Warning
Green Day Lyrics


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This is a public service announcement
This is only a test
Emergency evacuation protest
May impair your ability to operate machinery
Can't quite tell just what it means to me
Keep out of reach of children
Don't you talk to strangers
Get your philosophy from a bumper sticker

Warning, live without warning
I say a warning, live without warning
Without, Alright

Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utilities?
Caution: police line: you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's
Really dangerous?
Sanitation, Expiration date, Question everything
Or shut up and be a victim of authority

Warning, live without warning
I say a warning, live without warning
I say a warning, live without warning
I say a warning, live without warning
Without Alright!

Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utilities?

Caution: police line: you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's
Really dangerous?
Sanitation, Expiration date, Question everything
Or shut up and be a victim of authority

Warning, live without warning
I say a warning, live without warning
I say a warning, live without warning
I say a warning, live without warning





This is a public service announcement
This is only a test

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Green Day's song "Warning" are a satirical take on society's warnings and rules that are often unnecessary and restrictive. The song begins with a "public service announcement" that only acts as a test, but goes on to describe warnings that may "impair your ability to operate machinery" and say things that "can't quite tell just what it means to me." The band goes on to admonish listeners to "Keep out of reach of children" and "Don't you talk to strangers" as if these are the only ways to stay safe.


Green Day then sarcastically suggests that one should "Get your philosophy from a bumper sticker," underscoring how oversimplified and meaningless many of these safety and authority messages can be. The lyrics also touch on themes of social control and questioning authority. The band encourages listeners to "Question everything" rather than being a victim of authority.


In the end, the chorus repeats the message that one should "live without warning," highlighting the idea that life can be unpredictable and that one should not allow fear and caution to hold them back.


Line by Line Meaning

This is a public service announcement
We are providing a message to the public for their benefit


This is only a test
We are not currently trying to evacuate, this is just a practice run


Emergency evacuation protest
We may need to evacuate in a hurry due to a dangerous situation


May impair your ability to operate machinery
You should be careful when listening to this message, as it could distract you from operating equipment


Can't quite tell just what it means to me
We're not quite sure what we're trying to say with this message


Keep out of reach of children
This message may contain content that is not suitable for children


Don't you talk to strangers
Be careful who you interact with, as some people may not have good intentions


Get your philosophy from a bumper sticker
Don't just rely on catchy phrases or slogans for your beliefs


Warning, live without warning
We should always be prepared for unexpected events


I say a warning, live without warning
We need to be aware of potential dangers, even if they haven't happened yet


Without, Alright
We need to act carefully and responsibly, even if it's not exciting or glamorous


Better homes and safety-sealed communities
We may prioritize safety over individual freedoms and personal responsibility


Did you remember to pay the utilities?
We may be so focused on mundane tasks that we neglect larger issues


Caution: police line: you better not cross
We should be cautious around authority figures, as they have the power to harm us


Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
We should question who the real danger is in a given situation


Sanitation, Expiration date, Question everything
We should be skeptical of what we're being told and investigate the truth for ourselves


Or shut up and be a victim of authority
If we don't speak up and demand our rights, we may be oppressed by those in power




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG, TRE COOL, MIKE DIRNT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@arianduck6902

[Verse 1]
This is a public service announcement, this is only a test
Emergency evacuation protest
May impair your ability to operate machinery
Can't quite tell just what it means to me
Keep out of reach of children, don't you talk to strangers
Get your philosophy from a bumper sticker

[Chorus]
Warning: Live without warning
I said, "Warning: Live without warning"
Without, alright

[Verse 2]
Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Caution: Police line, you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything
Or, shut up, and be a victim of authority

[Chorus]
Warning: Live without warning!
I said "Warning: Live without warning!"
I said "Warning: Live without warning!"
I said "Warning: Live without warning!"
Without, alright

[Verse 3]
Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Caution: Police line, you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything
Or, shut up, and be a victim of authority

[Chorus]
Warning: Live without warning!
I said "Warning: Live without warning!"
I said "Warning: Live without warning!"
I said "Warning: Live without warning!"

[Outro]
This is a public service announcement, this is only a test



All comments from YouTube:

@GreenDay

Crawl on the dance floor.. spit in the air.. get weird. The Father Of All... video is here: https://youtu.be/eXv00PJ9IQM

Catch the Hella Mega Tour presented by Harley-Davidson w/ Green Day, Fall Out Boy, & Weezer + The Interrupters - get dates and tickets: https://greenday.com/tour

@popcream2082

Hey why does this have no comment?

@shilo.R.A

XD
Warning is such an underrated album
Btw, love u guys
Can't wait till Magnum Opus will be out

@aussiemusicfan0298

Green Day awesome song. Love the whole album

@aussiemusicfan0298

Certainly isשילה רוזנטל אלוני c

@Sam-dt3fo

Love that song. Although i never understood what you were singing, i always shout it too😅❤❤❤

35 More Replies...

@oradrive745

must b nice to wake up everyday to having green day playing music every time

@punksidegamingdrummingandg5156

lol yeah

@emopunktrash613

he walks right past them like it doesn't matter or like they aren't there

@emilyblair2951

+Emo Punk Trash maybe he's used to it. Tbh I would never get used to that. I would always be ready to wake up.

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