"To Reminisce is to Die"

[brianbags]

As you all know, this is what Billie said at the Tiki Bar when asked to play old songs. I've been thinking about it ever since and I'm still clueless. What the hell does he mean? I can't think of a situation in which the phrase he made up makes sense. It sounds like he just pulled it out his ass. Does anyone understand it?

[Ellenkc]

Don't dwell in the past or you'll go nowhere?

[BringMoreKnives]

Don't dwell in the past or you'll go nowhere?

^This.

I wanna get "To Reminisce is to Die" tattooed on me. I love that phrase so much.

[brianbags]

Don't dwell in the past or you'll go nowhere?

Oh. I think "reminisce" is the wrong word there considering its definition is "to indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events", but whatever. Thanks.

[Ellenkc]

Oh. I think "reminisce" is the wrong word there considering its definition is "to indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events", but whatever. Thanks.

Not really, the first result you get from a google search isn't always the sole definition of the word. To reminisce is used generally as to remember and recollect something in the past. Your definition still works anyway, thinking about past events constantly and how great everything was back then isn't going to get you anywhere.

[Blond-O-Sonic Shimmer Trap]

It's a bit of a complete misfire in the huge line of Billie-Joe Armstrong calls-to-arms but as long as the music stays good it doesn't bother me.

[brianbags]

Not really, the first result you get from a google search isn't always the sole definition of the word. To reminisce is used generally as to remember and recollect something in the past. Your definition still works anyway, thinking about past events constantly and how great everything was back then isn't going to get you anywhere.

You're right, there are more definitions, but I've always used that word in the context of "looking back happily". Different definitions though

[Boston]

Billie's words, not mine.

[Elena]

aw i love that phrase...it means that you shouldn't look back, it's just not good...when he said it, he just meant that he doesn't want to play old music and it's bad to always just play the old songs (maybe), but for me it means more....on some days when i'm sad and maybe angry and think of my past that everything is shitty...then i just think: "hey to reminisce is to die" and try to forget it...or at least don't make such a big deal outa it

...also some people are just too much in the past and should be more in the present...i think that's also meant with it

...i have that phrase as my sig ...and i always thought of a tattoo, my parents won't allow me one when i'm 16, but when i'm 18 i wanna make me one...either "To reminisce is to die" or "Rage & Love" or both (Rage & Love is also the name of my band)

[Penguin Puffball]

But does that mean he's not happy with his older music or his past?

[Hermione]

He was just saying look to the future instead of dwelling on the past too much. That doesn't mean he literally believes that reminiscing is ALWAYS bad and should NEVER be done - he just said it in that simplified, dramatic way to make the message more powerful.

Doesn't mean he has any kind of problem with things he's done in the past either. Just means at that moment he felt like fuck thinking about the past, the future is where it's at! It's a postive statement about not letting thinking about the past distract you from looking to the future, not a negative statement about his past.

[Dylan.]

"To Reminisce is to Die" is a phrase that basically means the same as, "Always move forward. Going straight will get you nowhere." Billie is a poet, dontcha know?