The Grohl Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 “Brainstew” is the tenth track and the third single from the band's fourth studio album Insomniac. Actually, the single that was released is combined with another song “Jaded” as they flow continuously from one track to other on the album. The lyrics were written by Billie Joe Armstrong. Speaking in terms of record sales, this album didn't fare as well as its predecessor Dookie, but this single did pretty well. It reached #3 on the US modern Rock Tracks and #35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Billie has previously stated that the song deals with not getting any sleep and since he had a baby around the time of the song's release, this was something he knew about really well. I do agree that it is about insomnia, but lines like “A crooked spine/My senses dull/Crossed the point of delirium” can be referencing drugs as well. It wouldn't surprise me if this was the true or second meaning of the song as Billie has had some past experience with drugs, but whether you're strung out on drugs or just can't get any sleep, the song is pretty relatable. This track represents the whole album pretty well. It's a darker themed track for the band with references to insomnia and even gruesome visual lyrics, such as “My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed/dried out and bulging out my skull.” Though the riff is fairly simple, it's the brutal, aggressive sound of it that really gives the song its edge. There's also a constant build up throughout where the music grows more and more chaotic as the song goes on kind of like it's trying to show what your mind goes through on a sleepless night. This is one of my all time favorite Green Day songs. When I first heard it, I instantly fell in love with the riff. This is one of the songs that made me grab a guitar and try to learn it for myself. On those rare occasions when I do play guitar I always go for this song first. I also love all the visual details we get from the lyrics, even if they are a bit brutal. When Billie sings “My mouth is dry, my face is numb/fucked up and spun out in my room” I can actually see and feel what's going on and that's what makes it so much fun. Also, even though it's one of their slower paced songs, especially when compared to “Jaded,” it gets you pumped up, especially during the musical outro when everything comes together in this mass of sound. One of the best moments of my life was when I finally heard it live at the Chicago concert. Sure, Billie messed up a few of the lyrics, but that just made the performance more memorable for me. Besides, he recovered from it pretty well. Lyrics: I'm having trouble trying to sleep I'm counting sheep but running out As time ticks by And still I try No rest for crosstops in my mind On my own... here we go My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed Dried up and bulging out my skull My mouth is dry My face is numb Fucked up and spun out in my room On my own... here we go My mind is set on overdrive The clock is laughing in my face A crooked spine My sense's dulled Passed the point of delirium On my own... here we go My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed Dried up and bulging out my skull My mouth is dry My face is numb Fucked up and spun out in my room On my own... here we go This live performance comes from Bullet in a Bible, which is still one of my favorite all time live DVDs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyPhil Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 This is a really good song, I love its simplicity. The Bullet In A Bible version made me grab a guitar and try to learn it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HolidayContradiction Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 a great OP Kay! Just gotta love the song. Om my own... here we go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussellJohnson225 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 This song is pretty good, one of the first i heard by them. It's one of those ones where i think i hate it, so i tend not to listen to it, but then when i do listen to it i love it to death and always move to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HolyHandGrenade Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Yeah, that was pretty funny in Rosemont. I remember him mixing up the order of the stanzas and needing to repeat the next Love Brain Stew, but <<< Jaded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 the riff is immediatly addicting and imo that's one of the punkest song of the band. the lyrics are pretty good and i especially like the one '' the clock is laughing in my face'' great post good job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Forgotten Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Brain Stew started off as a song I didn't really pay any attention to, and I just plainly thought it was a boring song. It took me a while until it grew on me, and since then it's been my favorite song off of Insomniac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthehallwaynow Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 ive always loved this song..the way billie sings it and all the extra vocal sounds are my favorite..i also love watching the live vids of it..especially when they go into jaded..this is green day performing "Brain Stew" and "Jaded" live on MTV Hanging Out its my favorite version..(sorry if im not allowed to add another vid) please enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WrgJFwGP6Y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sappy Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Brain Stew made me look more into Insomniac, and it's now my favorite album, so I thank this song for that!! plus, it's a great song to listen to when you're not feeling well lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desecrator09 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Love this song although I'm liking Jaded a little bit more right now haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musso_kn Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I love the -staccato?- riff. It really helps to convey a sense of lethargy. Plus, that's probably my favourite live performance of Brain Stew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musso_kn Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaBJA Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I love this song so much and the video is so awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slave To The Network Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I love Brain Stew! It's such a great song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asa. Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 This was one of the first Green Day songs I heard. That slow, chugging guitar and those heavy drums make it sound like a slowing train plus those nasty-in-the-good-way lyrics! When they play this live, there's such an epic buildup. Gotta love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 This is my favorite version with the intro and the really high part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq0Hsn-54Lc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insomniac85 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 This is a song I never get sick of. and I heard it millions of times since it's release. one of the best Green Day riffs of all time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Christian Of Suburbia Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 This is my favorite version with the intro and the really high part Dang, BJ must have been really hyper at that show, he went pretty crazy and strayed from the original quite a bit. I love it. xP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyPhil Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Songs about being on drugs are the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Where's the new sotw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 This is one of the more hardcore (am I using the right word?) Green Day songs I first listened to; and to be honest, it's one of the favourites. Everytime I listen to this, it needs to go with Jaded, as the change of pace and tone is perfect. The song itself, it's great live, and they've tweaked it a bit live, which I really like. It's one of the classics! So classic, in fact, I hope future archeologists will find the song (hard format need not be a discussion), listen to it and realise people in 1995 and sometime thereabouts were dreary, miserable people who by the end of it all, just went insane and led to the extinction of mankind, that's how awesome the song is. I would describe the song's pacing as thus: comepletely stoned up to the eyeballs then you trip over, nose first into a mountainous pile of cocaine and then the rest of this analogy is history, as well as your neighbour's budgie.EDIT: Holy shit! This is my 400th post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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