Song of the Week Pulling Teeth

[E!!i]

My fav lines:

Looking out my window for someone

That's passing by

No one knows I'm locked in here

All I do is cry

So, so much has been said about this already -- I don't have all that much to add beyond that so I'll be very brief.

1. Perfect example of Green Day exploring a musical style that is well outside of their core punk rock roots -- in this case, country crossover into pop with very, very punk style lyrics.....additional proof that there isn't a style short of Gregorian monk chants that these guys can't pull off. The song itself has a delightful arrangement to it from beginning to end. The melody rolls beautifully off the guitars all the way through the song, with one passage flowing ever so smoothly into the next; Tre's percussion is par excellence yet again; and the harmonies that Billie and Mike accomplish here can take your breath away.

2. Fabulous lyrics with multiple layers of meaning and ready application to just about any relationship challenge one can think of, from simply "bump in the road" momentary communication breakdown sorts of stuff, to emotional backstabbing, to outright physical violence.....and with just enough tongue-in-cheek wordplay to make the song both comical and very, very dark all at the same time.

3. Green Day is telling this story of abuse by a woman from a man's perspective, which is social taboo in our culture. In our traditional, classical, male-dominated cultural model, it's the man who's "supposed" to be the abuser, the powerful actor, and the woman who is "supposed" to be the silently-suffering recipient of the abuse. It's well known in law enforcement and family service circles that it's very, very difficult for abused men to come forward to get help precisely because of this cultural dynamic....so to that end I find it very daring for Green Day to have turned the abusive relationship scenario on its head in a potent and poignant song. Extra kudos to them for having the cajones to take on the challenge.

4. Getting out of an abusive relationship -- or even one that's simply unhealthy or not working well for whatever reason -- can be like pulling teeth.

wow the third point didn't even come into my mind, you really thought over it and the forth point that's the reason why it's called like this

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

Not really a song I ever invested time in analysing - not because I don't like it, it just never jumped out to me - and so far I'm loving the posts in here. They show things about the song I hadn't noticed or thought about before. Hopefully I'll find some downtime (and sleep! I can't think straight anymore after the past two weeks ) to think about the song and form and add some of my own thoughts

Hey!! I put a comma in that post for that specific reason, ya nimrod!!!!

I'd rather pillow fight Billie's ass anyway

[jos_whatsername]

For now I'll lie around

HELL, that's all I can really do

i love how it expresses so much hopelessness but with the soft and catchy melody,

you dont understand the seriousness of the lyrics .

wow i wish i'd have been there in mainz- sounds so amazing.

and billie sounds so sad when starting the chorus for the first time

[Smoothed Out]

I love the lyrics to this song and when anyone ever uses the term Pulling Teeth just in general conversation, I always end up with it stuck in my head for the rest of the day

[St. Vicky]

Great song from awesome album!

[Shnitzel]

Love this song! Since I'm a klutz I feel this way all the time!

[gdpony]

I cant believe most people here do not like this song, I cannot make a playlist without this song!

the lyrics may not be that great, but Im in love with the music!

[Stormy Haze]

I can't even describe my love for this song. One of my favorites off Dookie, without any doubts.

I love the way this song describes someone stuck in a hopeless situation without a light at the end of their tunnel. I love how it portrays the mind of someone whose only option is to shut up and take the abuse instead of considering using one of the most important gifts given to mankind: The ability to communicate. And I think it's also a very thought provoking song in the sense that there are a lot of people without a hint of self respect who are wiling to be hurt and mistreated just to avoid being alone.

Let this song be an anthem to everyone who thinks they do not deserve better. Because everyone deserves better.

I had never thought of this song this way, thank you so much for your opinion

[Hermione]

Oh my god LOVE it :wub: . When we did the original Song Of The Week a couple of years ago as soon as I got the chance to make the thread for the week I chose Pulling Teeth because I love it so much

This song reminds me of everything I love about Green Day. Dark as can be lyrics set to a nice poppy tune complete with 60's style harmonies. There's that mix of dark lyrics and catchy music in many Green Day songs but I think this is the best example of it. Those desperate lyrics with SUCH cheerful music..........and on top of that the whole thing's inspired by a silly in-joke . Rather than taking away from the serious aspect of the lyrics, the humour contrasts with it and makes it even darker. The song makes a serious point about the rarely discussed issue of when a male is abused by a female, and that point stands out all the more clearly and shockingly because of that contrast.

It's such a quirky song in every way, dark and tongue-in-cheek and funny and weird. One of my all time favourite songs.

[J'net]

Oh my god LOVE it :wub: . When we did the original Song Of The Week a couple of years ago as soon as I got the chance to make the thread for the week I chose Pulling Teeth because I love it so much

This song reminds me of everything I love about Green Day. Dark as can be lyrics set to a nice poppy tune complete with 60's style harmonies. There's that mix of dark lyrics and catchy music in many Green Day songs but I think this is the best example of it. Those desperate lyrics with SUCH cheerful music..........and on top of that the whole thing's inspired by a silly in-joke . Rather than taking away from the serious aspect of the lyrics, the humour contrasts with it and makes it even darker. The song makes a serious point about the rarely discussed issue of when a male is abused by a female, and that point stands out all the more clearly and shockingly because of that contrast.

It's such a quirky song in every way, dark and tongue-in-cheek and funny and weird. One of my all time favourite songs.

Hermione, I thought of you when I chose this song for SotW. I remembered that it's one of your favorites (I think I even had a dream about being pulled on stage and asking Green Day to play this song for you ... but that's another story ).

I agree that this the best example of the juxtaposition of dark lyrics with a really catchy tune! And I love it. Easy to listen to - but very thought provoking.

[Sharmellow]

This song is so simple yet sweet. Definitely one of my personal favorites for that reason.

[in_your_face]

i fell in love with this song once. just once.

[JuliaX_Ray2020]

I just adore this song *-*

I heard it live in mainz (1.7.10) and it was so wonder ful

[Hermione]

Hermione, I thought of you when I chose this song for SotW. I remembered that it's one of your favorites (I think I even had a dream about being pulled on stage and asking Green Day to play this song for you ... but that's another story ).

I agree that this the best example of the juxtaposition of dark lyrics with a really catchy tune! And I love it. Easy to listen to - but very thought provoking.

Hahaha brilliant! If only is wasn't just a dream , I'd love to hear it live too. I always think it's a shame they've never done it as a full song live because hearing them doing those harmonies would be heavenly. So glad you chose it.

I like listening to the Dookie Demos version as the next best thing. Not quite a live recording but it's cool to hear a different, rougher version

[-Billiejoezee-]

WOW. This has probably made Josie THE happiest girl in the world.

Great song.

LIKE HELL IT DID!!!

[radioactive]

Pulling teeth is definitely one of my favourite songs from Dookie

[worry_rock_boy]

I love this song. It's special for me. I use to play this song on the guitar, and sing it ^^ By the way... my friends doesn't like it u_u

[-Billiejoezee-]

It's so amazing acoustic. Brings me tears.

[28smooth]

I actually really liked this song the very first time I heard it, and especially after I read the lyrics to it as well.

It's still one of my faves from Dookie!

[Catsername]

Whoo! It makes me very happy to see so many comments I agree with. I absolutely loved this song the first time I heard it, then when I found out the story behind it, I was surprised at how dark the lyrics actually were, but the tune was so bouncy and happy-sounding at the same time. Definitely is one of my favorites from Dookie too.

really??

Yep apparently.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYKxXnB58-0

The audio's wacky and the subtitles don't help out much but it was the best I could find XD

[Marki.]

It took me a long time to really appreciate this song, idek why but there was something in this song that made me want to skip it every time it came on... but now I started really liking it a few months ago when my friend made me listen to it more and when Billie played it acoustic, that gave the song completely different sound =)

[-Billiejoezee-]

I'm gonna make sure this thread stays alive.