Green Day

Lyrics

[Part 1: American Eulogy]
[Intro: Billie Joe Armstrong]
Sing us the song of the century
It sings like American eulogy
The dawn of my love and conspiracy
Of forgotten hope and the class of '13
Tell me a story into that good night
Sing us a song for me...

[Part 2: Mass Hysteria]

[Chorus: Billie Joe Armstrong]
Hysteria
Mass hysteria
Mass hysteria
Mass hysteria
[Verse 1: Billie Joe Armstrong]
Red alert is the color of panic
Elevated to the point of static
Beating into the hearts of the fanatics, and the neighborhood's a loaded gun
Idle thoughts lead to full-throttle screamin'
And the wealth is asphyxiatin'
Mass confusion is all the new rage, and it's creating a feeding ground for the bottom feeders of hysteria
[Chorus: Billie Joe Armstrong]
Mass hysteria
Mass hysteria
Mass hysteria

[Verse 2: Billie Joe Armstrong]
True sounds of maniacal laughter
And the deaf mute's misleadin' the choir
The punchline is a natural disaster, and it's sung by the unemployed
Fight fire with a riot
The class war is hangin' on a wire
Because the martyr is a compulsive liar when he said, "It's just a bunch of niggers throwing gas into the hysteria"

[Chorus: Billie Joe Armstrong]
Mass hysteria
Mass hysteria
Mass hysteria

[Bridge: Billie Joe Armstrong]
There's a disturbance on the oceanside
They tapped into the reserve
The static response is so unclear now
"Mayday, this is not a test"
As the neighborhood burns
America is fallin'
And vigilantes warnin' ya
Callin' Christian and Gloria!
[Guitar Solo]
[Part 3: Modern World]

[Chorus: Billie Joe Armstrong & Mike Dirnt]
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world

[Verse 3: Mike Dirnt]
Well, I'm the class of '13 in the era of dissent
A hostage of the soul on a strike to pay the rent
The last of the rebels without a common ground
I'm gonna light a fire into the underground, well

[Chorus: Billie Joe Armstrong & Mike Dirnt]
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world
[Bridge: Billie Joe Armstrong]
I am a nation without bureaucratic ties
Deny the allegation as it's written, fuckin' lies
[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 4: Mike Dirnt]
Well, I wanna take a ride to the great divide
Beyond the "up to date" and the neo-gentrified
The high definition for the low resident
Where the value of your mind is not held in contempt
I can hear the sound of a beatin' heart
It bleeds beyond a system that is fallin' apart
With money to burn on a minimum wage
Well, I don't give a shit about the modern age

[Chorus: Billie Joe Armstrong & Mike Dirnt]
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world
I don't wanna live in the modern world

[Outro: Billie Joe Armstrong & Mike Dirnt]
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria) I don't wanna live in the modern world
(Mass hysteria...) I don't wanna live in the modern world...

Green Day is one of the most critically acclaimed punk rock bands of all time. They burst onto the scene in the early 1990s and quickly rose to fame with their energetic guitar riffs and socially conscious lyrics. Their music has become synonymous with political activism and rebellion, and this is particularly apparent in their song "American Eulogy: Mass Hysteria / Modern World." This explosive track is a two-part epic that delves deep into the state of modern society and the disillusionment that many young people feel with the world around them.

About American Eulogy: Mass Hysteria / Modern World

"American Eulogy" is a song that is split into two parts, "Mass Hysteria" and "Modern World". The song was written and recorded by Green Day during Election Night in November 2008, just as Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. The song's title is fitting for the time period, with Green Day's drummer Tré Cool pointing out that the group would be "busy trying to start a revolution" if John McCain had won.

The first part of the song, "Mass Hysteria," is a fast-paced rocker that begins with the heavy strumming of an electric guitar before exploding into a chaotic mix of drums, bass, and distorted vocals. The lyrics describe a world where "ignorance and understanding/Deadly pound in my veins." They speak to the frustrations and anxieties many people feel in the modern world, where political correctness and censorship have become so commonplace that people feel they can no longer speak their minds freely.

The second part of the song, "Modern World," is a slower, more melancholy reflection on the state of society. The lyrics paint a picture of a world in decline, with lines like "The class war is hanging on a wire/Because the martyr is a compulsive liar." This part of the song is more introspective, and the music is more contemplative, with muted guitar riffs and softer, more subtle drumming.

What's fascinating about "American Eulogy" is the way it blends these two disparate styles into a cohesive whole. The song starts out fast and furious, with angry lyrics and pounding instrumentation. But as it progresses, it slows down and becomes more introspective, showcasing Green Day's ability to weave together different styles and emotions into one coherent piece of music.

In an interview with Q magazine, Green Day's lead singer and songwriter, Billie Joe Armstrong, described "American Eulogy" as a "wall of TV screens" that creates "sensory overload." This is an apt description, as the song is a complex, multi-layered piece of music that requires close listening to truly appreciate its nuances.

Throughout the song, Green Day provides a scathing critique of modern society, focusing on issues like political corruption, media manipulation, and the struggles of the working class. The lyrics are biting and sarcastic, and the music serves to amplify the anger and frustration that permeates the song.

At the end of the song, everything builds to a frenzied crescendo, with the music and vocals blending together into a maelstrom of sound. This is fitting, as it captures the sense of chaos and confusion that many people feel when looking at the world around them.

Overall, "American Eulogy: Mass Hysteria / Modern World" is a powerful piece of music that speaks to the anger, frustration, and disillusionment that many people feel in the modern world. It showcases Green Day's ability to combine different styles and emotions into one cohesive piece of music, and reminds us that sometimes the most powerful art comes from a place of anger and frustration.

• Release Date: May 15, 2009
• Artist: Green Day