The span of nearly five years between American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown was the longest gap between studio albums in Green Day's career. The band had been working on new material since January 2006. By October 2007, Armstrong had 45 songs written, but the band showed no further signs of progress until October 2008, when a video of the group recording with producer Butch Vig in the studio was posted on YouTube. The writing and recording process, spanning three years and four recording studios, was finally finished in April 2009.
The album received generally positive reception. 21st Century Breakdown achieved Green Day's best chart performance to date. Upon its release, 21st Century Breakdown reached number one on the charts of at least fourteen countries. The album subsequently achieved number one on the Billboard 200, European Top 100 Albums and UK Albums Charts.
Song of the Century
Green Day Lyrics
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That's louder than bombs
And eternity
The era of static and contraband
That's leading us into the promised land
Tell us a story that's by candlelight
Waging a war and losing the fight
They're playing the song of the century
Of panic and promise and prosperity
Tell me a story into that goodnight
Sing us a song for me
The opening lines of Green Day's song "Song of the Century" are a challenge to the listener. It's a call to tell the story of the modern world, to sing a song that captures all of its darkness and light, all of its triumphs and failures. The song is a reminder of the power of music to shape our understanding of ourselves and our world. It's a song that demands something of us, that asks us to listen closely and to think deeply about the world around us.
Green Day uses images and metaphors to capture the spirit of the times. The era of static and contraband is a reference to a world that is filled with noise and confusion, a world that is ruled by greed and selfishness. The promised land is an idealistic concept, a world that is characterized by peace and justice. The lyrics suggest that the current state of affairs is leading us away from this ideal and that we must take action to turn things around.
The song is about the power of music to shape our understanding of the world around us. It's a call to action, a demand that we pay attention to what is happening in the world and work to make it a better place. It's a reminder that our individual actions can have a profound impact on the world, and that we all have a responsibility to fight for what is right.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing us a song of the century
Please perform a song that represents this era perfectly
That's louder than bombs
A song that can evoke more emotions than a violent explosion
And eternity
A song that can withstand the test of time
The era of static and contraband
A time period filled with restrictions and censorship
That's leading us into the promised land
A time that is moving towards a better future
Tell us a story that's by candlelight
Recite a tale that is intimate and personal
Waging a war and losing the fight
Fighting for a cause but ultimately being defeated
They're playing the song of the century
The most significant song of this time is being played
Of panic and promise and prosperity
This song invokes feelings of fear, hope, and success
Tell me a story into that goodnight
A tale that can be shared before going to bed
Sing us a song for me
Perform a song for the listeners to evoke emotions and tell a story
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG, FRANK E., III WRIGHT, MICHAEL PRITCHARD, MIKE DIRNT, TRE COOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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