they don't care what happens next to anyone or themselves. I think this song is related to Christian's character if you notice a rebellious, carefree attitude in his personality throughout his life in this record. 27/36
Posted by GDFan09 on June 01 2009
I'm not sure exactly about this song, but I think it's about Christian and his anger towards everybody: "I'm not f***ing around." Also, it could be about the state of people's minds in society, mainly politicians, always wanting to win everything and not enjoy life. "You may be the runner up/but the first one to lose the race....", or something like that. For some reason, I find this song very powerful and I love it, although i'm not entirely sure how it has to do with the story and everything. Still, one can't argue: it's a pretty sick song.... 28/36
Posted by J. Scott O. on June 01 2009
I think this song is Billie singing from Christian's point of view who was treated like crap, and just snapping out of his silence "I'm gonna burn it all down". In the chorus, you hear Billie sing, "Maybe you're the runner up, but the first one to lose the race. Almost only really counts in horseshoes and hand grenades", is showing that the song takes place in war (Horseshoes and Hand Grenades), and that nobody is a true winner in fights. Because if you create a fight or any form of hate, you are your own enemy as well as your enemy's enemy. "He that troubleth his own home shall inherit the wind" (quote from Inherit the Wind. I think it fits in well with this song.) 29/36
Posted by bass boy on June 01 2009
I think this is just about having the ability to be overpowering. Like Christian is trying to prove that he is not weak and won't cave in under pressure. It's probably just him trying to recover from President Bush and trying to cope with the current world. 30/36
Posted by Freeny on June 01 2009
This is a song I think anyone can relate to.To me it's about actually wanting someone to fuck with you, so you can bring them down. You don't care what people says, because you're in a mood where you feel like no one can stop you from doing what you want, and if someone tries to, he/she chose the wrong person to fuck with.
31/36
Posted by Jack on June 01 2009
I think it's about Gloria pushing Christian around and he's sick of it. 32/36
Posted by Lydia on June 01 2009
This song is about anger and being self-destructive, but in a "really sexy way, and getting completely fucked up at the same time" - Billie joe 33/36
Posted by Cat C on June 01 2009
It's pretty obvious to me that this song doesn't have much of a deep meaning. It's loud, fast, kick ass and obnoxious, and it's just one of those songs which is fun to play, write and hear. I think having a real meaning would take the crazy spontaneity away from the song, BUT, if I had to find one it would go something like this:I think that it sort of has two narrators - the one in the verses and the one in the chorus. The one in the verses is a bit of a St. Jimmy/Christain character, one who doesn't really give a fuck and just wants to destroy, but the narrator in the chorus (maybe Gloria?) is just reminding that person that this outlook is Ok now, but you'll probably fall flat on your face in the long run. It's falling on deaf ears though, because the other person is too far gone to listen.
It could also be about conflict in the Christian/Gloria storyline... she knows how she wants to see him but he can't change.
I think that's the underlying message anyway, but the song was probably just a bit of fun to kick start you again when listening to the album as a whole.
34/36
Posted by Gordon Foley on June 01 2009
I think this song shows the rage that, for whatever reason, Christian has gained for Gloria. Lines like "I'm not fucking around" show that he isn't going to stand for anymore of the lies and deceit that she is giving to him. 35/36
Posted by Charlie on June 01 2009
To me this song is about how christain feels towards gloria. fighting, drinking, drugs, demolition and self distruction. Horseshoes and Hangrenades is a game played in the war involving horeshoes and handgrendes. The words "almost only really counts in horseshoes and handgrenades" is saying almost isnt good enough. 36/36
Horseshoes And Handgrenades
Posted by mr Bumblebeegrenade on November 16 2009
This is about Gloria Finding Christian being more destroyed than she ever was, and he tells her too fuck off, saying that he will destroy anything she will ever try to make, but in the end, he is still loving her.
Posted by mel on November 02 2009
i think the meaning of this song is that christian and gloria are fed up of being second best to everything and feel that even if they try their best its just not good enough
Posted by Scott R. on September 26 2009
My interpretation is more from Billie's perspective, rather than Christian's. I think this song is about being fed up with everything that is going on in the country. The corruption, the lies, the reccession, and really setting out to do something yourself about it...and no one is going to get in your way, not even Gloria.
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
My take on this song is that it's actually Gloria singing to Christian. His reaction to her taking drugs in ¿Viva La Gloria? [Little Girl] has made her realise that she's made a mistake and she isn't going to let him fuck her around anymore. She sings "well you missed me, kissed me now you better kick me down" which maybe refers to how much he loved her at first and then decided to kick her down once she started on drugs. She's still pretty messed up, but she proves that she hasn't forgotten the person she once was with the "G-L-O-R-I-A" at the end.
Posted by Sparks on September 19 2009
Christian was going along with Gloria's methods for a long time. He believed in her and her ideals and thought that she was the one who could make a difference. He stopped his urge to burn down what didn't work. But Gloria has destroyed herself and corrupted her ideals with her drug use. They have both come to that realization. Christian abandoned her but he is back in a rage. If she failed then her cause is over and it's time to start the inferno. He's not "fucking around" and he'll take beating after beating until he accomplishes his task. However, his time with Gloria has made him see something that he did not see before. "Demolition, self-destruction. What to annihilate? This age old contradiction." He knows that he will lose everything in the fire" as he said in Last Night on Earth, and he is not so sure that he wants this to happen. If he burns down the world he will destroy himself. He's not fucking around!
Posted by Jack on August 18 2009
I view this song as how Christian has been going along with Gloria's sanctemoniousness until he finds out that she is such a hypocrite with her drug problems (ala Viva La Gloria?) and reverts to his self-destruction. He wants to burn everything down that Gloria has set up and worked for in revenge.
Posted by Words-I-Might-Have-Ate on August 11 2009
Too many people are over-thinking this one. It's the "breaking-point" in the album and it's about blowing everything up. Nihilism.
Posted by David on June 13 2009
This is Christian finally completely losing it with Gloria, kind of like he was afraid of in Last Night on Earth. He's completely lost hope for America, and is now just ready to completely destroy and burn everything. Before now, he's been second to Gloria, following her around and doing as she says. Now, he's sick of it, and he's screaming at her that "he's not fucking around" anymore, and he's not following her optimistic can-do can-fix attitude anymore. He's fucking doing what he wants now.
Posted by Daniel Whitaker on June 12 2009
The song is basically saying that Christian is as good if not better than Gloria, he tries to get his point across but Gloria is ignoring him being a snob. At the end of the song it says G-L-O-R-I-A which is Christian trying to get through to Gloria. Christian is saying instead of doing their "work" quietly why not get themselves known by burning everything down.
Posted by mrawesomeness on June 06 2009
Relating to Jack's idea, i think Gloria has put Christian into a state were he wants to fight back. He's been hiding and now he is ready for payback.He is tempting Gloria to hurtle back at him, and then telling her to stay the fuck away. Gloria could also be someone else and she is helping him regain emotion and strength
Posted by Caroline on June 06 2009
For me, it´s Christian that is singing to Gloria. He wants to warn her. He feels that he loves her, but he's still got that "bad" guy inside, who wants to burn everything down, and destroy everything, and build a new age. He can feel that Gloria will try to stop him, so he tells her to go away, or he (the "bad" Christian) will "shoot her down." But he still loves her, and actually wants her to stay, but for her sake, he wants her to leave him and go out of the way, at least until he has learned to control himself.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
This is basically part two to “Christian’s Inferno”. It serves as Christian's angry rant about life, himself, and Gloria. He has reached a destructive peak. Some of this song is actually about him being physically destructive. He has become a mess. “So don't you fuck me around, Because I'll shoot you down, I'm gonna drink, fight and fuck , And pushing my luck., All the time now”. “Well, you missed me kissed me Now you better kick me down” - I'm not fucking around G-L-O-R-I-A”.
Posted by Lois on June 04 2009
I think this song is about Christian realizing that his brand of revolution is as good as Gloria's. Before he was trying to be more like Gloria, but now he's saying to her "I'm not fucking around". Meaning that he's as serious as she is. He's realized that sometimes everyone has to "burn it all down".
Posted by Xavier on June 03 2009
I honestly believe its about how teens and punks of today are sick and tired of being pushed around by adults and rules. Its about how we have to take a stand, becuase we're not kids anymore, we are the resistance, we are the future of our nation, Not these dick sucking adults and politicians, us. We dont need to take other peoples shit, we take only our own shit, and we live with it.
Posted by Holly on June 02 2009
I interpret this song in 2 ways:
1- About Christian's love for Gloria: I think this is Christian declaring his love for Gloria. He is "not fucking around" anymore, he's serious about it. He doesn't want to decieve or cheat anymore. He wants Gloria to save him, even be physically violent towards him to save him from his self destruction. When he says "Maybe you're the runner up, but the first one to lose the race" I think he means that Gloria may choose to reject him, but she'll be the only one because he has no one else. He tells Gloria not to "fuck me around" or he'll just "shoot you down", he wants her to be there for him. The G-L-O-R-I-A is Christian screaming for her and declaring his love.
2- How Christian feels about society: He's no longer "fucking around", he's not going to let society repress him any longer. He's going to "burn it all down" and destroy everything society has created. When it says "what to annialate the old age" I think it is Christian wanting to destroy those who have raised him. This could be the "bastards of 1969" mentioned in "21st Century Breakdown". He then screams Gloria, because he needs her if he's going to win this battle.
1- About Christian's love for Gloria: I think this is Christian declaring his love for Gloria. He is "not fucking around" anymore, he's serious about it. He doesn't want to decieve or cheat anymore. He wants Gloria to save him, even be physically violent towards him to save him from his self destruction. When he says "Maybe you're the runner up, but the first one to lose the race" I think he means that Gloria may choose to reject him, but she'll be the only one because he has no one else. He tells Gloria not to "fuck me around" or he'll just "shoot you down", he wants her to be there for him. The G-L-O-R-I-A is Christian screaming for her and declaring his love.
2- How Christian feels about society: He's no longer "fucking around", he's not going to let society repress him any longer. He's going to "burn it all down" and destroy everything society has created. When it says "what to annialate the old age" I think it is Christian wanting to destroy those who have raised him. This could be the "bastards of 1969" mentioned in "21st Century Breakdown". He then screams Gloria, because he needs her if he's going to win this battle.
Posted by Moonbeam on June 02 2009
In my opinion, I think this song is about a self destructive person who wants to burn everything down. It could be from Christain's point of view to Gloria, (beacause of the G-L-O-R-I-A at the end), and everything she works and fights for he ruins, ("everything you employ is meant for me to destroy") because that's just his nature.
Posted by Kevin on June 02 2009
this song is about rebellion. flat-out hard nosed im gunna fuck you up if you step over the line rebellion.
Posted by Jimmy Jazz on June 02 2009
I think this song is about Christian telling Gloria how he needs to be this wild child, this animal who does things because they feel good, a virtual Iggy Pop in a sense. It also communicates how he sometimes needs to be this wild person and no one, not even Gloria, should stop him. "So don't you fuck me around because I'll shoot you down. I'm gonna drink, fight, and fuck, and I'm pushing my luck all the time now."
Posted by Maria on June 02 2009
Billie has mentioned East Jesus Nowhere and Christian's Inferno as angry songs but personally I think this song is more hardcore than both. Billie has also said that he has no idea what he was thinking when he wrote this,always saying something like,"Oh,damn you read the lyrics." I think it's just about being really pissed off and in a bad mood. "Maybe you're the runner up but the first one to lose the race", I think he's also sort of talking about not always getting what you want or doing the right thing,but not really caring.
Posted by Brianna on June 02 2009
I think that Horseshoes and hand grenades is all about coming out and rebelling. Christian is sick of being messed with and he’s not gonna take any more hence “I’m not fucking around/I think I’m coming out.” Also, it’s about having to get your point across the right way the first time. You can’t almost get it right. It doesn’t count if it's just an almost made it, almost got them to listen, almost got them to understand. If someone gets there first you're just second best, and who cares what second best has to say when there's someone better? Christian’s finally showing everyone who he really is and he’s gonna make sure you remember that no matter what, or who, he has to destroy to get his point across.
Posted by Sarahnade. on June 02 2009
First off, this flamepit of burning anger has the best opening line ever: "I'm not fuckin' around!" The song follows the bittersweet ballad, 'Restless Heart Syndrome,' and I think that's perfect. Christian or Gloria was suffering through drug abuse, and, through the agony, either one of them decided to turn everything up to 11 and scream their head off. I think the anger from the drugs angered one of them, and it became a whirlwind of emotions in this song.
Posted by greendayfanman on June 02 2009
About having to much power that doesn't belong to you, specificly in war. When the leader is down, that one person ruins the battle trying to be a "war god" It could also be about Christian seeking revenge over anyone who has shoved and pushed him around
Posted by trecool808 on June 02 2009
i think this song is basically talking about people who think they're better than the rest. It might come from Christian's point of view, or maybe even Gloria's. But i think its basically saying that no matter what you do, i'm gonna do my best and beat you down. it has a sort of "You can't keep me down. I'm gonna do whatever i can to win" vibe to it. Its a powerful and strong song.
Posted by Sam on June 01 2009
This song was actually written around the time of American Idiot, but greenday decided it was better to leave it for another day.
This one is about just breaking free and going crazy, smashing everything in site and just basically letting lose.
its more a description of Christian, except the song ends in G-L-O-R-I-A.
This one is about just breaking free and going crazy, smashing everything in site and just basically letting lose.
its more a description of Christian, except the song ends in G-L-O-R-I-A.
Posted by Who cares? on June 01 2009
For me, I think this song is difficult to interpret. Here's what I think:
The Christian character is basically feeling invincible so he picks fights or feeling incredibly masochistic as shown in the lines, "Want you to slap me around. Want you to knock me out. Well you missed me, kissed now you better kick me down." The lines, "I'm gonna drink, fight, and fuck and pushing my luck all the time now" pretty much sums this meaning up. Christian is doing whatever the hell he wants, and yet is still trying to remain somewhat sane for Gloria.
OR
It is talking about the violence in the world and is focusing on the US and its involvement in the Middle East. We are the ones feeling invincible and picking fights with other countries. No one really cares who is winning or losing in the war in Iraq anymore, right now everyone is just focusing on the weapons and violence. The lines, "Demolition, Self-Destruction. What to annihilate? This old age contradiction." suggest that the US has pretty much destroyed its standing and superiority in the world at this point in time.
The Christian character is basically feeling invincible so he picks fights or feeling incredibly masochistic as shown in the lines, "Want you to slap me around. Want you to knock me out. Well you missed me, kissed now you better kick me down." The lines, "I'm gonna drink, fight, and fuck and pushing my luck all the time now" pretty much sums this meaning up. Christian is doing whatever the hell he wants, and yet is still trying to remain somewhat sane for Gloria.
OR
It is talking about the violence in the world and is focusing on the US and its involvement in the Middle East. We are the ones feeling invincible and picking fights with other countries. No one really cares who is winning or losing in the war in Iraq anymore, right now everyone is just focusing on the weapons and violence. The lines, "Demolition, Self-Destruction. What to annihilate? This old age contradiction." suggest that the US has pretty much destroyed its standing and superiority in the world at this point in time.
Posted by Bob on June 01 2009
I think this song is about how Christian has had enough. He has had enough of Gloria, the world, and he just wants to burn everything. He thought that Gloria was going to want to burn everything down with him, but she has hope for America, and Christian does not, so she leaves him and he is left yelling her name in frustration.
Posted by Lindsay Snoke on June 01 2009
I think this song is about someone who has put up with enough tolerance,and betrayal in their life and they just want to rebel. They are tired of everybody putting them down and making them feel like an underdog, so therefor they go into a path of self destruction and rebellion, and they don't care what happens next to anyone or themselves. I think this song is related to Christian's character if you notice a rebellious, carefree attitude in his personality throughout his life in this record.
Posted by GDFan09 on June 01 2009
I'm not sure exactly about this song, but I think it's about Christian and his anger towards everybody: "I'm not f***ing around." Also, it could be about the state of people's minds in society, mainly politicians, always wanting to win everything and not enjoy life. "You may be the runner up/but the first one to lose the race....", or something like that. For some reason, I find this song very powerful and I love it, although i'm not entirely sure how it has to do with the story and everything. Still, one can't argue: it's a pretty sick song....
Posted by J. Scott O. on June 01 2009
I think this song is Billie singing from Christian's point of view who was treated like crap, and just snapping out of his silence "I'm gonna burn it all down". In the chorus, you hear Billie sing, "Maybe you're the runner up, but the first one to lose the race. Almost only really counts in horseshoes and hand grenades", is showing that the song takes place in war (Horseshoes and Hand Grenades), and that nobody is a true winner in fights. Because if you create a fight or any form of hate, you are your own enemy as well as your enemy's enemy. "He that troubleth his own home shall inherit the wind" (quote from Inherit the Wind. I think it fits in well with this song.)
Posted by bass boy on June 01 2009
I think this is just about having the ability to be overpowering. Like Christian is trying to prove that he is not weak and won't cave in under pressure. It's probably just him trying to recover from President Bush and trying to cope with the current world.
Posted by Freeny on June 01 2009
This is a song I think anyone can relate to.
To me it's about actually wanting someone to fuck with you, so you can bring them down. You don't care what people says, because you're in a mood where you feel like no one can stop you from doing what you want, and if someone tries to, he/she chose the wrong person to fuck with.
To me it's about actually wanting someone to fuck with you, so you can bring them down. You don't care what people says, because you're in a mood where you feel like no one can stop you from doing what you want, and if someone tries to, he/she chose the wrong person to fuck with.
Posted by Jack on June 01 2009
I think it's about Gloria pushing Christian around and he's sick of it.
Posted by Lydia on June 01 2009
This song is about anger and being self-destructive, but in a "really sexy way, and getting completely fucked up at the same time" - Billie joe
Posted by Cat C on June 01 2009
It's pretty obvious to me that this song doesn't have much of a deep meaning. It's loud, fast, kick ass and obnoxious, and it's just one of those songs which is fun to play, write and hear. I think having a real meaning would take the crazy spontaneity away from the song, BUT, if I had to find one it would go something like this:
I think that it sort of has two narrators - the one in the verses and the one in the chorus. The one in the verses is a bit of a St. Jimmy/Christain character, one who doesn't really give a fuck and just wants to destroy, but the narrator in the chorus (maybe Gloria?) is just reminding that person that this outlook is Ok now, but you'll probably fall flat on your face in the long run. It's falling on deaf ears though, because the other person is too far gone to listen.
It could also be about conflict in the Christian/Gloria storyline... she knows how she wants to see him but he can't change.
I think that's the underlying message anyway, but the song was probably just a bit of fun to kick start you again when listening to the album as a whole.
I think that it sort of has two narrators - the one in the verses and the one in the chorus. The one in the verses is a bit of a St. Jimmy/Christain character, one who doesn't really give a fuck and just wants to destroy, but the narrator in the chorus (maybe Gloria?) is just reminding that person that this outlook is Ok now, but you'll probably fall flat on your face in the long run. It's falling on deaf ears though, because the other person is too far gone to listen.
It could also be about conflict in the Christian/Gloria storyline... she knows how she wants to see him but he can't change.
I think that's the underlying message anyway, but the song was probably just a bit of fun to kick start you again when listening to the album as a whole.
Posted by Gordon Foley on June 01 2009
I think this song shows the rage that, for whatever reason, Christian has gained for Gloria. Lines like "I'm not fucking around" show that he isn't going to stand for anymore of the lies and deceit that she is giving to him.
Posted by Charlie on June 01 2009
To me this song is about how christain feels towards gloria. fighting, drinking, drugs, demolition and self distruction. Horseshoes and Hangrenades is a game played in the war involving horeshoes and handgrendes. The words "almost only really counts in horseshoes and handgrenades" is saying almost isnt good enough.
Okay, this song is full of meaning, as in, every single line means something significant. When I was quickly analysing this song, I hurriedly wrote down some annotations, so please bear with me as I break some of it down, line by line.
"Can you hear the sound / Of the static noise / Blasting out in stereo?"
These few lines basically refer to the clatter of the airwaves that has ultimately meant that everything now has to be digital, not analogue. Fun, right?
"Cater to the class and the paranoid"
The upper class people are the ones running the world, leaving the lower classes behind in crucial areas. The "paranoid" refers to the Big Brother style of making sure we're all in line, ergo, the government is paranoid that society will rebel.
"Advertising love and religion"
Reference to religion becoming more like a corporation than a church (Hillsong for example), and so called "love" being marketed to people through the media.
"Billboard on the rise / In the dawn's landscape"
A somewhat caustic reference to our society's inability to leave any area free of advertising in some form or another. Everywhere we turn, we are faced with a new billboard or commercial designed to make us feel inferior.
"Conscious on a cross and / Your hearts in a vise"
Stating that our morals have been "crucified". The media are manipulating facts into news stories designed to tug at our heart strings and play on our emotions.
"Are what you own and you cannot buy"
Another dig at our consumerist society. Advertising has made (many) of us believe that we will not be able to function without certain material possessions, i.e. new clothes, an iPod, designer labels, big TVs, newest computers etc.
"All I want to know is a God damned thing / Not what's in the medicine"
There is no intelligence left in the media. Everything is designed to make us feel fear and paranoia, for example, ___ gives you cancer, ___ makes your children stupid, ___ causes violence, ___ will kill us all, etc.
"Batteries are not included"
This line made me laugh. It shows obvious frustration with our "battery powered" society, and mocks our dependency on electronics.
"What's the latest way / That a man can die / Screaming hallelujah?"
Again, I laughed at this. Basically saying, "Why the hell not? Everything else is gonna make us die now!" Frustration at society is emphasised in this style of writing through sarcasm and bitterness.
I wasn't able to pick everything out of this song, but hopefully it'll help bring clearer understanding to the lyrics.
Posted by c on September 25 2009
this song questions whether we actually realize what the media is doing to the population, "Can you hear the sound of the static noise?" static, as in, not changing. same old, same old 'entertainment' which has us thinking it's different but it's not, it's static or, same.the media is like a propaganda machine, implanting in our brains how we should live, "advertising love and religion ... Visions of blasphemy, war and peace" being repeated in every form (mobile, tv, pc newspapers etc.) "screaming at you" so its believed. the latter part of this song tells us to break away from the static age before it becomes "the static age millennium." it's a call to breathe and live, without technology "all i want to do is i want to breathe, batteries are not included."
2/15
Posted by Sparks on September 22 2009
The song is about the overload of the media in lives today and how it can get you pissed off to no end. The song is told by Christian, as he expresses the motives behind his and Gloria's struggles. He is suggesting that what you hear is lies and not to let it control you. "Advertising love and religion. Murder on the airwaves. Slogans on the brink of corruption. Visions of blasphemy! war and peace! Screaming at you." This is an example of the contradictions and overload the song speaks of. They are suggesting that it is slowly making them go insane, "Billboard on the rise in the dawn's landscape, working your insanity." They also believe that this will eventually brain wash you into believing in the lies and changing who you are, "Conscience on a cross and your hearts in a vice, squeezing out you state of mind." Billie Joe is also making references to the concepts of the album, the evils of religion, war, love, and static noise (the media). Finally at the songs climax Christian is attempting to free himself of these lies. "All i wanna know is a goddamn thing, not what's in the medicine. All wanna do is I want to breathe." Billie Joe even poses the question of the latest way a man can die as he takes a patriotic and religious shot, "Screaming hallelujah? Or singing out the dawn's early light?" Now that Christian is liberated he realizes the true nature of their fight, it's over. They cannot do this anymore because they have been silenced, they are the "rotten and forgotten," and he is ready to end the fight and pass the torch to the Class of '13. 3/15
Posted by BlahBlah on August 30 2009
Could be about how the media controls the masses living in boxes. Like in Italy, where Silvio Berlusconi owns everyting media related, and can brainwash the people with "convincing" talk. 4/15
Posted by lindsey on August 28 2009
It's about all the media - tv ,radio, cell phones - screaming at you, and it drives you to hysteria. And static means "not moving," and how our nation can't progress or move foreward because we're watching all this static on tv and shit. 5/15
Posted by tinfoil25 on July 27 2009
it's all about the dirt and madness of media in our age... 6/15
Posted by Francois Meyer on June 13 2009
This song is about how the media is taking over the world, people and people's minds. It's about the confusion that the media produces and how the media sometimes alienate people. It's also about the contradiction about some of the things in the media ("advertising love and religion / murder on the airwaves"). Towards the end of the song the lyrics change into how to have to liberate yourself from the media and still stay who you are (all I want to know is a god-damned thing / not what's in the medicine / all I want to do is I want to breath / batteries are not included"). Altogether the song is about how the world is more and more being "controlled" by the media. 7/15
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This song is about the media and how this is the era of television. People think and do as they see. I back it up with Mike Dirnt's statement of how he wishes he could go back in time when there was less technology. He said the world had more meaning and more appreciation. 8/15
Posted by Lily Doyle on June 08 2009
This song is about how much the world became perverted, depending on batteries and every kind of electronic stuff. Being surrounded with entertainment and the latest high-tech, everyone forgot about creating his own way of life: there's no more creativity, it's the "static age". Through this song, the writer reminds us we're mere humans and living in the commercial hysteria, everyone forgot about breathing ... it's also a kind of environmental song =). 9/15
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Both characters, now both in shambles and living on their own realize that the media has corrupted them, and all of society. They both wonder what life would be like without all the mainstream media. This is social commentary about how bogged down/saturated the media has become. – and as a result, they can longer see or hear what is going on, because of all the static. "All I want to do is i want to breathe, Batteries are not included”. 10/15
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's kinda of about two things that aren't supposed to go together."I love old punk flyers. You'd see things like a crucifixtion of Mickey Mouse: two things that aren't supposed to go together, that's kind of what the song is about."
11/15
Posted by AB on May 27 2009
This song is about the media and it alienating many people from their morals. 12/15
Posted by Lydia on May 27 2009
this song is about the confusion of commercialism and media that we see and hear on the telivision and radio today. it talks about the constant stream of advertisements and being bombarded with useless information. billie joe said that the song is essentially about "trying to find a deeper truth or deeper meaning..trying make sense of the static and what you think is bullshit, and what's real" 13/15
Posted by Sbank1 on May 26 2009
This is about the mass media, governments and large corporations controlling the minds of the public, censoring anything that they do not want us to hear and feeding us messages and ideas that they want us to believe. People are losing the ability to think for themselves, they are sleep walking through their lives, slowly dying inside without even realising. Freedom of speach is just an illusion, individuals do not have a voice and are powerless. Thinking for yourself is discouraged.We have even become desensitised to the horror of war and are no longer shocked by these images because we have been bombarded with them - 'Visons of war and peace screaming at you'.
The song is also about consumerism and capitalism, in particular how people define themselves by what they own rather than who they are, often getting themselves into terrible debt - buying everthing on credit because they cannot really afford these things - 'Are what you own that you cannot buy'?
14/15
Posted by Jen F (longview_paradise) on May 26 2009
This song is about how the advertising world has fully saturated everything. The media is full of product pitches. Even the news has been taken over by the public relations companies and most of the "news" you see is really guerrilla advertising. Also, he mentions that television "Cater[s] to the class and the paranoid." Basically this says television is the main storyteller in our society and its how we make up our culture. However, when our media is only showing us bad, we get the wrong impression of the world, making us paranoid.The "static age" is an age of using media to corrupt the beliefs of individuals in our society.
15/15
The Static Age
Posted by Monique on October 28 2009
Okay, this song is full of meaning, as in, every single line means something significant. When I was quickly analysing this song, I hurriedly wrote down some annotations, so please bear with me as I break some of it down, line by line.
"Can you hear the sound / Of the static noise / Blasting out in stereo?"
These few lines basically refer to the clatter of the airwaves that has ultimately meant that everything now has to be digital, not analogue. Fun, right?
"Cater to the class and the paranoid"
The upper class people are the ones running the world, leaving the lower classes behind in crucial areas. The "paranoid" refers to the Big Brother style of making sure we're all in line, ergo, the government is paranoid that society will rebel.
"Advertising love and religion"
Reference to religion becoming more like a corporation than a church (Hillsong for example), and so called "love" being marketed to people through the media.
"Billboard on the rise / In the dawn's landscape"
A somewhat caustic reference to our society's inability to leave any area free of advertising in some form or another. Everywhere we turn, we are faced with a new billboard or commercial designed to make us feel inferior.
"Conscious on a cross and / Your hearts in a vise"
Stating that our morals have been "crucified". The media are manipulating facts into news stories designed to tug at our heart strings and play on our emotions.
"Are what you own and you cannot buy"
Another dig at our consumerist society. Advertising has made (many) of us believe that we will not be able to function without certain material possessions, i.e. new clothes, an iPod, designer labels, big TVs, newest computers etc.
"All I want to know is a God damned thing / Not what's in the medicine"
There is no intelligence left in the media. Everything is designed to make us feel fear and paranoia, for example, ___ gives you cancer, ___ makes your children stupid, ___ causes violence, ___ will kill us all, etc.
"Batteries are not included"
This line made me laugh. It shows obvious frustration with our "battery powered" society, and mocks our dependency on electronics.
"What's the latest way / That a man can die / Screaming hallelujah?"
Again, I laughed at this. Basically saying, "Why the hell not? Everything else is gonna make us die now!" Frustration at society is emphasised in this style of writing through sarcasm and bitterness.
I wasn't able to pick everything out of this song, but hopefully it'll help bring clearer understanding to the lyrics.
"Can you hear the sound / Of the static noise / Blasting out in stereo?"
These few lines basically refer to the clatter of the airwaves that has ultimately meant that everything now has to be digital, not analogue. Fun, right?
"Cater to the class and the paranoid"
The upper class people are the ones running the world, leaving the lower classes behind in crucial areas. The "paranoid" refers to the Big Brother style of making sure we're all in line, ergo, the government is paranoid that society will rebel.
"Advertising love and religion"
Reference to religion becoming more like a corporation than a church (Hillsong for example), and so called "love" being marketed to people through the media.
"Billboard on the rise / In the dawn's landscape"
A somewhat caustic reference to our society's inability to leave any area free of advertising in some form or another. Everywhere we turn, we are faced with a new billboard or commercial designed to make us feel inferior.
"Conscious on a cross and / Your hearts in a vise"
Stating that our morals have been "crucified". The media are manipulating facts into news stories designed to tug at our heart strings and play on our emotions.
"Are what you own and you cannot buy"
Another dig at our consumerist society. Advertising has made (many) of us believe that we will not be able to function without certain material possessions, i.e. new clothes, an iPod, designer labels, big TVs, newest computers etc.
"All I want to know is a God damned thing / Not what's in the medicine"
There is no intelligence left in the media. Everything is designed to make us feel fear and paranoia, for example, ___ gives you cancer, ___ makes your children stupid, ___ causes violence, ___ will kill us all, etc.
"Batteries are not included"
This line made me laugh. It shows obvious frustration with our "battery powered" society, and mocks our dependency on electronics.
"What's the latest way / That a man can die / Screaming hallelujah?"
Again, I laughed at this. Basically saying, "Why the hell not? Everything else is gonna make us die now!" Frustration at society is emphasised in this style of writing through sarcasm and bitterness.
I wasn't able to pick everything out of this song, but hopefully it'll help bring clearer understanding to the lyrics.
Posted by c on September 25 2009
this song questions whether we actually realize what the media is doing to the population, "Can you hear the sound of the static noise?" static, as in, not changing. same old, same old 'entertainment' which has us thinking it's different but it's not, it's static or, same.
the media is like a propaganda machine, implanting in our brains how we should live, "advertising love and religion ... Visions of blasphemy, war and peace" being repeated in every form (mobile, tv, pc newspapers etc.) "screaming at you" so its believed. the latter part of this song tells us to break away from the static age before it becomes "the static age millennium." it's a call to breathe and live, without technology "all i want to do is i want to breathe, batteries are not included."
the media is like a propaganda machine, implanting in our brains how we should live, "advertising love and religion ... Visions of blasphemy, war and peace" being repeated in every form (mobile, tv, pc newspapers etc.) "screaming at you" so its believed. the latter part of this song tells us to break away from the static age before it becomes "the static age millennium." it's a call to breathe and live, without technology "all i want to do is i want to breathe, batteries are not included."
Posted by Sparks on September 22 2009
The song is about the overload of the media in lives today and how it can get you pissed off to no end. The song is told by Christian, as he expresses the motives behind his and Gloria's struggles. He is suggesting that what you hear is lies and not to let it control you. "Advertising love and religion. Murder on the airwaves. Slogans on the brink of corruption. Visions of blasphemy! war and peace! Screaming at you." This is an example of the contradictions and overload the song speaks of. They are suggesting that it is slowly making them go insane, "Billboard on the rise in the dawn's landscape, working your insanity." They also believe that this will eventually brain wash you into believing in the lies and changing who you are, "Conscience on a cross and your hearts in a vice, squeezing out you state of mind." Billie Joe is also making references to the concepts of the album, the evils of religion, war, love, and static noise (the media). Finally at the songs climax Christian is attempting to free himself of these lies. "All i wanna know is a goddamn thing, not what's in the medicine. All wanna do is I want to breathe." Billie Joe even poses the question of the latest way a man can die as he takes a patriotic and religious shot, "Screaming hallelujah? Or singing out the dawn's early light?" Now that Christian is liberated he realizes the true nature of their fight, it's over. They cannot do this anymore because they have been silenced, they are the "rotten and forgotten," and he is ready to end the fight and pass the torch to the Class of '13.
Posted by BlahBlah on August 30 2009
Could be about how the media controls the masses living in boxes. Like in Italy, where Silvio Berlusconi owns everyting media related, and can brainwash the people with "convincing" talk.
Posted by lindsey on August 28 2009
It's about all the media - tv ,radio, cell phones - screaming at you, and it drives you to hysteria. And static means "not moving," and how our nation can't progress or move foreward because we're watching all this static on tv and shit.
Posted by tinfoil25 on July 27 2009
it's all about the dirt and madness of media in our age...
Posted by Francois Meyer on June 13 2009
This song is about how the media is taking over the world, people and people's minds. It's about the confusion that the media produces and how the media sometimes alienate people. It's also about the contradiction about some of the things in the media ("advertising love and religion / murder on the airwaves"). Towards the end of the song the lyrics change into how to have to liberate yourself from the media and still stay who you are (all I want to know is a god-damned thing / not what's in the medicine / all I want to do is I want to breath / batteries are not included"). Altogether the song is about how the world is more and more being "controlled" by the media.
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This song is about the media and how this is the era of television. People think and do as they see. I back it up with Mike Dirnt's statement of how he wishes he could go back in time when there was less technology. He said the world had more meaning and more appreciation.
Posted by Lily Doyle on June 08 2009
This song is about how much the world became perverted, depending on batteries and every kind of electronic stuff. Being surrounded with entertainment and the latest high-tech, everyone forgot about creating his own way of life: there's no more creativity, it's the "static age". Through this song, the writer reminds us we're mere humans and living in the commercial hysteria, everyone forgot about breathing ... it's also a kind of environmental song =).
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Both characters, now both in shambles and living on their own realize that the media has corrupted them, and all of society. They both wonder what life would be like without all the mainstream media. This is social commentary about how bogged down/saturated the media has become. – and as a result, they can longer see or hear what is going on, because of all the static. "All I want to do is i want to breathe, Batteries are not included”.
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's kinda of about two things that aren't supposed to go together.
"I love old punk flyers. You'd see things like a crucifixtion of Mickey Mouse: two things that aren't supposed to go together, that's kind of what the song is about."
"I love old punk flyers. You'd see things like a crucifixtion of Mickey Mouse: two things that aren't supposed to go together, that's kind of what the song is about."
Posted by AB on May 27 2009
This song is about the media and it alienating many people from their morals.
Posted by Lydia on May 27 2009
this song is about the confusion of commercialism and media that we see and hear on the telivision and radio today. it talks about the constant stream of advertisements and being bombarded with useless information. billie joe said that the song is essentially about "trying to find a deeper truth or deeper meaning..trying make sense of the static and what you think is bullshit, and what's real"
Posted by Sbank1 on May 26 2009
This is about the mass media, governments and large corporations controlling the minds of the public, censoring anything that they do not want us to hear and feeding us messages and ideas that they want us to believe. People are losing the ability to think for themselves, they are sleep walking through their lives, slowly dying inside without even realising. Freedom of speach is just an illusion, individuals do not have a voice and are powerless. Thinking for yourself is discouraged.
We have even become desensitised to the horror of war and are no longer shocked by these images because we have been bombarded with them - 'Visons of war and peace screaming at you'.
The song is also about consumerism and capitalism, in particular how people define themselves by what they own rather than who they are, often getting themselves into terrible debt - buying everthing on credit because they cannot really afford these things - 'Are what you own that you cannot buy'?
We have even become desensitised to the horror of war and are no longer shocked by these images because we have been bombarded with them - 'Visons of war and peace screaming at you'.
The song is also about consumerism and capitalism, in particular how people define themselves by what they own rather than who they are, often getting themselves into terrible debt - buying everthing on credit because they cannot really afford these things - 'Are what you own that you cannot buy'?
Posted by Jen F (longview_paradise) on May 26 2009
This song is about how the advertising world has fully saturated everything. The media is full of product pitches. Even the news has been taken over by the public relations companies and most of the "news" you see is really guerrilla advertising. Also, he mentions that television "Cater[s] to the class and the paranoid." Basically this says television is the main storyteller in our society and its how we make up our culture. However, when our media is only showing us bad, we get the wrong impression of the world, making us paranoid.
The "static age" is an age of using media to corrupt the beliefs of individuals in our society.
The "static age" is an age of using media to corrupt the beliefs of individuals in our society.
Posted by HaHa on March 02 2010
I think that this song is about the fear and confusion that Christian amd Gloria have to go through to be together. It sounds like they just got in a HUGE fight (Do you know what"s worth fighting for? When it"s not worth dying for.) And that they want to be together but they don"t know how they"ll make it work (does the pain weight out the pride).Christian and Gloria just want to stop figting so they can make it work, and thier arms or wepons are thier words (lay down your arms. give up the fight) And they just need to surrender to each other and work it out.
Christain and Gloria might have been fighting, but you don"t know excally why. But in the line "like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone" might mean that Christian or Gloria had lied to each other about something.
2/43
Posted by natasha on February 20 2010
i think this song means embracing the chaos or mess around you. 3/43
Posted by Christian on February 14 2010
I think this song means LOVE CONQUERS ALL. 4/43
Posted by Raquel V. on February 05 2010
21 Guns is about Christian and Gloria getting into a massive fight over something and then Christian decides he has to do something because Gloria is being silent and won't listen to him. 5/43
Posted by Ben Cl. on January 21 2010
This is my favorite off the album. It falls perfectly into place with the rest of the album. I took it as Gloria speaking to Christian telling him to extinguish his anger and rage and to just give up the fight. He is the one with, for example, 21 guns or things of aggression. Also, it leads to the leaders or people we deal with and to call this anger of war and bloodshed off. Sending so many lives to this cause of war and death is an endless tunnel and not worth the fight in the first place. "You're in ruins," if you can't realize how important your real potential is. This song is worth so much more than just a hit a song winning awards and hitting the radio. Those are positives, but the meaning outweighs everything else. If things aren't going the right way or the means won't lead to the end, "give up the fight" and save yourself inside and out. Or else those ruins will follow. 6/43
Posted by lemuel nemenzo on January 05 2010
I feel it's about giving up. There's just so much going and you don't know where to go. And because of all the chaos you're losing yourself and everyone around you.But in the 21st century breakdown story I think it's Christian on his own and he's hit rock bottom without Gloria and doesn't know what to do. He's lost without her.
7/43
Posted by Shanell(: on December 27 2009
I think that 21 guns is showing that Gloria and Christian need to stop fighting. "Lay down your arms, give up the fight." That's saying that they were meant for each other and always will be! "When it's time to live and let die, and you don't get another try" is saying that this is their last chance to reunite before it's too late(: 8/43
Posted by Tasha on November 21 2009
I think this song is about lives falling into pieces and that they have someone to pick them back up but they don't accept it at first. Christian and Gloria are like this - they have let everything go including their relationship. At the end I think they realise what has happened and how much they mean to each other. And that's what most lives are like, they realise it is going to shambles and accept the help offered by loved ones. 9/43
Posted by smokenblue on November 16 2009
21 gun salute is a military symbol for the end. Getting closure on what you can't live with, and putting an end to it is what this song is about. 10/43
Posted by Raquel V. on November 12 2009
21 Guns is about all of the George W. Bush followers and how they are not embarrassed by their leader and how they should stop following and just give up the fight. 11/43
Posted by Richie on October 28 2009
I feel it's about giving up. There's just so much going and you don't where to go. And because of all the chaos you're losing yourself and everyone around you.But in the 21st century breakdown story I think it's Christian on his own and he's hit rock bottom without Gloria and doesn't know what to do. He's lost without her.
12/43
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
I think this song is basically like the video. Christian and Gloria have got to the point where everything has gone wrong, even their relationship, and they're almost ready to give up everything they've been fighting for. But eventually they realise that whatever they do it's going to burn down anyway, and all they have left is each other, so they finally realise how much they mean to each other, no matter what their faults are. That's how I see it. 13/43
Posted by Sparks on September 22 2009
The song is about accepting what is around you and living through it. It is also about love, war, and escape from a lost cause. Christian is talking to Gloria in this song. They have both failed in their own methods of fighting the system. The fight had enraged Christian for so long but in "Static Age" he frees himself, forgets his rage and remembers his love for Gloria. Gloria however ended her fight in a terrible state. She turned to drugs to cope and is now her own worst enemy. Christian is trying to save her from herself by making her end her fight. "Do you know what's worth fighting for? When it's not worth dying for?" Yes it has to do with war but also Gloria's fight. Christian thinks Gloria is "waging a war and losing the fight," (Song of the Century), and she can't win. He is asking her if she feels more pain than pride, like she's suffocating, if she wants to hide, and if she has a broken heart from this fight. Obviously she is because he continues by telling her she is in ruins. He tells her to surrender with him and live for only their "undying love," (Viva la Gloria!). Christian loves Gloria for her ideals and her soul. When he says "When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul," it shows that she has truly changed. "Your faith walks on broken glass, and the hangover doesn't pass," this is a shot against religion as well as the Bush presidency. Basically Billie Joe is saying that his reign still lingers and it won't end soon.As in Viva la Gloria!, Gloria is refusing to listen again, so Christian picks up his argument with force. He suggests that she is almost becoming him and getting caught in the inferno. "Did you stand to close to the fire? Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone." She is a liar because she succumbed to drugs and almost destroyed herself. "When it's time to live and let die. And you can't get another try. Something inside this heart has died. You're in ruins." Christian says she has to let go because she failed and it's impossible to start again. Once more he asks her to give up and live with him. "One, 21 Guns, Lay down your arms. Give up the fight. One, 21 Guns, Throw up your arms into the sky. You and I..."
14/43
Posted by Jecks on September 18 2009
I think this song has to do more with suicide than anything else. It possibly, most likely, is talking about both Gloria and Christian's internal struggles to keep going, keep living, even though they're in ruins. The song could also be talking about just one of them, and the other is trying to say, I'm here, "you and I", I'll help you get through this. The strongest suggestion of the song being about suicide is this verse: "When you're at the end of the road, and you've lost all sense of control, and your thoughts have taken their toll, when your mind breaks the spirit of your soul. Your faith walks on broken glass..." Sometimes, especially when you're depressed, thoughts go crazy, and often can take over your sense of rationality. It's a good song for both Christian and Gloria. 15/43
Posted by Lanta on August 31 2009
This song is speaking out about the war, how people are losing their life to something that isn't worth fighting for. It's about thinking if what you are doing is right for you. Also i think it's about being with someone you love, but war can stop that. 16/43
Posted by Racheal on August 30 2009
I try not to be an emotional person but this a song I can't listen to without nearly blowing my speakers, and fighting back tears. I don't really hear it being an overseas, send out the troops type of war song, more a personal war song. It identifies the Gloria and Christian in each of us. This song can relate to so many situations in my life, situations from the past I am trying to trudge through, current situations I am conflicted with that make me feel at war with myself. Do I know what's worth fighting for? (My sanity and my family). Are these people that are causing conflict worth dying for? (Hell no.) It's just an example, the beauty of music, especially Green Day, is that it's written to be open to interpretation, and how a song hits you is neither right, and never wrong, 17/43
Posted by Jimmy on August 29 2009
I think this song is about Christian trying to get his point across that his enemy needs to give up the fight in order for them to be together. 18/43
Posted by AJ Sweets on August 28 2009
I really feel like this song has a lot to say about the war...but more specifically, the soldiers coming home from the war. I have seen this personally. These boys come home from having to do unspeakable things, from seeing things no one should have to see, and they are broken. A friend of ours that deployed with my husband is one of those broken people. Drinking, drugs, fighting - he's tried everything to get away from the fight that is in his head. 21 Guns to me represents that inner torment, the war that won't end in their heads. 19/43
Posted by Breann on August 15 2009
What I've noticed about this song is that it's dealing with more than one heartbreak - anything having to do with lost hope in something you've loved/looked up to more than anything - losing your everything and all that comes with it. Basically the last of hope. 20/43
Posted by Chuck on August 12 2009
I believe that this song is about accepting your fate. "Do you know what's worth fighting for?" The song starts with questions because we are unsure about something. "When you're at the end of the road," - meaning there is nothing else to do - nowhere to run. You have to face your problem head on. "When its time to live and let die," - you must move on and accept your fate. 21/43
Posted by Marii on July 16 2009
I saw an interview in Much Music where they were talking about the song meanings of 21CB, and Billie said 21 Guns is not only an anti-war song, it's about finding yourself. He said at first he made it on the piano and then it became a moment alone. 22/43
Posted by Igor on June 18 2009
This song is about giving everything up. The world threw everything it had at Christian and Gloria and they're standing in a hollow world. "Lay down your arms, give up the fight." The best way to visualize the song is to imagine a green field in which Gloria and Christian are just lying down in the grass giving up the fight of and for their lives. 23/43
Posted by Helen S on June 17 2009
I believe this is about Christan and how he tries to fight everyone, but he can't do it alone. The 21 is everyone and the 1 from the chorus "one twenty one guns, lay down your arms give up the fight" is Gloria telling him to stop fighting everyone. But something is holding him back. And the line "like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone" is saying that Christan lost someone near and dear to him, like someone who wanted someone to forgive them, but they died before they ever did *get it graveSTONE* so thats what Christan wants but doesn't know how or is afraid to so what he's trying to do is deflect his issues. But it's killing him inside and some of the lyrics are Gloria trying to understand how Christan feels. "Did someone break your heart inside?" and "You're in ruins" 24/43
Posted by Mitch on June 06 2009
i think this song is about Christian realizing that there is only one thing worth fighting for in his world and that one thing is gloria. He "Tried to live on his own" but couldn't. He is totally lost without Gloria which is reflected in the line "something inside this heart has died". He's tried everything to forget Gloria from drugs to other extremes but "the hangover doesn't pass." 25/43
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Christian and Gloria, both (at the end of the road), the road being, their will to live, meet up again and make peace again (lay down your arms give up the fight). –“Did you try to live on your own? When you burned down the house and home? Did you stand too close to the fire? Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone ” – the fire is a reference to Christian, and calls back to “Last Night on Earth” when he said if I “lose everything in the fire”. They also take a look at the fighting in the wars and are inspired to start helping others. This song also serves as a perspective of a soldier who has lost his faith in a fight – that is not his fight - a fight that has no purpose. This really sums up how Christian and Gloria have been feeling – have they been fighting a fight worth fighting? 26/43
Posted by McKioda on June 05 2009
The title of the song comes from a ceremony called "21 gun salute" which is usually done on a hero's burial... Thus, the band reach out to the world to put an end to all wars and not let another drop of blood fall... 27/43
Posted by Smillas on June 03 2009
I think this song means that if you must rebel, getting violent to accomplish what you want isn't the answer. I think that this song comes from the perspective of Gloria, who is coming out and saying, "Give up the fight." She is saying this to Christian, who wants to do the right thing, but struggles with his true morals of what is punk and what America needs to do. When Gloria says "Did you stand too close to the fire...", I think the fire is Christian's Inferno, which represented his inner - turmoil. She is trying to address that Christian let his testosterone and anger levels reach a level beyond control, and she is trying to calm Christian and relieve the madness. This also connects to "Last of the American Girls" because it is representative of that song and how Gloria is indeed one of the last ones by standing up for what she knows to be right. 28/43
Posted by Vicki F on June 03 2009
Well, i'm not sure but here goes,I think iit could be about a change in times probably not a revolution, something much more personal. the lay down you arms is like giving up something old, and the throw up you arms is celebrating whats new. The title 21 guns is reminecent of that thing they do at war funerals where they fire up 21 shots into the sky. So this would suggest some kind of connection to war, whether it be an actually war or just a war inside the characters head and the funeral of the old something that he has given up after having quite a battle with it... a really bad relationship perhaps, so the war could represent arguments in that relationship
29/43
Posted by XxVivaLaLostXx on June 02 2009
I think it's about having to come to terms with the war and America and just wanting it all to end. Like breaking down and being sick of it all. You just want there, for once, to be peace and having to hear no more about anything. 30/43
Posted by Sarahnade. on June 02 2009
In simplest terms - it's an anti-war song. You can dive in and try to find a Christian or Gloria connection, but I don't think that was Billie Joe's purpose in this song. The lyrics are very blunt: "One, 21 guns, lay down your arms, give up the fight. One, 21 guns, throw up your arms into the sky, you and I." It's about togetherness and becoming one as a nation. It's speaking out about the negativity of violence and how we are all the same, deep down. 31/43
Posted by Lauren on June 01 2009
I see this song as the after effects of war. When you go into war, you don't know what your getting into. The effects it has on a person are traumatic. 32/43
Posted by LDM_300 on June 01 2009
I think this song is about someone who's really emotionally hard, and they're slowly being convinced by the other person to open their hearts and love again. the song also talks about the bad experiences and feelings a person can get from love and broken relationships and how people use them as an excuse to be jaded 33/43
Posted by Juliette on May 29 2009
For me this song isn't anything to do with war. I see it as Gloria telling Christian to just give up fighting against everything and stop being so self-destructive. In the chorus the "one" refers to Christian and the "21" is everything he is fighting - aka the 21st century. The "you and I" is Gloria saying how he should give up the fight and just let it be the two of them together without all of their problems in the way, and also her admitting that she needs to do the same thing. In the bridge where it goes "Did you stand too close to the fire, like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone" I think that Christian is the "fire" and Gloria is the liar for being so hypocritical of him throughout the rest of the album (: 34/43
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's about someone giving everything up, like, they've just had this breakdown and don't want to go on anymore, but they're just doing it in a very rock n' roll arena sort of way. 35/43
Posted by xJenniferx on May 28 2009
The songs about going through a hard time in your life. And you're not sure if you can actually go through with it. Everything's so overwhelming and you're just stuck because it hurts so much. 36/43
Posted by Nicole on May 27 2009
When you really listen to the lyrics it sounds like its describing a person who has been fighting against some sort of change or idea that they don't like, and the process of them realizing they can't fight the situation anymore and the emotions or helplessness they feel. It has a very empathetic vibe to it. 37/43
Posted by Lyndsey McNitt on May 27 2009
"21 Guns"'s meaning is pretty simply complex. For those of you who do not know, a 21 Gun Salute is when a President (or rank of political authority) is saluted by 21 gunshots. Moving on, "21 Guns" is about somebody or being completely torn of pride, all of your hope is lost, your heart is broken, all of your dreams and promises are broken, and you've messed everything up, and you give up. Suicide is noticeable in the verse: "When it's time to live and let die and you can't get another try something inside this heart has died you're in ruins.". It has a very "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"/"Wake Me Up When September Ends"/"No One Knows" feel to it. Sad, slow, quiet, and revelating. Very beautiful song. 38/43
Posted by none of your business on May 27 2009
21 Guns, in my opinion, is about how sometimes you have to just "Lay down your arms" instead of fighting so much that you die or get killed. I believe, that 21 Guns is really about not winding up having the 21 Gun Solute played for you. Also, the song has a lot to do with the war in Iraq, and how the United States needs to get out of it. 39/43
Posted by Drake on May 27 2009
This song is about knowing which things to stand up an fight for which things are useless. As explained in the lines "Do you know what's worth fighting for,When it's not worth dying for?"
40/43
Posted by Brenda AKA Bryn or jinx33 on the forums on May 26 2009
A lot of people see this as an Anti-War song, which I believe it is.I also believe it has a cross meaning. Christian and Gloria had a real fight in "Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)". So I see this as them, or anyone, letting down your guard. Going ahead and believing it is OK to give up the fight and be with the person you care about, even if you have different ways of thinking and doing things.
41/43
Posted by Molly on May 26 2009
I believe it's a song that describes a love or relationship that went through a rough patch, but at the end of the road, what was initially there could not be denied. The reason I think so are because the lyrics, "Did you try to live on your own?" It says so much for only a few words, like Billie Joe is really asking - "Did you try to make it without me? Because I can't make it without you either." For some reason, it's the way I interpret the song. 42/43
Posted by Ben on May 26 2009
I think that this song it about surrendering to something, there is definately a feeling of giving in to the love of something or someone, and there is a few underlying USA/Bush/War in Iraq setiments... Its about surrendering to something ie giving up and taking a new direction 43/43
21 Guns
Posted by Tony on April 13 2010
the song is about the relationship between christian and gloria. they keep fighting and don't know how to stop. they just have to stop, think about what they're doing, and give up the fight.
Posted by HaHa on March 02 2010
I think that this song is about the fear and confusion that Christian amd Gloria have to go through to be together. It sounds like they just got in a HUGE fight (Do you know what"s worth fighting for? When it"s not worth dying for.) And that they want to be together but they don"t know how they"ll make it work (does the pain weight out the pride).
Christian and Gloria just want to stop figting so they can make it work, and thier arms or wepons are thier words (lay down your arms. give up the fight) And they just need to surrender to each other and work it out.
Christain and Gloria might have been fighting, but you don"t know excally why. But in the line "like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone" might mean that Christian or Gloria had lied to each other about something.
Christian and Gloria just want to stop figting so they can make it work, and thier arms or wepons are thier words (lay down your arms. give up the fight) And they just need to surrender to each other and work it out.
Christain and Gloria might have been fighting, but you don"t know excally why. But in the line "like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone" might mean that Christian or Gloria had lied to each other about something.
Posted by natasha on February 20 2010
i think this song means embracing the chaos or mess around you.
Posted by Christian on February 14 2010
I think this song means LOVE CONQUERS ALL.
Posted by Raquel V. on February 05 2010
21 Guns is about Christian and Gloria getting into a massive fight over something and then Christian decides he has to do something because Gloria is being silent and won't listen to him.
Posted by Ben Cl. on January 21 2010
This is my favorite off the album. It falls perfectly into place with the rest of the album. I took it as Gloria speaking to Christian telling him to extinguish his anger and rage and to just give up the fight. He is the one with, for example, 21 guns or things of aggression. Also, it leads to the leaders or people we deal with and to call this anger of war and bloodshed off. Sending so many lives to this cause of war and death is an endless tunnel and not worth the fight in the first place. "You're in ruins," if you can't realize how important your real potential is. This song is worth so much more than just a hit a song winning awards and hitting the radio. Those are positives, but the meaning outweighs everything else. If things aren't going the right way or the means won't lead to the end, "give up the fight" and save yourself inside and out. Or else those ruins will follow.
Posted by lemuel nemenzo on January 05 2010
I feel it's about giving up. There's just so much going and you don't know where to go. And because of all the chaos you're losing yourself and everyone around you.
But in the 21st century breakdown story I think it's Christian on his own and he's hit rock bottom without Gloria and doesn't know what to do. He's lost without her.
But in the 21st century breakdown story I think it's Christian on his own and he's hit rock bottom without Gloria and doesn't know what to do. He's lost without her.
Posted by Shanell(: on December 27 2009
I think that 21 guns is showing that Gloria and Christian need to stop fighting. "Lay down your arms, give up the fight." That's saying that they were meant for each other and always will be! "When it's time to live and let die, and you don't get another try" is saying that this is their last chance to reunite before it's too late(:
Posted by Tasha on November 21 2009
I think this song is about lives falling into pieces and that they have someone to pick them back up but they don't accept it at first. Christian and Gloria are like this - they have let everything go including their relationship. At the end I think they realise what has happened and how much they mean to each other. And that's what most lives are like, they realise it is going to shambles and accept the help offered by loved ones.
Posted by smokenblue on November 16 2009
21 gun salute is a military symbol for the end. Getting closure on what you can't live with, and putting an end to it is what this song is about.
Posted by Raquel V. on November 12 2009
21 Guns is about all of the George W. Bush followers and how they are not embarrassed by their leader and how they should stop following and just give up the fight.
Posted by Richie on October 28 2009
I feel it's about giving up. There's just so much going and you don't where to go. And because of all the chaos you're losing yourself and everyone around you.
But in the 21st century breakdown story I think it's Christian on his own and he's hit rock bottom without Gloria and doesn't know what to do. He's lost without her.
But in the 21st century breakdown story I think it's Christian on his own and he's hit rock bottom without Gloria and doesn't know what to do. He's lost without her.
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
I think this song is basically like the video. Christian and Gloria have got to the point where everything has gone wrong, even their relationship, and they're almost ready to give up everything they've been fighting for. But eventually they realise that whatever they do it's going to burn down anyway, and all they have left is each other, so they finally realise how much they mean to each other, no matter what their faults are. That's how I see it.
Posted by Sparks on September 22 2009
The song is about accepting what is around you and living through it. It is also about love, war, and escape from a lost cause. Christian is talking to Gloria in this song. They have both failed in their own methods of fighting the system. The fight had enraged Christian for so long but in "Static Age" he frees himself, forgets his rage and remembers his love for Gloria. Gloria however ended her fight in a terrible state. She turned to drugs to cope and is now her own worst enemy. Christian is trying to save her from herself by making her end her fight. "Do you know what's worth fighting for? When it's not worth dying for?" Yes it has to do with war but also Gloria's fight. Christian thinks Gloria is "waging a war and losing the fight," (Song of the Century), and she can't win. He is asking her if she feels more pain than pride, like she's suffocating, if she wants to hide, and if she has a broken heart from this fight. Obviously she is because he continues by telling her she is in ruins. He tells her to surrender with him and live for only their "undying love," (Viva la Gloria!). Christian loves Gloria for her ideals and her soul. When he says "When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul," it shows that she has truly changed. "Your faith walks on broken glass, and the hangover doesn't pass," this is a shot against religion as well as the Bush presidency. Basically Billie Joe is saying that his reign still lingers and it won't end soon.
As in Viva la Gloria!, Gloria is refusing to listen again, so Christian picks up his argument with force. He suggests that she is almost becoming him and getting caught in the inferno. "Did you stand to close to the fire? Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone." She is a liar because she succumbed to drugs and almost destroyed herself. "When it's time to live and let die. And you can't get another try. Something inside this heart has died. You're in ruins." Christian says she has to let go because she failed and it's impossible to start again. Once more he asks her to give up and live with him. "One, 21 Guns, Lay down your arms. Give up the fight. One, 21 Guns, Throw up your arms into the sky. You and I..."
As in Viva la Gloria!, Gloria is refusing to listen again, so Christian picks up his argument with force. He suggests that she is almost becoming him and getting caught in the inferno. "Did you stand to close to the fire? Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone." She is a liar because she succumbed to drugs and almost destroyed herself. "When it's time to live and let die. And you can't get another try. Something inside this heart has died. You're in ruins." Christian says she has to let go because she failed and it's impossible to start again. Once more he asks her to give up and live with him. "One, 21 Guns, Lay down your arms. Give up the fight. One, 21 Guns, Throw up your arms into the sky. You and I..."
Posted by Jecks on September 18 2009
I think this song has to do more with suicide than anything else. It possibly, most likely, is talking about both Gloria and Christian's internal struggles to keep going, keep living, even though they're in ruins. The song could also be talking about just one of them, and the other is trying to say, I'm here, "you and I", I'll help you get through this. The strongest suggestion of the song being about suicide is this verse: "When you're at the end of the road, and you've lost all sense of control, and your thoughts have taken their toll, when your mind breaks the spirit of your soul. Your faith walks on broken glass..." Sometimes, especially when you're depressed, thoughts go crazy, and often can take over your sense of rationality. It's a good song for both Christian and Gloria.
Posted by Lanta on August 31 2009
This song is speaking out about the war, how people are losing their life to something that isn't worth fighting for. It's about thinking if what you are doing is right for you. Also i think it's about being with someone you love, but war can stop that.
Posted by Racheal on August 30 2009
I try not to be an emotional person but this a song I can't listen to without nearly blowing my speakers, and fighting back tears. I don't really hear it being an overseas, send out the troops type of war song, more a personal war song. It identifies the Gloria and Christian in each of us. This song can relate to so many situations in my life, situations from the past I am trying to trudge through, current situations I am conflicted with that make me feel at war with myself. Do I know what's worth fighting for? (My sanity and my family). Are these people that are causing conflict worth dying for? (Hell no.) It's just an example, the beauty of music, especially Green Day, is that it's written to be open to interpretation, and how a song hits you is neither right, and never wrong,
Posted by Jimmy on August 29 2009
I think this song is about Christian trying to get his point across that his enemy needs to give up the fight in order for them to be together.
Posted by AJ Sweets on August 28 2009
I really feel like this song has a lot to say about the war...but more specifically, the soldiers coming home from the war. I have seen this personally. These boys come home from having to do unspeakable things, from seeing things no one should have to see, and they are broken. A friend of ours that deployed with my husband is one of those broken people. Drinking, drugs, fighting - he's tried everything to get away from the fight that is in his head. 21 Guns to me represents that inner torment, the war that won't end in their heads.
Posted by Breann on August 15 2009
What I've noticed about this song is that it's dealing with more than one heartbreak - anything having to do with lost hope in something you've loved/looked up to more than anything - losing your everything and all that comes with it. Basically the last of hope.
Posted by Chuck on August 12 2009
I believe that this song is about accepting your fate. "Do you know what's worth fighting for?" The song starts with questions because we are unsure about something. "When you're at the end of the road," - meaning there is nothing else to do - nowhere to run. You have to face your problem head on. "When its time to live and let die," - you must move on and accept your fate.
Posted by Marii on July 16 2009
I saw an interview in Much Music where they were talking about the song meanings of 21CB, and Billie said 21 Guns is not only an anti-war song, it's about finding yourself. He said at first he made it on the piano and then it became a moment alone.
Posted by Igor on June 18 2009
This song is about giving everything up. The world threw everything it had at Christian and Gloria and they're standing in a hollow world. "Lay down your arms, give up the fight." The best way to visualize the song is to imagine a green field in which Gloria and Christian are just lying down in the grass giving up the fight of and for their lives.
Posted by Helen S on June 17 2009
I believe this is about Christan and how he tries to fight everyone, but he can't do it alone. The 21 is everyone and the 1 from the chorus "one twenty one guns, lay down your arms give up the fight" is Gloria telling him to stop fighting everyone. But something is holding him back. And the line "like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone" is saying that Christan lost someone near and dear to him, like someone who wanted someone to forgive them, but they died before they ever did *get it graveSTONE* so thats what Christan wants but doesn't know how or is afraid to so what he's trying to do is deflect his issues. But it's killing him inside and some of the lyrics are Gloria trying to understand how Christan feels. "Did someone break your heart inside?" and "You're in ruins"
Posted by Mitch on June 06 2009
i think this song is about Christian realizing that there is only one thing worth fighting for in his world and that one thing is gloria. He "Tried to live on his own" but couldn't. He is totally lost without Gloria which is reflected in the line "something inside this heart has died". He's tried everything to forget Gloria from drugs to other extremes but "the hangover doesn't pass."
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
Christian and Gloria, both (at the end of the road), the road being, their will to live, meet up again and make peace again (lay down your arms give up the fight). –“Did you try to live on your own? When you burned down the house and home? Did you stand too close to the fire? Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone ” – the fire is a reference to Christian, and calls back to “Last Night on Earth” when he said if I “lose everything in the fire”. They also take a look at the fighting in the wars and are inspired to start helping others. This song also serves as a perspective of a soldier who has lost his faith in a fight – that is not his fight - a fight that has no purpose. This really sums up how Christian and Gloria have been feeling – have they been fighting a fight worth fighting?
Posted by McKioda on June 05 2009
The title of the song comes from a ceremony called "21 gun salute" which is usually done on a hero's burial... Thus, the band reach out to the world to put an end to all wars and not let another drop of blood fall...
Posted by Smillas on June 03 2009
I think this song means that if you must rebel, getting violent to accomplish what you want isn't the answer. I think that this song comes from the perspective of Gloria, who is coming out and saying, "Give up the fight." She is saying this to Christian, who wants to do the right thing, but struggles with his true morals of what is punk and what America needs to do. When Gloria says "Did you stand too close to the fire...", I think the fire is Christian's Inferno, which represented his inner - turmoil. She is trying to address that Christian let his testosterone and anger levels reach a level beyond control, and she is trying to calm Christian and relieve the madness. This also connects to "Last of the American Girls" because it is representative of that song and how Gloria is indeed one of the last ones by standing up for what she knows to be right.
Posted by Vicki F on June 03 2009
Well, i'm not sure but here goes,
I think iit could be about a change in times probably not a revolution, something much more personal. the lay down you arms is like giving up something old, and the throw up you arms is celebrating whats new. The title 21 guns is reminecent of that thing they do at war funerals where they fire up 21 shots into the sky. So this would suggest some kind of connection to war, whether it be an actually war or just a war inside the characters head and the funeral of the old something that he has given up after having quite a battle with it... a really bad relationship perhaps, so the war could represent arguments in that relationship
I think iit could be about a change in times probably not a revolution, something much more personal. the lay down you arms is like giving up something old, and the throw up you arms is celebrating whats new. The title 21 guns is reminecent of that thing they do at war funerals where they fire up 21 shots into the sky. So this would suggest some kind of connection to war, whether it be an actually war or just a war inside the characters head and the funeral of the old something that he has given up after having quite a battle with it... a really bad relationship perhaps, so the war could represent arguments in that relationship
Posted by XxVivaLaLostXx on June 02 2009
I think it's about having to come to terms with the war and America and just wanting it all to end. Like breaking down and being sick of it all. You just want there, for once, to be peace and having to hear no more about anything.
Posted by Sarahnade. on June 02 2009
In simplest terms - it's an anti-war song. You can dive in and try to find a Christian or Gloria connection, but I don't think that was Billie Joe's purpose in this song. The lyrics are very blunt: "One, 21 guns, lay down your arms, give up the fight. One, 21 guns, throw up your arms into the sky, you and I." It's about togetherness and becoming one as a nation. It's speaking out about the negativity of violence and how we are all the same, deep down.
Posted by Lauren on June 01 2009
I see this song as the after effects of war. When you go into war, you don't know what your getting into. The effects it has on a person are traumatic.
Posted by LDM_300 on June 01 2009
I think this song is about someone who's really emotionally hard, and they're slowly being convinced by the other person to open their hearts and love again. the song also talks about the bad experiences and feelings a person can get from love and broken relationships and how people use them as an excuse to be jaded
Posted by Juliette on May 29 2009
For me this song isn't anything to do with war. I see it as Gloria telling Christian to just give up fighting against everything and stop being so self-destructive. In the chorus the "one" refers to Christian and the "21" is everything he is fighting - aka the 21st century. The "you and I" is Gloria saying how he should give up the fight and just let it be the two of them together without all of their problems in the way, and also her admitting that she needs to do the same thing. In the bridge where it goes "Did you stand too close to the fire, like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone" I think that Christian is the "fire" and Gloria is the liar for being so hypocritical of him throughout the rest of the album (:
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's about someone giving everything up, like, they've just had this breakdown and don't want to go on anymore, but they're just doing it in a very rock n' roll arena sort of way.
Posted by xJenniferx on May 28 2009
The songs about going through a hard time in your life. And you're not sure if you can actually go through with it. Everything's so overwhelming and you're just stuck because it hurts so much.
Posted by Nicole on May 27 2009
When you really listen to the lyrics it sounds like its describing a person who has been fighting against some sort of change or idea that they don't like, and the process of them realizing they can't fight the situation anymore and the emotions or helplessness they feel. It has a very empathetic vibe to it.
Posted by Lyndsey McNitt on May 27 2009
"21 Guns"'s meaning is pretty simply complex. For those of you who do not know, a 21 Gun Salute is when a President (or rank of political authority) is saluted by 21 gunshots. Moving on, "21 Guns" is about somebody or being completely torn of pride, all of your hope is lost, your heart is broken, all of your dreams and promises are broken, and you've messed everything up, and you give up. Suicide is noticeable in the verse: "When it's time to live and let die and you can't get another try something inside this heart has died you're in ruins.". It has a very "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"/"Wake Me Up When September Ends"/"No One Knows" feel to it. Sad, slow, quiet, and revelating. Very beautiful song.
Posted by none of your business on May 27 2009
21 Guns, in my opinion, is about how sometimes you have to just "Lay down your arms" instead of fighting so much that you die or get killed. I believe, that 21 Guns is really about not winding up having the 21 Gun Solute played for you. Also, the song has a lot to do with the war in Iraq, and how the United States needs to get out of it.
Posted by Drake on May 27 2009
This song is about knowing which things to stand up an fight for which things are useless. As explained in the lines "Do you know what's worth fighting for,
When it's not worth dying for?"
When it's not worth dying for?"
Posted by Brenda AKA Bryn or jinx33 on the forums on May 26 2009
A lot of people see this as an Anti-War song, which I believe it is.
I also believe it has a cross meaning. Christian and Gloria had a real fight in "Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)". So I see this as them, or anyone, letting down your guard. Going ahead and believing it is OK to give up the fight and be with the person you care about, even if you have different ways of thinking and doing things.
I also believe it has a cross meaning. Christian and Gloria had a real fight in "Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)". So I see this as them, or anyone, letting down your guard. Going ahead and believing it is OK to give up the fight and be with the person you care about, even if you have different ways of thinking and doing things.
Posted by Molly on May 26 2009
I believe it's a song that describes a love or relationship that went through a rough patch, but at the end of the road, what was initially there could not be denied. The reason I think so are because the lyrics, "Did you try to live on your own?" It says so much for only a few words, like Billie Joe is really asking - "Did you try to make it without me? Because I can't make it without you either." For some reason, it's the way I interpret the song.
Posted by Ben on May 26 2009
I think that this song it about surrendering to something, there is definately a feeling of giving in to the love of something or someone, and there is a few underlying USA/Bush/War in Iraq setiments... Its about surrendering to something ie giving up and taking a new direction
Christian and Gloria have given up and everything has turned to hysteria. America needs them ("calling Christian and Gloria"), but their only answer is that they don't want to live in the modern world. So the hysteria continues until everything has been burnt down.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
The two characters become inspired by what is going on and look at all the events that have happened during the Bush years, Hurricane Katrina being a main one. They are unhappy with the class war and how the rich are looked at as higher people. There is so much going on in their world that they realize it is out of their control. The song also serves as a swipe at the mainstream media, as they like to use scare tactics to cause “Mass Hysteria”. The conclusion of the song (and pretty much the album) is that they decide they have had enough, and realize the modern world is too much for them to live in. It’s too corrupted, and they don’t think they can do anything to change it. “'Cause I don't give a shit about the modern age!” – “I don’t want to live in the modern world!”. The way America used to be, and how it has become - has gotten a point where it's falling apart. While tragic, in some ways it's an exciting time, as it can give a chance for change. So while the song has some negative tones to it (especially from the perspective of Christian and Gloria) - the song in some ways has a celebratory aspect to it. 2/4
Posted by jack on June 02 2009
I think it's Mass Hysteria's about mass destruction between america and iraq. I think modern world is about how Christian hates his life. 3/4
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's two songs in one: Mass Hysteria and Modern World. It's full of information you might see on T.V and all the emotion of the record in this kind of blender, where when everything comes out it's a sensory overload. The main points in the song seem to be confusion, hype destruction and in Modern Wolrd, unemployment and not wanting to care. 4/4
American Eulogy
Posted by Maria on September 23 2009
Christian and Gloria have given up and everything has turned to hysteria. America needs them ("calling Christian and Gloria"), but their only answer is that they don't want to live in the modern world. So the hysteria continues until everything has been burnt down.
Posted by Kate Austen on June 05 2009
The two characters become inspired by what is going on and look at all the events that have happened during the Bush years, Hurricane Katrina being a main one. They are unhappy with the class war and how the rich are looked at as higher people. There is so much going on in their world that they realize it is out of their control. The song also serves as a swipe at the mainstream media, as they like to use scare tactics to cause “Mass Hysteria”. The conclusion of the song (and pretty much the album) is that they decide they have had enough, and realize the modern world is too much for them to live in. It’s too corrupted, and they don’t think they can do anything to change it. “'Cause I don't give a shit about the modern age!” – “I don’t want to live in the modern world!”. The way America used to be, and how it has become - has gotten a point where it's falling apart. While tragic, in some ways it's an exciting time, as it can give a chance for change. So while the song has some negative tones to it (especially from the perspective of Christian and Gloria) - the song in some ways has a celebratory aspect to it.
Posted by jack on June 02 2009
I think it's Mass Hysteria's about mass destruction between america and iraq. I think modern world is about how Christian hates his life.
Posted by Lozza on May 29 2009
It's two songs in one: Mass Hysteria and Modern World. It's full of information you might see on T.V and all the emotion of the record in this kind of blender, where when everything comes out it's a sensory overload. The main points in the song seem to be confusion, hype destruction and in Modern Wolrd, unemployment and not wanting to care.
See The Light is about Christian and Gloria thinking they found the solution for all their problems until they figure out they really just screwed themselve's off. That's why they want to see the light and want to know what's worth a fight.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar