Green Day

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Little girl, little girl, why are you cryin'?
Inside your restless soul, your heart is dyin'
Little one, little one, your soul is purgin'
Of love and razor blades, your blood is surgin'

[Chorus]
Run away from the river to the street
And find yourself with your face in the gutter
You're a stray for the Salvation Army
There is no place like home when you got no place to go

[Verse 2]
Little girl, little girl, your life is callin'
The charlatans and saints of your abandon
Little one, little one, the sky is fallin'
Your lifeboat of deception is now sailin'
In the wake (All the way!) All the way, no rhyme or reason
Your bloodshot eyes will show your heart of treason
Little girl, little girl, you dirty liar
You're just a junkie preachin' to the choir

[Chorus]
Run away from the river to the street
And find yourself with your face in the gutter
You're a stray for the Salvation Army
There is no place like home when you got no place to go
[Bridge]
The traces of blood always follow you home
Like the mascara tears from your getaway (Gloria!)
You're walkin' with blisters and running with shears
So unholy, sister of grace

[Interlude]

[Outro]
Run away from the river to the street
And find yourself with your face in the gutter
You're a stray from the Salvation Army
There is no place like home...

Green Day has always been known for tackling complex themes and issues in their music, and their album 21st Century Breakdown is no exception. Released in 2009, the album is a concept album that tells the story of Christian and Gloria, two young lovers fighting against the injustices of the world. One of the standout tracks on the album is “¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl),” a powerful and emotional song that serves as a reprise to the fourth track, “¡Viva la Gloria!”. In this song, Green Day explores themes of drug addiction, self-destruction, and the devastating consequences of lost love.

About ¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl)

“¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl)” is a poignant and emotional song that explores some of the darker themes that are present throughout 21st Century Breakdown. According to frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, the song is about a woman with a heavy drug problem. “¡Viva la Gloria!” is about a person who has a vision, but this is a person who’s distorting that vision with drugs and self-destruction. The song serves as a touching tribute to those who struggle with addiction and the people who love them.

But the song takes on even greater meaning when placed in the context of the album’s larger story. Up to this point in the album, the character of Christian has been shown to harbor a deep rage towards the people responsible for the world’s injustices. But in “¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl),” Christian turns his rage towards his own love interest, Gloria. The song depicts Christian punishing Gloria for her perceived role in the failed riot described in “Murder City,” using her vulnerabilities against her in an attempt to make her feel guilty and ashamed.

One of the most striking things about the song is the raw emotion present in Armstrong’s vocals. As the song progresses, you can feel Christian’s anguish and desperation building to a fever pitch. The chorus, in particular, is incredibly powerful, with Armstrong singing, “Oh Gloria, don't you know what I mean? / Gloria, the shadows are never what they seem.” These lyrics are a powerful reminder that things are not always as they seem, and that the people we love are not always who we think they are.

Another notable aspect of the song is its musical composition. Green Day has always been skilled at crafting catchy, anthemic punk rock tunes, and “¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl)” is no exception. The song’s fiery guitar riffs and thunderous drums perfectly complement the raw emotion of Armstrong’s vocals.

Overall, “¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl)” is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Green Day at their best. From its powerful message to its memorable musical composition, the song is a testament to the band’s skill as both musicians and storytellers. Fans of Green Day and punk rock music in general owe it to themselves to give this song a listen.

• Release Date: May 12, 2009
• Artist: Green Day