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.
Pulling Teeth
Green Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Broken bones and nasty cuts
Accidents will happen
But this time I can't get up
She comes to check on me
Making sure I'm on my knees
After all she's the one
Who put me in this state
Is she ultra violent?
Is she disturbed?
I better tell her that I love her
Before she does it all over again
Oh God, she's killing me
For now I lie around
Hell that's all I can really do
She takes good care of me
Just keep saying my love is true
Is she ultra violent?
Is she disturbed?
I better tell her that I love her
Before she does it all over again
Oh God, she's killing me
Looking out my window for someone that's passing by
No one knows I'm locked in here
All I do is cry
For now I lie around
Hell that's all I can really do
She takes good care of me
Just keep saying my love is true
The lyrics of Green Day's song Pulling Teeth revolve around a character who finds himself in severe pain and incapacitated. His body is broken, and he's wounded. He acknowledges that accidents happen but seems to blame his predicament on someone else who wants him on his knees. He speculates whether this person is ultra-violent, disturbed, and whether he should tell her he loves her before she hurts him again. He's clearly trapped and crying for help but finds himself alone, unable to connect with anyone. Despite being helpless, he insists she's taking good care of him and keeps chanting his love is true.
The song is, no doubt, violent and distressing. However, it might also suggest a darker representation of obsessive love. The singer seems to put up with the violence because he believes that the person who did this to him loves him. He's in complete denial of the fact that he's been abused by someone, and the character doesn't search for a way out either but only seeks validation of their love. The ambiguity in the lyrics can be interpreted to have a subtle undertone to evoke emotions about abusive relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm all busted up
I am physically injured with broken bones and cuts
Broken bones and nasty cuts
Injuries of severity that are causing pain and suffering
Accidents will happen
Mistakes and unexpected events are bound to occur
But this time I can't get up
The injuries are too severe to recover from quickly
She comes to check on me
A person is visiting the singer to ensure he is alright
Making sure I'm on my knees
Her presence is imposing and makes the singer feel powerless
After all she's the one
Blaming the person for causing the injuries and current state of the singer
Who put me in this state
The person is the cause of the singer's current condition
Is she ultra violent?
Questioning if the person's behavior is dangerous and unpredictable
Is she disturbed?
Wondering if there are mental health issues and instability present
I better tell her that I love her
Expressing false affection to avoid further harm
Before she does it all over again
To avoid the possibility of being injured again
Oh God, she's killing me
Expressing pain and danger in the current situation
Looking out my window for someone that's passing by
Seeking help and attention from others outside of the situation
No one knows I'm locked in here
Feeling trapped and isolated from the outside world
All I do is cry
Feeling helpless and emotional in the current situation
For now I lie around
Being forced to rest due to injuries and lack of energy
Hell that's all I can really do
Having no other option but to stay still and heal
She takes good care of me
Being falsely cared for by the person causing the harm
Just keep saying my love is true
Continuing to express false affection to avoid harm
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billie Joe Armstrong, Frank E. Iii Wright, Frank Edwin Wright Iii, Michael Pritchard, Mike Dirnt, Mike Ryan Pritchard, Tre Cool
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dominiksawadsky5545
February 1st 2024
Happy 30th Anniversary, Dookie!!
@21HolidayGuy
This is a great song, one of my favorites on the album!
@kenttalsma7906
The harmonies are what got me. If I ever get married or if I ever die I want this song played.
@StzaJack
The more I listen to this the more it sounds like a Beatles song, especially the harmonies and the interlude towards the end with the different vocals. No disrespect intended at all, just interesting to see what an influence they had even if it's not intentional.
Shoutout dookie poop bags
@gorygarcia9605
Before she does it all over again, know that she’s kiilllllllllling meeeeee
@chim-chimney
Extremely underrated song imo, and one of my favourites!
@Ridindirty808
I haven’t heard this in about 25 years. Took me back. Anyone else just transport to late 90’s?
@Alexc76
i was 18 in 1994. school, backpack, stupid falling in love. How nostalgic :)
@jamiepasquariello2652
I transported to 1994
@giorgiasimeoni8437
This song is amazing 🤟🤟🤟💚💚💚