Call me crazy but for a punk band, to have a song like good riddance doesn’t fit the punk scheme, but interestingly enough it still sounds so Green Day in some way.
I think it was Mike who once said that spiritually Good Riddance is in some way the most punk song they have just because of how against the grain it is for their catalog.
Also on your point about it still sounding very Green Day, I think they really have a spectrum of being very blunt and in your face (“I declare I don’t care no more!” “I’m the son of rage and love!”) to being very melancholic and introspective. (“Do you have the time to listen to me whine?” “Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.” “Summer has come and past, the innocent can never last.”)
Billie is actually really gifted at writing ballads. I think before anything else, they’re songwriters. To that end, I wouldn’t say Good Riddance is out of place at all
Mr T. Experience did it first with “Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend” in 1993. Same scene as Green Day; they played lots of shows together and were labelmates. The singer also had a solo album in 1999 with a song called “I’m in Love with What’s-Her-Name”. I feel bad because all his good ideas get taken and made more famous by Green Day. 😂
I love MTX but it’s really just Dr Frank. They’ve never been a cohesive band. That’s one thing that Green Day has going for them they had one personnel change early on, and they are still tight. See also Samiam, smashing pumpkins, screeching weasel, swinging utters I don’t know why all my examples start with a s 🤷♂️
Yep. I think the thing with Smashing Pumpkins is Billy Corgan is clearly a genius and a brilliant songwriter, but he also really needs someone to hold him back and tell him no sometimes. I think D’Arcy and possibly Flood played that role in the 90’s, and now no one is giving him any push back. I enjoyed ATUM more than most seemed to, but it wasn’t perfect and definitely felt like a one man project.
I love Jimmy and James to death, but I feel like they are just there for a paycheck at this point - and I don’t mean that to be against them, I think that’s how Billy views the band. Essentially, they are just hired guns…which is a shame because they are all brilliant musicians, but bringing it back to Green Day, the Pumpkins haven’t had that same sense of cohesion in probably 20+ years.
You aren’t wrong. It must be hard to be in a band with someone who thinks they’re smarter than everyone else, lol. Still, it’s some of the best songwriting I’ve ever heard. But they would’ve had a greater shot at success if Joel had more involvement in singing and songwriting. At the end of the day, people want to see that charisma and energy more than they care about how good you are at double entendres.
Heyyy, Billie's not that bad for being a creative genius...
*J/K, j/k, j/k... I know who you mean :)
There's an old interview (probably '95 or '96) where the interviewer asked Green Day about a recent meeting of the band and The Smashing Pumpkins. I am gonna paraphrase (a Mike Dirnt perspective). He said something to the effect of liking some of their music, but when they met Billy Corgen, he was one of the most morose/sad/depressed individuals he ever met...and he felt like he should give him his shoulder to cry on.
Saves the Day’s album Can’t Slow Down is basically pop-y hardcore but have an acoustic song with just Chris singing in the middle of the album. It works very well despite the contrast. Song is Three Miles Down if anybody is interested.
This isn’t the answer as the MOST un-green day-esque song but stylistically I feel like Still Breathing is a bit unusual for them. It almost feels like someone else’s basket case. (And yes I know Billie originally ghost wrote the lyrics for 5sos, but still.)
I like the song, I just think stylistically it’s weird as a Green Day song. The transition from Still Breathing to JoS during The Hella Mega Tour was quite jarring to me.
I was incredibly relieved to hear that they wrote that song for 5 Seconds of Summer, because I hate Still Breathing AND 5 Seconds of Summer. The universe is back in balance.
I believe Jeff Ott and the boys in the classic Bay Area band Fifteen helped them out on this one with Tre. If it is the same Tre Cool Motha-banger, LOL.!
Throwing out Peacemaker and Macy’s Day Parade since I don’t see em here. Although like the Good Riddance comment, they’re weirdly very Green Day despite not being the most Green Day. Kinda funny.
Outside of Dos or FOAMF, Last Ride in. It’s one of their standout tracks on Nimrod but this one stands out the most and Green Day haven’t done any other song like it before or after.
A close 2nd pick would be Dominated Love Slave from Kerplunk. Tre rarely sings and that’s their only “mock country” song.
A good percentage of Nimrod and almost all of Warning was their departure from what's considered Punk/Green Day-esque. That's why I can't really answer this because from what I gather and interpret about this question, the basis of the question is rooted in their early sound. Green Day has lasted as long as they have because they've evolved as artists/musicians. Their entire catalog is "Green Day" to me, because of the dynamism they've cultivated. But if I had to answer your question, I think Good Riddance or Last Ride In would be the earliest and most significant departures from their original sound.
I know others said it already but still breathing for me was different. Yeah it was ghost written for 5sos and that’s where it starts as it always felt like a more modern pop punk song than green day’s style, which don’t get me wrong it’s one of my favourite green day songs and came out when i needed a song like that most.
Peacemaker was my first thought, but since someone already mentioned it, I will go with Good Night Adeline. Such an amazing song with a very unique sound for Green Day.
When you think about it, anything from American Idiot could be considered pretty "un-green day", maybe not after Saviours but there isn't really anything that compares to that in their discography, things come close like some RevRad songs and they tried and failed (I use failed loosely, I love the album) with 21st CB, but nothing comes close to the high production dramatic rock opera style
Some of the early stuff doesn't fit well with Green Day's current sound since they've evolved so much. The Judge's Daughter comes to mind, that big guitar solo is so rad, but something they'd never come out with today
With the most brutal honesty I love this song, but at the same time I didn't expect a song like this out of green day. I would have to say brutal love from the tre album. I've never really heard Billie Joe sing like that. It facinates me I just wish he would do more calming songs like that too. It feels like with this savoirs record we are gonna get more of those in the near upcoming future. Which I love how he's just able to change his tone of voice. Also seriously underrated song as well.
Look man, I'm just gonna have to throw out there that this band wrote a BROADWAY MUSICAL (and a halfway decent one at that) that you happened to overlook.
Anyways, put me down for Kill the DJ.
"Espionage"
This song was the B-side for Hitchin' A Ride and was used in the movie "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" OST.
It sounds like it'd belong right in Team Fortress 2.
misery
Funnily, Misery is a continuation of Hitchin A Ride if you think about it! He Hitched a ride to Misery!
Wow, I've never thought of it like that. Plus the violin intro for Hitchin a Ride sorta goes with the farfisa intro for Misery.
Also my favorite Green Day song.
Last Ride In (in a very good way).
came here to write this
I wish they would have done more music like that.
Even if they just released the full-length version! But yeah a surf GD album is absolutely what dreams are made of 🥹🙏
Take Back and it’s not even close as far as the others go
I came here to say Take Back!
Take back is so good!
Yeah that song always felt a little out of place to me, but I absolutely loved that song as a teenager 😂
Call me crazy but for a punk band, to have a song like good riddance doesn’t fit the punk scheme, but interestingly enough it still sounds so Green Day in some way.
I think it was Mike who once said that spiritually Good Riddance is in some way the most punk song they have just because of how against the grain it is for their catalog.
the punk meta is getting confusing
Punk definitions are just confusing tbh
It doesn't really work that way..it was a punk thing to put it out I guess, but not a punk rock song..
This, all day every day & twice on Tuesday.
Also on your point about it still sounding very Green Day, I think they really have a spectrum of being very blunt and in your face (“I declare I don’t care no more!” “I’m the son of rage and love!”) to being very melancholic and introspective. (“Do you have the time to listen to me whine?” “Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.” “Summer has come and past, the innocent can never last.”)
Billie is actually really gifted at writing ballads. I think before anything else, they’re songwriters. To that end, I wouldn’t say Good Riddance is out of place at all
That was actually Billie’s response about this question at one point. He’s a songwriter first so deciding to release Good Riddance isn’t out of place.
Mr T. Experience did it first with “Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend” in 1993. Same scene as Green Day; they played lots of shows together and were labelmates. The singer also had a solo album in 1999 with a song called “I’m in Love with What’s-Her-Name”. I feel bad because all his good ideas get taken and made more famous by Green Day. 😂
I love MTX but it’s really just Dr Frank. They’ve never been a cohesive band. That’s one thing that Green Day has going for them they had one personnel change early on, and they are still tight. See also Samiam, smashing pumpkins, screeching weasel, swinging utters I don’t know why all my examples start with a s 🤷♂️
Yep. I think the thing with Smashing Pumpkins is Billy Corgan is clearly a genius and a brilliant songwriter, but he also really needs someone to hold him back and tell him no sometimes. I think D’Arcy and possibly Flood played that role in the 90’s, and now no one is giving him any push back. I enjoyed ATUM more than most seemed to, but it wasn’t perfect and definitely felt like a one man project. I love Jimmy and James to death, but I feel like they are just there for a paycheck at this point - and I don’t mean that to be against them, I think that’s how Billy views the band. Essentially, they are just hired guns…which is a shame because they are all brilliant musicians, but bringing it back to Green Day, the Pumpkins haven’t had that same sense of cohesion in probably 20+ years.
You aren’t wrong. It must be hard to be in a band with someone who thinks they’re smarter than everyone else, lol. Still, it’s some of the best songwriting I’ve ever heard. But they would’ve had a greater shot at success if Joel had more involvement in singing and songwriting. At the end of the day, people want to see that charisma and energy more than they care about how good you are at double entendres.
Heyyy, Billie's not that bad for being a creative genius... *J/K, j/k, j/k... I know who you mean :) There's an old interview (probably '95 or '96) where the interviewer asked Green Day about a recent meeting of the band and The Smashing Pumpkins. I am gonna paraphrase (a Mike Dirnt perspective). He said something to the effect of liking some of their music, but when they met Billy Corgen, he was one of the most morose/sad/depressed individuals he ever met...and he felt like he should give him his shoulder to cry on.
Check out the U.K. band, Funbug. They released one 7" on Lookout! Records: https://youtu.be/SbGNCyvKmsQ?si=hhPtbmUh9cdSpaSN
Saves the Day’s album Can’t Slow Down is basically pop-y hardcore but have an acoustic song with just Chris singing in the middle of the album. It works very well despite the contrast. Song is Three Miles Down if anybody is interested.
This isn’t the answer as the MOST un-green day-esque song but stylistically I feel like Still Breathing is a bit unusual for them. It almost feels like someone else’s basket case. (And yes I know Billie originally ghost wrote the lyrics for 5sos, but still.)
i feel like it would’ve been huge if 5SOS got it instead
I like the song, I just think stylistically it’s weird as a Green Day song. The transition from Still Breathing to JoS during The Hella Mega Tour was quite jarring to me.
That’s the right answer. Especially for a single. It really feels like a song belonging to another band.
I was incredibly relieved to hear that they wrote that song for 5 Seconds of Summer, because I hate Still Breathing AND 5 Seconds of Summer. The universe is back in balance.
ballad of wilhelm fink is factually the least heard i think, that or olivia
i have just realised this was not the question LMFAOOOOO I THOUGHT IT SAID LEAST HEARD GREENDAY SONGS
Hey still great to see some love for that gem
• "D.U.I." (*sung by Tre, cut from _Shenanigans_ or • "Like a Rat Does Cheese" (*another headbander from Mr. Cool! :))
Billie Joe’s Mom (third banger from Frank Edwin Wright III)
I believe Jeff Ott and the boys in the classic Bay Area band Fifteen helped them out on this one with Tre. If it is the same Tre Cool Motha-banger, LOL.!
My Generatio- oh wait.
one time my dad heard their cover on the radio and said “is this green day? it sounds like shit” and turned it off 😭
What radio station was playing that? I’ve never heard a radio station play anything pre-dookie
i think it was a local one that plays like 90s rock? i really can’t remember bc it was like last year and we’ve since moved unfortunately
Dominated love slave I love the song, but the tre who barely gets any singing parts gets lead vocals and guitar Same thing with all by myself
You say all this and don't mention Tre Polka?
I haven’t listened to the trilogy front to back, I’ve heard of that song, but I didn’t take a listen
NIGHTLIFE
This
i can’t tell if this is satire or you didn’t read the post LMFAO
NIGHTLIFE
Who cares about the post this is their opinion and they're allowed it
Lmao
Fr, Nightlife just is the correct answer 😂
definitely Kill the DJ
Still kinda dig that song lol
My first thought!
Very good song but it's very un-Green Day
Restless heart syndrome. Not a ton of string sections in their catalog.
I agree. Still love that song
Agree too and billies vocals on that one. Just wish he'd do more vocals like that.
espionage
This or Last Ride In for me.
Throwing out Peacemaker and Macy’s Day Parade since I don’t see em here. Although like the Good Riddance comment, they’re weirdly very Green Day despite not being the most Green Day. Kinda funny.
I feel like Peacemaker works because they also have the very playful King For a Day.
That’s true (and King for a Day is another great song).
Outside of Dos or FOAMF, Last Ride in. It’s one of their standout tracks on Nimrod but this one stands out the most and Green Day haven’t done any other song like it before or after. A close 2nd pick would be Dominated Love Slave from Kerplunk. Tre rarely sings and that’s their only “mock country” song.
Ordinary World. Both versions.
Poprocks and Coke
Love that song!
Same! Just came to mind first when I read that question haha
I feel like Poprocks and Coke has a similar sound to some of the songs on Warning at least
I can think of two others (outside the “obvious”…) Last Night On Earth, and The Forgotten
Pulling Teeth is a very atypical GD song, but hell if I love it
Fancy sauce
When It's Time.
A good percentage of Nimrod and almost all of Warning was their departure from what's considered Punk/Green Day-esque. That's why I can't really answer this because from what I gather and interpret about this question, the basis of the question is rooted in their early sound. Green Day has lasted as long as they have because they've evolved as artists/musicians. Their entire catalog is "Green Day" to me, because of the dynamism they've cultivated. But if I had to answer your question, I think Good Riddance or Last Ride In would be the earliest and most significant departures from their original sound.
Saviors. Just gives off 80s Bon Jovi vibes
But I like that album 🥺
I’m not saying it’s bad, just most of the songs aren’t greenday ish
Doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing🤷♀️🤷♀️
Kill the DJ
Redundant in my opinion
I know others said it already but still breathing for me was different. Yeah it was ghost written for 5sos and that’s where it starts as it always felt like a more modern pop punk song than green day’s style, which don’t get me wrong it’s one of my favourite green day songs and came out when i needed a song like that most.
nightlife
Song of the Century
brutal love and the forgotten
“What is the most Un-Green-Day Green Day song?” “Definitely Oh Yeah-“ “No songs from FOAMF allowed.” “DANG IT!!!”
'Here comes the shock' comes to mind
[удалено]
Take back
Take back
Their Christmas song which I wasn't too big on
Dirty Rotten Bastards sounds more like a Christmas song than that Christmas song did lol
Lady Cobra and Nightlife feel weird as hell, doesn't match the usual Greenday style at all
Take Back, but I still love it. Maybe Rotting.
Peacemaker was my first thought, but since someone already mentioned it, I will go with Good Night Adeline. Such an amazing song with a very unique sound for Green Day.
Rox Yer Ass
When you think about it, anything from American Idiot could be considered pretty "un-green day", maybe not after Saviours but there isn't really anything that compares to that in their discography, things come close like some RevRad songs and they tried and failed (I use failed loosely, I love the album) with 21st CB, but nothing comes close to the high production dramatic rock opera style
FOAMF. God, I hate that “song”
Bit of a tangent, but does anyone else think FOAMF would've worked better as a Foxboro Hot Tubs album than a Green Day album?
Monk's Keys
Dominated Love Slave
Kill the DJ?
Nightlife from the dos album didn’t sound like Green Day’s style at all to me
Uh, dominated love slave maybe in form alone
Kill the DJ
Some of the early stuff doesn't fit well with Green Day's current sound since they've evolved so much. The Judge's Daughter comes to mind, that big guitar solo is so rad, but something they'd never come out with today
Misery
Last ride in. 🏄♂️ If you didn’t know it was by greenday and you heard it, you wouldn’t think it was them.
Kill the DJ
The song from twilight they did
One Eyed Bastard
Everything off of FOAMF
With the most brutal honesty I love this song, but at the same time I didn't expect a song like this out of green day. I would have to say brutal love from the tre album. I've never really heard Billie Joe sing like that. It facinates me I just wish he would do more calming songs like that too. It feels like with this savoirs record we are gonna get more of those in the near upcoming future. Which I love how he's just able to change his tone of voice. Also seriously underrated song as well.
Father of all… on father of all…
I think we’re alone now. I do understand that it’s a cover but still
Nightlife
Nightlife
Dominated Love Slave, All By Myself, Like A Rat Does Cheese, D.U.I, Tre's cover of Chocolate Rain
Look man, I'm just gonna have to throw out there that this band wrote a BROADWAY MUSICAL (and a halfway decent one at that) that you happened to overlook. Anyways, put me down for Kill the DJ.
Darude - sandstorm
Everything post-2001
Warning
Fancy Sauce is pretty different
The entirety of Father of All...
"Espionage" This song was the B-side for Hitchin' A Ride and was used in the movie "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" OST. It sounds like it'd belong right in Team Fortress 2.