I’m sorry, but I love Green Day so much that I am going to give you five more Green Day songs you should listen to. Again, you will not find these songs off of “American Idiot." When you have been making music for over 30 years, there are bound to be amazing songs that are not all off one album. Shocking, I know.
1. "Church On Sunday" from Warning (2000)
Before their album “Warning," Green Day had a reputation of a snot-nosed punk band that sang songs about alcohol, drugs, and how much they hate other people (same). However, the release of this album in 2000 marked a new frontier for Green Day, and this song captures it perfectly. "Church On Sunday" deals with a man in a relationship where he has constantly let his partner down and promises that he will improve. Along with a much more mature topic than smoking weed, it also features catchy rifts and chorus, a staple to any Green Day song.
2. "Minority" from Warning (2000)
"Minority" continues with Green Day’s more mature approach to music along with keeping their rebellious spirit intact. This song is simply about refusing to fall in line with the mass majority of the population. Instead, Billie Joe blasts through this song with a brash desire standout and be apart of the minority. It contains similar elements of political revolution that are at the forefront of “American Idiot.” The song is also incredible live.
3. "Going To Pasalacqua" from 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours
This song might be one of the simplest tracks recorded by Green Day. It contains the same verse over the course of four minutes and not much else. With that being said, it has become a staple of Green Day’s set-lists for concerts and is considered one of Green Day’s best songs from the first half of their career.
4. “No One Knows” from Kerplunk! (1992)
Mike Dirnt, the bass player for Green Day, came up with a fascinating bass line for a song one day and pleaded Billie Joe to write a song for it. This song turned into "No One Knows" and is arguably one of the most relaxing Green Day songs. While it obviously features heavy guitars and drums, the opening bass line sets a tranquil mood that persists throughout the track.
5. “Longview” from Dookie (1994)
Again, Mike Dirnt came up with an amazing bass line for their song “Longview” off of "Dookie." This track was the lead single off of the group’s landmark album and deals with typical teenage angst; boredom, being stoned, masturbating, the usual stuff. Despite the mature subject line, this song is kickass.
BONUS: 6 & 7 “Nuclear Family” & “Stay The Night” from Uno! (2012)
"Uno!" was the first album Green Day released in their trilogy set. While critics knocked Green Day down for lack of creativity, it doesn’t change the fact that these two songs kick start their first album three years after their last release. Personally, I listen to these two songs at the start of any long road trip I take, and it gets me amped.