In an interview with Rolling Stone , lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong Green Day songs that defined his life.
He also shared some interesting facts about the band's famous hits.
Check it out:
1) “409 in Your Coffeemaker” (1990)
After dropping out of high school, Billie Joe didn't know where to go. The musician says: “I didn't know what life would be like. I think that's when I'm most honest as a songwriter, when I feel lost.” The songwriting process for the track stemmed from those sad feelings, which he transformed into “something more empowering.”.
2) “2000 Light Years Away” (1992)
The song was written for Adrienne – the singer's current wife – when the artist was in the middle of a tour. "When you write a song for someone you fall in love with, you don't know what the response will be," the musician commented.
3) “Welcome to Paradise” (1991)
In the song, the artist recalls the challenges of moving from a house in the suburbs to living in a warehouse. Despite the abrupt transformation, the musician emphasizes that "suddenly, you start to feel at home.".
4) “She” (1994)
When he started dating a woman named Amanda, the singer learned about feminism. "I wrote this as a love song for her, but it was also about learning about her activism."
5) “Longview” (1994)
The artist reveals that he wanted to make a song similar to "Message of Love" by The Pretenders – but needed a bass line. After a night filled with drugs, the band achieved what they wanted. "It's a song with a unique sound."
6) “Brain Stew” (1995)
With the music, the artist wanted to show "the scary side of becoming a rock star. You can't control the outcome of your life. I wanted to show the ugliest side of what Green Day was capable of.".
7) “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” (1997)
Billie Joe reveals that he wrote the song for a girlfriend who was going to live in Ecuador – and this was in 1993, but the track was released in 1997. The song is about “trying to be cool, accepting that, in life, people go in different directions”.
8) “Minority” (2000)
With an acoustic slant, the artist wrote the song during the American election period. "I think this song is about declaring that you're stepping out of line, you're not part of the sheep, and trying to find your own individualism."
9) “Jesus of Suburbia” (2004)
The artist wanted to write a song that felt like a "mini-opera." In the process, the singer described the experimentalism he achieved and recalled that the track "felt like uncharted territory" and that he took "composition to another level.".
10) “Holiday” (2004)
Amidst political tensions and the start of the Iraq War, the artist aimed to create something "provocative." "This music was simply about trying to find your own voice and your own individuality and questioning everything you see on television, in politics, at school, in family, and in religion."
11) “21 Guns” (2004)
Regarding his career as a musician, the singer emphasized that he felt lost at times, and that's what the song is about.
12) “Fell for You” (2012)
For Billie Joe, music is a portrait of reality. "When you grow up, you can cause a lot of damage in life, so it's best to write a song about it."
13) “Ordinary World” (2016)
After appearing in the film Ordinary World, the artist intended to compose a song that spoke about the character's life. "It's simply discovering that the simplest things in life are the greatest connections you can have.".
14) “Love Is for Losers” (2018)
Although it's not a Green Day song, Billie Joe included it on the list. The track was produced by the artist and all the instruments were recorded by him.
15) “Father of All…” (2020)
In the track, the musician wanted to experiment and balance Motown with soul music. Furthermore, the artist states that “I was just struggling in life and I think it has to do with reflecting on the current culture we're in. With Mike playing bass, he kind of created this final Green Day song. And I've never felt so proud of a single before in my life.”
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