Good Riddance
Green Day Lyrics


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Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life




It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Green Day's song Good Riddance capture feelings of reflection and finality. It begins with the initial line “Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road,” which paints a picture of a significant moment in someone’s life. The second line, "Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go," suggests that time is something that one cannot control and one must follow its lead. The lyricist is trying to say that life is unpredictable and that one can’t go back and change it. One should take the opportunities given and make the best of them without dwelling on things they cannot change.


The chorus "It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life," is about reflecting on life’s ups and downs, the unpredictability of it all, and hoping that one has made the most of their experiences. The bridge then encourages the listener to hold on to memories of good times by taking photographs and putting those memories on display. The line, "Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial,” suggests the idea of holding on to memories in a way that stays with us physically.


The final repetition of the chorus is the song’s final goodbye. The idea of life being unpredictable is central to the song's message. We can’t control what happens in life, but we can control how we react to it. The song’s message is to enjoy every moment and make the most out of the unpredictable journey of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Life is full of choices and decisions, some of which will significantly shape your future.


Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
Time is fleeting and you have to follow its course. Life is too short, so don’t let it pass you by.


So make the best of this test and don't ask why
We can't always control what happens to us in life, but we can control how we react to it. Make the most of what you have and don't get discouraged.


It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
Sometimes we can learn valuable lessons from life experiences that will stay with us forever.


So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Memories are valuable and should be cherished. Remember the good times and always keep them close to your heart.


Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Remember the past, but always look forward to the future with hope and optimism.


Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
Our experiences, both good and bad, shape who we are as individuals.


For what it's worth it was worth all the while
Even if something didn't work out as planned, it was still worth the effort and taught us valuable lessons along the way.


It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
Life is full of surprises, but everything happens for a reason and ultimately leads us to where we need to be.


I hope you had the time of your life
Wishing someone well after they have experienced something special in their life.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Pritchard, Frank Wright III, Billie Joe Armstrong

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@High-Strangeness

So few songs 💯capture the age of an era.
For those who weren't there,
This was how the 90s felt

As soon as this song was released, we all knew that was forever to be a moment, frozen and sealed like a time capsule

Whatever you may be going through, listen to this and raise a glass to those no longer with us

You'll always be together in memories🔥



@94oGs

Personal Story Time:
I was 17 when I was introduced to Green Day by my girlfriend at the time who was obsessed with them. So, to impress her before we started dating, I binge listened to all their music and slowly but surely I realized why she was so crazy about this band. I could relate to her on a whole new level because I eventually just loved all their songs and we would cruise throughout the late nights just listening to Green Day in my car. "When It's Time" was our song by them. I was definitely head over heels for this girl and when I went to the military, she waited for me. It all sounds like a movie now that I look back on it. Another song that always stood out to me was " Good Riddance". It wasn't necessarily a happy song when I read the lyrics so I couldn't really associate happy feelings with it. Anyways, fast forward, we both start our freshman year of college together. Life's good... until life and school start to get in between us and we were no longer those young kids that fell in love in high school... We slowly became different people. As months go on, we argued more and more and I came to the realization that maybe, it's better if we went our separate ways. I ended it but I knew it was for the best. My heart was broken because as much as I wanted "us" to work, it didn't. I loved that green eyed red haired girl. Fast forward a week later, I find out she rebounded and let me tell you, even though we weren't together, I suffered knowing something so precious to me was easily snatched up by a guy she barely knew. I don't think I've ever cried so hard ever in my life because folks, a broken heart tears you apart from the inside out. So, after months of trying to recover, I revisited Green Day again because I really loved their music, but I associated their music with her. One song stood out more than the others... " Good Riddance".. because each single lyric has meaning behind it for me. It will forever be associated with her now because it matches so much what we went through for 2 years. " It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right, I hope you had the time of your life" As she was the best thing for me in the beginning, she ended up being the worst for me in the end, but I loved every second with her.

Update: I didn't realize this comment would blow up the way it did! Really I was just in my feelings one night and wrote about this personal story to get it out of my system 😅 I didn't realize how many people actually cared to read it and I'm grateful for that. Anyways, if you're wondering what happened after this story took place, life went on as usual. Everything healed with time really. It's never the end of the world when break-ups occur even though it may seem like it at the time. These types of things are just little bumps In the road of life that may slow you down, but ultimately it's your choice to pick up the pace once again, even if it is just baby steps. It's still progression!

P.s. life's too short to be worrying about one person you've been with for however long. Especially if you're a Marine and a sophomore in college 😅
Much love!

07/25/2021: I saw Green Day for the first time last night for their Hella Mega tour with Weezer and Fallout boy in Dallas ♥️ at the end of their set, they played this song in the most tranquil, peaceful way possible!! 😭😭 It was so beautiful and It felt like everything in the past has led to this moment, as weird as that sounds. I just feel at peace ATM ♥️ Much love guys!!



@martinamarty1859

So, I'm a 16 yo italian girl.
Since I'm 10 I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but my parents didn't let me.(but i learned piano)
This year was one of the worst in my life(I'm not joking) and Green Day (and also music in general) helped me a lot.
Finally three weeks ago I started my guitar lessons and yesterday my guitar teacher said "now I wanna teach you this very beautiful song" and he started playing"Good riddance".
Now i learned it (only the chords ofc)
and I don't know how to describe how I feel...finally I'm happy, not bc of the fact that I kinda learned this song, but bc I reflected a lot these months and I stopped hating on myself.

So thank you guys, thank you so so much.
Also I was supposed to see Green Day this june in Milan, but next year will be great! Stay safe.

Edit: thank you for the likes, wasn't expecting this many! Also I finally bought an electric guitar a month ago!



@-bobarsauruz-1859

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life

And if you’re reading this I hope you have the time if your life



All comments from YouTube:

@GreenDay

We just announced a MASSIVE tour 🌏 All the details you need for The Saviors Tour are on greenday.com/tour

New album ‘Saviors' out January 19th, 2024, pre-order it now https://greenday.lnk.to/saviors

@patty2074

🥳❤

@chipmunk3k

you kids going to come to Australia?

@eveapple4928

Booked it - 29th June wembley. Absolutely cannot wait ❤

@roksanabrzezinska4842

Me too ❤

@jovaniaribeirodejesus5338

​@@chipmunk3k6tu

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@socialsuicide6270

This song should be called "Good Riddance (We Play This Song At Every Fucking Graduation) "

@shoe6003

so much truth

@trueactionchannel

Elliot Rodger brought me here

@alham9618

this song better than...graduation by vitamin c lol

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