Letterbomb
Green Day / Cast of American Idiot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone left you
They're all out without you
Having fun
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
The song "Letterbomb" by Green Day and The Cast of 'American Idiot' is a punk rock anthem that reflects the feeling of being betrayed and abandoned by everyone around you. The first few lines of the song emphasize this feeling - "Nobody likes you, everyone left you, they're all out without you having fun". It talks about the underbelly of society, the bastards who have disappeared and left you alone. The town bishop is an extortionist who doesn't even know you exist, and when it's time to take a stand, you have to run for your life.
The song also talks about the sense of disillusionment and the feeling of being trapped in debt and misery. The city's motto is getting pulverized, and everything that's supposed to be in love is now in debt. The song talks about striking a match to light the fuse and take action instead of staying still when it's do or die. The chorus emphasizes the feeling of hopelessness and the need to keep fighting until the very end.
The song is a powerful critique of American society and the struggle of those who feel marginalized and abandoned. The lyrics are poignant and honest, making it a favorite among punk rock fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody likes you
You are disliked by everyone
Everyone left you
Everyone has abandoned you
They're all out without you
Everyone is enjoying themselves without you
Having fun
They are enjoying their time
Where have all the bastards gone?
Where have all the unpleasant people disappeared to?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The unsavory side of society is at an all-time high
The dummy failed the crash test
The unintelligent individual performed poorly under pressure
Collecting unemployment checks
Receiving government benefits because you are jobless
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Being dragged along without any purpose or direction
Where have all the riots gone?
Where have all the violent protests disappeared to?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
As the identity and purpose of your city is being destroyed
What's in love is now in debt
The things that people hold dear are now in a state of financial crisis
On your birth certificate
Official government document of your birth
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
Start the revolution to ignite change
The town bishop is an extortionist
The religious leader is taking advantage of people
And he don't even know that you exist
He is completely unaware of your existence
Standing still when it's do or die
Failing to act when it is necessary for survival
You better run for your fucking life
You better start moving quickly or you will die
It's not over 'till you're underground
The struggle is not over until you die
It's not over before it's too late
Don't give up until it's truly impossible to continue
This city's burnin'
The city is in chaos and destruction
It's not my burden
The responsibility for this is not mine
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
What will happen to all of the people who sacrificed themselves when the problem is fixed?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
Where will we all end up when the time for action has already passed?
And don't look back
Don't dwell on the past
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
You are not the savior of the suburban lifestyle
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
St. Jimmy is a creation of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
A manifestation of your parents' conflicting emotions
Made me the idiot America
This situation has made me look foolish in front of the world
She said, I can't take this place
She expressed her dissatisfaction with this environment
I'm leaving it behind
I am leaving this behind and moving on
Well she said, I can't take this town
She expressed her dissatisfaction with this specific town
I'm leaving you tonight
I am leaving you behind and moving on with my life
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL PRITCHARD, FRANK E., III WRIGHT, BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angharad R
Letterbomb
Green Day
Nobody likes you
Everyone left you
They're all out without you
Having fun
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
Emi Arroyo
Lyrics Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
Flying Fez
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
aj.james17
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
Stephanie Yglesias
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
Kimberley Guest
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
Elise Otton
Nobody likes you
Everyone left you
They're all out without you
Having fun
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
Sophie Elyse
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie along for the ride
Where have all the riots gone?
As your city's motto gets pulverized
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse
The town bishop is an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
There's nothing left to analyze
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?
And don't look back
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late
She said, I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said, I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight
Fallyn Ruzzi
This was always so powerful when Rebecca performed it live. Her scream and the entire take down of Johnny was so fierce.
NikiRihal
I actually like this better than the original, and I love the original. She destroys this song, in a good way. Absolutely shreds it.
Sqribblings
The style is very different than Green Day so I understand why some don't like. But for what it is, I think the broadway musical was good.
A. ham
EmilyA1984 dude, im an edgelord.
EmilyA1984
@FortuneSmeller I'm more worried about singing all the words clearly. It's a very fast song. Also, I have experience singing in choirs, but not musical theatre, so I can't get the hang of the "edgy" personality of this song.
Sqribblings
@EmilyA1984 Good luck hittin them notes!
EmilyA1984
+FortuneSmeller I agree. The Broadway musical version has to be different from Green Day's original album, because Green Day is an entirely male band, but the Broadway musical has a mixed cast, and of course, women's voices are very different from men's voices, so the songs are naturally going to sound different in the musical. I'm actually going to be playing the role of Whatshername in a community production of American Idiot, so I have to learn to sing this song.
MistaValentino
While the original feels like a panic attack personified in a song and genuinely damages my mental health if I'm not in the right headspace, this version sounds almost empowering. Just awesome how a simple change in voices could flip everything around. Both are phenomenal in their own way but hardly anything was changed
Andrea Itúrburu
The meaning of the song changes COMPLETELY when it’s sing by a woman. Love Billie Joe’s writing skills! ❤️
hryjel
you'll be pleased to know that billie joe armstrong always intended for it to be sung by a woman