Though the albums Insomniac (1995), Nimrod (1997) and Warning (2000) did not match the success of Dookie, they were still successful, with the first two reaching double platinum status, while the last achieved gold. Green Day's seventh album, a rock opera called American Idiot (2004), found popularity with a younger generation, selling six million copies in the U.S. Their next album, 21st Century Breakdown, was released in 2009 and achieved the band's best chart performance. It was followed by a trilogy of albums, ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!, released in September, November, and December 2012, respectively. The trilogy did not perform as well as expected commercially, in comparison to their previous albums, largely due to a lack of promotion and Armstrong entering rehab. Their twelfth studio album, Revolution Radio, was released in October 2016 and became their third to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The band's thirteenth studio album, Father of All Motherfuckers, was released on February 7, 2020, and was their final album released by Reprise. On October 24, 2023, the band announced that their fourteenth studio album, 'Saviors', will come out January 19, 2024.
In 2010, a stage adaptation of American Idiot debuted on Broadway. The musical was nominated for three Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design, winning the latter two. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, their first year of eligibility. Members of the band have collaborated on the side projects Pinhead Gunpowder, The Network, Foxboro Hot Tubs, The Longshot and The Coverups. They have also worked on solo careers.
Green Day has sold roughly 90 million records worldwide, them one of the world's best-selling artists. The group has been nominated for 20 Grammy awards and has won five of them with Best Alternative Album for Dookie, Best Rock Album for American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown, Record of the Year for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and Best Musical Show Album for American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording.
Ashley
Green Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you running around?
Now you’re crying out bloody murder
Ashley!
Are you bumming around?
You are crying on my cold shoulder
Used a tangled mind with your puppet strings
You let me into the world but wouldn’t let me drink
Swallowing my pride and I never even got the taste
But time comes around and I’m not so naive
I’ve finally lost touch 'cause you’re so out of reach
You say that you’re fine but I know that you ain’t
You’re looking like hell and you’re no fucking saint
Ashley!
Are you running around?
Now you’re crying out bloody murder
Ashley!
Are you bumming around?
You are crying on my cold shoulder
Ashley!
Are you running around?
Now you’re crying out bloody murder
Ashley!
Are you bumming around?
You are crying on my cold shoulder
You are what you are
A wish on a shooting star
You are a filthy thought
In my memory
I’ve tasted cigarettes and liquor on your breath
we used to call it speed but now it’s crystal meth
Like when I loved you but you’re scaring me to death
This careless memory and now I could care less
But time comes around and I’m not so naive
I’ve finally lost touch 'cause you’re so out of reach
You say that you’re fine but I know that you ain’t
You’re looking like hell and you’re no fucking saint
Ashley!
Are you running around?
Now you’re crying out bloody murder
Ashley!
Are you bumming around?
You are crying on my cold shoulder
Ashley!
Are you running around?
Now you’re crying out bloody murder
Ashley!
Are you bumming around?
You are crying on my cold shoulder
Ashley! Ashley! Ashley!
The song Ashley by Green Day is a poignant and heart-wrenching portrayal of a destructive relationship. The lyrics describe the singer's ex-girlfriend, Ashley, who has become addicted to drugs and is crying out for help. The singer acknowledges how he was once enamoured by her, willingly giving her access to his world, but now sees her in a different light, feeling jaded and disappointed by her actions. He expresses how she is no longer the person she used to be and has become the very thing she once feared. The lyrics evoke a sense of sadness, anger, and hopelessness as the singer grapples with the changed and broken relationship.
The lyrics of the song resonate with many who have experienced a similar situation, where a person they loved has fallen into the trap of addiction. The depiction of Ashley in the song is raw and authentic, showing the consequences of addiction and how it can change a person into someone almost unrecognizable. The song ends with the repetition of Ashley's name, conveying the singer's agony and frustration at not being able to help her. It is a poignant reminder of how addiction can cause pain to both the person who is addicted and the people who love them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ashley!
The singer is addressing someone named Ashley.
Are you running around?
The singer is questioning if Ashley is wandering aimlessly.
Now you’re crying out bloody murder
Ashley is now loudly crying and screaming.
Are you bumming around?
The singer is asking if Ashley is avoiding responsibilities.
You are crying on my cold shoulder
Ashley is seeking comfort and support from the singer.
Used a tangled mind with your puppet strings
Ashley manipulates others with their twisted thoughts and desires.
You tangled your desires right in front of my face
Ashley exposed their wants and needs to the singer.
You let me into the world but wouldn’t let me drink
The singer was given a glimpse of Ashley's world, but not allowed to fully partake.
Swallowing my pride and I never even got the taste
The singer sacrificed their pride but never got what they wanted from Ashley.
But time comes around and I’m not so naive
The singer has gained more experience and is no longer naive.
I’ve finally lost touch 'cause you’re so out of reach
The singer can't reach Ashley anymore and has lost their connection.
You say that you’re fine but I know that you ain’t
Although Ashley claims to be alright, the singer knows they're not doing well.
You’re looking like hell and you’re no fucking saint
Ashley looks terrible and isn't a good person.
You are what you are
The singer acknowledges Ashley for who they are.
A wish on a shooting star
Ashley is like a wish made on a shooting star - unlikely to come true.
You are a filthy thought
Ashley is a dirty and unpleasant thought.
In my memory
Ashley is remembered by the singer.
I’ve tasted cigarettes and liquor on your breath
The singer knows Ashley smokes and drinks.
we used to call it speed but now it’s crystal meth
Ashley used to do speed, but now they do crystal meth.
Like when I loved you but you’re scaring me to death
The singer used to love Ashley, but now they're scared of them.
This careless memory and now I could care less
The singer used to care about Ashley, but now they don't.
Ashley!
The singer is addressing Ashley once again.
Are you running around?
The singer is asking if Ashley is still aimlessly wandering around.
Now you’re crying out bloody murder
Ashley is still crying and screaming.
Are you bumming around?
The singer is asking if Ashley is still avoiding responsibilities.
You are crying on my cold shoulder
Ashley is still seeking comfort and support from the singer.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG, MIKE DIRNT, TRE COOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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