Green Day

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I woke up to a bitter storm (Bitter year)
And Noah's Ark came washed up on the shore
The riot gear has lined the dawn (Bitter year)
Like dogs that shit on your neighbor's lawn

[Pre-Chorus]
Let freedom ring with all the crazies on parade
Let them eat poison, and it tastes like lemonade

[Chorus]
Back in the USA
For a small town serenade
With fireworks on display
Tonight, it's a hero's welcome home
And there's no place else to go
And I'm takin' it to the grave
Back in the USA

[Verse 2]
The saddest story ever told (Bitter year)
Is feelin' safe in our suburban homes
The soldiers of an endless war (Bitter year)
And every church can have a liquor store

[Pre-Chorus]
Let freedom ring with all the crazies on parade
Let them eat poison, and it tastes like lemonade
[Chorus]
Back in the USA
For a small town serenade
With fireworks on display
Tonight, it's a hero's welcome home
And there's no place else to go
And I'm takin' it to the grave
Back in the USA

If there's a band known for delivering scathing political commentary and disillusioned perspectives on American life, Green Day is at the top of the list. Their song "Back in the USA" is an example of just that; a searing polemic dealing with war, patriotism, and the flawed ideals of a country. It's a stomping, electric song that displays the best of Green Day's talents, and it's one that music lovers will not forget anytime soon.

About Back in the USA

"Back in the USA" is a song that taps into the zeitgeist of America's fraught relationship with war, patriotism, and institutions. Taking a clear stance on the topic, the song presents a narrative that follows a soldier's return home from battle, looking at the realities that he now has to face after being away for so long. The lyrics are littered with references to war and the army, with lines like "they're taking something new without making amends, hot blood courses through our veins, ignite our passion when we yell out loud, wake up to the sound of drums." These lyrics are grounded in the harsh reality of post-traumatic stress disorder, loss, and the emotional challenges that soldiers face when reintegrating back into society.

Billie Joe Armstrong's vocal delivery is spot-on, full of intense emotion that clearly reflects the pain and disillusionment that America is feeling after decades of war. His voice permeates every aspect of the song, from the catchy guitar riffs and pounding drums to the soft, introspective moments when the melody slows down.

One of the most significant contributions of the song lies in its scathing critiques of American society. Billie Joe takes pointed jabs at the rampant hypocrisy that he sees in the country and blasts through the carefully constructed facade of patriotism. The song critiques the blind allegiance that Americans have to their institutions, often to the country's detriment. The lyrics expose the contradictions of America's pompous national identity, such as how the same government that pays for helicopters and missiles can't afford to provide basic healthcare to all its citizens, or how the very same politicians that preach the Gospel of American exceptionalism will send their children to study abroad in Europe.

"Back in the USA" is a masterpiece of punk rock that articulates the various feelings of disillusionment, loss, and pain within American society, particularly in the context of war. A triumphant return to form for Green Day, it's a song that reminds listeners that the band's political commentary is unparalleled in modern music. Anyone looking for a song that speaks to the moment and encapsulates what it means to be American in 2021 must listen to "Back in the USA."

• Release Date: November 17, 2017
• Artist: Green Day