Unpopular Green Day Opinions

[Z J]

I would much rather hear 21 Guns than Boulevard of Broken Dreams. The latter is the song that first got me into Green Day, but now I'm fucking sick of it. Don't know if Billie's voice could handle 21 Guns nowadays, though, let's face it.

What goes into it is that they only choose the songs that Billie can be arsed to remember the lyrics for.

GODDAMIT, BILLIE, IT'S NOT THAT HARD TO SING STUART AND THE AVE. WITHOUT FUCKING IT UP.

Makes my heart hurt every time I remember how little a shit he gives about such a great song

As for BOBD, I think it is a staple, their most popular song ever probably along with Good Riddance, and a crowd pleaser. Everyone knows the words, the singalongs are great. I think their first show back, when Billie dropped to his knees and let everyone sing was a special moment and the song and its lyrics are too important to him for them to take it off.

If he can sing the stuff on Foreverly he can do 21 Guns. I hate, hate, hate the album version but the live version is absolutely epic. As much as I absolutely love BOBD, it needs the tremolo guitar. It's got absolutely no balls without it and the recent live versions suck as a result. Doing both BOBD and 21 Guns in one show would be unnecessary as they're basically the same song.

Maybe the same song in that they're longish rock ballads. But BOBD is one of GD's most relevant songs. And he can definitely sing 21 guns now, seeing him do well with Brutal Love at Reading, can't imagine he would not at least be able to pull off a solid 21 guns, maybe with out the huge notes on the bridge. I can't even listen to the studio version of 21 Guns anymore because the AAF version is so fucking amazing I just sit there wishing the studio version was the live version the whole 5 minutes.

[Spike]

Maybe the same song in that they're longish rock ballads.

As well as the fact they're almost the same tempo, same structure, same instrumentation and Tre uses the exact same drum fill in the same place in both songs

[Anaïs.]

Makes my heart hurt every time I remember how little a shit he gives about such a great song :

Then again, we wouldn't want him to take a big shit on the song, either.

[Z J]

As well as the fact they're almost the same tempo, same structure, same instrumentation and Tre uses the exact same drum fill in the same place in both songs

they're not interchangeable on setlist because of it though . Different meanings completely not to mention the vocal. And the interpretations live separate them immensely

[Spike]

they're not interchangeable on setlist because of it though . Different meanings completely not to mention the vocal. And the interpretations live separate them immensely

True, but I think in terms of energy and general feel they're interchangeable. Given how much Green Day gigs rely on dynamics rather than song meanings, or even actual song content, I think one or the other is enough, not both in one gig. Obviously it should always be BOBD as it's a far better song, but again, only if they do it with the tremolo guitar. I was shocked when I first saw 21 Guns live, I can't get over how much better it is with the slightly different arrangement and pyros.

[Z J]

True, but I think in terms of energy and general feel they're interchangeable. Given how much Green Day gigs rely on dynamics rather than song meanings, or even actual song content, I think one or the other is enough, not both in one gig. Obviously it should always be BOBD as it's a far better song, but again, only if they do it with the tremolo guitar. I was shocked when I first saw 21 Guns live, I can't get over how much better it is with the slightly different arrangement and pyros.

I'd look at it the from the stand point that both songs are incredibly important pieces of their catalog. Being the best selling singles on their respective albums makes them important.During the 21cb tour they had both on the setlist no problem.oh and the piano in the bridge just gets me on 21 guns live

[bjrules]

I've recently decided that I want them to get King for a Day off the setlist. It was great, but now it is just getting really old, and they have so many better songs that they could be playing in the 6-8 minutes that King for a Day takes up.

[Z J]

Then again, we wouldn't want him to take a big shit on the song, either.

If he knew the words it seems like it would be an easy song to perform

I've recently decided that I want them to get King for a Day off the setlist. It was great, but now it is just getting really old, and they have so many better songs that they could be playing in the 6-8 minutes that King for a Day takes up.

it wasn't on the setlist during a lot of their most recent shows

[Guest]

Part of the reason it's in there is because Billie is old and needs a break from all the jumping around and stuff

Tell that to Bruce Springsteen

[The Disappearing Boy]

Yeah they really do need to do more songs in banana/potato time.

[Hermione]

I've always wondered what goes in to making their setlists. They chose some odd songs (to me, anyway) that they latch on to. I like Burnout but what makes it really that important that it is on the setlist every night, whereas songs like 21CB are taken away. Certain songs have to be there. Their chart toppers from the 90's: Basket Case, When I Come Around, Longview, Good Riddance. This AI/21CB generation of fans need to hear those songs live, I think. If you want to build a setlist that is fit for the crowd in front of you (as opposed to changing up the setlists frequently) then getting out a lot of the big hits is important I think. But there is room for flexibility. Songs like Burnout, Welcome To Paradise, and Letterbomb (unless they would play it ALL THE WAY THROUGH) are expendable to me. Songs like 21 Guns or American Eulogy are great live. Or Are We The Waiting. But they didn't get latched on to by the band. 21 Guns is an odd omission to me. Did they play it once this whole tour? It was their best selling song off their last album, and perhaps their most relevant song to the mainstream at the time of touring. Even WMUWSE found its way back for the festivals. Why were Nice Guys Finish Last and Waiting all of a sudden made in to staples (not a huge fan of either). Warning has quite a few other choices. Macy's Day Parade being one I'd love to hear more often or Castaway. St Jimmy is always played, yet there are a handful of songs on that album alone I'd rather hear live.

I think they could do with shaking up the middle a little bit. They have so many hit songs but their are places in the setlist where they could afford to mix it up. Always wondered who decides on the setlists and what goes in to the decison

From all the times I've seen them talk about setlists, I think they're just pretty much solely focused on making a setlist that will get the whole crowd excited and singing along, ie putting on a good show that night. They're not thinking about mixing things up so much because the show isn't designed to be seen multiple times, it's designed to entertain as many of the people in the crowd as possible in one city, once, and then do the same in the next city. Only a tiny percentage of people will go to more than one show on a tour or be watching loads of Youtube footage online so I don't think those people are really considered much. And to me it doesn't seem like they wish they could play more varied songs or more new songs but begrudgingly don't to please the crowd (like some bands), it seems like they get nearly all their enjoyment from seeing the crowd go wild and genuinely aren't that bothered about which songs they play to achieve that, they enjoy playing old and new and regular and rare alike and as long as it gets the crowd going they're happy.

I agree with you that they could be more flexible if they wanted, I think they underestimate how much they could mix things up while still making the crowd go wild. In interviews they're always saying how they think if they play a rare song or miss out regular songs people won't get excited, and you can see how concerned they are about playing new songs in Cuatro. Clearly they love playing their regular songs and seeing the crowd's reaction so they're more than happy with things as they are, but I do wish someone would tell them they don't need to worry so much about changing things if they do feel like it from time to time.

As long as they don't get rid of King For A Day that is , they need to keep that fabulousness forever!

[Guest]

Yeah they really do need to do more songs in banana/potato time.

Hey, that's my favourite time signature

[Z J]

From all the times I've seen them talk about setlists, I think they're just pretty much solely focused on making a setlist that will get the whole crowd excited and singing along, ie putting on a good show that night. They're not thinking about mixing things up so much because the show isn't designed to be seen multiple times, it's designed to entertain as many of the people in the crowd as possible in one city, once, and then do the same in the next city. Only a tiny percentage of people will go to more than one show on a tour or be watching loads of Youtube footage online so I don't think those people are really considered much. And to me it doesn't seem like they wish they could play more varied songs or more new songs but begrudgingly don't to please the crowd (like some bands), it seems like they get nearly all their enjoyment from seeing the crowd go wild and genuinely aren't that bothered about which songs they play to achieve that, they enjoy playing old and new and regular and rare alike and as long as it gets the crowd going they're happy.

I agree with you that they could be more flexible if they wanted, I think they underestimate how much they could mix things up while still making the crowd go wild. In interviews they're always saying how they think if they play a rare song or miss out regular songs people won't get excited, and you can see how concerned they are about playing new songs in Cuatro. Clearly they love playing their regular songs and seeing the crowd's reaction so they're more than happy with things as they are, but I do wish someone would tell them they don't need to worry so much about changing things if they do feel like it from time to time.

As long as they don't get rid of King For A Day that is , they need to keep that fabulousness forever!

yeah I think you echo sentiments that I've previously talked about. They are right in performing for the crowd in front of them, and not for the crowd on youtube. But as I noted, there are certain songs that they latch on to that could definitely be switched out every once and a while. Burnout jumps to mind for me. They've been doing some weird setlists in the break they've had from touring, if I'm not mistaking. We will find out a lot about the direction they want to take things when they go to Australia, I think.

As for King For A Day, they already seem to have removed it during the festivals, although the inclusion of Dookie in full obviously could have affected that. I think it is a great site to see. One of the world's biggest rockstars going through this melodramatic act while singing all of these covers. It is something that is ALWAYS noted as a positive in show reviews, especially by people who have only seen them once or twice. The shenanigans do take up some time, but honestly they fit a ton of songs in their playlist as it is.

[AlissaGoesRAWR]

I always find it amusing how people complain about Green Day's simplicity then claim to love Panic Song WHICH IS ONE GODDAMN NOTE FOR TWO WHOLE MINUTES OF A THREE AND A HALF MINUTE SONG!

Unpopular opinion: I despise Panic Song because of those 2 minutes. It literally is like nails on a chalkboard for me, possibly because it's like the soundtrack to my brain.

As for BOBD, I think it is a staple, their most popular song ever probably along with Good Riddance, and a crowd pleaser. Everyone knows the words, the singalongs are great. I think their first show back, when Billie dropped to his knees and let everyone sing was a special moment and the song and its lyrics are too important to him for them to take it off.

Billie did that for more than just the first show. He did it at my show and I think at most of them, at the same time. His "special" moments were kind of planned this tour. Agree that BOBD will never disappear because it's a crowd-pleaser though.

[JOE THE X-KID]

Unpopular opinion: I despise Panic Song because of those 2 minutes. It literally is like nails on a chalkboard for me, possibly because it's like the soundtrack to my brain.

Billie did that for more than just the first show. He did it at my show and I think at most of them, at the same time. His "special" moments were kind of planned this tour. Agree that BOBD will never disappear because it's a crowd-pleaser though.

How dare you say that about Panic song, how dare you!!!!!!!

[fromdecimateddreams]

Unpopular opinion: I despise Panic Song because of those 2 minutes. It literally is like nails on a chalkboard for me, possibly because it's like the soundtrack to my brain.

Same. The first time I listened to it I thought my CD was broken or something cause it went on for so long. and I've never really been a huge fan of it since.

[Z J]

Unpopular opinion: I despise Panic Song because of those 2 minutes. It literally is like nails on a chalkboard for me, possibly because it's like the soundtrack to my brain.

Billie did that for more than just the first show. He did it at my show and I think at most of them, at the same time. His "special" moments were kind of planned this tour. Agree that BOBD will never disappear because it's a crowd-pleaser though.

you should go watch video of the first one, way more emotional, to me, then any time after that. It looked far more spontaneous

[Spike]

you should go watch video of the first one, way more emotional, to me, then any time after that. It looked far more spontaneous

You can just imagine Billie doing it the first time then thinking "Oh, that went well, I should try it again sometime."

[Z J]

You can just imagine Billie doing it the first time then thinking "Oh, that went well, I should try it again sometime."

that is exactly what the subsequent ones look like He does look like genuinely enjoys sitting down and hearing the crowd sing though.

[Mar]

I really wish the guys would work with Butch Vig again. I don't often care for Wall of Sound-style production, but he really made it work for 21CB; it truly sounds epic in a lot of places.

I think this is one of the many reasons I like 21CB a lot. I'm a sucker for Wall Of Sound.

[bjrules]

Not sure if this counts as an "unpopular opinion" as such, but I've never really gotten the whole Static Age is just Church on Sunday again thing. I mean sure, the choruses do sound similar. But apart from that, there are no similarities that I can hear. Unless people were just referring to the chorus with that sort of comment?

[The Disappearing Boy]

There's a far bigger similarity between Static Age and Do Da Da.

[Anaïs.]

Is it an unpopular opinion that I like The Static Age *better* than Church on Sunday?

[Heather.]

For the most part, Green Day makes shitty music videos, especially in the last decade, but also in general. There are a few excellent exceptions, but when I watch Foo Fighters videos or really so many other bands and artists, I can't help but be disappointed. Then again, Dave Grohl is hilarious. I just feel like we're missing out on a whole world of Tre-in-drag type humor that we saw briefly in Holiday.

I don't know if this is even an opinion, but Billie Joe doesn't or cannot sing loud enough. I know it's partly that the band plays so loudly and that can drown him out, or maybe his microphone is intentionally turned lower, but I think it takes away from the power and presence in his voice. Again, I watch other bands and even the frontmen who aren't as good at singing as Billie can have a greater effect because they're simply louder. In a lot of ways, I think Billie has a very delicate voice and I know he screams his heart out at times, but he's really weak when it comes to that rocker scream.

[Anaïs.]

For the most part, Green Day makes shitty music videos, especially in the last decade, but also in general. There are a few excellent exceptions, but when I watch Foo Fighters videos or really so many other bands and artists, I can't help but be disappointed. Then again, Dave Grohl is hilarious. I just feel like we're missing out on a whole world of Tre-in-drag type humor that we saw briefly in Holiday.

The only music video of theirs I've ever truly thought was great was "Hitchin' a Ride". "Basket Case" and "Brain Stew/Jaded" aren't bad, though.