Basket Case
Top Cats Lyrics


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Do you have the time
To listen to me whine
About nothing and everything
All at once
I am one of those
Melodramatic fools
Neurotic to the bone
No doubt about it

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Am I just stoned?

I went to a shrink
To analyze my dreams
She says it's lack of sex
That's bringing me down
I went to a whore
He said my life's a bore
So quit my whining cause
It's bringing her down

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Uh, yuh, yuh, ya

Grasping to control
So I better hold on

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up




Am I just paranoid?
Am I just stoned?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Green Day's song "Basket Case" are all about the mental struggles of the singer. It is filled with doubts, insecurities, and a deep sense of anxiety. The singer is admitting that they are one of those "melodramatic fools," who cannot keep their emotions in check. They are so neurotic that it is almost palpable. They then go on to express how their mind keeps playing tricks on them and how they feel like they are "cracking up." They cannot tell if they are just being paranoid or if they are indeed stoned.


The song then goes on to talk about the singer's attempt to find help in the form of a shrink. However, the suggestion that the root cause of their problems is a lack of sex does not sit well with them. They disregard it and seek solace with a whore, who they also find no help from. The song urges the singer and the audience to take control of their lives and hold on as they try to deal with their emotions, which sometimes get the better of them. The lyrics present a deep struggle with mental health, which have made it an anthem for people experiencing similar feelings.


· The song was released in 1994 as part of the album "Dookie" and went on to top charts in several countries.
· The song was written by Green Day's lead vocal and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong.
· The lyrics of the song were inspired by Armstrong's personal experiences with anxiety and panic attacks.
· The song is considered one of the band's signature tunes and has been featured in several of their live performances.
· "Basket Case" is responsible for increasing the band's popularity and contributed to the genesis of the punk rock revival.
· The song has been featured in several films like "Angus" and "American Pie."
· The song's timeless nature and relevant lyrics continue to attract a new generation of fans.
· The song has been covered by several other artists, including Avril Lavigne and Fall Out Boy.
· The song has won several awards, including Best Alternative Video at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.
· The song is ranked at number 68 on Rolling Stones' list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."


Chords:
The song is played on guitar, and these are the chords that are used:
Verse: G, B7, C, D
Chorus: Em, G, D, A, C, G (x3) Em, G, D, A


Line by Line Meaning

Do you have the time
Asking if you can spare a moment to hear me complain


To listen to me whine
To hear me vent and complain about anything and everything


About nothing and everything
To listen to me complain about both insignificant and significant issues


All at once
To listen to me complain about all of these things simultaneously


I am one of those
I am one of the people who


Melodramatic fools
Are overly dramatic and make a big deal out of everything


Neurotic to the bone
Extremely anxious and nervous all the time


No doubt about it
Without a question, it's true


Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Occasionally I freak myself out


Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
Sometimes my brain deceives me


It all keeps adding up
All of these issues are accumulating


I think I'm cracking up
I believe I'm losing it mentally


Am I just paranoid?
Could it be that I'm needlessly anxious?


Am I just stoned?
Could it be that I'm experiencing these things solely because of drug use?


I went to a shrink
I saw a psychologist


To analyze my dreams
To assess my subconscious thoughts


She says it's lack of sex
According to her, I'm feeling this way due to not having enough sexual activity


That's bringing me down
Which is causing me to feel depressed


I went to a whore
I talked to a prostitute


He said my life's a bore
He informed me that my existence is tedious


So quit my whining cause
Stop my complaining since


It's bringing her down
It's making her feel down as well


Grasping to control
Struggling to keep a handle on things


So I better hold on
So I need to hold on and not let go




Contributed by Avery H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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