Top 10 Songs by Green Day

In 1994 the advance copy of Green Day’s Dookie found its way to my in box (the paper kind we used to use in the early ’90s). I was editing and writing for a weekly arts newspaper and we were about to premiere our new “arts” section. After listening to Green Day’s Dookie I suggested to the editor that we put Green Day, a then unheard of band, on our first inside arts cover.

At the time I described Green Day as “music concentrate,” like the orange juice concentrate you find in your freezer. Their intense and short songs have a dense and condensed quality. The arts editor went with a local band instead. The local band has since broken up. And Green Day went on to become a phenomenal success.

Sounds Like…

Green Day is guitarist and lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong, bass guitarist and back up vocalist Mike Drint, and drummer and back up vocalist TrÃ?© Cool. Their pop punk music has won awards, shot to the top of the charts, and angered some original punk musicians who don’t consider Green Day’s music to be punk.

According to Billie Joe Armstrong, the main vocalist of Green Day, his biggest musical influences came from alternative rock and hardcore punk bands like The Replacements and Husker Du. It’s hard not to hear punk overtones in Green Day’s music, which is reminiscent of The Ramones, The Jam, The Sexpistols and The Buzzcocks.

My high opinion of Green Day’s music has not waned much over the years. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. My appreciation of their earlier music is compounded by my love of their newer material. After compiling my list I realized that most of the top songs by Green Day are from Dookie, their first album. For many bands I tend to favor their earlier albums.

In my opinion, the top 10 Songs by Green Day are:

1. Basket Case off of Dookie, 1994. Billie Joe sings about his own anxiety, mental health and panic attacks. The seriousness this song could easily be missed by its catchy guitar hook. I also like the subtle gender confusion (listen closely) in the lyrics, which is just another element of Green Day’s subversiveness.

2.Wake Me Up When September Ends off of American Idiot, 2004. This song makes the list because it is a slow, quiet, personal song about experiencing the death of a parent at a young age. Say what you will about Billy Joe and Green Day, but true art reveals what’s in your heart.

3. Boulevard of Broken Dreams off of American Idiot, 2004. If you look up loneliness in the dictionary, you may this song. Another personal and emotional song, Boulevard is compelling because its sentiments are universal.

“…My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow hearts the only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me…”

4. Holiday off of American Idiot, 2004. This song proves critics of Green Day’s punk label wrong. Although it is an upbeat sounding tune, this top song by Green Day is a political commentary. The genius of Holiday is that you don’t necessarily have to agree with its sentiments to appreciate the song. In a time of political turmoil over the war in Iraq, Green Day proves that the 1st Amendment is still alive and well.

“… Seek out to the president gasbag
Bombs away is your punishment
Pulverize the Eiffel tower…”

5. When I Come Around off of Dookie , 1994. Even rock stars feel pressured in love relationships:

“… You can’t go forcing something if it’s just
not right…”

6. In the End off of Dookie, 1994.

“…I figured out what you’re all about
And I don’t think I like what I see
SOOOOO …
I HOPE I won’t be there in the end
if you come around…”

7. Welcome to Paradise off of Dookie, 1994. A classic song about growing up and coming of terms with your own ideas about creativity and ideals.

8. Good Riddance When September Ends. My only beef? I wish it were longer.

9. She off of Dookie, 1994. This top Green Day Song is an ingenious song about social rebellion, the status quo and towing the line.

“…Are you locked up in a world
That’s been planned out for you?
Are you feeling like a social tool without a use?”

10. Warning off of Warning, 2000. Again, Green Days shows they their punk and anti-social tendencies. And I mean that in a good way.

“…Sanitation, expiration date
Pushing everything
Or shut up and be a victim of authority…”

Green Day

These top songs by Green Day are simply my personal favorites. As they continue to make music, this list will only grow.

Note: Lyrics are copyrighted by Green Day and are quoted here for promotional purposes only.9. Good Riddance off of Nimrod, 19**.
10. Warning off of Warning, 19**.