77 replies to this topic

[tubbyfox]

I have several very different groups of friends, you know, pub friends, work friends, ex-school friends etc etc, and I have realised with horror that no-one I know has heard of Green Day (ikr!). "What songs have they done?" they ask and have never heard of any of their hits, so, what song do you think best sums up Green Day and best represents their talent as musicians and songwriters if I was going to play them one song to get them hooked? Please give reasons.

For me it would probably be Minority as it is so immediately catchy, but still with that bratty Green Day sound, and it has a great lyric. Please tell me if you know better!

(Sorry if this has already been done, but I do need help converting people and I only have one shot).

[John.]

It's important to realize "what is their best song", "which song will people who've never heard Green Day before like the most", "what song will Green Day fans like the most", "what is their lyrically best song", "what is their instrumentally best song", "what is their catchiest song", and so on are all different questions with different answers, and pretty much entirely subjective. 

 

Personally, if I was going to show someone who never heard Green Day before a few songs, I'd probably try to get them to listen to Burnout, Letterbomb, and Waiting, which I think would be a nice, well balanced mix of the spectrum of the type of music they make. 

[Radio Victim]

Dirty Rotten Bastards

[redundant22]

It's important to realize "what is their best song", "which song will people who've never heard Green Day before like the most", "what song will Green Day fans like the most", "what is their lyrically best song", "what is their instrumentally best song", "what is their catchiest song", and so on are all different questions with different answers, and pretty much entirely subjective. 

 

Personally, if I was going to show someone who never heard Green Day before a few songs, I'd probably try to get them to listen to Burnout, Letterbomb, and Waiting, which I think would be a nice, well balanced mix of the spectrum of the type of music they make. 

Agreed. You have to differentiate what the person sets value on, or what you yourself set value on. It's kinda difficult (well not THAT much but yeah) to let someone listen to JOS without feeling the urge to explain them the story line of AI, the character of JOS/St. Jimmy, the references to BJ and the band etc etc.

[phslaxmidi10]

Basketcase, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Jesus of Suburbia, and Stay the Night. I think those give a well-balanced look of their maturation as musicians as well as a great look at the catchiness and lyrical content of their music.

[redundant22]

but Minority is actually a pretty good choice I guess. Or showing them something like Bullet in a Bible or any live video.

[paulGREENDAY]

I think Holiday

[John.]

Jesus of Suburbia is an awesome song and probably the best song on American Idiot and one of the Green Day's greatest works, but it is an acquired taste for sure.

[Katarina.]

I'd say Letterbomb, Waiting and Welcome to Paradise. Just to get an idea of what kind of music they make and what they sing about. I was gonna say Jesus of Suburbia too for obvious reasons. Would be fun to let them listen to it without telling beforehand it's a 9 minute song

[BlueWingPack]

For some reason whenever i think of Green Day the first song that pops into my head is Poprocks and Coke.

[Giov]

One song? I'd choose Maria, it has the classic Green Day sound, it's catchy and has great lyrics that somehow are linked to the political side of the band. I think it has all the characteristics of a typical Green Day song.

[K!ngForADay]

I've said before and I'll say it again, Holiday. It expertly showcases all aspects of the band. The big singalong chorus, the breakdown, the punky verses and excellent lyrics all show you what the band do so well.

Apart from that, American Idiot would be far from a bad choice, given it's knowable, short and catchy. Minority is also a good choice.

[Heisenberg]

Just give them International Superhits, if that doesn't hook them, nothing will

[C-Lee]

Homecoming

[The Green One]

I would probably choose Hitchin' a Ride or Holiday. Holiday would probably be the better choice, but I've seen a few of my friends liking Hitchin' and by that, getting into Green Day.

[Advertising]

[Andrew]

Nightlife

Seriously though, probably Letterbomb, 86, Holiday and something like Having a Blast.

[iScottie]

For me personally, it's hard to say.

 

I would probably show somebody one of their older albums in comparison to American Idiot. This way, they would be able to see how Green Day went from a bunch of kids writing music about life for fun to mature individuals who were able to write a rock opera.

 

Green Day is definitely a unique band, which is why I like them so much

[HumanPate86]

I don't think that one song is enough. Green day has been through lots of changes and different periods through their career. 

So - For their early stuff - Basket case. It's simple, expresses boredom and "psychiatric problems" mixed up with drugs n stuff. Just adolescents and young adults not giving a fuck about the world.

Their middle stuff - 86, The grouch and Church on Sunday. All of them represent a certain feeling...86 is all about anger, The grouch about being scared of growing up and Church on Sunday about new beginnings, in love, and in life...at least for me.

Newer stuff - JOS (Billie explained how he feels about that song), Static age and Lazy bones (autobiographical).

At least, that's my opinion

[Ashleycase]

I think that's a question of taste but I'de say DRB or Ashley for the "new sounding" Green Day, or maybe Holiday, a classical, and Welcome To Paradise, Having a Blast or Basket Case for the old Green Day sound.

But I don't know, the whole Warning album is really great to debute with I think when you don't know Green Day.

[Mara Garcia Green Day]

I would probably show them Basket Case, Holiday or Jesus of Suburbia, but it´s hard to say, they have lots of amazing songs!!

[tubbyfox]

This is the trouble - I've already changed my mind to Holiday or Homecoming! But then the last month I have been playing Missing You and it could be my new favourite. I just can't believe that people are missing this in their lives.

[xLumian]

Jesus of Suburbia

[Jean]

Hitchin A Ride and Holiday.

[Darth Praxus]

I think you have to divide it into pre- and post-American Idiot eras. For the pre-AI era, I'd say either "Basket Case" or "When I Come Around"; they're the epitome of the guys' insanely catchy, whiny sound. For AI and onwards, I think "Jesus of Suburbia" crystallizes their lyrical themes, and is a perfect example of how eclectic their sound has become.

[dangreenday]

Minority came to mind first .. then good riddance, Welcome to paradise, american idiot - i could go on haha

[San Miguel]

To the outside world i would say Basket Case or American Idiot best represent Green Day

[EggMong]

I had one shot to convince my brother Green Day were better than just a few hit songs when I played him Nimrod; he said they all sounded the same (except for a few like King for a Day and Take Back, etc, obviously)! Gaar!

 

Anyway, thinking about it I think Minority would be a great choice, as you've already said. I'd also say Basket Case as well for sure. To be honest any of their really well-known songs would be good as clearly the reason their well-known is because a lot of people like them!

[The Forgotten]

Minority

[The Governator]

I would say, "Dirty Rotten Bastards" because It's got the happy, catchy part at the beginning, slows down a bit after that, has a sweet bass solo and gets fast and punky, and has an epic ending. It shows what Green Day can do, and the lyrics, I think, sums up what Green Day is about. 

[frunsi]

basket case would be my first choice.