Green Day

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I'm having trouble trying to sleep
I'm counting sheep, but running out
As time ticks by, still I try
No rest for cross-tops in my mind

[Refrain]
On my own, here we go

[Chorus]
My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed
Dried up and bulging out my skull
My mouth is dry, my face is numb
Fucked up and spun out in my room

[Refrain]
On my own, here we go

[Verse 2]
My mind is set on overdrive
The clock is laughing in my face
A crooked spine, my senses dulled
Past the point of delirium

[Refrain]
On my own, here we go
[Chorus]
My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed
Dried up and bulging out my skull
My mouth is dry, my face is numb
Fucked up and spun out in my room

[Refrain]
On my own, here we go

[Instrumental Outro]

If you are looking for a song by Green Day that exudes a sense of tiredness, then Brain Stew is the track for you. This song possesses a feeling of lethargy and exhaustion that pulls the listener into the very mood of the song. Brain Stew is unlike anything that the pop-punk trio has ever created before, with a distinctive sound and mood that perfectly encapsulates the lyrical content of the song.

About Brain Stew

Brain Stew is a single from Green Day's album, "Insomniac". This song is a self-referential and self-aware track where Billie Joe Armstrong, the band's frontman, sings about the consequences of his own speed addiction. Armstrong admitted that he wrote most of the band’s early songs under the influence of methamphetamine.

Brain Stew lyrics are about insomnia and the sensations you experience when you cannot sleep. Many fans believe this song is more mellow and relaxed than the band’s previous works, and this is something the band did intentionally. The song's melancholic atmosphere was created to deliver a unique musical experience by inducing a feeling of drowsiness, with the guitar riff mimicking the monotony and tiredness people experience when they cannot sleep.

The song starts with a heavy guitar riff that has become one of the most recognizable riffs in the history of pop-punk music. The riff is repetitive, simple, and effective. The drumbeat comes in slowly, creating an unhurried and almost lazy tempo. Brian Stew's tempo is slower than most of the band's other tracks, representing the protagonist's weariness and giving the song a hypnotic feel.

The lyrics are simple and repetitive, with Armstrong repeating the phrase "I'm having trouble trying to sleep" throughout the song. As the song progresses, Armstrong sings about the feelings he experiences as he tries to fall asleep, including fear, frustration, and anxiety. These repetitive lyrics create a sense of immersion, perfectly matching the winding and layered guitar riff.

What makes Brain Stew a unique song is its link to the following track in the album, Jaded. When played back-to-back, the two songs blend perfectly into each other. Jaded serves as a continuation of the story told in Brain Stew, and is an excellent example of Green Day's ability to craft music that tells a story.

When it comes to style, Brain Stew is a departure from Green Day's usual punk-pop sound. The song has a grungy feel, with the long, droning guitar riff giving the song a distinct soft rock feel. Brain Stew also features a lack of any discernible chorus, making the song more like a long riff than a typical pop song.

The music video for Brain Stew goes well with the theme of the song. The video shows the band performing the song in a grungy, run-down apartment complex, adding to the atmosphere of the song. The video also features a unique use of lighting, with a dominant green hue throughout the video.

In summary, Green Day's Brain Stew is a grungy, hypnotic, and melancholic track about the feelings one experiences while suffering from insomnia. With its long guitar riff, slow tempo, and repetitive lyrics, Brain Stew offers a unique listening experience, one that is both immersive and thought-provoking.

• Release Date: October 6, 1995
• Artist: Green Day