American Idiot
Green Day Lyrics


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Don't wanna be an American idiot
Don't want a nation under the new mania
Hey can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind-fuck America

Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn't meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow
We're not the ones who're meant to follow
For that's enough to argue

Well maybe I'm the faggot America
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda
Now everybody do the propaganda
And sing along to the age of paranoia

Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn't meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow
We're not the ones who're meant to follow
For that's enough to argue

Don't wanna be an American idiot
One nation controlled by the media
Information Age of hysteria
It's calling out to idiot America

Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn't meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow





We're not the ones who're meant to follow
For that's enough to argue

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Green Day's song "American Idiot" are a commentary on the state of American society and politics in the early 2000s. The singer is rejecting the idea of being an "American idiot" - someone who blindly follows the government and media without questioning their motives or actions. They don’t want a nation under the “new mania,” which can be interpreted as the new wave of nationalism and patriotism that came about after 9/11. The singer asks if others can hear the sound of hysteria, which represents the fear-mongering and panic that was prevalent in American culture.


The subliminal mind-fuck America is a criticism of the media and government's manipulative tactics. The singer feels like they're being brainwashed and controlled by the images and ideas that are constantly being fed to them through TV and other forms of media. The singer then welcomes the listener to "a new kind of tension," representing the heightened political and social atmosphere at the time. They comment on the fact that "everything isn't meant to be okay" and that the "Television dreams of tomorrow" are not something that they want to follow.


The chorus is a repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the singer's desire to reject the "American idiot" label and the control that the media and government have over society. They feel that it's calling out to the "idiot America," which can be interpreted as a call to wake up and take control of one's own thoughts and beliefs.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't wanna be an American idiot
I don't want to be perceived as a foolish or ignorant American.


Don't want a nation under the new mania
I don't want the country to be controlled by a new ideology that results in mass hysteria.


Hey can you hear the sound of hysteria?
Can you hear the clamor and confusion that comes with hysteria?


The subliminal mind-fuck America
The subtle manipulation of the American psyche to promote a particular agenda is taking place.


Welcome to a new kind of tension
Welcome to the stress and anxiety brought about by the current political climate.


All across the alien nation
All across the divided country.


Where everything isn't meant to be okay
In a time when everything feels unsettled.


Television dreams of tomorrow
Television programs that perpetuate an idealized image of the future.


We're not the ones who're meant to follow
We don't have to blindly follow the status quo.


For that's enough to argue
Challenging the norm will spark debate.


Well maybe I'm the faggot America
I may be considered un-American for my beliefs or lifestyle.


I'm not a part of a redneck agenda
I don't agree with the political views and actions of a certain group.


Now everybody do the propaganda
Now, the distorted messaging is being forced upon everyone.


And sing along to the age of paranoia
And blindly buy into the fear and uncertainty that's plaguing the country.


One nation controlled by the media
The media seems to hold most of the power in shaping public opinion.


Information Age of hysteria
The digital age has amplified the hysteria and confusion that's already present.


It's calling out to idiot America
It's appealing to those who have chosen not to think for themselves.




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

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

@ThePrinceOfNigeria

Clearly the responses to your comment saying 'what a legend' are from 12 to 13 year olds who know nothing about responsibility or parenting.
(EDIT)
NOTE BEFORE YOU MENTION ME, IT'S BEEN ELEVEN MONTHS.
Then:
1. I am not against having fun by any means.
And
2. I know sensored music sounds terrible because I've listened to many like the sensored version of DMX's song 'What You Bitches Want From A Nigga' that goes like 'What you chickens want from a (blurred)' it's completely unenjoyable, it's an attrocious catastrophe.

What I've been arguing against here from the very beginning is the praising of an adult as a hero for giving a child something against the consent of their loving parents who have gone beyond providing food, shelter, and education for their child to affording them the luxury of enjoying art, be it sensored or not.

It's just a basic principle.



@alex_harnar_618

When this song first came out:

George W. Bush was president,

There was no such thing as an I-Phone,

Hurricane Katrina did not happen yet

The emo era was at its peak with emo & nu-metal bands like: ‘My Chemical Romance,’ ‘Panic! At The Disco’ & Fall Out Boy,’ ‘Evanescence,’ & ‘LINKIN PARK.’

MySpace was the number one social media platform.

So many legends such as Michael Jackson, Steve Irwin, Kobe Bryant, Carrie Fisher, Gene Wilder, Fred Willard, Robin Williams, Gilbert Gottifried, Chadwick Boseman, Stephen Hillenburg, Paul Walker, Chester Bennington, Dolores O’Rioran, Whitney Houston, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Cornell, Nate Doog, Biz Markie, were all still alive and well.

The Iraq War was going on

The world was recovering from 9/11

YouTube didn't exist just yet

The PlayStation 2 & Xbox (original) were the two most sold game consoles in America.

The world wasn’t so close minded as it is now.

Memes were not relevant

School Shootings did not happen one after another.

Etc…..


Wow! Has time changed.



@RadislavPirgozliev

So many wishes Wonder Birthday
Mind straight and sure well stay
We expect excellence above okaaay
Transhumanism of utre
All get along and they guden
All of us are perfly suited.

Do you wanna be a Canadian genius
Holy frankincense and hardened penis
Throw them bows and suck my wenis
And tits so big and little veinous

😇



All comments from YouTube:

@GreenDay

20 years and it all went by in a flash ⚡The American Idiot 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition is out now 💣💥 Go give it a listen or grab a copy https://greenday.lnk.to/americanidiot20thdeluxe

@nbctheoffice

The quality upgrade looks good, boys!

@Ixcotv715

Just one week away to make this song the anthem of USA

@reputation_swiftie13

I have the cd box set! I saw you live and you’re SO good! ❤

@Evegutierrezsalasgmailcom

I love them 😭😭😭

@GeForce1080

20 years already 🤯

50 More Replies...

@joachimschoder

Perfect day for this song

@evanneal264

This song and They Don't Care About US is getting me through today

@thevoid99

i played the whole album today while cleaning my house.

@Chia__Pet

@@evanneal264 hold up, that kinda true tho. I'm not even American, but that kinda represents how they be feeling right now

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