Can GD Make Another AI?

[MikeDirntConfused]

22 minutes ago, Second favourite son said:

This thread's becoming a bit of a mess, just because of how the conversation has naturally progressed.  It's supposed to be for discussing whether GD can make another AI.  If you're just discussing revrad, the thread for that is here:

 

The thread was never about can GD make another AI in terms of rock opera, monumental, career-defining album. It was about the perceived quality that AI had, and the (lack) quality of nowadays. Mod, I don't think this thread is a mess - it's perfectly on topic. The members are analzying GD's current lyrics to past lyrics, which can go back to quality - the purpose of the thread.

[Second favourite son]

15 minutes ago, MikeDirntConfused said:

The thread was never about can GD can make another AI in terms of rock opera, monumental, career-defining album. It was about the perceived quality that AI had, and the (lack) quality of nowadays. Mod, I don't think this thread is a mess - it's perfectly on topic. The members are analzying GD's current lyrics to past lyrics, which can go back to quality - the purpose of the thread.

On the last page alone there has been discussion about backpacking, relationships and some in depth analysis of revolution radio with no reference to AI or any of Green Day's other previous works.  To me, that's all off topic.  I'm just trying to keep your thread on topic, it's not a comment on anything else at all.

[That Dude]

You're not talking about popularity but content.  Are you talking about a direct sequel or just another album with similar sounding songs, songs that are just as powerful, a rock opera about another topic, what?   

Whatever way you mean, It's hard to say.  I personally like everything they do but....I get what you're saying.   

In some ways having that kind of album sort of hurts a band because they can never get away from it.  It will forever overshadow anything else they've done before or after it.   I was going to go on a rant about what would have happened if they had released Cigarettes and Valentines instead but what the point?  I think their career would have went the same direction, it just would have taken longer (okay, I'm talking about it).   They release C AND V, it's sort of a continuation of Warning and sells less than Warning did, continuing their downward decline.  So like they did in reality with American Idiot, the next album they work on is carefully crafted for Maximum impact, Maximum Green Day and it's bigger and better than anything they've done before.  Then they try and top with something that is kind of like Breakdown.  Then they do a Trilogy of craziness. 

But whatever.  

BANG BANG.

[Leni.]

11 hours ago, crock6000 said:

That is so sweet and I just saw that your avvie is Sally isn't it?  NICE!

My avatar is actually Sparky from Frankenweenie by Tim Burton  

 

11 hours ago, henrybr said:

Many people dislike this song, but it's one of my favorites of the album. And by the way, I feel a lot like you described.

Yeah, I understand that some people might consider this song as one of the weakest on the album. The lyrics might sound dumb to someone, but for me it means much more. I mean I can relate to this song pretty well, and hearing tle lyrics is like Oh gosh, I actually feel this way. To stay on this thread's topic a little bit, I don't think there's a song on AI to which I could relate to in this way. It's sad that you feel that way too, because I know how bad that feeling can get anywhere and at anytime. But I'm glad that I'm not the only one who loves Too Dumb Too Die  

 

11 hours ago, Jane Lannister said:

I think a meet-up is a sure thing - so many people are going I can't wait. 

Nothing is as awesome as meeting people like that. It's hard to describe that feeling but sometimes you just trust someone. It doesn't happen often but it's just good to hear that it does. 

Yeah, I would love to. But I'm not sure about my dad, he said he would like to go home as soon as possible after the show, we're going by car and it'll take maybe 3 hours to get to Prague, so I have no idea right now. But I would really love to meet you guys  

[straighttohell]

10 hours ago, stories and songs said:

I really do feel that way. I think there is pain and angst and uncertainty about the future in the album, certainly. But then I think about how Billie has recently described life's lack of perfection—the awkwardness and the unpredictability—as being the most beautiful parts of life, and he says it like he really, really means it. And I believe him. Better yet, I agree. Being vulnerable enough to feel lost in the world around you like in Troubled Times, being brave enough to examine where your latest battles against your demons and being honest with yourself about how you feel like in Somewhere Now—that's not a bad thing, that's progress. It takes a hell of a lot of self awareness to write like that, and this is the first time he's writing about it from a clear state (unlike 21CB's Restless Heart Syndrome or the Trilogy's Lazy Bones, which are honest and ugly but not quite the same, and were written from a totally different frame of mind. 

I don't see admitting your a little lost or a little scared of what happens next as being negative. Maybe I'm just projecting, but to my mind, the fact that he's able to fondly look back on old memories and the life he has shared with his friends and his wife, shine a light into the wreckage he created, feel concerns about the world around him but still be standing at the edge of the world is the point. In fact, in Ordinary World, he says he'd walk to the end of the earth, because finding something meaningful in an average life is valuable. It's a scary new era, but he's going for it. Like @crock6000 said, it IS a cliffhanger. It's not resolved, because when he was writing it, he probably didn't feel resolved. He probably still doesn't feel settled completely, and maybe never will. But he's moving forward anyway, and you don't need to look at the lyrics to know that—you just need to watch him on stage now. He is getting out there and feeling every single emotion, not dulled or numbed by anything. And he's seemingly loving it. In Somewhere Now, the wild side had gotten a little dull—he's not exactly the partying rockstar he once was anymore, he's at home with his dogs going through rehab and trying to figure out what the hell this even means for him. By the end, his lifestyle is "full" again, and I think that details should not go unnoticed. 

In one of the early RevRad interviews, he said life's not perfect—it's better than that. In all it's weirdness and discomfort and hardships. Feeling alive, even if it's scary, is better than just wandering through life in a fog. That's the context I frame this entire album around, because I think it's a brilliant way to sum it up. And I find that to be a really positive takeaway.

I totally agree. I think he is totally lost and confused on this album just like every other album, the only difference is he seems more at peace with it. Especially on Forever Now--Ordinary World. Those two songs back to back are perfect to me because Forever Now is about how much a mess he still is, but he's accepted it. His thoughts are so contradictory, one minute he doesn't "want to think about tomorrow" because it "doesn't matter anyway" and the next minute he wants "to start a revolution". He's such a mess. He's all over the place. But something about that melody at the end of the song, the way it builds and how it sweeps over me, the way he sings it, its so powerful and uplifting IMO. And to me, he really sounds at peace with himself, despite his scattered mind/heart/soul. And then it rolls right into Ordinary World, where he sings that what he has is more than enough. He's just as much of a mess as he is on Nimrod, on American Idiot, on the trilogy, on all their records, but on Rev Rad, I really think he has become more at peace with the cluttered mess that he is. It's beautiful to me. The only other album that had moments of true contentment like that to me was Warning. Church On Sunday, Hold On, Deadbeat Holiday, Minority, a lot of the songs on that really give me the vibe that Billie was at peace with himself during the writing/recording of that record. That is one similarity (in my mind) between Warning and Rev Rad, they both feel at peace with themselves and the mess that they are. Every single other Green Day record feel more like they are struggling with themselves in a much more angsty and discontent way. Anyway, I really like what you had to say and I personally agree.

 

Back to the original question of "can GD write another AI?" I think this idea of Billie being more at peace with himself brings up other interesting points to that original question and to his songwriting in general. Does Billie write better when he is channeling his disillusionment? Can he write truly great songs (in your opinion) when he's a happy and at-peace man enjoying his life? Could he write an album like AI, if he was just a happy dad living that sweet suburban life in his great city of Oakland? Or does he need to be like pissed off at the status quo and frustrated with the the current social climate, in order to write an album that you think is great (like AI)?

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

12 hours ago, Scattered Wreck said:

Aren't your parents going to the show with you? Or is this backpacking something else?  Yes, I must agree have fun, but be careful.  

To keep on topic, I have to say that one of the reasons that I am so in love with this album, is the lyrics.  Everytime I listen to it, I feel like I've found something else, sort of like a scavenger hunt.  Something new always strikes me and touches me, every time.  I find this line to be incredibly simple, but unbelievably powerful

As I walked out on the ledge
Are you scared to death to live?

That could apply to so many facets of life, from a recovering addict to just being downright scared.  How often have we wanted to do something but were just too afraid to do it.  

AS has already been discussed, there are so many facets that we can take from these lyrics, and everyone can take something different.  To me, that is the sign of something extraordinary.    

Ellen and I started talking about backpacking and meeting new people, absolutely off topic.  Yes, my mom is going. I have no idea how am I supposed to explain to her that we might be meeting a bunch of GDCers. (aka dangerous weird strangers from the Internet) We'll see how it turns out. 

I agree with you 100%. The lyrics seemed like nothing special on the first listen but they're getting better the more I think about them. You quoted one of my favorite one-liners of the album. (a two-liner, technically ) I'm still not sure about Still Breathing to be honest, something about the song feels a little detached, the way crock said BOBD does but this part in extremely emotional and powerful. My favorite part of the song, I even like it better than the chorus.

[Chin for a Day]

3 minutes ago, Jane Lannister said:

Ellen and I started talking about backpacking and meeting new people, absolutely off topic.  Yes, my mom is going. I have no idea how am I supposed to explain to her that we might be meeting a bunch of GDCers. (aka dangerous weird strangers from the Internet) We'll see how it turns out. 

I agree with you 100%. The lyrics seemed like nothing special on the first listen but they're getting better the more I think about them. You quoted one of my favorite one-liners of the album. (a two-liner, technically ) I'm still not sure about Still Breathing to be honest, something about the song feels a little detached, the way crock said BOBD does but this part in extremely emotional and powerful. My favorite part of the song, I even like it better than the chorus.

OK, just making sure you are being cautious and safe.  I actually disagree with you on Still Breathing.  I think it is one of the most personal songs he has ever written.  I feel like he is letting us into his head and just knowing what he went through and what he was thinking is just so emotional and touching for me.

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

2 hours ago, Ellen Caulfield said:

Yeah, I would love to. But I'm not sure about my dad, he said he would like to go home as soon as possible after the show, we're going by car and it'll take maybe 3 hours to get to Prague, so I have no idea right now. But I would really love to meet you guys  

Yeah, I'm in a similar situation. We will want to get home as soon as possible because most likely we'll have to go to school/work the next day. But a little party wouldn't suck, as long as I'm concerned. 

 

3 minutes ago, Scattered Wreck said:

OK, just making sure you are being cautious and safe.  I actually disagree with you on Still Breathing.  I think it is one of the most personal songs he has ever written.  I feel like he is letting us into his head and just knowing what he went through and what he was thinking is just so emotional and touching for me.

I don't know...it's not that it doesn't do anything for me. I just think the verses are a little clichéd. I can't help it. I don't think it's corny or anything I just don't love it the way others seem to. It's still is a great song and I like it.

[MikeDirntConfused]

7 hours ago, thatdude03 said:

You're not talking about popularity but content.  Are you talking about a direct sequel or just another album with similar sounding songs, songs that are just as powerful, a rock opera about another topic, what?   

Whatever way you mean, It's hard to say.  I personally like everything they do but....I get what you're saying.   

In some ways having that kind of album sort of hurts a band because they can never get away from it.  It will forever overshadow anything else they've done before or after it.   I was going to go on a rant about what would have happened if they had released Cigarettes and Valentines instead but what the point?  I think their career would have went the same direction, it just would have taken longer (okay, I'm talking about it).   They release C AND V, it's sort of a continuation of Warning and sells less than Warning did, continuing their downward decline.  So like they did in reality with American Idiot, the next album they work on is carefully crafted for Maximum impact, Maximum Green Day and it's bigger and better than anything they've done before.  Then they try and top with something that is kind of like Breakdown.  Then they do a Trilogy of craziness. 

But whatever.  

BANG BANG.

Nah, man. I just feel that from GD's first album to 21st Century, the band had more substance in their material. That's not to say the trilogy and RevRad are all fillers - they do have some good songs sprinkled in there. It's just overall, there seems to be a decline in the quality of music produced by GD. Take a random song from the 90s like Redundant, Waiting (2000), Walking Contradiction, etc. and a song from the trilogy and RevRad. The newer songs just don't quite "hit the mark". The band looks like it's trying hard on some songs, and totally half-assing other songs. The lyrics seem cringe-worthy to outstanding on songs, so there's no consistency in the material. Imagine eating a slice of pizza that has hot and cold spots throughout.

[Chin for a Day]

8 minutes ago, MikeDirntConfused said:

Nah, man. I just feel that from GD's first album to 21st Century, the band had more substance in their material. That's not to say the trilogy and RevRad are all fillers - they do have some good songs sprinkled in there. It's just overall, there seems to be a decline in the quality of music produced by GD. Take a random song from the 90s like Redundant, Waiting (2000), Walking Contradiction, etc. and a song from the trilogy and RevRad. The newer songs just don't quite "hit the mark". The band looks like it's trying hard on some songs, and totally half-assing other songs. The lyrics seem cringe-worthy to outstanding on songs, so there's no consistency in the material. Imagine eating a slice of pizza that has hot and cold spots throughout.

You have said this often, but I really have to disagree 100%.  I think RevRad is one of the best albums they have ever done.  Besides the fact that they have musically done things with this album that they have never, or rarely done before, I find the overall writing to be vulnerable, timely and relatable on so many different levels.  I love that this album is not just the standard 3 chord power chord songs.  There is a growth in alot of what they have done.  Definitely much better than something mediocre like Walking Contradiction.     

[Leni.]

6 hours ago, Jane Lannister said:

Yeah, I'm in a similar situation. We will want to get home as soon as possible because most likely we'll have to go to school/work the next day. But a little party wouldn't suck, as long as I'm concerned. 

Oh yeah, we will see what the future will bring us in January I guess  

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

3 minutes ago, Ellen Caulfield said:

Oh yeah, we will see what the future will bring us in January I guess  

We absolutely have to at least queue together. 

[Leni.]

3 minutes ago, Jane Lannister said:

We absolutely have to at least queue together. 

Of course if I will be able to find you  I don't see a thing without my glasses - I don't wear them outside during the winter, it gets blurred after going inside. I'm blind like Harry Potter you know  

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

10 minutes ago, Ellen Caulfield said:

Of course if I will be able to find you  I don't see a thing without my glasses - I don't wear them outside during the winter, it gets blurred after going inside. I'm blind like Harry Potter you know  

we'll figure it out

 

[Leni.]

1 hour ago, crock6000 said:

Oh I know who it is. That's one of my favorite movies of all time. Not sure why I called him Sally.

Yeah, it's a cute dog  I love his work, like lot of people do I guess  

[Haushinka!]

I can't speak for @MikeDirntConfused but I think he's saying you could literally pick any song from their older albums, and find the lyrics impressive or substantial in some way. Whereas with the Trilogy and Rev Rad, there are lyrics that plenty of fans have agreed are cringeworthy or word salad. I think the comparison has more to do with the quality of the lyrics and less to do with the instrumentals. 

On October 18, 2016 at 7:43 AM, Scattered Wreck said:

There is a growth in alot of what they have done.  Definitely much better than something mediocre like Walking Contradiction.     

Sorry, but I have to completely disagree. There are many words I could use to describe Walking Contradiction, or any song on Insomniac, and "mediocre" is definitely not one of them!! *broken heart emoji*

[Chin for a Day]

14 minutes ago, Haushinka! said:

I can't speak for @MikeDirntConfused but I think he's saying you could literally pick any song from their older albums, and find the lyrics impressive or substantial in some way. Whereas with the Trilogy and Rev Rad, there are lyrics that plenty of fans have agreed are cringeworthy or word salad. I think the comparison has more to do with the quality of the lyrics and less to do with the instrumentals. 

Sorry, but I have to completely disagree. There are many words I could use to describe Walking Contradiction, or any song on Insomniac, and "mediocre" is definitely not one of them!! *broken heart emoji*

Sorry my opinion. I think I'm allowed to have one

[Haushinka!]

58 minutes ago, Scattered Wreck said:

Sorry my opinion. I think I'm allowed to have one

Of course! I'm not saying you aren't allowed to have one. I'm just disagreeing with it, like you disagreed with the original poster! 

[TheGrouch33]

1 hour ago, Haushinka! said:

I can't speak for @MikeDirntConfused but I think he's saying you could literally pick any song from their older albums, and find the lyrics impressive or substantial in some way. Whereas with the Trilogy and Rev Rad, there are lyrics that plenty of fans have agreed are cringeworthy or word salad. I think the comparison has more to do with the quality of the lyrics and less to do with the instrumentals. 

Sorry, but I have to completely disagree. There are many words I could use to describe Walking Contradiction, or any song on Insomniac, and "mediocre" is definitely not one of them!! *broken heart emoji*

agreed! the lyrics in rev rad are terrible in many songs!, not as cheesy as the trilogy but close hahaha. Insomniac has great lyrics compared to rev rad i dont see how they have grown at all when it comes to lyrics.

4 minutes ago, crock6000 said:

I keep going back to the Beatles. They couldn't make another Revolver, Sergeant Pepper, White  Album, etc but those are all FUCKING amazing different albums as the lyrics with some of those are literal pure word salad as created by Dylan by the way.

Here come old flat top
He come groovin' up slowly
He got joo joo eyeballs
He one holy rollers
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker
He just do what he please

He wear no shoeshine
He got toe jam football
He got monkey finger
He shoot Coca Cola
He say I know you, you know me
One thing I can tell you is
You got to be free
Come together, right now
Over me

He Bag production
He got walrus gumboat
He got Ono sideboard
He one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knees
Hold you in his arms, yeah,
You can feel his disease
Come together, right now
Over me

He roller coaster
He got early warning
He got muddy water
He one Mojo filter
He say…

Pure gibberish and amazing.

Asked a girl what she wanted to be
She said baby, can't you see
I want to be famous, a star on the screen
But you can do something in between
Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

I told a girl that my prospects were good
And she said baby, it's understood
Working for peanuts is all very fine
But I can show you a better time

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

I told a girl I can start right away
And she said listen babe I got something to say
I got no car and it's breaking my heart
But I've found a driver and that's a start

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

Beep beep'm beep beep yeah
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

This Lennon/McCartney song has nothing deep about it but even Billie will tell you Lennon/McCartney is the best writing duo ever in rock/pop history.

Every song doesn't have to be a lyrical masterpiece nor musically. Elanor Rigby has essentially two chords and is one of the most respected musical songs ever.

Tried to make this point with "Song 2" earlier.

To each his own indeed, but this album is a fucking masterpiece and if you don't agree, that's cool but it's not the general feeling I don't think.

She's a loner, not a stoner
Bleeding heart and the soul of Miss Teresa
Supernova, Cherry Cola

........

 

I want to hold you like a gun
We'll shoot the moon into the sun

 

...I mean come on!! hahaha this is a perfect example of terrible lyrics(unleast for me), at what point should we take billies´ lyrics seriously? because I get sometimes lyrics dont have to make sense and the music is enough to stand on its own but this, in my opinion, is too much! 

Also lets not forget the kind of empty "political statements" which Billie insists on and that go way back to know your enemy or in the song revolution radio! they just seem so bland and generic for me!

Hope nobody gets angry with me I do like Green Day a lot!! hahaha this is just my opinion! just some things that have been bugging me for a while now!

[Haushinka!]

1 hour ago, crock6000 said:

I keep going back to the Beatles. They couldn't make another Revolver, Sergeant Pepper, White  Album, etc but those are all FUCKING amazing different albums as the lyrics with some of those are literal pure word salad as created by Dylan by the way.

Every song doesn't have to be a lyrical masterpiece nor musically. Elanor Rigby has essentially two chords and is one of the most respected musical songs ever.

Tried to make this point with "Song 2" earlier.

To each his own indeed, but this album is a fucking masterpiece and if you don't agree, that's cool but it's not the general feeling I don't think.

Well, regarding the Beatles - that's your opinion. I don't like the Beatles or listen to them. Just because they both have examples of word salad doesn't change my opinion. Of course not every song has to be a "lyrical masterpiece". I was simply acknowledging that there seems to be more word salad/cringeworthy lyrics in the Trilogy and Rev Rad than their previous albums. With that said, I also acknowledge that people such as yourself appreciate what Billie did with the more abstract lyrics. That's fine, but not everyone will agree. I don't want to give off the vibe that I think Rev Rad is terrible. It has some great songs, but overall, the lyrics just don't move me as much as their older albums. (& I certainly wouldn't call it a masterpiece, but again, that's my opinion.)

While I may not be as happy with the quality of the lyrics lately, in no way does that make me think less of the band or Billie!

[TheGrouch33]

1 minute ago, crock6000 said:

I already broke down the "cringe worthy" lyrics and how if you read into them, they are actually very meaningful if that is important to you to enjoy the music.

Personally I don't care. If the lyrics are relatable, all the better but I like music for the lyrics and/or the music which is why I am loving this album.

You dont need to back up your position by telling me what others think. It's fine what you think, it's fine what I think, and it's fine what I think but I have went in depth as to why I think the lyrics on this album are not only not bad but fantastic. If you want to rebuff what I said, then please quote it and tell me what you disagree with.

Siting one phrase that you don't like to represent the album is just goofy. I copied and pasted 3/4 of the album and even one by Bea Miller, lol, to make my points.

Fair enough! I havent followed your other responses in this thread! and of course its fine what you think, I think or anyone thinks about the album! thats why I have repeated many times in my other post, that my view on this album is just my opinion but I can understand you defend rev rad as much because you really like it. I still disagree on the meaningfullness you give to various lyrics in this album doest matter how much you guys want to break them down. Im sure billies heart is in the right place but the lyrics to me feel off and just sooooooo cringy in many more songs like forever now, revolution radio, somewhere now even bang bang...its definitely not only the lyrics in youngblood, for sure hahahah 

By the way im not trying to change youre mind ^^ I just dont think this is Green Days best album at all! let alone a masterpiece 

24 minutes ago, crock6000 said:

I already broke down the "cringe worthy" lyrics and how if you read into them, they are actually very meaningful if that is important to you to enjoy the music.

Personally I don't care. If the lyrics are relatable, all the better but I like music for the lyrics and/or the music which is why I am loving this album.

You dont need to back up your position by telling me what others think. It's fine what you think, it's fine what I think, and it's fine what I think but I have went in depth as to why Scattered thinks the lyrics on this album are not only not bad but fantastic. If you want to rebuff what I said, then please quote it and tell me what you disagree with.

Siting one phrase that you don't like to represent the album is just goofy. I copied and pasted 3/4 of the album and even one by Bea Miller, lol, to make my points.

Here is that post again in most of its entirety (and to be honest I barely touched the what I really think):

I agree with you on a lot but I think he writes more like he used to on this album (from a lyrical vantage point anyway) like he did in the 90s.  He does in fact write about himself ALL OVER RevRad and hidden in a couple of the songs are some of the most amazing lyrics he EVER wrote as far as I'm concerned.

There are a couple songs that aren't at all about himself, Bang Bang, Revolution Radio both are the most non-about me songs on the album although even on Bang Bang he put himself as the first person as the shooter to great effect.

Now let's talk about the obvious ones where he is talking about himself and nobody else even if it's not SO deep but to others, like myself, you can get more out of it.  I have been not secret at all that I am an  ex-abuser of drugs like Billie and quit drugs because of the same reasons he did.  My life was coming apart by the seams and I love my family so I made a non-selfish decision because believe me kiddos, the drugs, they start to become much more bad then good as you get older.  But I am certainly not here to preach. I have not earned that right. Lol.

Somewhere Now - FUCKING brilliant song and possibly one of the best written songs he's ever penned IMO, lyrically and it's also amazing musically.

"I'm running late to somewhere now
I don't want to be
Where the future and promises
Ain't what it used to be
I never wanted to compromise
Or bargain with my soul
How did a life on the wild side
Ever get so dull?"

I broke this song down in another post but these lyrics are elegant and truthful to the core and talk about the triggers about life on the road and in places where it's hard to stay sober.  "How did life on the wild side ever get so dull" is officially my favorite Billie lyric while it might just pass someone else on by.  "I never meant to compromise or bargain with my soul" is different than "I walk a lonely road, the only one I have ever known" and to me this song is loads deeper and way more personal to him.  Boulevard of Broken Dreams was written for everyone, Somewhere now, and Still Breathing he wrote for himself and if someone else can benefit from it, then wonderful and they can.  But he is still writing about himself and in great pros.

FOREVER NOW

My name is Billie and I'm freaking out
I thought therefore I was well I can't really figure it out (THIS LYRIC Is fucking amazing and I never even noticed it until this moment.  It is a throw to "I think therefore I am" by Rene Descartes, a French philosopher who wrote "I think therefore I am" as a philosophical line about existentialism.  How do I know I exist?  Because I am thinking that.  But Billie takes that and writes "I thought therefore I was, well I can't really figure it out" meaning, ok, I figured out I am here, now what mother fucker?  THIS IS a brilliant fucking line and for someone to say this isn't great lyrics, don't know how to read, or don't know enough about life yet. I mean you have to know about philosophy to even understand this one line.  At the end of the day, being YOUNG IS FANTASTIC and I wish I was but the one good thing us old fuckers (like Billie) get is wisdom and it is a nice thing to have.  I would love to be 20 again but I would love to be 20 with a 40 year old brain.

I sit alone with my thoughts and prayers
Scream out my memories as if I was never there  (here is another brilliant lyric.  He is equating his memories with his religion and his prayers.  I think Billie has never been a true atheist and it's probably because his Dad was a little religious and he never has been a total atheist but he's definitely agnostic and this line is right in line with that. I am ALONE WITH MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS is sort of saying "praying isn't doing shit because nobody is listening" ... "Scream out my memories as if I was never there". It is my contention that this song is about the forever from this point of his life.  His NEW FOREVER, FOREVER NOW (even the song title is brilliant) so he's sitting there alone with his thoughts and prayers and the screaming out as if I was never there is him feeling like he has to yell in order to feel like he's back still.  I was at the Pamona show which was his first show after rehab.  He was SOOO fucking nervous that it was honestly hard for me to enjoy the show because I was worried about him.  Worried about the band.  I thought at that show that we would lose Green Day and that they would never be the same again.  I only learned a couple days ago how that is definitely not true.  Billie is now on top of his game as never before.  He is just starting to realize that he can still be as good as he always was, even better, without the drugs. It never occurred to him.  That's why were seeing things like more audibles and off list songs.  The only reason everything is so polished (historically) is because it makes Billie feel more confident.  I don't know if you guys know this but as much as he owns the stage and the crowd, Billie is neurotic as fuck about the crowd and what they think.  It's what makes him so great but also once made him so nervous. Now he's even better. I can't imagine.  

I just don't get anyone that doesn't see the great lyrics in this album.  The more I read them, the more I fall in love.  This is a top 3 album for Green Day for me I think.  

Standing at the edge of the world
It's giving me the chills
Looking down the edge of the world
Lost in a tango, it's freaking me out
Burning lights and blackouts

From the edge of the world
From the edge of the world

I'm like a punk rocker on labor day
How the hell did I work so hard to be born this way?
I've never learned to read or write so well (freaking out)
But I can play the guitar until it hurts like hell

Standing at the edge of the world
It's giving me the chills
Looking down the edge of the world
Lost in a tango, it's freaking me out
Burning lights and blackouts

This is DOOKIE Billie writing at 46 or whatever he is now.  These are amazing lyrics about himself.  He is just now a better writer and he doesn't even know how to handle it.  That's the irony of this discussion and this song and why I brought it up so early.  "Ive never learned to read or write so well (freaking out) But I can play the guitar until it hurts like hell.  Standing at the end of the world, giving me the chills"

This song is clearly about his new found abilities in his later life, and his ability to deal with it.  This is a deep song and if you don't realize it's deep, it seems the opposite of that.  To me, lyrically, this is Dookie or Insomniac.  And again, I I I I I I 

TOO DUMB TO DIE

Oh, oh I love you
Oh, oh I do
I got a sentimental illness for you
Please don't go away, oh yeah

I was a high school atom bomb
Going off on the weekends
Smoking dope and mowing lawns
And I hated all the new trends

Me and my friends sang
Woh-uh-oh-oh-oh
It's true, the middle of the road
At least it's better than here

Looking for a cause
Well all I got was Santa Claus
I'm hanging on a dream that's too dumb to die
I feel like a cello
Lost somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high, too scared to dream
But too dumb to die

This song is a bit weak lyrically to be honest but this falls into the vein lyrically in my mind of the Kerplunk "Welcome to Paradise" style of lyrics.  It's about him, but he's talking about his buds, hard times, old friends, parents, etc.  To me this is a modern Green Day "Welcome to Paradise" in it's story.  Not in the music.  We are talking lyrics here though.  I happen to love the melody of this song.

BOUNCING OFF THE WALL

Concrete dream (hey)
I'm gonna make a scene, radio
Caught burning gasoline, sleeping in reverse
And everybody's bouncing off the walls

Bombs away (hey)
It's just another day
Of idle threat
The secret of the day
And I wouldn't sweat it
Everybody's bouncing off the walls (I'm bouncing off the walls)

Alright

Concrete kiss (hey)
Come on and do the twist, radio
My little exorcist, we're all getting pissed
And everybody's bouncing off the walls (I'm bouncing off the walls)

BURNOUT (Dookie)

I declare I don't care no more
I'm burning up and out and
Growing bored
In my smoked out boring room
My hair is shagging in my eyes
Dragging my feet to hit the
Street tonight
To drive along these shit
Town lights

I'm not growing up,
I'm just burning out
And I stepped in line
To walk amongst the
Dead

Now these lines sound just as good to me lyrically, read as poetry as the other stuff but these lyrics while maybe seeming a little edgier, he was 19, not 46 with a wife and kids.  So yeah, you're right, of course its different but as an older man like Billie, I think you bring more to the lyrics.  The lyrics aren't what bring things to you, you definitely bring your shit to the lyrics.  You guys realize that right?  We can only be given a door, but it's up to the thoughts in your head to make sense of it to your liking or not.  This is true with any poet and Billie I believe is a poet.  No he's not Robert Frost but I think he writes the deepest lyrics in rock history and when everyone thought he was just edgy and funny in the Sweet Children, Kerplunk, Dookie, Nimrod days, I always thought he was more of a poet back then and was not at as surprised as everyone else when AI was released.  

OUTLAWS

Life after youth
Faded in twilight
The dawn of a criminal in bloom
First love
First forgiveness
We were delinquants
Freaks of a faded memory

Outlaws, When we were forever young
When we were outlaws
We're outlaws of redemption, baby
Hooligans
We destroyed suburbia
When we were outlaws
We're Outlaws of forever, baby

Scars, broken hearts
Breaking in cars
Running in the light of the moon
Lost souls
Bottle rockets
All that we wanted
It's for our lives beyond stars

Another song where it's lyrically light but he's again talking about the "good old days" going back to the Kerplunk style of lyrics where he is talking about his "crew". Another song, I don't know why everyone doesn't love and some hate.

 

TROUBLED TIMES

What good is love and peace on earth?
When it's exclusive?
Where's the truth in the written word?
If no one reads it
A new day dawning
Comes without warning
So don't blink twice

We live in troubled times
We live in troubled times

What part of history we learned
When it's repeated
Some things will never overcome
If we don't seek it
The world stops turning
Paradise burning
So don't think twice
 

Ok, this is new Billie. This is AI Billie but I LOVE LOVE this song and I don't again know why anyone doesn't.  It's so beautiful sounding and it absolutely is catchy and if you just listen to it, you might think it's just blaze lyrics but if you read them as poetry, which is why I am posting them instead of an audio or video is because you look at them differently.  If you want to know how often Green Day fans might not even know what he is saying, go read the "misheard lyrics" thread.  It's fucking hysterical.  I didn't used to care at all about lyrics.  If it rocked, he could sing in Russian.  The song I quoted before with Blur and "Song 2" shows that but I like lyrics and especially Billie's.  I absolutely love his lyrics and as I grew older with him, I felt a kinship.  I had a small encounter with him at the iHeart show and discussed Somewhere Now and he told me it was also one of his favorites ever and when I told him how I related to it, he didn't confirm it but he got watery eyes and gave me a REAL hug.  Somewhere Now, my favorite on the album I think.

I could keep going but this is getting too long winded and I am setting up my Halloween decorations around my house so I must go.
 

Well then you and I (and Billie for that matter as he sites Lennon/McCartney as his number one writing influence often), I think we will just agree to disagree at this point. No problem in it.

I don't even understand people that don't like certain bands. Queen, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Green Day, Beastie Boys are just bands I assume once someone knows they like.

Assumptions are admitadly bad but I think anyone that likes Green Day either does like the Beatles or don't know they do.

Also, I'm not giving examples of Billie writing word salad. I think every single word of his lyrics are thought from conception to completion on their meaning. You are saying otherwise. 

I like your take on the songs! they are definitely interesting!

[TheGrouch33]

6 minutes ago, crock6000 said:

Can I proport that it's possible that someone that has never been through and succeeded at rehab might not be able to pull out all the depth of songs like Forever Now because it's about life after rehab and hits on some VERY raw things about life after rehab and it's truth, not preachy or peachy.

yeah! thats why im sure he is pouring his heart out! but still, for me, it just doesnt work. This where I think we disagree! at the end of the day its just a matter of tastes and how a song makes you feel personally. You might not think they are peachy but to me they do feel thay way and I would even say Redundant does a better job at conveying a feelling than forever now! 

[TheGrouch33]

20 minutes ago, crock6000 said:

Comparing a song about the mundane part of a relationship vs the idea that a new forever starts now because this "new" forever is without drugs and then explains in beautiful pros how and why and it's definitely not preachy. That's almost objective.

How is "how did life on the wild side ever get so dull" equate to preachy?  I choose that phrase because I like it so much and personally relate but it seems no matter whether you like it or not, a comparison to Redundant would have to be so loose that it wouldn't make sense for two songs that are pretty straight forward.

I have no problems with people liking or not liking something. I am not trying to persuade you. I am just questioning that logic.

actually I like that line too! I was refering more to the "I want a better way to die" or "I want to start a revolution
I want to hear it on my radio" which is, ugh! quite cringy  :D. Im not only talking about the meaning of both songs Im talking more about the execution of both and funnily enough Redundant succeeds more than forever now, for me of course...obviously getting your life back together and dealing with things would seem like more powerful material for a song but it just feels flat in rev rad which is sad.

Another issue of this album that doesnt help is the weak production! but thats another topic hahahah

[stories and songs]

25 minutes ago, crock6000 said:

Comparing a song about the mundane part of a relationship vs the idea that a new forever starts now because this "new" forever is without drugs and then explains in beautiful pros how and why and it's definitely not preachy. That's almost objective.

The more I think about Forever Now, the more emotional I get about it. "Standing at the edge of the world is giving me the chills." There's something about this song that is so...brave. Preparing for your new forever and getting ready to tackle it head on, even though it's scary as hell.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

13 minutes ago, crock6000 said:

S&S, I've said it several times and I mean that I truly enjoy and relate to you and your thoughts on the songs. 

While I LOVE your LIKES, whenever I see a notification from you, I hope it's a post because I almost always agree with you and your words flow so well!

Thanks for your thoughts!

What about me🙃😉 I likes you.