Release Date: April 20, 2018
Length: 32:32
Studio: OTIS
Label: N/A
Producer: Billie Joe Armstrong
Band Members: Billie Joe (vocals, guitar, bass, drums), Joey Armstrong (drums on ‘Happiness’)
Live Members: Billie Joe (vocals, guitar), Jeff Matika (bass, vocals), Kevin Preston (guitar), David Field (drums)
Notes: In the weeks leading up to the release of the album, Billie Joe used Instagram to provide image and audio teases. While essentially a solo record, Billie employed a live band to do a limited tour with dates in the US and Canada. ‘Devil’s Kind’ was not included on the album but was released under the Longshot name on music streaming services.
Tracklist:
1. The Last Time
The author is trying to get his girlfriend to respond to his calls (I called you on the phone but there's nobody home) after he pissed her off again (I've been making you mad). He’s just sitting around (I'm just watching the time go by) and feels bad for constantly being a nuisance to his girlfriend (now I'm feeling so sick inside). Once again, he’s apologizing for what he did (I'm sorry for what I ever did) as he sits around being more anxious about another possible break up (there's a hurricane, I'm in misery).
The author goes back to his same excuses (I promise that it will be the last time) and uses the same old lines to convince how important she is to him without really showing it (I’ll give you all my blood till it's a waste of time; if it's not good enough, you're always on my mind). The song repeats the lyrics to show the author’s desperation but he doesn’t seem to get any response.
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
I called you on the phone
But there's nobody home
I'm just watching time go by
Well I've been feeling sad
I've been making you mad
Well now I'm feeling so sick inside
There's a hurricane
We're all going insane
I'm just sitting in this hotel room
So won't ya please help me
I'm in misery
I'm sorry what I ever did and that I promise that
It will be the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
This is the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
This is the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
This is the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
I'll give you all my blood
'Till it's a waste of time
If it's not good enough
You're always on my mind
I called you on the phone
But there's nobody home
I'm just watching time go by
Well I've been feeling sad
I've been making you mad
Well now I'm feeling so sick inside
There's a hurricane
We're going insane
I'm just sitting in this hotel room
So won't ya please help me
I'm in misery
I'm sorry what I ever did and that I promise that
It will be the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
This is the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
This is the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
This is the last time
(It's gonna be the last time)
2. Taxi Driver
The author is sick of his mundane life and being confined to his day-to-day office work (I got a suitcase in my hand, I don't even know just where I am) to the point where even his taxi driver knows who him quite well (just take me to my destination). One day, the author tells his friend, the taxi driver, to go bring him somewhere new (*I don't wanna ride, I need a lift to drive me to the late-night shit), somewhere far away from where he is where he can do whatever he likes just for a day (somewhere out of your jurisdiction/ So take me down the motorway that I went to another day).
He’s sick of his life, and if possible, he even hopes that he could get out of his lonely, copy-paste lifestyle (Are we alone and are we all we'll ever know? / So when the hope comes I'm a go!). The driver keeps going and the author dozes off as he daydreams about the infinite possibilities down the road trip (taxi driver, I'm rolling like a stone) since he doesn’t have much to lose aside from his job (give me a sign, give me a home; damned if I do, damned if I don't).
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
I got a suitcase in my hand
I don't even know just where I am
Just take me to my destination
I don't wanna ride, I need a lift
To drive me to the late night shit
Somewhere out of your jurisdiction
Are we alone?
And are we all we'll ever know
Taxi driver
I'm rolling
Taxi driver
I'm rolling
Taxi driver
I'm rolling like a stone
So take me down the motorway
That I went to another day
I'll take the side street out of vision
Give me a sign, give me a home
Damned if I do, damned if I don't
Oh, taxi driver works a mission
Are we alone?
And are we all we'll ever know
Taxi driver
I'm rolling
Taxi driver
I'm rolling
Taxi driver
I'm rolling like a stone
I don't wanna get around
I wanna get a new ride
I gotta get along
So when the hope comes
I'm a go
Are we alone?
And all we are we'll never know
Taxi driver
I'm rolling
Taxi driver
I'm rolling
Taxi driver
I'm rolling like a stone
Taxi driver
I'm rolling like a stone
3. Chasing A Ghost
The song starts with the author in a dying party (piss stains and cigarettes, this party’s getting dull) and the author himself is getting tired from partying all night (I’m looking for a bump and a wall to call my own, I’m feeling like a moron, bitter and withdrawn). As the drugs wear off, the author gets back to his usual depressive demeanor (where are the good times gone? I got the tears oh baby) and his reasons for partying and getting high become more apparent.
The author describes how he's chasing a ghost by trying to get back with his ex or getting a quick hook up to forget her (but when the thrill is gone, and I’m staring at my phone; thanks for the company, but I’m still standing alone). All he sees as the party ends are couples being happy (everyone is happy and everyone is gay, feeling the spirits and twisting the night away) while he leaves the place to continue on his own (here’s to the painkillers on Saturday night).
No matter how he tries, he can't feel the same as he used to (it ain’t the same, ain’t it a shame, she was my last hurrah and always got me stoned) as his ex gets with someone else (so if you see him tell him that I said hello) while he's still stuck alone. The author realizes he needs to get over her (I miss the times we spent, and now I gotta go) but not now (thanks for the sympathy and the punch in the nose).
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
Piss stains and cigarettes
This party's getting dull
I'm looking for a bump
And a wall to call my home
I'm feeling like immortal
Bitter and withdrawn
Standing in the shadows
Where all the good times gone
I got the tears, oh baby
Crying in my soul
Hang from the chandelier
From a long long time ago
Chasing a ghost
Chasing a ghost
Everyone is happy
And everyone is gay
Feeling the spirits
And twisting the night away
But when the thrill is gone
And I'm staring at my phone
Thanks for the company
But I'm still standing alone
I got the tears, oh baby
Crying in my soul
Hang from the chandelier
From a long long time ago
Chasing a ghost
Chasing a ghost
It ain't the same
Ain't it a shame?
Here's to the painkillers, oh yeah
On Saturday night
So if you see him
Tell him that I said hello
I miss the times we spent
And now I'm gonna go
She was my last hoorah
And always got me stoned
Thanks for the sympathy
And the punch in the nose
Chasing a ghost
Chasing a ghost (woo)
Chasing a ghost (alright)
Chasing a ghost
4. Body Bag
The song deals with topics of adultery and living a double life as a result. The song starts with the author’s wife making him a purple sweater while he simply stares blankly around his house, clearly unhappy with his marriage. Purple can be seen as a mark of sexual frustration and could be interpreted as the author’s wife metaphorically knitting an unhealthy relationship with the author.
As a result of a failing marriage and lack of sex, the author is eventually founded as a cheater (she reads me like a scarlet letter) with a scarlet letter being a sign of adultery imposed onto someone. Whilst the author can stand the lack of sex sometimes as he still loves his wife (Sometimes it ain't so bad like a soul lies on the slab), he feels as though his life at ‘home’ is nothing more than being stuck in a body bag.
Eventually, even the wife begins to cheat as well (*she's got a diary of madness, she has a man of mystery *) and as a result, they eventually get a divorce and move to new places (*she drops me in a brand-new address *). Her parting gift is another sweater, possibly signifying how he’s left him with other emotions now; possibly for the best for both parties.
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
She knits me a pastel purple sweater
I'm staring blank into the sky, alright
She reads me like a scarlet letter
She holds my heart and hopes to die, alright
Sometimes it ain't so bad
Like a soul lies on the slab
This is my life in a bodybag
She's got a diary of madness
She has a man of mystery, oh yeah
She dumped me in a brand new address
With a brand new sweater made for me, oh yeah
Sometimes it ain't so bad
Like a soul lies on the slab
This is my life in a bodybag
Oh yeah
Sometimes it ain't so bad
Like a soul lies on the slab
This is my life in a bodybag
Oh yeah
5. Love Is For Losers
The song begins after the author just broke up with his SO (I'm riding shotgun in a car that's broken down). He feels lost and has no idea what to do (this city's like a ghost town and I'm feeling like a stranger and I'm stranded in the dark) now that all the time he spent on her is now freed up with emptiness. The more time goes by, the more the author convinces himself that love is for losers and idiots.
The author is giving up (my heart is a has-been) as he tries again and again to find someone new to love but fails (I searched the winter for the bride of Frankenstein). He is convinced that what he's looking for is never coming back again (we all look out of illusions, say goodbye to an old flame) and that falling in love again will only cause more pain (they say love is pain all in my lonesome).
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
In a car that's broken down
Nowhere to run in this city's like a ghost town
And I'm feeling like a stranger
And I'm stranded in the dark
Hey kid, love is for losers now
Alright
Stupid kid, you're a loser now
Alright
My heart's a has-been
For my long lost Valentine
I searched the winter
For the bride of Frankenstein
Well we all got our delusions
Say goodbye to an old flame
Hey kid, love is for losers now
Alright
Stupid kid, you're a loser now
Alright
Get it out
It goes to show ya
Well they say that love is pain
Only the lonesome
Got nowhere to run for the tears to go away
Hey kid, love is for losers now
Alright
Stupid kid, you're a loser now
Alright
(Get it out)
6. Cult Hero
Basically a hipster anthem, the whole song revolves around how badly the author wants to be a cult hero of the underdogs and underground rallies; even going so far as self-sabotage for the sake of a story (well I can self-destruct on any given note, my ruin is my storyline).
Whatever it takes to achieve cult status, the author will be willing to go to drastic lengths for the sake of maintaining his image (patient of a story never told, longest shot in town, darkest horses in the Rodeo, unsung of the clowns); that is to be the best of the best but only known and admired by few (I'm a last of the lesser knowns).
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
I am the longest shot in town
I ride the darkest horses in the rodeo
I am the unsung of the clowns
Wooh... I am a heathen
At the dog and pony show
I'm a last of the lesser knowns
Cause I wanna be a cult hero
I got my darkest secrets
And whisper at the moon
Where all the stars ever align
Well I can self destruct on any given note
My ruin is my storyline
Wooh... I am a heathen
At the dog and pony show
I'm a last of the lesser knowns
Cause I wanna be a cult hero
(Let's go)
(Alright)
Wooh... I am a heathen
At the dog and pony show
I'm a last of the lesser knowns
Cause I wanna be a...
Ooh... I am a heathen
At the dog and pony show
I'm the last of the lesser knowns
Cause I wanna be a cult hero
7. Kill Your Friends
The author thinks that by killing his friends that he can get them all out of the shitty situations they’re in (Heaven's making rent, there's a vacancy for me and all my friends). He says how no one would remember or honor their deaths anyways (the end of days are on the way, who needs eulogies? When you got your loved ones and everyone's depressed) so it’s better they kill themselves (party in the morgue tonight, everything's gonna be alright).
The author has no capacity to care anymore (fuck the world, it’s judgement day) and keeps pushing everyone to the edge (gonna bite the bullet and jump on the grenade). He states how all his thoughts and prayers will never amount to anything and he’ll be taking them to the grave with himself (I'm gonna take it to the mausoleum). He also says how his friends are killing him with kindness and finesse (gunslinger debonair, Michelangelo) as he tries his best to reciprocate (I’m in stitches blowing kisses and a death wish).
Perhaps the line Kill Your Friends can also be interpreted as killing your friends with kindness/pleasure and the song can instead be seen as one where the author is trying his best to shower his friends with kindness at the expense of himself (I’m the finger on the trigger) or just being irresponsible by running from their parents and partying with them in inappropriate places like the graveyard (*we'll show up missing *).
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
Heaven's making rent
There's a vacancy for me and all my friends
The end of days are on the way
Who needs eulogies?
When you got your loved ones
And everyone's depressed
Party in the morgue tonight
Everything's gonna be alright
And we'll be singing
Kill your friends
And we better get it we'll be screaming
Kill your friends
And we'll show up missing
Deadbeats on parade
Gonna bite the bullet
And jump on the grenade
Fuck the world, it's judgement day
We got thoughts and prayers
Nothing comes of mine
And I don't even care
I'm gonna take it to the mausoleum where I go
And we'll be screaming
Kill your friends
Now we better get it we'll be screaming
Kill your friends
And we'll show up missing
One finger on the trigger and one on the stereo
I think you're killing me with kindness
Gunslinger dead ringer and Michelangelo
I'm in stitches blowing kisses
And a death wish
Kill your friends
And we better get it we'll be screaming
Kill your friends
And we'll show up missing
Singing, kill your friends
Now we better get it we'll be singing
Kill your friends
8. Happiness
Song meaning coming soon!
Where is my sanctuary town
My love is reaching for a higher ground
I'm in the church of broken hearts
This congregation for the after dark
How lonely is your lonely
How lonely is your lonely
How lonely is your restlessness
I'll see you when the war is over
Someday when hell freezes over
How unhappy is your happiness
I'm on the lonely avenue
My ride is running late or I'm too soon
My wheels are spinning in a ditch
That sinking feeling on a floating bridge
How lonely is your lonely
How lonely is your lonely
How lonely is your restlessness
I'll see you when the war is over
Someday when hell freezes over
How unhappy is your happiness
Lonely nights
I'm too dumb to cry
As the songs slow down
Safety pins can purge all my sins
Seasons of my burnings
How lonely is your lonely
How lonely is your lonely
How lonely is your restlessness
I'll see you when the war is over
Someday when hell freezes over
How unhappy is your happiness
9. Soul Surrender
Song meaning coming soon!
Sweet soul surrender
Sweet old suicide
She's my sole defender
Don't be so uptight
Just me and my imagination
I swear I think I saw a ghost
Only me out of my temptation
I got a case of burning cold
Sweet soul surrender
Sweet old suicide
She's my sole defender
Don't be so uptight
Send me a message
Through the window
Something that I have never known
I think I need a long vacation
To keep me clean and blow my nose
Sweet soul surrender
Sweet old suicide
She's my sole defender
Don't be so uptight
Send me a message
Through the window
10. Turn Me Loose
The song is about letting loose in a party. The act of dancing may involve lots of headbanging (don't let your ponytail get out of line). Whilst the club is in full swing, the author is busy surveying the club (I'm an inspector) waiting for his high to kick in before jumping in (I got the shakes but I'm alright). He finally gets in the mood and asks girls around to turn him loose. Even if he dances badly, at least he’s having fun (I'm only gonna stagger, don’t call me a loser) away from the hardships of reality (the dog tag tales).
Away from his mundane life, the author just lets loose at the expense of his integrity (I'll go down swinging for the foul line). Despite possible backlash from his spouse for partying all night (I'm not a rebel for my bride, I’ll take a beating but won’t die), he ventures on. The song goes on as the author is more daring with his ventures (I’m gonna make a racket, start a riot) and going out to get more people to dance in a provocative manner (I’m gonna make you crash and burn).
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
Don't let your ponytail get out of line
I got a feeling on my mind
I'm an inspector and the borderline
I got the shakes but I'm alright
So turn me loose
I'm only gonna stagger
And April Fools
I'm not a-running
So turn me loose
But don't call me a loser
With the dog tag tales
But it doesn't matter
I'll go down swinging for the foul line
I'm not a rebel for my bride
Just for the record and the afterlife (ha-ha)
I'll take a beating but won't die
So turn me loose
I'm only gonna stagger
And April Fools
I'm not a-running
So turn me loose
But don't call me a loser
With the dog tag tales
But it doesn't matter
I'm gonna make a racket
I'm gonna start a riot
I'm gonna make you crash and burn
So turn me loose
I'm only gonna stagger
And April Fools
I'm not a-running
So turn me loose
But don't call me a loser
With the dog tag tales
But it doesn't matter
I'm gonna make a racket
I'm gonna start a riot
I'm gonna make you crash and burn
I'm gonna make a racket
I'm gonna start a riot
I'm gonna make you crash and burn
11. Goodbye To Romance
Song meaning coming soon!
Yesterday has been and gone
Tomorrow will I find the sun or will it rain
Everybody's having fun
Except me, I'm the lonely one
I live in shame
I said goodbye to romance, yeah
Goodbye to friends, I tell ya
Goodbye to all the past
I guess that we'll meet, we'll meet in the end
I've been the king, I've been the clown
Now broken wings can't hold me down
I'm free again
The Jester and a broken crown
It won't be me this time around to love in vain
I said goodbye to romance, yeah
Goodbye to friends, I tell ya
Goodbye to all the past
I guess that we'll meet, we'll meet in the end
And I feel the time is right although I know
That you just might say to me
What you gonna do
What you gonna do
Cause I have to take this chance
Goodbye to friends and true romance
And to all of you
And to all of you
I tell ya
I said goodbye to romance, yeah
Goodbye to friends, I tell ya
Goodbye to all the past
I guess that we'll meet, we'll meet in the end
Goodbye to romance, yeah
Goodbye to friends, I tell ya
Goodbye to all the past
I guess that we'll meet, we'll meet in the end
00. Devil's Kind
The song starts off with the aftermath of a party and the author wakes up with puke stains and cigarettes. The author finds himself in the middle of the chaos as the night is coming to an end and he begins to wander for a comfortable place to sleep on (couch to call my own) while also looking to score (party is in my pocket).
He eventually ends up with a girl and they stumble out of the party together. They begin dirty talking along the way and get excited (whisper dirty lies, rapture in your ear) as they make their way to a local hotel. The line we’ll both be terrified may be referencing the feelings both parties are experiencing as they are pretty much-having sex with strangers.
In comparison to the party’s after effects (bloodshot eyes), the author compares the girl to peppermint; being sweet and comforting. He says how they’re both the same kind of people (devil’s kind) and that they’ll get along just fine.
The next verse compares the scene of the party to the calming silence within the hotel room (take me into the water and pull me from the slaughter) and how he confesses that he was probably going to get hammered if he stayed on to solve his shakes (alcohol withdrawal) at the party by drinking more.
- song meaning written by u/potlah on r/GreenDay
Beer stains and cigarettes
The party is in my pocket
I'm looking for a drink
And a couch to call my own
Give me a bump and I will call
And whisper dirty lies
The rapture in your ear
And we'll both be terrified
Bloodshot eyes and you're peppermint
We can roll like dogs from the devil
Gimme one last try for your love tonight
I'll be the king forever
And you can be my sunshine
We are the devil's kind
We are the devil's kind
We are the devil's kind
And now I won't back down
I said I won't back down
I am the devil's kind
Take me into the water
And pull me from the slaughter
Because I've got the shakes
And I'm so petrified
Bloodshot eyes and you're peppermint
We can roll like dogs from the devil
Gimme one last try for your love tonight
I'll be the king forever
And you can be my sunshine
We are the devil's kind
We are the devil's kind
We are the devil's kind
And now I won't back down
I said I won't back down
I am the Devil's...
We are the devil's kind
We are the devil's kind
We are the devil's kind
And now I won't back down
I said I won't back down
I am the devil's... kind