PW's Song Of The Week: SONG OF THE WEEK: 4-30-2023

SONG: "Bouncing Off The Wall"

ARTIST: Green Day

ALBUM: "Revolution Radio"

YEAR: 2016

PLACE OF ORIGIN: East Bay, California

YEARS ACTIVE: 1987 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Bouncing Off The Wall" appears to be a song about the vocalist following a lifelong dream instead of being tied down with a mundane 9 to 5 job. The vocalist in this case, Billie Joe Armstrong, knew he would be in a rock and roll band despite what those around him thought. He never swayed from his dream while others are content with being stuck in boring jobs because they were afraid to take a chance and follow their passion.

GREEN DAY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1990 - 39/Smooth (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1991 - Kerplunk (Lookout! Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1994 - Dookie (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 2-1-94

* certified diamond

1995 - Insomniac (Reprise Records)

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

* certified 2X platinum

1997 - Nimrod (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 on 10-14-97

* certified 2X platinum

2000 - Warning (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 10-3-00

* certified gold

2002 - Shenanigans (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 on 7-2-02

2004 - American Idiot (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 9-21-04

* certified 6X platinum

2005 - Bullet In A Bible (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 on 11-15-05

2009 - 21st Century Breakdown (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 5-15-09

* certified platinum

2011 - Awesome As Fuck (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 on 3-22-11

2012 - Uno! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 on 9-25-12

2012 - Dos! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 on 11-13-12

2012 - Tre! (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 on 12-11-12

2014 - Demolicious (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #112 on the Billboard 200 on 4-19-14

2016 - Revolution Radio (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 on 10-7-16

2019 - Woodstock 1994 (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200 on 4-13-19

2020 - Father Of All Motherfuckers (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 on 2-7-20

2021 - BBC Sessions (Reprise Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON GREEN DAY:

Green Day formed as a band back in 1987, hailing from the East Bay, California. They made a name for themselves at the legendary 924 Gilman St. club in Berkeley early in their career. Originally called Sweet Children, the band changed their name to Green Day in 1989. Already formed by vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt, in 1990, drummer Tre Cool rounded out the trio and that is the same line-up that the band has today. Green Day was getting some buzz with their first two albums, 1990's "39/Smooth" and 1991's "Kerplunk", but it was their major label debut "Dookie" in 1994 that exploded the band on the musical map. Green Day would be one of the leaders of the new wave of punk rock music that had been revitalized in the mid 90's along with bands like The Offspring, Rancid and Bad Religion. "Dookie" has sold over 20 million units world wide and to this date, has been certified diamond! The band followed that up with the much heavier and darker "Insomniac" in 1995. 1997's "Nimrod" would feature the suprise acoustic hit song "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)". 2000's "Warning" featured a cleaner sound for the band. While it was a solid album, many thought Green Day was on the down slide. Boy, were they wrong! In 2004, the band dropped the punk rock opera/concept album "American Idiot". Just like that, Green Day was once again on top of the music world. This album has achieved 6X platinum status to the current date. It was also their first #1 album on the Billboard 200, an achievement their next album, 2009's "21st Century Breakdown" would also accomplish. In 2012, the band put out three albums in four months, "Uno!", "Dos!" and "Tre!". It was an ambitious project, but I think they could have narrowed these songs down to the best 13 or 14 and made a killer album. Not saying these albums aren't good, I just think it could have been better. In 2016, the band released "Revolution Radio". This felt like a back to their roots kind of album and it really is an excellent album, also hitting the #1 spot on the charts. In 2020, Green Day dropped their most recent album, "Father Of All Motherfuckers". This album saw the band make a stylistic change and to be honest, it's the only Green Day album that I hardly listen to. They kinda lost me with this one. Most recently, the band has put out three stand alone singles in 2021. I'm not sure if these are part of a bigger project or if they were just put out as singles. Green Day is an incredible band. These guys have been putting out great music for over 35 years! I can't believe they've been around that long. It's crazy. Unlike a lot of bands from the 90's that I still love, Green Day has been able to stay relevant to a whole younger generation. Billie Joe Armstrong is a tremendous songwriter. You want hooks and melodies, this guy is like a melodic song factory! Just when you seem to count these guys out, they seem to come back with a fury. 1994's "Dookie" was monumental. Ten years later they drop the masterpiece that is "American Idiot". Well guess what? It's almost 10 years after that and there's no doubt I expect Green Day to drop a hammer on us! These guys were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2015. They are one of the most influential bands in rock music as well as being one of the most successful acts in the industry.

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TEN GREEN DAY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1 J.A.R.

2. Suffocate

3. Going To Pasalacqua

4. Armatage Shanks

5. She