Does anyone know the origin of Green Days' " Wake Me Up When September Ends" ?Billy Joe makes reference to " 7 years have gone so fast " , then " 20 years have gone so fast " & " Never forget what I lost " . I lost a high school buddy on that day , and last night I put that song on , man it tore me up , my friend was a really great person .Does anyone relate to what that song means , or does it mean something completely different ? The video was about a young man going to war & leaving behind his sweetheart ...When his unit is attacked , he couldnt fight ... I am expect some will razz me , or try to tear me down . It was played to death when it first came out , so some may still be sick of it , but I really think it hits home .Any constructive thoughts on this song?
2006-09-12 12:20:15 · 9 answers · asked by Fair Warning 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Other - Entertainment
Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote this about his father, who died of cancer on September 1st, 1982. At his father's funeral, Billie cried, ran home and locked himself in his room. When his mother got home and knocked on the door to Billie's room, Billie simply said, "Wake me up when September ends," hence the title.
It has nothing to do with September 11, 2001.
The references to the amount of years is like so: When he says 7 years has gone so fast, he is talking about how Sweet Children (Green Day) formed almost exactly 7 years after the incident. And 20 years has gone so fast is an homage to when he wrote this song.
2006-09-12 12:27:18 · answer #1 · answered by Soda Popinski 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yesterday was just another day to me as far as me being like me. Whenever I see images of the Twin Towers, Holocaust, dead children in Iraq, anything inhumane and twisted, my emotions take over. September 11th is a huge blow to this country. Last night I watched a two hour show on PBS's Frontline that talked about the faith and religion of September 11th. It talked about the religious fanaticism of the terrorists, who were blinded by faith, it had interviews with Christian, Muslim, and atheists, survivors and family members. It showed how very religious people lost their faith and those who were not believers now are, it talked about the teachings of Allah and how fanaticism twists what the Koran teaches. Very interesting show, a different view than the politics of the issue. I also watched "Why We Fight", which will definitely shed light on the politics and history of war in the US.
As far as your question, I enjoy the song, I appreciate artists and musicians who have meaning to their expressions, but that song doesn't mean to me what it means to you. If it is a comfort, then Green Day did it's job.
2006-09-12 12:35:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I completely relate to what you are saying. My boyfriend spent 13 months in Iraq, and when I hear that song it brings me back to the way I felt during that tough time...not in a bad way neccesarily, just to remember. He was with the Infantry and so he was in the thick of fighting, and I know for a fact that even though he is a really tough guy...some days were unbearable for him. He had to change who he was when he was over there, and it has taken time to get him back to a more "emotional" level. He had to turn his emotions off over there...and I remember the day that he had to switch them off. He called me a couple months after going over there (phone calls were rare those days when the war was new) and he had such fear in his voice and he was scared. I had NEVER heard my cocky man scared before. He had been ambushed, and got in a pretty intense gunfight--his first of many. After that night, things changed---he never showed any emotion about what he was doing, he spoke of it so matter of fact. Ok...I know I am off on a bit of a tanget here...but what I am trying to say is that I do understand what that song is speaking of (at least to me)--a certain loss of innocence that he will never get back. Great question....you've got me reminiscing now...
2006-09-12 12:37:05 · answer #3 · answered by ♥austingirl♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im so sorry to hear of your loss. I have no idea what that song is or what it may mean, but im sorry to hear of your loss. i live in new york city and was there when the attacks took place, and i know how it feels to lose somebody from a tragedy. stay strong and know your friend is always in your heart.
2006-09-12 12:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Billie Joe wrote it about his dad who died when he was only 10yrs old. apparently, Billie Joe finds it really emotionally to sing the song when live and sometimes you can hear he is a bit tearful.
2006-09-13 08:51:49 · answer #5 · answered by Raven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the song was written in memory of Billie Joe's father
2006-09-12 12:30:25 · answer #6 · answered by Shorty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not really a constructive thought, but I love the song.
2006-09-12 12:27:51 · answer #7 · answered by real_sweetheart_76 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah man, they murdered that song when it came out.its a great song for anyone who feels its messages and perils of life. please accept my deepest thoughts and praises for you,your lost friend and his grieving family.no-one can tell you different. move on but never forget.
2006-09-12 12:34:08 · answer #8 · answered by Denton P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never heard it. Sorry.
2006-09-12 12:25:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋