Malleus Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 There are a lot of testaments to Green Day's strength as a band. Whether you choose to favor their extremely healthy work ethic and devotion to a live show and their fans, their persistent and adaptable energy to bring things to new creative highs or maybe it's just their killer jeans and hair that do it for you. Whatever. Another big testament is that one of Green Day's lowest commercial slumps has still sold 1.2 million copies, and even though we know better now, Warning wasn't always thought of the fan-dubbed masterpiece we know it to be. Long, long ago, it wasn't uncommon to only jam the singles. "Minority" is a song from Green Day's sixth studio album, Warning, and served as the band's lead single. Written by the band's lead vocalist Billie Joe, it debuted in late August of 2000 and held on to the number one spot on Billboard's Modern Rock Chart for five weeks. The track is a shiny, in-your-face fuck you to everybody who has ever pushed you down. An anthem for insubordinates who are tired of putting up with schtick. The song talks about finding yourself and staying true to your own colors, a DIY train of thought that shines in any remotely punk community. "Minority is about being an individual. It's like you have to sift through the darkness to find your place and be that individual you want to be your entire life," Armstrong has said about the song. This song has also been a staple in the band's live show for a while now, and rightfully so. Mike Dirnt, bassist and Billie Joe's long-running BFF has said of the song "When we play 'Minority', that's the point which I always think the floor's gonna cave in." If Green Day disbanded after Warning came out, I have no doubt in my mind that of all their songs, this one would jump out at me even more. It's a stripped down message hidden in power pop bottle, laced with infectious harmonicas and acoustic guitar. The idea of being lost and hurt within yourself is a universal one and Green Day doesn't beat around the bush with this song. It's catchy, it's fun to scream along to, but most importantly it's a subtle reminder of our strength. It's what picks us up when we fall and it's what makes us wanna run when all we've been doing our lives is crawling. When people scream out the lyrics and well up at the sight of the song being played back to them, it's a reminder for Billie Joe and the guys that what they consistently do over and over again better than so many other bands is instill a sense of hope and originality. I wanna be the minority, you wanna be the minority and, hell, most of the Authority probably wants to be the minority. I think we all owe the band that is so unapologetically themselves, unafraid to be stripped down and bare in a setting with a punk twist, a band whose ultimate message has never strayed too far from something individual even if it's not all that terribly unique of a message: be yourself. So thanks Green Day, and I don't think I'm the only one when I say that I would not be nearly as good at being myself if it weren't for you guys. Enjoy the band's 2005 Milton Keynes performance, captured for their first live DVD Bullet in a Bible, and read the lyrics below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsOOA7ajSXo I want to be the minority I don't need your authority Down with the moral majority 'Cause I want to be the minority I pledge allegiance to the underworld One nation underdog There of which I stand alone A face in the crowd Unsung, against the mold Without a doubt Singled out The only way I know 'Cause I want to be the minority I don't need your authority Down with the moral majority 'Cause I want to be the minority Stepped out of the line Like a sheep runs from the herd Marching out of time To my own beat now The only way I know One light, one mind Flashing in the dark Blinded by the silence of a thousand broken hearts "For crying out loud," she screamed unto me A free for all Fuck 'em all You're on your own side 'Cause I want to be the minority I don't need your authority Down with the moral majority 'Cause I want to be the minority One light, one mind Flashing in the dark Blinded by the silence of a thousand broken hearts "For crying out loud," she screamed unto me A free for all Fuck 'em all You're on your own side 'Cause I want to be the minority I don't need your authority Down with the moral majority 'Cause I want to be the minority The minority I want to be the minority The minority I want to be the minority
stich Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 Wow! Great post writing and awesome song, my no.1 favorite in terms of lyrics; Also the BIAB performance was a blast
.Holly Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 Great review of the song! Minority is one of my favourite GD songs. It's so catchy and very easy to relate to. I also love the use of the harmonica. I read this in the Minority wikipedia article, it's quite interesting: Billie Joe Armstrong commented that this was the point in which their song writing became slightly more politically based. The lyrics "I pledge allegiance to the under world, one nation under dog..." were taken from the American Plege of Allegiance but "twisted upside down a bit." The lyric "down with the moral majority" from the chorus refers to the now dissolved socially conservative American organization called the Moral Majority. Kind of interesting especially after the discussion in General we've been having about the The Pledge! Anyway, when Billie plays the harmonica solo at live shows gives me goosebumps and is always a highlight for me at a show. I hope they always keep playing it
Firecracker Lell Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 Weeeee awesome post!!! Has been one of my fav songs ever, and the performance was pretty incredible! The harmonica parts give me eargasm. One thing I love about it is y'know, it was pretty much the first political GD song. You have no idea how much I love it when he sings " one nation underdog " Since I'm an atheist, but again, it sounds so cool.
Guest Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 One thing I love about it is y'know, it was pretty much the first political GD song. It's possible that Maria could have been written before Minority
Firecracker Lell Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 It's possible that Maria could have been written before Minority I know, by first, I meant y'know, they kinda stepped into their political era. I hope I can get you what I mean. * scratches head *
A Basket Case Posted September 6, 2013 Posted September 6, 2013 I can't help but get an Irish brogue when I sing this song! Especially for "Fuck em All!" Also, I'm raised by irish parents so that might have something to do with it, but I'll just pretend its that old, irish-y sound it has
MaraGreenDay Posted September 7, 2013 Posted September 7, 2013 Wow, what a great post!!! I love this song so much, is one of those songs that i hope they play when i finally can see them live
#DaughterOfRageAndLove# Posted September 7, 2013 Posted September 7, 2013 love this song so much that i taught myself the guitar, vocals and harmonica:')
Anaïs. Posted September 7, 2013 Posted September 7, 2013 A slight tangent: in the Bullet in a Bible recording of this song, I'm so proud of Billie for saying "regardless" instead of "irregardless".
Todd Posted September 8, 2013 Posted September 8, 2013 Irving Plaza 2004 has to be my favorite live performance!
lizziebix Posted September 8, 2013 Posted September 8, 2013 Irving Plaza 2004 has to be my favorite live performance! Post a link so we can compare! This is my hubby's favorite song. I told this story back in 2009 when we first saw Green Day live in Chicago. We had gotten last minute tickets and he was standing next to me away from the stage so I couldn't see if he was having as much fun as I was. Until they played Minority. I turned and looked at him and he was SO HAPPY, singing and dancing in the aisle with me and everyone around us. I'll never forget that moment and that makes this song that much more special for me.
CemeteryDrive Posted September 8, 2013 Posted September 8, 2013 Great post! This could be my favourite song to hear live... I love the atmosphere with everyone singing along and jumping around and just being able to scream fuck em all...
Iva Posted September 8, 2013 Posted September 8, 2013 Beautifully written, brings back the joy of hearing the song two times live and being pointed out during "she screams unto me". Thank you for sharing this with us.
Razorblade_Romance Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 I love love this song! Very fun to sing along with. Definitely one of my favorites. " A free for all, FUCK 'EM ALL, you're on your own side! "
Guest Trotsky Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 Great post!! I love Minority so fucking much.
St. Raymond Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Its brings the good old time`s back! When i think back its so nice!
Overjoyyed Posted September 14, 2013 Posted September 14, 2013 I love when billie does those hand motions of "blinded by the silence of 1000 broken hearts"
tdlyon Posted September 14, 2013 Posted September 14, 2013 Wait, the lyrics are "Unsung against the mold?" I always thought it was "A tongue against the mold"
jacknovella Posted September 18, 2013 Posted September 18, 2013 Amazing song...for me it was really brought to life when I saw it performed on Bullet In A Bible...that really made me fall madly in love with the song.
Jhei Morisato Posted September 18, 2013 Posted September 18, 2013 I bought a harmonica because of this song, and I will not play any other song on my harmonica aside from Minority.
Insomniac85 Posted September 19, 2013 Posted September 19, 2013 I love this song. I'll never forget when I first heard it. my local alternative rock radio station 95.5 WBRU debuted it at night. I fell in love with it and recorded it on a blank cassette tape and listened to it constantly. then I got more stoked and hyped for Warning when TRL showed the video for the first time. Minority brings back so many great memories for me.
Annie, get your gun Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Love this song! And when they play it live my favorite part is when Billie Joe plays the harmonica The video is perfect, too. ...The balloons are fake.
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