Working Class Hero
Green Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate if you're clever and despise a fool
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like all the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
The song "Working Class Hero" by Green Day is a cover of the original song by John Lennon. The lyrics describe the struggles of being born into the working class and the societal pressures and expectations placed on individuals within this class. From the moment one is born and throughout their life, they are made to feel small and are not given the time to explore their potential. The pain and oppression one experiences can be so overwhelming that they become numb to it. The song emphasizes that being a working-class hero is a powerful thing, as these individuals have had to endure and overcome so much adversity.
The next verse delves deeper into the painful experiences of growing up in the working class. Home is not a safe space, as one may experience abuse and neglect, while school can be just as damaging due to the emphasis on conformity and the marginalization of those who think differently. The pressure to adhere to societal norms can drive one to the brink of insanity. The song highlights the importance of resilience and mental fortitude, as those who survive the oppression and hardships of being working-class have the potential to become heroes.
In the final verse, the song touches on the idea of false freedom. The working class is kept complacent through religion, sex, and television. Though they may think they are free from the societal restraints, they are still oppressed and powerless. The song ends with a call to action, urging those who want to be heroes to follow the singer, who is likely someone who has overcome the struggles of being working-class.
Line by Line Meaning
As soon as you're born they make you feel small
From the moment you come into this world, they start making you feel insignificant and unimportant.
By giving you no time instead of it all
They deny you the time and attention you deserve.
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
Their neglect causes you so much pain that you eventually become numb to it.
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
Whether it's at home or at school, they inflict emotional and physical pain on you.
They hate if you're clever and despise a fool
They don't appreciate intelligence or foolishness, they just want obedience.
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
The abuse and mistreatment causes you to lose your grip on reality and makes you incapable of following their rules.
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
After years of torture and fear, they expect you to be able to choose a career and move on with your life.
Then they expect you to pick a career
They assume that you'll be able to choose a career despite the pain and suffering you've been through.
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
The fear and trauma they've caused makes it difficult for you to function or make decisions.
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
They use religion, sex, and television to distract you and keep you submissive.
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
They make you believe that you're educated and have freedom, but you're actually still oppressed.
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
In their eyes, you're still a lower-class citizen with no real power.
There's room at the top they are telling you still
They try to convince you that there's a chance for you to move up in society.
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
You have to become a ruthless, heartless person in order to get to the top.
If you want to be like all the folks on the hill
If you want to be like those in power, you have to become just as corrupt and unethical as they are.
A working class hero is something to be
Despite all the hardships, being a working class hero is something to aspire to and be proud of.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
Green Day is calling you to follow them and fight against the systems that oppress and exploit the working class.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hshshhshd2489
As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate if you're clever and despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like all the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
@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
@randomstuffyt8453
Let's hope it's good this time...
@helloyouthere8133
i was addicted to this song.... 2007 or 2008
@nakkilama2645
see you in May, in finland :)
@therocinante3443
Fuckoff Green Day. Go back to the 90's. Stop ripping off John Lennon. You were good once. Fucking retire, idiots.
@jenninexus
I wanna go. Stopping in Seattle? <3
@letsHugElefanten
finally a band that covers a song and actually gives credit to the original singer/writer by letting John sing the last line, great cover and I'm sure John would have liked it. Green day gave the song a new meaning but I don't think that's bad, they used the song to make ppl aware of other problems in the world which is just as important
@SBlanton2611
letsHugElefanten well said
@julia_bailone
letsHugElefanten Avril Lavinge did a cover of bad reputation, and she did the same with the last line :)
@letsHugElefanten
Julia Bailone oh that's cool :)