Greenday...

[LemonDrop080]

I was wondering if Greenday's song Jesus Of Suburbia is blasphemous. Anyone know?

 

[Z500]

who cares? green day is boring.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

....no...

Ever heard of a metaphor?

 

[Argon88]

I just bought American Idiot and I think, - so fare - that the cd is briliant. But, this is before I've really gone over the lyrics. I'm hopeing to do that this weekend...

 

[something from the fridge]

....no...

Ever heard of a metaphor?

so, if i use God's name in vain, i can just say it is in a metaphorical sense.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

The cd is like the story of a really troubled guy. He isn't claiming to be Jesus, or claiming divinity. The song does make a reference to the "character" not being religious but the artists aren't bashing religion, making fun of Christ, or doing anything else blasphemous. At worst it is using the Lord's name in vain which is in 17,000 other artist's songs discused in this forum.

 

[Ilium]

It isn't using the "Lord's name" in vain because Jesus isn't your Lord. Jesus is the son of your lord, to be correct. And.. Greenday is a sell out and sucks just like all other bands that use their music as a way to spread their political propaganda do. Edit, and if you want to see a real album about a troubled guy, listen to Nine Inch Nails- The Downward Spiral.

 

[foo-oswald]

It isn't using the "Lord's name" in vain because Jesus isn't your Lord. Jesus is the son of your lord, to be correct.

No, to be correct, Jesus is our Lord. God is...God. Or, as most translations have it worded: LORD in all caps. Two different meanings, technically...

And.. Greenday is a sell out and sucks just like all other bands that use their music as a way to spread their political propaganda do. Edit, and if you want to see a real album about a troubled guy, listen to Nine Inch Nails- The Downward Spiral.

Well, said. Rep points comin' at ya!!

 

[taz16]

greenday is awesome

 

[philN]

Greenday is a sell out

I really hate how everyone *****es about how a band "sold out" when they get some popularity. I think it's the ego and pretense that sickens me most about the indie and punk scenes. Sure, Green Day got some popularity, but maybe that's because they write catchy pop-punk songs that have decent hooks; popularity doesn't automatically mean that compromised something to get where they are. They are in a band. It is their job. They rely on that job to make an income. And it's pretty naive to think that a band should turn down some additional income and a wider fanbase just to satisfy the needs of a few elitist punk kids whose inferiority complex prevents them from liking anything that anyone else likes and whose cynicism is rooted mostly in their desire for a false sense of superiority over their peers.

and sucks just like all other bands that use their music as a way to spread their political propaganda do.

I agree, to an extent. It was a little contrived that they released American Idiot when they did. But when you get past their intent in some of the songs, there is some decent social commentary and some decent songwriting. Part of me will always be devoted to Green Day since Dookie was a gateway to a whole other world of music. And while I can objectively look at albums like Warning and see that they were pretty weak, I can likewise objectively look at American Idiot and see glimpses of things that made me fall in love with this band so many years ago. And I think that if American Idiot opens some kid's eyes to the bands that influenced them (e.g. The Clash, the Ramones), then it is probably worth having a few more didactic, politically charged songs on the radio.

Just my two cents.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I don't think that song (one of the best songs on a great album in my opinion ) is at all blashphemous. I think it is a socio-political comment about the "Christianity" of much of suburban, middle class America. That which is a far cry from the teaching of the poor Galilean man in 1st century Palestine.

"The Jesus of Suburbia is a lie" isn't anti-Jesus. It is against a perceived false Jesus that is a cultural creation to suit middle America.

...this is what I think the band is saying at least.

 

[nvrbnunloved]

I really hate how everyone *****es about how a band "sold out" when they get some popularity. I think it's the ego and pretense that sickens me most about the indie and punk scenes. Sure, Green Day got some popularity, but maybe that's because they write catchy pop-punk songs that have decent hooks; popularity doesn't automatically mean that compromised something to get where they are. They are in a band. It is their job. They rely on that job to make an income. And it's pretty naive to think that a band should turn down some additional income and a wider fanbase just to satisfy the needs of a few elitist punk kids whose inferiority complex prevents them from liking anything that anyone else likes and whose cynicism is rooted mostly in their desire for a false sense of superiority over their peers.

I agree, to an extent. It was a little contrived that they released American Idiot when they did. But when you get past their intent in some of the songs, there is some decent social commentary and some decent songwriting. Part of me will always be devoted to Green Day since Dookie was a gateway to a whole other world of music. And while I can objectively look at albums like Warning and see that they were pretty weak, I can likewise objectively look at American Idiot and see glimpses of things that made me fall in love with this band so many years ago. And I think that if American Idiot opens some kid's eyes to the bands that influenced them (e.g. The Clash, the Ramones), then it is probably worth having a few more didactic, politically charged songs on the radio.

Just my two cents.

I totally agree Well said!

I think Green Day rock, I don't care if the whining purists think they sold out,excuse me, but I like their music, their lyrics and the politics behind the songs. Punk ain't punk if it ain't protesting! And who said punk could only be punk if nobody bought / liked it???

 

[ani]

I think that by "sold out" people mean that Green Day is just trying too hard to be shocking and provocative (like about politics and stuff) just to get money.

 

[Infernal Freak]

I don't think they were blashpheming nor do I think that was even their intent. I have several magazines with them in it, one being Guitar Legends. In issue #81 they comment on their album American Idiot and selected songs off of it...one, of course being Jesus of Suburbia. Here's a quote from the artical:

"Jesus of Suburbia, the main character of Armstrong's magnum optus, also arose directly from 'American Idiot.' 'I started thinking, who would be an example of an American idiot?" says Armstrong 'And I came up with Jesus of Suburbia. I wrote the first two lines and it just fit, especialy because I was crossing that line between government and religion and ****ing with that a little bit. I don't know **** about the Bible either. So I wrote my own.' The heroes of rock operas-Tommy, The Wall's Pink-often become messianic figures at some point in their narrative trajectory. But Armstrong's Jesus of Suburbia is a mock-ironic messiah, a powerless 'everyman' anesthetized by televisiona nd a 'steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin.' He's an ant-hero, really' says Armstrong. 'But that's what I've always been drawn to. That's the difference between a rock opera and a punk rock opera, I guess. It comes from more of a lower-middle-class suburban kid's perspective.' Which is to say, Armstrong's own perspective. He admits there are autobiographical elements in the character. For instance, in the songs 'East 12 Street,' Jesus of Suburbia-or someone like him-winds up performing mind-numbing paperwork in an office. 'There's a police station on 12th Street in Oakland [California, Green Day's hometown],' Armstrong reveals. 'After I got charged with a DUI, I had to do a whole bunch of paperwork there to satisfy my community service requirment.' Throughout American Idiot, Armstrong draws a direct line of caused connection between contemporary American social dysfunction-broken homes, Ritalin kids, reality TV-and the Bush ascendancy. 'Bush is a former Ritalin kid who happens to be one of the most powerful men in the world right now,' Armstrong says. 'We're a pacified country, a Prozac nation. People are putting band-aids on the problems and that's supposed to be okay. They're government-issue tranquilizers-just get everyone to agree and keep them drugged as well, and then feel 'em bull****.'"

That's a little insight on what Billy Joe has to say about it. [I could find more, but this magazine's closest and easiest to find GD stuff in it ] Anyway, like I said...I don't think they're blaspheming Christianity or even Jesus...Billy Joe Armstrong [the lead singer, if you aren't aware] even stated that he hardly knew anything about the Bible. The whole Jesus thing was nothing more than a uniqe, and catchy, way of getting through to people. Just to show you a few things:

Get my television fix sitting on my crucifix
The living room in my private womb
While the moms and brads are away
To fall in love and fall in debt
To alcohol and cigarettes and Mary Jane
To keep me insane and doing someone else's cocaine

That's a nice little description of the way all too many teens are and how they grow up. It isn't a pretty picture, but you'd be surprised at how many teens go through it...many of my friends do. I'm lucky enough not to have to grow up in that type of household and fall into that type of lifestyle.

At the center of the Earth
In the parking lot
Of the 7-11 were I was taught
The motto was just a lie
It says home is where your heart is
But what a shame
Cause everyone's heart
Doesn't beat the same
It's beating out of time

City of the dead
At the end of another lost highway
Signs misleading to nowhere
City of the damned
Lost children with dirty faces today
No one really seems to care

They have quite a point there. Many people feel that way about their homes and the lives they're leading. About the last part...yes that's true too. As Americans, we take a lot for granted and are very selfish. We don't seem to care about those less fortunate.

Everyone is so full of ****
Born and raised by hypocrites
Hearts recycled but never saved
From the cradle to the grave

I tend to feel the same way at times.

To live and not to breathe
Is to die In tragedy
To run, to run away
To find what you believe
And I leave behind
This hurricane of ****ing lies
I lost my faith to this
This town that don't exist

So I run
I run away
To the light of [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]
And I leave behind
This hurricane of ****ing lies
And I walked this line
A million and one ****ing times
But not this time

I don't feel any shame
I won't apologize

When there ain't nowhere you can go
Running away from pain
When you've been victimized
Tales from another broken home

Again, this sounds like a lot of teens these days.

I just don't understand how using the name is blasphemy, really. All they're doing is trying to catch attention...and regardless if you think so or not, the song has a good meaning. It depicts America, generally speaking of course.

 

[nvrbnunloved]

I think that by "sold out" people mean that Green Day is just trying too hard to be shocking and provocative (like about politics and stuff) just to get money.

Generally speaking, I have found that punk purists complain when musicians de-politicise their music and go "mainstream", so I don't see how they can be accused of selling out. Punk music is meant to be provocative.

 

[Chrome]

....no...

Ever heard of a metaphor?

indeed, just because a song has jesus or God in the title doesn't mean it is anti-jesus/god, or for it for that matter.
examples:
Slayer's 'Jesus Saves'
Depeche Mode's 'Personal Jesus'

 

[Infernal Freak]

so, if i use God's name in vain, i can just say it is in a metaphorical sense.

You're completely taking that out of context and you know it. I, even being a non-christian, know what saying God or Jesus in vain is [not that I abide by that...but I'm aware of what it is nonetheless.] Metaphorically, you can say it in vain...yes...but just because someone does say something about God or Jesus metaphorically doesn't mean it's necessarily in vain. That's the same way with saying it in general. For example: saying oh my god isn't necessarily in vain, sometimes it is...sometimes it isn't. Stop being stupid, you know exactly what he meant by saying it was metaphorical.

 

[philN]

I think the commandment about taking God's name in vain is quite possibly the most misunderstood of all of the commandments. That said, I think that there are praise songs that are more blasphemous and more disrespectful to the name of Christ than a non-christian using His name to shed light on sterility and hypocrisy of modern religion.

If anything, I think Christians should be shocked at their own behavior when the see the character that Armstrong presents. They have allowed their Lord and Savior to be emasculated -- not by having someone use His name in a song, but by not showing love as He taught and by living lives of willful complaceny and ignorance.

Generally speaking, I have found that punk purists complain when musicians de-politicise their music and go "mainstream", so I don't see how they can be accused of selling out. Punk music is meant to be provocative.

Punk purist find things to complain about regardless of what a bands message is. I hate to say it, but it is true. If a band makes any changes in their sound or lyrics it is generally interpretted as selling out. There isn't a whole lot of room in the punk scene for maturing as musicians. That said, I completely agree that a punk band showing their political leanings should not be considered selling out; the Clash were one of the most politically active bands of their time. It is a little contrived, and could be perceived more as propaghanda than art, if a band suddenly develops political outspokenness during an election; however, I think it is their freedom as a band to make whatever record they want.

 

[kleptobismol]

i like greenday a lot despite them being so anti bush...

 

[OpenTheSky8]

no.