jamesobxfan2296 Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 Hey guys. I didn't find a thread like this so I thought I'd post it. Do you think that American Idiot is still as relevant as it was 7 years ago and do you think it'll continue to be in future years? The album is approaching its 7th birthday in a month and it was written as a rant at the political status quo in 2004-2005. Now that it's been 7 years since it's release, I'm not sure if we can say it outdated or still relevant. Do you think we can still relate to its story today in 2011? Do you believe we can still relate to it in future years? Why or why not? Please choose one of the three answers above and explain why you chose that answer. I actually think that with all the shit going on in the system today, I say that American Idiot can still be a rant at our present day government and society. Would you agree? I'd appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks guys.
GreenRanger Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 America? Check. Idiots in said America? Also check. And just for fun: Do I sometimes wish I personally had an alter ego that likes cash, women, freedom, drugs and fixtures in cities of love? Also check. I'd say yes, still relevant. Maybe even more so.
Malleus Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 I think in essence it will always be relevant. The confusion and rebellion in the album is timeless, something not only politics can inflict. Politically I'm not 100% sure that it is as relevant as it was when it first came out, but it's no doubt still a bit relevant and will always be with that stuff because nobody is perfect.
Ashley! Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 I think in essence it will always be relevant. The confusion and rebellion in the album is timeless, something not only politics can inflict. Politically I'm not 100% sure that it is as relevant as it was when it first came out, but it's no doubt still a bit relevant and will always be with that stuff because nobody is perfect. I agree, a lot of people go through the confused and rebellious stage (some never get over it, and thats ok) and American Idiot covers those subjects very well, and basically says that its ok to be lost and confused in a world thats so fucked up. Politically I dont think it is as relevant as it was when it came out, and who knows it may never be that relevant again. But i think it will always give people the courage to speak out against the government, so in that sense it will always be politically relevant.
Hermione Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 I disagree that it was written as a "rant at the political status quo in 2004-2005". Although a couple of the songs are very directly political most of the album isn't political at all, it's the story of a young man coming of age. Politics are just part of the backdrop. So I'd say yes, it's a timeless story that will always be relevant. And the questioning and reacting against the political status quo that's part of the story will always be relevant too.
jamesobxfan2296 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Posted August 15, 2011 I disagree that it was written as a "rant at the political status quo in 2004-2005". Although a couple of the songs are very directly political most of the album isn't political at all, it's the story of a young man coming of age. Politics are just part of the backdrop. So I'd say yes, it's a timeless story that will always be relevant. And the questioning and reacting against the political status quo that's part of the story will always be relevant too. Yeah maybe not the album as a whole but maybe the particular song "American Idiot" could be considered a rant?
gloria123 Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 i think it will always be relevant. there will always be stupid politicians, rebellion, drug addicts. Even in my case, i want to leave suburbia really badly and go to the city. so i think the story line and the "lessons" will always be relevant and can relate to almost everyone on some way
Monica. Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 Yes, the story in general of American Idiot will always be relevant and relate to people in the past, present, and future.
Hermione Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 Yeah maybe not the album as a whole but maybe the particular song "American Idiot" could be considered a rant? Yeah I definitely think it could. And I agree with you, it could definitely still apply to today's government and society. It fit particularly well at the time it came out, but I think it was written in a way that means it could always apply to some extent (unlike a lot of political songs that talk about really specific people and events). There's alway's gonna be a place for confusion, anger and dissatisfaction with regard to the government and society.
Charybterix Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 It will always be relevant in some way, shape, or form. People will always get pissed at the government, and rebellion will always exist in society, no matter what form that society takes. I kinda confused myself with this post...oh well.
bass boy Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 Musically? Hell Yes. But pollitically, i cant same im sure. The state the government is currently is has changed since the album. While at certain points the album does reflect its current status, the majority of the time it does not. So im unsure.
rback57 Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 Honestly, if you look at today's political climate, I'd say that it's more relevant than it was back in 04. And yes, it'll always be relevant.
StuckWithRob Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 It's still relevant - politically songs like 'Holiday', socially songs like 'Jesus of Suburbia' and just general great rock songs like 'American Idiot' and 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams'. People will always look back at the band who dared to have the line 'the subliminal mind fuck America' and re-discover this great album! At least I hope they will!
Peace and Rainbows Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 I think that the political messages might have changed but the album is still relavent since it is a part of our life that has defined our generation
Alan86 Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 American Idiot is about growing up, it's about moving out of the family home, it's about relationships, it's about giving in to the pressures on life, it's about failing and learning from failure. This story will always be relevant. The relevance of the political part will probally vary with time. There will be times when it seems less relevant and times when it will be relevant again. But american idiot will never be "not relevant"
Heather. Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 The album itself will always be relevant, as a coming of age story. The song American Idiot I think has never been more relevant than it is today. The media is at an all time mindfuck status, the government has reached an apex of incompetence. Americans have never felt more alienated or manipulated by the media and government than we do today. I'm starting to think it was AHEAD of its time!
kristóf Posted August 15, 2011 Posted August 15, 2011 For me, it will be relevant forever. Green Day brought me a new dimension of music, and I never will forget this. It's still actual for me in an other way, especially the American Idiot song. This "nation controlled by the media/under the new mania" stuff is really actual in Hungary nowadays.
Archer In a Cape Posted August 16, 2011 Posted August 16, 2011 Ever hear of the saying "the more things change the more they stay the same" ? so in short yep for sure.
pasalaska Posted August 16, 2011 Posted August 16, 2011 As a lot of people have already said, the story of AI will always be relevant - feeling disenfranchised in your home town and running away to find out whether the grass is greener on the other side. Hell, I'm leaving my home town for the other side of the world for not overly dissimilar reasons (though I doubt I'll sprout a rage/drug fuelled alter ego). As for the song American Idiot - it's not like it's highly specific towards a specific political event in the bush era. Really, it's about questioning what you see on TV, and not letting your life be controlled by what you hear in the media. That's going to be relevant as long as there's political agendas and propaganda, so pretty much forever.
Eponine Posted August 19, 2011 Posted August 19, 2011 As for the song American Idiot - it's not like it's highly specific towards a specific political event in the bush era. Really, it's about questioning what you see on TV, and not letting your life be controlled by what you hear in the media. That's going to be relevant as long as there's political agendas and propaganda, so pretty much forever. I absolutely agree. It's focussed more on the cultural landscape rather than the political landscape that dominated the early 200s, and that's something that still exists today. Pretty much all westernised societies reflect this relience on television and the media, and the emotional emancipation that leads to the kind of apathy that lets people like Bush gain power. The political side of is simply an expansion of this culture of anxiety and paranoia, which is something that's been influencing music for decades.
jamesobxfan2296 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Posted August 20, 2011 Looks like there are zero votes saying "No", which is great. Keep the discussion going guys if you want.
jamesobxfan2296 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Posted August 20, 2011 Of course not. Read this: I think that the political messages might have changed but the album is still relavent since it is a part of our life that has defined our generation I concur here. I actually saw one guy giving a negative review of the album on Amazon.com saying that the story of the Jesus of Suburbia is like "I'm a whiny kid because my mom won't take me to the mall". What you posted here kind blows a hole in the statement, not to mention the story behind the album.
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