Welcome To Paradise
Billie Joe Armstrong/Green Day Lyrics
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It's been three whole weeks
Since that I've left your home
This sudden fear has left me tremblin'
'Cause now it seems that I am out there on my own
And I'm feeling so alone
Pay attention to the cracked streets
Some call it slums, some call it nice
I want to take you through
A wasteland I like to call my home
Welcome to paradise
A gunshot rings out at the station
Another urchin snaps and left dead on his own
It makes me wonder why I'm still here
For some strange reason it's now
Feeling like my home
And I'm never gonna go
Pay attention to the cracked streets
And the broken homes
Some call it slums, some call it nice
I want to take you through
A wasteland I like to call my home
Welcome to paradise
Dear mother, can you hear me laughing?
It's been six whole months since that
I have left your home
It makes me wonder why I'm still here
For some strange reason it's now
Feeling like my home
And I'm never gonna go
Pay attention to the cracked streets
And the broken homes
Some call it slums, some call it nice
I want to take you through
A wasteland I like to call my home
Welcome to paradise, oh paradise
The lyrics to Billie Joe Armstrong/Green Day's song Welcome To Paradise describe the feeling of being lost and alone in a city that is harsh and unforgiving. The singer, addressing his mother, begins by recounting how long it has been since he has left home and how scared he is. He describes the cracked streets and broken homes of his new surroundings, which some people call slums and others call nice. He wants to take his mother through a wasteland he calls home and welcomes her to paradise.
In the second verse, the singer describes the sound of a gunshot ringing out at a station and another person dying. He reflects on why he's still in this place that feels like his home, even though it's dangerous and harsh. The singer assures his mother that he's laughing, indicating that he's content to stay in this place he's grown accustomed to.
Overall, the song seems to be about finding comfort and community in unexpected places. The singer has found a sense of belonging in a place that others might find scary or uninviting. He's learned to love the home that he's made, even though it's not perfect.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear mother
Addressing his mother with affection
Can you hear me whining?
Asking if she can hear his complaints and worries
It's been three whole weeks
Expressing how long he's been away from home
Since I left your home
Clarifying what happened three weeks ago
This sudden fear has left me trembling
Acknowledging his anxiety and unease
'Cause now it seems that I
Explaining the reason for his fear
Am out there on my own
Stating that he's alone in an unfamiliar place
And I'm feeling so alone
Reiterating his loneliness
Pay attention to the cracked streets
Drawing attention to the poor conditions of the neighborhood
And the broken homes
Noticing the dilapidated housing
Some call it slums
Acknowledging that some people refer to the area as slums
Some call it nice
Recognizing that others see beauty in the area
I want to take you through
Desiring to show his mother his new environment
A wasteland I like to call my home
Calling his home a desolate place he has grown used to
Welcome to paradise
Ironically introducing his home as a paradise
A gunshot rings out at the station
Describing a violent event taking place at the train station
Another urchin snaps and
Referring to a young delinquent reacting to the gunshot
Left dead on his own
Stating that the urchin was killed
It makes me wonder why I'm still here
Questioning why he hasn't left this dangerous place
For some strange reason it's now
Realizing that he's grown attached to his home despite its problems
Feeling like my home
Confirming that he now considers this place his home
And I'm never gonna go
Declaring that he doesn't intend to leave his new home
Dear mother
Addressing his mother once again
Can you hear me laughing?
Asking if she can hear his joy and satisfaction
It's been six whole months since that
Stating how much time has passed since he left home
I have left your home
Reminding his mother that he's been away for six months
It makes me wonder why I'm still here
Repeating his confusion over staying in this place
And for some strange reason it's now
Reiterating his realization that this place is home
Feeling like my home
Confirming that he truly sees this place as his home now
And I'm never gonna go
Stating again that he doesn't plan to leave
Pay attention to the cracked streets
Repeating his original plea to notice the neglected condition of the area
And the broken homes
Re-emphasizing the poor housing conditions
Some call it slums
Repeated recognition that some people call this place slums
Some call it nice
Acknowledging the varied opinions on the area
I want to take you through
Still desiring to show his mother his home
A wasteland I like to call my home
Repeating his description of his home
Welcome to paradise
Repeating the ironic introduction of his home as a paradise
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billie Joe Armstrong, Frank Wright, Mike Pritchard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind