Green Day

Lyrics

[Bass Intro]

[Verse 1]
I sit around and watch the tube, but nothing's on
I change the channels for an hour or two
Twiddle my thumbs just for a bit
I'm sick of all the same old shit
In a house with unlocked doors, and I'm fuckin' lazy

[Chorus]
Bite my lip and close my eyes
Take me away to paradise
I'm so damn bored, I'm going blind
And I smell like shit

[Verse 2]
Peel me off this velcro seat and get me moving
I sure as hell can't do it by myself
I'm feeling like a dog in heat
Barred indoors from the summer street
I locked the door to my own cell and I lost the key

[Chorus]
Bite my lip and close my eyes
Take me away to paradise
I'm so damn bored, I'm going blind
And I smell like shit
[Bridge]
I got no motivation
Where is my motivation?
No time for motivation
Smoking my inspiration, huh!

[Verse 3]
I sit around and watch the phone, but no one's calling
Call me pathetic, call me what you will (We will!)
My mother says to get a job
But she don't like the one she's got
When masturbation's lost its fun, you're fucking lonely

[Outro]
Bite my lip and close my eyes
Take me away to paradise
I'm so damn bored, I'm going blind
And loneliness has to suffice
Bite my lip and close my eyes
I'm tripping away to paradise
Some say quit or I'll go blind
But it's just a myth

Green Day's song "Longview" is a timeless hit that embodies the experience of intense boredom. The song's title stems from Longview, a town in Washington where the band played the track for the first time. The lyrics describe a day spent at home, doing nothing significant, indulging in self-pleasure, and smoking marijuana until life lacks excitement. The track appealed to many youths, primarily for its references to masturbation. Interestingly, the famous Bassist Mike Dirnt composed the bassline introduction when he was drifting high on LSD one night. He and lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong recalled what they could from that creative night, thus the album version is what remained.

About Longview

Released on April 5th, 1994 from the album titled "Dookie," "Longview" became one of the most monumental songs for Green Day, and it still appears in their live performances to date. The song's lyrical content is about one man's experience of reducing his life down to nothingness; he is bedridden, achieves little to nothing, and reflects on his mundane life. The reference to marijuana and self-pleasure is what caused the most contention; it was deemed too explicit for radio play. However, it did not stop the song's success; indeed, it was one of the album's most played tracks.

Green Day's "Longview" highlighted the problems of mass consumer culture, malleable identity to fit society, and teenage boredom. The song portrays overdosing on television as a way to cope with procrastination and not spending time productively. The lyrics of the song are skillfully written in the second person, promoting audience participation and engagement in the song.

Mike Dirnt's bass riff on "Longview" remains one of the most recognizable in rock music, identified by its distinctive melody and complex fingering. His combination of fingerpicking and strumming creates a sound that carries the song and captures the sense of ennui the song paints. Interestingly, He said he was feeling high on LSD when he composed that bassline. Dirnt says he traverses the entire song in "musical terms and it was natural to me - it felt right to sing the song the way I felt." 

Despite the controversy surrounding the song, "Longview" was instrumental in putting Green Day on the map following years of diminishing popularity. The track's edginess worked in the band's favour, and it quickly became one of the alternative anthems of the 1990s. The song's success led Green Day to be the poster band for punk rock worldwide, propelling them towards even greater success.

Green Day's "Longview" went on to become a staple of alternative music for years to come, and its success continues to linger among audiences, particularly through the band's live performances. With arguments regarding masturbation and marijuana references, the song remains a classic example of the rebellious nature of rock and roll music that Green Day constantly embodies.

The Composition

"Longview" opens with a bass guitar riff that is heavily distorted and distorted, and serves as its musical basis. It begins in the intro and gets repeated throughout the song. The song's verse starts with a pumping guitar and bassline that repeatedly plays the same note before changing suddenly to a different key before it settles back onto the original bassline to display its chorus. The chorus explodes with powerful vocals showcasing Billy Joe's voice as he sings the phrase "Bite my lip and close my eyes," accompanied by accelerated guitar playing that boosts the song's energy. The song's bridge is instrumental and features a guitar solo, finished off with more powerful vocals in the background. The song's ending emphasis is laid on the phrase "Kill the DJ," which slowly fades to silence, ending, and confirming an ode to boredom.

In Conclusion

Green Day's "Longview" is an edgy, honest song best known for its explicit references to self-pleasure and marijuana use. However, the song's success derives from much more than just its controversial content. and was an honest portrayal of both the band's own experiences and the life of many teens back then. Mike Dirnt's bassline riff is still distinct and memorable to this day, carrying the song and displaying the sense of boredom that fills every note. As one of the most successful songs from Green Day, it has, and continues to be, a staple of alternative rock for years to come, exemplifying the band's punk rock ethos and edgy style.

• Release Date: January 28, 1994
• Artist: Green Day