NationStates Jolt Archive

Can someone please explain to me the story behind American Idiot?
Here's what I understand thus far:

Jimmy is a rebel that does not like the order of society, and is somewhat of an anarchist. He is like a saint to his friends, and they treat and think of him so. Jimmy leads a shitty life with no money and no good food at all.
He feels as if he is walking down a road that no one's ever gone down before (Boulevard of Broken Dreams). He feels alone, cold, depressed from this. And the fact that he is suicidal doesn't help him at all.
His thoughts within his head is screwing him up, perhaps the drugs (*shrug*), and he wants something to stop it all.
Then Jimmy sees this girl that is just like him. A saint, a rebel...a girl he's totally into. This girl apparently is as screwed up in the head as him.
Eventually, Jimmy shoots himself in the head. His friends come to reality again and start living their lives normally without Jimmy. Some live even better off without Jimmy on their backs.

And then I don't understand Song 13, Whatsername. Nor do I think I really understand the entire album.

Wait, it's a story?.

I got it for chriistmas, got bored on song 3. Older stuff was better.

Can someone please explain to me the story behind American Idiot?
Here's what I understand thus far:

Jimmy is a rebel that does not like the order of society, and is somewhat of an anarchist. He is like a saint to his friends, and they treat and think of him so. Jimmy leads a shitty life with no money and no good food at all.
He feels as if he is walking down a road that no one's ever gone down before (Boulevard of Broken Dreams). He feels alone, cold, depressed from this. And the fact that he is suicidal doesn't help him at all.
His thoughts within his head is screwing him up, perhaps the drugs (*shrug*), and he wants something to stop it all.
Then Jimmy sees this girl that is just like him. A saint, a rebel...a girl he's totally into. This girl apparently is as screwed up in the head as him.
Eventually, Jimmy shoots himself in the head. His friends come to reality again and start living their lives normally without Jimmy. Some live even better off without Jimmy on their backs.

And then I don't understand Song 13, Whatsername. Nor do I think I really understand the entire album.

I don't know. They're making a movie out of it, and that makes me sad, because I feel like Green Day is selling out.
I don't try to make it a story. It'd be out of order anyway.

I don't know. They're making a movie out of it, and that makes me sad, because I feel like Green Day is selling out.


Eh? I thought they did that when they signed to a major label back in '94/'95.

I don't know. They're making a movie out of it, and that makes me sad, because I feel like Green Day is selling out.
I don't try to make it a story. It'd be out of order anyway.

It will still be better then this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368973/) particular cultural train-crash.

It will still be better then this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368973/) particular cultural train-crash.
Damn, you scared me for a second. But then I looked at the 'last updated' and it was September of 2003. This one is dead in the water. Whew....

Nevermind guys, IGN.com helped me out

http://music.ign.com/articles/549/549981p1.html

Turns out St. Jimmy =/= Jesus of Suburbia. There are 3 characters rather than 2.

Eh? I thought they did that when they signed to a major label back in '94/'95.
I dunno, i think they waited an album or two before properly selling out for money/popularity

I have a REAL great site link for you...


www.songmeanings.net


Everyone who joins posts if they like (or dislike) the song/artist, and they post their interpretations of songs. Go for it.

http://www.greendayauthority.com/TheBand/songmeanings.php#AmericanIdiot
This goes through the whole album, track by track.

I don't know. They're making a movie out of it, and that makes me sad, because I feel like Green Day is selling out.
I don't try to make it a story. It'd be out of order anyway.
You just think Green Day are selling out now?

You just think Green Day are selling out now?

they did that on dookie

*shrugs* I still like them. American Idiot - the "rock opera" I still like it.

*listens to Amerivan Idiot, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Jesus of Suburbia simultaneously* All I care is that Green day rocks!!!!!! :p

http://www.greendayauthority.com/TheBand/songmeanings.php#AmericanIdiot
This goes through the whole album, track by track.
interesting

"Who cares"

http://www.greendayauthority.com/TheBand/songmeanings.php#AmericanIdiot
This goes through the whole album, track by track.
Love it...

Can someone please explain to me the story behind American Idiot?
..snip...
Whoah..I think you're are reading far too much into a silly punk record. If you start looking for structure and reasons in everything you watch and listen to, you'll go crazy, believe me.

Whoah..I think you're are reading far too much into a silly punk record. If you start looking for structure and reasons in everything you watch and listen to, you'll go crazy, believe me.
Well, American Idiot was supposed to be like a punk version of a "rock opera", with a story behind it.

Or something like that, I think.

Well, American Idiot was supposed to be like a punk version of a "rock opera", with a story behind it.

Or something like that, I think.
Oh, you mean like 'Tommy'?
very self-indulgent and pretentious of them.

Lemme just say that I don't really give a damn about the story, I just enjoy the music and don't fixate on this stuff. Though I do think their old stuff is a great deal better.

very self-indulgent and pretentious of them.
Just a teeny wee bit.
:D

I don't know. They're making a movie out of it, and that makes me sad, because I feel like Green Day is selling out.
I don't try to make it a story. It'd be out of order anyway.
Selling out: Cheesy mythology. You can't sell out. People buy your shit or they don't.
How many kids do you know who listen to really shitty music just to differentiate themselves from everyone else?
I'm not trying to rain on your parade, I just hate that term. Reminds me of high school in the 90's.

Oh, you mean like 'Tommy'?
very self-indulgent and pretentious of them.
Or like The Wall? Yeah, real pretensious. :rolleyes: