J'net Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 In honor of Insomniac's birthday, this week's Song of the Week is Armatage Shanks. Please use this thread to discuss your thoughts and feelings about the song. The Green Day Authority posted an article yesterday to acknowledge the release of Insomniac 15 years ago. There's some great information there, so check it out! I would like to know how closely Billie Joe identifies with these lyrics today. Of course, we all carry everything we've ever been or thought or felt inside us. I can close my eyes and put myself back into that horribly awkward mind-set of high school (which this song expresses so well). But I don't really feel that way most of the time – only when I do something incredibly stupid. I wonder how much Billie really feels these feelings in his daily life now, especially with so many recent successes. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this question. I also love the story of how this song got its name, but I'll leave that for someone else to tell . Here's a video of three very young guys performing Armatage Shanks at the 1994 VMAs: This one is from London at the O2 last year (a show many of us from this forum attended) and includes a very interesting transition from Burnout into Armatage Shanks at about 23 seconds into the video: Armatage Shanks Lyrics Stranded... lost inside myself My own worst friend My own closest enemy Branded... Maladjusted Never trusted anyone Let alone myself I must insist On being a pessimist I'm a loner in a catastrophic mind Elected the rejected I perfected the science of idiot No meaning... no healing Self loathing freak and introverted Deviate I must insist On being a pessimist I'm a loner in a catastrophic mind Stranded...lost inside myself My own worst friend My own closest enemy Elected the rejected I perfected the science of the idiot I must insist On being a pessimist I'm a loner in a catastrophic mind I'm gettin' pissed I'm a worthless pessimist I'm a loner in a claustrophobic mind ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can nominate songs for discussion as Song of the Week in the Song Discussions thread, which contains links to each previous Song of the Week from 9/14/2009 forward in its original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Empty Laughter Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 my own anthem! I really love this one! I must insist on being a pessimist, I'm a loner in a catastrophic mind! just love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spark in the night Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 ARMATAGE SHANKSSSS :wub: best Insomniac song ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita_GD Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I love how this song at times is so easy to relate to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanny. Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I absolutely love that song, definitely my favorite off Insomniac! I couldn't believe my ears and eyes when they played it in Mtl! This is the best version I found from the show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opezi Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 yes <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AfterShock Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 This is such a great song. Perfect opener for Insomniac! And I loved watching that video of them at the VMAs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllIWannaDoIs... Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I absolutely love that song, definitely my favorite off Insomniac! I couldn't believe my ears and eyes when they played it in Mtl! This is the best version I found from the show I was soooo happy they played it too! I screamed out of suprise and happiness (I had really been hoping that they would play it), and the girl next to me gave me a funny look Was amazing to hear & to sing along.Good times. It's my 2nd favorite off of Insomniac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J'net Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 I was soooo happy they played it too! I screamed out of suprise and happiness (I had really been hoping that they would play it), and the girl next to me gave me a funny look Was amazing to hear & to sing along.Good times. It's my 2nd favorite off of Insomniac. They started it and played a little snippet at Belfast last year. I was so stunned I couldn't even remember which song it was (though I knew all the words ). That often happens to me with Green Day songs that have names totally unrelated to the lyrics! When they played it again at the O2 in London (video in OP), I was ready for it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan86 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Love this song. I'm not fully sure where it got it's name but I know Armatage Shanks is a company that makes toilets. Could be something to do with Keeping the toilet themed title going I suppose. Kerplunk to Dookie to Armatage shanks. I could be way off with this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanny. Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I was soooo happy they played it too! I screamed out of suprise and happiness (I had really been hoping that they would play it), and the girl next to me gave me a funny look Was amazing to hear & to sing along.Good times. It's my 2nd favorite off of Insomniac. Omg me too! And it was totally unexpected! I never thought they would do it during the show, even though they played it at the soundcheck. It was definitely one of my highlights from the show, seems like it was Billie's too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Thespian Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Love this song. I'm not fully sure where it got it's name but I know Armatage Shanks is a company that makes toilets. Could be something to do with Keeping the toilet themed title going I suppose. Kerplunk to Dookie to Armatage shanks. I could be way off with this The toilet theme makes perfect sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyrebe04 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I love Armatage Shanks, it's not my favorite but is a song that I enjoy to play a lot!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punk-tastic32 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Whee! I love this song. Especially the opening.. *drums* "Fuu!" (Or whatever it is...) I remember I couldn't get the lyrics for a long time. Then one day- BAM. I was thinking "How did I not get it before?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greendepent Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 The video in the OP (the 94 one) is the first performance of that song ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadbeatbrat Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Badass song! I think it's a pretty fitting intro to Insomniac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agija Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Great choice, J'net. Armatage Shanks is one of my favourite Green Day songs ever. I often listen to it on my way to school, the song always puts a smile on my face, I don't even know why. This is definitely my favourite part: "No meaning... no healing Self loathing freak and introverted Deviate I must insist On being a pessimist I'm a loner in a catastrophic mind" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mar Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 My own worst friend My own closest enemy I must insist On being a pessimist Story of my life right there. It's amazing how often Billie's lyrics can relate to my feelings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pasalaska Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I remember hearing the drum intro to this during the soundcheck at Montreal 2010, and then they played it in the concert, and I weed a little. I love that drum intro so much and it is a bathroom brand, we got stupidly excited when we went to the toilets near the Perth venue and found this: we were taking photos of the sink and people were looking at us like we were rabid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero. Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I remember hearing the drum intro to this during the soundcheck at Montreal 2010, and then they played it in the concert, and I weed a little. I love that drum intro so much and it is a bathroom brand, we got stupidly excited when we went to the toilets near the Perth venue and found this: we were taking photos of the sink and people were looking at us like we were rabid Hahahaha thats awesome! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rinu Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Ahh Insomniac is the best!!! This song is I relate this song to myself.Well actually most songs on Insomniac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANJI Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I love this song! One of the best songs to start off an album! I also love the sink references Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I adore this song. I find it highly relatable, especially right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bollard_11 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU J'Net! I have been in love with this song (and the rest of Insomniac) for the last month, playing it non-stop. It is one of my favourite Green Day songs to play on the guitar, and the lyrics, wow. I just love this song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comedy & Tragedy Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Yup, I still get excited seeing a sink with Armitage Shanks written on it (even though, it's spelled differently) I've really gotten attached to this song over the past while. The lyrics are so well written, and so easy to relate to. It's a feeling that a lot of us have felt at one stage... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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