The song did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, although it appeared on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. The single also made it into the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart in the United Kingdom.
The bass riff is adapted from the song "Picture Book" by The Kinks from the album The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society.
Warning
Green Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 said, warning, live without warning
Without, alright
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
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
Without alright
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
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
This is a public service announcement
This is only a test
Green Day's song "Warning" is a satirical view on modern society and the way we are told what to do, think, and feel. The lyrics of the song are a commentary on our reliance on authority figures, consumerism, and the culture of fear, caution, and conformity. The opening lines of the song, "This is a public service announcement, This is only a test, Emergency evacuation protest, May impair your ability to operate machinery" is a humorous twist on the classic official warning announcements that we hear on TV or radio. Green Day is trying to say that our fear of authority, conformity, and consumerism have become so ingrained in our psyche that they act as a barrier between us and the real world.
The song's chorus, "Warning, live without warning, I said, warning, live without warning, Without, alright," urges everyone to break free from the chains of conformity and caution, and live without fear. The thematic elements of the song encourage individuals to be proactive in their thinking, question everything, and be free to live their lives without fear of authority or conformity.
Overall, "Warning" is a song that encourages people to think and act independently, rather than simply following orders, rules, or trends. Green Day is reminding us that we are free to live our lives without fear, and that it is our responsibility to question those in authority, to challenge the conformity they promote, and to live our lives to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a public service announcement
This is a message to the public
This is only a test
This is not real, just a practice run
Emergency evacuation protest
There is a rally to call for emergency evacuation
May impair your ability to operate machinery
It might affect one's skills to handle machines
Can't quite tell just what it means to me
I'm having trouble understanding its significance to me
Keep out of reach of children
Don't let kids get to it
Don't you talk to strangers
Don't converse with people you don't know
Get your philosophy from a bumper sticker
Don't acquire your beliefs from a trivial source
Warning, live without warning
Be ready for anything to happen
I said, warning, live without warning
I suggest being prepared for the unexpected
Without, alright
It's okay to live recklessly
Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Living in a modern and secure neighborhood
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Have you paid for the utilities?
Caution, police line, you better not cross
Be mindful of the police barrier, do not enter
Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
Who's the bigger threat, me or the officer?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything
Question everything, including expiration dates and sanitation
Or shut up and be a victim of authority
Either speak up or become a pawn of authority
This is a public service announcement
This is a message to the public
This is only a test
This is not real, just a practice run
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billie Joe Armstrong, Tre Cool, Mike Dirnt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@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😅❤❤❤
@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.