Blasphemy & Genocide: Unpopular Green Day Opinions, Part 2

[Anaïs.]

I cringe each time I listen to American Eulogy and the word "nigger" is used. If an Australian band used Abos (Aborigines) in lyrics there would be a public outcry.

I think the context is highly important there. Billie isn't using the term himself, he's putting it in the mouths of the people he's villifying. It's actually a rather prescient lyric—look at the Ferguson situation last year, the response from a lot of people was basically exactly that line, in intent if not exact wording. If Billie himself were to call black people that word, it would be horrible and offensive, but he's using it specifically as something that other people are saying, as a device to show how fucked-up and outrageous they are.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

I think the context is highly important there. Billie isn't using the term himself, he's putting it in the mouths of the people he's villifying. It's actually a rather prescient lyric—look at the Ferguson situation last year, the response from a lot of people was basically exactly that line, in intent if not exact wording. If Billie himself were to call black people that word, it would be horrible and offensive, but he's using it specifically as something that other people are saying, as a device to show how fucked-up and outrageous they are.

Yep

[Spike]

Graham nailed it. Nothing wrong with it in context, and if it does make you uncomfortable then that's also kind of the point. I think it's an important line.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

I understand all that - am just saying it makes me cringe with the use of the word.

[Eva]

I'm not sure if this is an unpopular opinion at all, but I think Panic Song was one of the best off Insomniac. And I love Insomniac to death, so picking it out as a favorite should definitely mean it's worth something.

[AlissaGoesRAWR]

Yeah but you don't like Brutal Love, so you're opinion's invalid

They'd both make good singles in terms of sound, but as far as the lyrics go, not a chance.

Are you saying Stuart and the Ave.'s lyrics aren't good, or just not appealing to a mainstream audience? Because if it's the latter, I agree, and if it's the former, you're just wrong.

I'm not sure if this is an unpopular opinion at all, but I think Panic Song was one of the best off Insomniac. And I love Insomniac to death, so picking it out as a favorite should definitely mean it's worth something.

I love the second half of the song, but the first half is painful — especially since it's basically the soundtrack to my mind.

[Spike]

Are you saying Stuart and the Ave.'s lyrics aren't good, or just not appealing to a mainstream audience? Because if it's the latter, I agree, and if it's the former, you're just wrong.

I just meant that the chorus of "now it's all fucked up" might not go down too well on the radio

[AlissaGoesRAWR]

I just meant that the chorus of "now it's all fucked up" might not go down too well on the radio

Aww, well fuck. They can just bleep it out.

[Spike]

Aww, well fuck. They can just bleep it out.

There was a Fratellis song out a few years ago where the 12th word was cunt and they didn't even try to edit it out, so yeah, why not

[Anaïs.]

I just meant that the chorus of "now it's all fucked up" might not go down too well on the radio

This is the band that released Kill the DJ as a single, you realize.

[AlissaGoesRAWR]

This is the band that released Kill the DJ as a single, you realize.

I try to forget that happened, since the studio version is already butchered to hell, even when "fuck" is included.

[Spike]

This is the band that released Kill the DJ as a single, you realize.

I don't think I even knew that. Shows how successful it was.

[Chin for a Day]

Why would the chorus of Stuart and the Ave cause them not to release it as a single. One of their first singles said fuck and was about masturbation. I think they set the bar a little high as far as pushing the envelope. It hasn't really stopped them since, ,either.

[Libertine Angel]

I'm not sure if this is an unpopular opinion at all, but I think Panic Song was one of the best off Insomniac. And I love Insomniac to death, so picking it out as a favorite should definitely mean it's worth something.

It took me a while to realise it, but yes, it's great.

[Certified Nimrod]

This is the band that released Kill the DJ as a single, you realize.

I don't think I even knew that. Shows how successful it was.

Interestingly, they didn't just bleep out the swearing on Kill the DJ. They changed the lyrics.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

Interestingly, they didn't just bleep out the swearing on Kill the DJ. They changed the lyrics.

Yeah didn't have the same impact

[Chin for a Day]

Interestingly, they didn't just bleep out the swearing on Kill the DJ. They changed the lyrics.

So, for the radio version, they felt that the word fuck was offensive, but not a song that talks about shooting someone. What an interesting world we live in.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/broke-girls-slammed-for-aboriginal-joke/story-fnk8579h-1227228103407

Which brings me back to the use of the word "nigger" - is it ok for the sake of a song to use the word....

[WhiteTim]

So, for the radio version, they felt that the word fuck was offensive, but not a song that talks about shooting someone. What an interesting world we live in.

FCC will not air cuss words they don't care about the subject of the song just as long it's not the 7 cuss words

[Anaïs.]

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/broke-girls-slammed-for-aboriginal-joke/story-fnk8579h-1227228103407

Which brings me back to the use of the word "nigger" - is it ok for the sake of a song to use the word....

Again, you have to look at context. An offensive joke that endorses racism is very different from critiquing someone else's racist views.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

Again, you have to look at context. An offensive joke that endorses racism is very different from critiquing someone else's racist views.

Yes I agree - I just don't know who I feel about the use of the actual word - I would never say Abo in any context - so is nigger acceptable. American's what do you think.

[Chin for a Day]

Yes I agree - I just don't know who I feel about the use of the actual word - I would never say Abo in any context - so is nigger acceptable. American's what do you think.

I think it is a combination of things. You have to look at it in context. The song was not released as a single, so unless you purchased the album, you didn't hear it. Those that purchased are GD fans and don't care. As Tim said above, as long as you don't use the 7 cuss words, the FCC doesn't care. So, with everything combined, it was a non-issue here.

[UNICORN VOMIT]

I am just asking though because I know some people didn't like when billie had the "spazzy" artwork thing going. Even as a joke would American's use the word "nigger".

[Chin for a Day]

I am just asking though because I know some people didn't like when billie had the "spazzy" artwork thing going. Even as a joke would American's use the word "nigger".

It would not be used in common speech. No one would call someone that, in public anyway. But used in a song, or maybe a movie or by a comedian. Yes, it would be used.

[WhiteTim]

Personally I don't think people should use the N word period