PW's Song Of The Week: SONG OF THE WEEK: 8/16/20

Song: "When I Come Around"

Artist: Green Day

Album: "Awesome As Fuck"

Year: 2011

Place Of Origin: East Bay, California

Years Active: 1987 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

Here's a quote from songfacts.com about "When I Come Around". "A track from Green Day's first major-label album, "When I Come Around" is a very personal song lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote about being away from his girlfriend, Adrienne Nesser, and the frustrations they both felt when he was on the road. Billie Joe met Adrienne in 1990 when Green Day performed in Minnesota, where she lived. He was just 18, and found it difficult to maintain a long distance relationship, especially with his touring schedule. In this song, he affirms his devotion for her, assuring her that when he does get to see her (when he "comes around") he will make it up to her."

GREEN DAY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1990 - 1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1991 - Kerplunk (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

* certified platinum

1994 - Dookie (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 1-28-95

* certified diamond

1995 - Insomniac (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 10-28-95

* certified 2X platinum

1997 - Nimrod (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 on 11-1-97

* certified 2X platinum

2000 - Warning (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 10-21-00

* certified gold

2002 - Shenanigans (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 on 7-20-02

2004 - American Idiot (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 10-9-04

* certified 6X platinum

2005 - Bullet In A Bible (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 on 12-3-05

2009 - 21st Century Breakdown (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 5-30-09

* certified platinum

2011 - Awesome As Fuck (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 on 4-9-11

2012 - Uno! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 10-13-12

2012 - Dos! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 on 12-1-12

2012 - Tre! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 on 12-29-12

2014 - Demolicious (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #112 on the Billboard 200 on 5-3-14

2016 - Revolution Radio (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 10-29-16

2019 - Woodstock 1994 (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200 on 4-27-19

2020 - Father Of All Motherfuckers (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 2-22-20

MY THOUGHTS ON GREEN DAY:

Back in 1987, guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt formed the band Sweet Children when they were just 15 years old. By 1989, they changed their name to Green Day and by 1990, they added Tre Cool on drums. This line-up is the same to this very day. The band had some EP's early on, then released what was their proper full length, "Kerplunk", in 1991. By 1994, Green Day was signed to a major label, Reprise Records and their album "Dookie" made them explode on the musical landscape worldwide. Just after the Grunge explosion of the early 90's came a punk rock resurgence in the mid 90's and Green Day, along with Rancid, The Offspring and Bad Religion were at the forefront of this movement. "Dookie" has been certified Diamond, selling over 20 million units worldwide! 1995's "Insomniac" was a heavier album for the band and still highly successful for the band. 1997's "Nimrod" featured the song "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)", which was initially just a b-side for the band. This song showed a softer, acoustic side to Green Day and was an enormous hit for the band. 2000's "Warning" featured less distorted guitars but still had punchy pop punk anthems throughout. Even though the album went gold, this period was considered a down time for the band, many questioning whether they lost their fastball. Of course, in 2004, that all was proven to be bullshit! "American Idiot", a punk rock opera concept album was released to major success. This album saw Green Day's popularity soar once again, selling over 14 million units worldwide and being certified 6X Platinum. Green Day was no longer just on top of the punk rock world, they were now on top of the rock world in general. The band followed up "American Idiot" with another concept type album "21st Century Breakdown". This continued Green Day's reign on rock music. As 2012 came around, Green Day decided to back off the concept albums and go back to their roots releasing three full length albums full of pop punk gems, "Uno!", "Dos!" and "Tre!". These three albums charted well but the band may have been better served combining them and cutting down the songs to make one killer album. In 2016, Green Day released "Revolution Radio", yet another solid punk rock effort by a band that was in a groove. The band's most recent album was 2020's "Father Of All Motherfuckers". Ya know, every now and then in a band's career, especially a band that has been around as long as Green Day, they go outside the box and stray from what has made them who they are. I feel this is that album for Green Day. I think they strived too hard to make something different. There's almost a Motown vibe to their new album. I don't mind seeing a band grow and mature, but I hate when they totally veer away from the core of who they are. As you can tell, I didn't really like this album too much. Anyway, word at the Green Day camp is that Billie Joe has written at least 6 songs and is waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to die down to get together with the boys and record new music. Green Day is a monster of a band. If punk rock has a Beatles, I would say Green Day would be that. Billie Joe is just a great songwriter. His lyrics are great. His hooks and melodies are great. When you think pop punk, there is no one better than Green Day in my mind. I first got into Green Day like i'd say the majority of people did and that was by hearing songs from "Dookie". From there I worked my way back to their earlier material and have been buying their new releases every time they come out. Besides their last album, "Father Of All Motherfuckers", I love every Green Day album, including their live releases and their b-sides compilation "Shenanigans". They are top tier pop punk, no doubt. In fact, they're top tier any genre of rock music. They are legendary, they are super influential, they are Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and they are most likely in my top 5 bands of all time.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Foxboro Hot Tubs

Pinhead Gunpowder

The Offspring

My Chemical Romance

MxPx

TEN GREEN DAY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Going To Pasalacqua

2. J.A.R.

3. Armatage Shanks

4. Suffocate

5. Youngblood