Qu. about Green Day's song "Wake Me When Sept. Ends"?

Question

Does anyone know the story behind the song that caused the writer to write it? I was told it was b/c of Katrina, then I heard that was false. Does anyone know the truth? Please provide the source. Thanks

Answer 1

Billie Joe wrote it for his father who died in the month of September, though im not sure of what year. He is saying that it's so hard for him he would sleep throught the entire month and wants to wake up when September ends hence the name of teh song

Answer 2

Billy Joe Armstrong composed the lyrics to WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS; which was co-produced by Green Day and Rob Cavallo. Billy wrote the song in honor of his father, who passed away when Billy was just a child. September is the month his father passed away, and it is still to this day a very sad month for Billy - although, it has been 20 years since his fathers passing.

HOWEVER, the video is totally different. I HATE that video, because - to me it takes advantage of the war, selling the "video" on behalf of our soldiers and their families.

I would love to see some of the money go to actually help military families... but, that's another issue.

Answer 3

It adds on to the story on the album. The Jesus of Suburbia is alone again. Lost his friends, the only girl he ever loved, he's out of home, out of job, and back where he started, sad and alone on the streets. He describes himself as innocent, or at least he was, and he just didn't last. They broke him down, and he's just dead inside. This is also, on a more personal note, a side song about Billie Joe's late father, who died years ago (September 1982), when Billie Joe was 10. Both explanations apply.

Answer 4

i thought it was the mass of extra problems added to us since the eleventh day of sept. I don't know that this is the absolute truth. Maybe its just me? The writer, Billy joe armstrong, is a very talented man. Often his lyrics are very deep in meaningful. You've got to scratch the surface and really listen.

Answer 5

it's not from katrina because that song was made before katrina even happened. i think it is because of someone like a friend or family member going to the army or dying from something. like what a couple of people said. billie's dad dying of cancer... i think the music video for that song shows that it is hard to have someone you love so much leave your life and might not ever see them again. like going to the army and have to serve in a different country.

Answer 6

I'm pretty sure the song came out before Katrina started

Answer 7

Its about the passing of his father. It even comes out and says it blatently "like my fathers come to pass seven years has gone so fast wake me up when september ends" Then it makes more references of his memorys, how the "innocent can never last."

The real genius of the song though is that Billie Joe (lead singer) has taken the tragety of death, and the feeling accosited and made it so anyone that has lost someone special can relate to the song. The timing of the release of the song was great because of course we are in war time, and the death of soilders and the impact upon families is a saddening reality. It's a beautiful song if you can truely relate to the emotions felt by Billie Joe.

It is NOT about Katrina because it was written way before. And the lead singer Billie Joe NEVER was in the army.

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends

like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends

here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends

summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends

ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends

here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends

like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends
wake me up when september ends

Answer 8

i thought it was about 9//11 since it was in September and after the event. And something about innocence? I don't remember the song too well since it's been a while since I've listened to it. =x And yeah. The video was based on the army and stuff. So that's your best bet. :]

Answer 9

I heard it was when the singer was enlisted in the Army and saw lots of horrible things. His period in the army was up in September, so he wanted to be woken up when he was home. It was out long before Katrina.

Answer 10

he wrote it about his dad who died in the war when he was 10, the words explain it really, but i provided you with a source, (wikipedia) and usually if you type in "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day, you will find a little article about it... quite cool, :^)