TECHNIQUE

what?

Death of St. Jimmy/East 12th street/Nobody likes you/Rock N Roll Girlfriend/homecoming.

You know, from American Idiot? Have you ever tried to analyze the story? Here's all I can grasp.

American Idiot: Sets the theme of the album. It's kind of an anthem, if you will.

Jesus Of Suburbia.
I. Jesus Of Suburbia: Introduces us to the main character, Jesus Of Suburbia (JOS). Unlike most stars, there is nothing appealing about him. He lives in his Suburban home, with his Dysfunctional family (hence the term Mom and Brads). Now, when it comes to his name, I have completely come up with this on my own. I think that the term Jesus comes from his beliefs. Jesus didn't follow the Jewish leaders in the temple, and encouraged others to do the same. JOS, in his own way, is leading a group of followers against the leaders. And of course, he lives in suburbia.
II. City of the Damned: JOS begins to realize that all his life he has been living a lie. He has always listened to authority and never thought on his own. He realizes that his beliefs don't have to be the same as everyone else's. He feels that he lives in the "City of the Dead" because everyone is lifeless and believes whatever is told to them.
III. I don't Care: JOS is beginning to become angry and sick of the hypocrites he's lived with. This is where I get the idea that JOS has his own small group of followers. The line "We're the stories and disciples of, the Jesus of Suburbia" would show that he is not the only one who believes this, and maybe he has "awakened" others.
IV. Dearly Beloved: JOS tires to tell his mother that he's leaving. Going his own way to start his own life.
V. Tales from another Broken Home: JOS is leaving, and tries to convince himself this is the right thing to do, by telling himself "I won't feel any shame." He tries to convince himself that he has been victimized.


Holiday: JOS has set out on his own, and is living his life out on the streets. He expects it to be a new beginning. He wants to be different then the typical American, living a lie. This is, in a sense, a holiday for him.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams: JOS realizes that life alone is not as easy as he thought it would be. The party is over, and now he's alone, and unknown.

Are We The Waiting: JOS is still alone, out on the streets. Waiting, but he knows not what for. Maybe at this point he transitions from JOS into St. Jimmy. He begins to believe that "The Jesus Of Suburbia is a lie". He realizes that he can't live on the streets in this state.

Things get confusing here, so I'm gonna go with what I think.

St. Jimmy: The introduction to St. Jimmy. He is, in a sense, an alternate JOS. Some people believe he is the same person, and after further listening to the album, I do too. He's no longer a victim of authority.

Give Me Novocaine: Throughout the album, I really think JOS and Jimmy struggle against each other. In this song JOS (or Jimmy now) tries to convince himself that drugs are his only escape. Jimmy tells himself he won't feel a thing.

She's A Rebel: JOS meets Whatsername, and is immediately love struck. She is everything he wants in a girl.

Extraordinary Girl: More about Whatsername, but you get a glimpse of their relationship starting to crumble. I think again, JOS and Jimmy have an inner conflict. Jimmy doesn't want to be tied down to Whatsername, but JOS is truly in love with her. Jimmy is constantly leaving her, left to "Wipe the tears from her eyes" and Whatsername finally gets sick of crying.

Letterbomb: Whatsername breaks up with JOS. This is the first song that hints St. Jimmy and JOS could be the same person, with the line "St. Jimmy is a figment of your fathers rage and your mothers love". Which is odd, because this is the same thing JOS says he is the son of back in his title song.

Wake Me Up When September Ends: JOS is extermely hurt at Whatsername's leaving, and just wants to sleep through the month. He's been gone for so long, and he begins to miss his family and friends back home. He's innocent "Summer" has passed. There are so many metaphors that I really can't describe them all. Just about every line seems to have a hidden meaning.

Homecoming: I'm not sure about EVERYTHING, but the just of this is St. Jimmy dies, at least in JOS's mind, and he returns home.

Whatsername: JOS has returned back to his old life, but with a new view on things. He has no regrets. But he still misses Whatsername. He tried hard to forget her, burning her photographs, but he just can't. He will always have her in his mind.....


OK, so I've added so more to this after listening to the album.

I don't really care about this stuff

But it's fun! Who is Jesus Of Suburbia? WHY is he considered a "Jesus?" Why does Whatsername claim St. Jimmy comes from his mothers love and his fathers rage, the same thing from which Jesus Of Suburbia was born from?

I can't wait to try to figure out the story of 21st Century Breakdown!!

lol so I guess it's ok to make it into a play

And they've thought about a movie. Are you saying you didn't know there was a story??? Ask Cam what he thinks next time you see him. I'd be interesting in what he says.

I knew there was a story but I didn't care what it was and I'll ask Cam and tell you what he says.

Well I mean, it's just something else to do with the album, which is genius.

lol yeah

And some songs mean more after you get the story...like Wake Me Up When September Ends.

what about the music videos? how do they fit in?

I don't know but Holiday and Boulevard of Broken dreams kinda fit together. I haven't really watched them.

I just got Green Day's complete work!!!!

1039 - Smoothed out happy hour
Kerplunk
Dookie
Insomniac
Nimrod
Shenanigans
Warning

and then two live albums

Boring Day in Paradise
God Bless Amerika

wow nice cam lol

Hey, I like punk. What can I say?

well thats why I dont like american idiot that much

I don't see why people don't like it that much. I think it's a good album. Sure it's different, but people are never happy. There are only two things that can happen. Here is my "Constructive Dilema"

If Green Day creates an album that is different from their usual, then people will complain, but if Green Day creates an album true to their roots then people will complain that they aren't writing anything different.

Either Green Day will create something different, or they will stay the same.

Therefore, people will complain about what they write.


Now if you like, I could try to show my argument invalid.


(D } C) . (T } C) D V T Therefore C

what??? math??

No, that's symbolic Logic.

I don't understand it

I find it funny how people complain about bands selling out. As long as the music is good, who cares? When people are like "Waah I liked Green Day BEFORE Dookie, when they were cool. Before they signed on a major label!! So nyeah!!!" It's like "OK? So what? Are you saying you're upset that a favorite band of yours is making money?"

I liked dookie but not american idiot

You don't like American Idiot? Not even a little bit? I mean, I don't see what there is to complain about. "American Idiot", "St. Jimmy" and, "She's a Rebel" were all aggressive punk songs. A lot of the songs really aren't that different from previous albums. But everyone flips out when a punk band gets recognized.

I like wake me up when september ends.

You don't like American Idiot but you like Wake Me Up When September Ends????? IT'S A TARP.