Another Billion Streams (Again)

Just now on Instagram I saw a post from Green Day's official account and they announced that "Wake Me Up When September Ends" has officially reached a billion streams on Spotify! It is Green Day's fourth song and the third American Idiot track to reach a billion. "Wake Me Up When September Ends" has now entered the billion club along with "Basket Case", "American Idiot", and "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams".

Congratulations to "Wake Me Up When September Ends"!

That Stupid Meme

I really don't want to write about this infamous topic on this blog but I just have some things to say about the situation.

Unfortunately, today one of my Facebook friends shared that stupid September meme everyone likes to post. There was a part of me that wanted to remind them what "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is about but I didn't want to go into it further to make my point, because I feel it wouldn't make a difference.

I don't want to explain what the song's about on here because it has been explained many times before from people (if you do want to know, just Google it), but here's a question I would like to ask: How would YOU feel if you wrote a song about a loved one who's passed away and suddenly see everyone making fun of it and joking about it on social media?

"Wake Me Up When September Ends" is a very personal song to Billie Joe, a song that means a lot to him, and when Green Day would perform it live Billie would get really emotional, even break down at times. I don't want Billie to be hurt and I heard that he said he gets uncomfortable whenever people would post about it. The whole "tImE tO wAkE tHe gReEn dAy gUy uP" meme really gets on my nerves, and I just wish it would vanish so everybody can have something better to do with their lives.

In conclusion, I'm completely sick of it and never want to hear or talk about it ever again. It's not funny and never has been. And before any of you are thinking of posting it, I want you to pay attention to these lyrics and the meaning behind it:

"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"

Another Billion Streams

Two days ago I discovered that "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" hit one billion streams on Spotify. It's the third Green Day song to reach that mark, with the first being "Basket Case" and the second "American Idiot".

Congratulations to my favorite Green Day song!

20 Years Has Gone So Fast

In the early part of 2005 something happened which I can never imagine my life without it.

I was 12 at the time, and one day I was watching music videos on TV with my siblings. One of the videos that came on was Green Day's "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams". I had previously seen the video for "American Idiot" and to me I thought the band looked super annoying in the video. But once I saw the video for "Boulevard", my opinions changed because that was when I looked at Billie Joe Armstrong.

And I fell in love.

Fast forward 20 years later, I am now in my early thirties but I still have a huge crush on Billie Joe. My love for him remains strong after all these years.

I remember my mom telling me that she was unsure about me having a crush on Billie at the time, because she thought it was unacceptable for a pre-teen girl to have a crush on a guy who swears in songs and sings about explicit topics ("Longview" for example). But despite this, she didn't stop me from getting the posters from the teen magazines, watching music videos and interviews, and hearing the songs on the radio. Plus she would always get me pictures and merchandise for birthdays and Christmases.

When I was 19 and 20, my aunt would tell me a few times to get over Billie Joe because, in her own words, I was grown up. I didn't want to let him go (and still don't), because there's just something about him and I can't explain how much Billie means to me. To me he's the most handsome man in the world, and even at almost 53 he looks like he hasn't aged. He still looks the same, although honestly I miss how his singing voice used to sound on American Idiot.

I guess that's pretty much it, but I have a feeling I will continue to love Billie Joe throughout the rest of my life. Like I said, I can't imagine my life without him. <3

Grammy Wins

Yesterday the 2025 Grammy Awards happened and I saw pictures of Green Day at the event. The band got three nominations: Best Rock Performance for "The American Dream Is Killing Me", Best Rock Song for "Dilemma", and Best Rock Album for Saviors. I didn't watch the Grammys because I don't really care for it, but unfortunately I heard that Green Day didn't win...

So far throughout their career Green Day won five Grammy Awards. Best Alternative Album for Dookie in 1995; Best Rock Album for American Idiot in 2005; Record Of The Year for "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" in 2006; Best Rock Album for 21st Century Breakdown in 2010; and Best Musical Show Album for the Broadway Cast Recording of the American Idiot musical in 2011.

American Idiot 20

I know I'm four days late but it's finally here, the 20th anniversary reissue of American Idiot! I love it and it even came with some goodies! Here are the photos that I took.

Here are the front, back, and side of the box.

I saved the sticker that was on the plastic wrap.

And now for the inside: The original American Idiot album that comes in a special sleeve.

B-Sides & Bonus Tracks. Has six live songs from Green Day's March 19, 2005 concert at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, Japan; four b-sides and four songs from the VH1 Storytellers special from February 15, 2005.

Demos. I listened to the demos at work and my favorite is "Lowlife", an early version of "Dearly Beloved", the fourth suite in "Jesus Of Suburbia".

Live at Irving Plaza. Green Day performed at the Irving Plaza in New York City on September 21, 2004, American Idiot's release date. Has all of the songs from the album, plus "Minority" and their cover of Queen's "We Are The Champions".

Two Blu-ray discs. First one is the Heart Like A Hand Grenade documentary from the 2010's; second one is a new documentary, 20 Years Of American Idiot, and BBC Live, which has Green Day's appearances on Top Of The Pops and Later... With Jools Holland. Unfortunately I don't have a Blu-ray player....

Heart Like A Hand Grenade.

20 Years Of American Idiot and BBC Live.

And finally the goodies. A 44-page booklet.

Front.

Back.

A cloth patch.

Four stickers.

A set of three enamel badges.

All in all, I love this box set and seeing the patch, stickers and badges brought back memories of me getting Green Day merchandise from Hot Topic during that time.

Happy 20th Anniversary American Idiot

It's hard to believe American Idiot came out 20 years ago today. The thought of it makes me feel old because I remember what it was like back in the day, and I feel grateful to be a part of it. The amazing thing is it still holds up and sounds like it could be a record from today. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Happy anniversary American Idiot!

Bob Gruen American Idiot Photos

Here are the American Idiot photographs that were featured in my book, complete with comments from photographer Bob Gruen and Green Day.

*All photos by Bob Gruen*

Park Place, NYC, September 22, 2004.

Fuse TV Studio, NYC, November 12, 2005. Bob Gruen: "I went to take a group picture of the band when Billie Joe picked up a copy of my John Lennon book I had just given him, holding it up like a Playboy centerfold. Tré and Mike immediately got the joke... this band is always on the same page with the same sense of humor."

Park Place, NYC, September 22, 2004. Green Day: "This was a free pop-up show we played on the release day of American Idiot."

Park Place, NYC, September 22, 2004. Bob Gruen: "Authorities closed off an entire city block near Wall Street for an after-work Green Day party."

Lower East Side, NYC, January 6, 2005.

Backstage before show at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005. Mike Dirnt: "I had just thrown up – this was Green Day's first stadium show in America."

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005.

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005. Tré Cool: "To stay young looking, Tré Cool recommends a hot iron to the face twice a day."

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005.

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005. Mike Dirnt: "Onstage I s*** my pants multiple times! Tour flu. The show must go on..."

One Billion Streams

Recently "American Idiot" has now reached one billion streams on Spotify. It is Green Day's second song to reach that milestone, with the first being "Basket Case".

Congratulations "American Idiot"!

Green Day: Photographs by Bob Gruen

My sister got me this book for my birthday and it's a collection of Green Day photographs that were all taken by photographer Bob Gruen throughout the years. There are even some photos that Bob took during the American Idiot era, and I will show those pictures at some point when I have the time. Love this so much! <3

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday and there's something that made me realize, and it's a weird feeling.

Today I am now the age Billie Joe was when American Idiot first came out. Crazy, right?

Pre-Ordered

Just want to quickly say that I pre-ordered my copy of the deluxe edition on Amazon. I can't wait until it arrives!

#AmericanIdiot20 Official Release

A year ago I wrote on my previous post that Green Day had announced a special edition reissue of Dookie for its 30th anniversary and it made me wonder if they would do the same thing for the 20th anniversary of American Idiot. Then later I heard that the band would be celebrating the two albums' anniversaries on the Saviors Tour.

As of today Green Day are touring in North America and on the setlist they performed a few songs from Saviors, ALL of the songs from Dookie and American Idiot, and a couple other tracks. That is over 30 songs and a couple days ago Green Day had to postpone one of the shows because Billie Joe lost his voice. I hope he is feeling better and getting rest.

But recently I heard exciting news; Green Day revealed a 20th anniversary deluxe edition for American Idiot and it will come out on the 25th of October! It includes the original album, live songs, demos, and b-sides. I'm thinking of getting it, because it is such an important anniversary and I totally remember how huge American Idiot was. It was everywhere. And even though I was too young to get the album at the time, it was one of the most important times in my life.

After when the announcement came out I saw clips from that era and it gave me a rush of nostalgia. It made me miss that time period and how the band used to look, especially Billie Joe. <3

#AmericanIdiot20 Release?

Recently on Green Day's social media accounts they announced a special edition of their major label debut, Dookie, for its 30th anniversary. It contains the original album, plus demos and live songs that were unreleased.

But not only is 2024 Dookie's 30th anniversary but it is also the 20th anniversary of American Idiot. (Gosh I feel old for saying that...) It makes me wonder if Green Day will do something for American Idiot, which I really hope they do.

Please let #AmericanIdiot20 happen!

11/12/2023 Update: This month Green Day announced a world tour to promote their upcoming new album Saviors next year. And the tour is also celebrating the 30th and 20th anniversaries of Dookie and American Idiot. At least Green Day is celebrating the latter album's anniversary but I hope a reissue will come out at some point.

WMUWSE DVD

This is a Canadian promotional DVD that has the music video for "Wake Me Up When September Ends." A decade ago this was given to me by a friend of my brother's who lives in Canada.

Don't Wanna Be An American Idiot

Happy Fourth. A quick discussion on this post, but the third verse from "American Idiot" rings so true of what's been going on in the US in recent years.

"Don't wanna be an American idiot

One nation controlled by the media

Information age of hysteria

It's calling out to idiot America"

Magazine Posters #9

From the November 2005 issue of Tiger Beat. Again, sorry for the reflection.

Magazine Posters #8

This poster was from the June or July 2005 issue of Bop Magazine. It's on my wall so sorry for the reflection.

Green Day's Top 5 Popular Songs (Spotify)

I recently got Spotify and I want to share a list of Green Day's five most popular songs at the moment on the app. There are three songs from American Idiot on there!

1. Basket Case (843,028,513)

2. American Idiot (758,237,028)

3. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (609,877,955)

4. Wake Me Up When September Ends (608,023,203)

5. Good Riddance [Time Of Your Life] (535,075,493)

The Search for My Favorite Green Day Photo

Last November I posted about my favorite Green Day picture of all time but this time I want to talk about it again, and here is a story I want to share.

Between 2007 and 2008 I remember going on Photobucket to look at and save pictures of Green Day and Billie Joe on the computer. One day in '08 I found a small GIF that showed four pictures of Billie Joe, and the fourth picture was this:

I thought he looked so handsome and I wanted to find the full photo of it since it was cropped on the GIF. But unfortunately I didn't have any luck finding the photo. I really wanted it so bad.

In 2012 I made a Twitter account and sometime in 2013 I started looking at Green Day pictures that were posted by the fan accounts. I was hoping they would post that photo but they didn't. I was disappointed but I kept searching for it.

Then in the Spring of 2014 I was looking at the Green Day pictures on Twitter and I came across a tweet from a fan account. The account posted a picture and wrote, "Their eyes..." I opened up the tweet and it showed this photo.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I had found it at last, after six years of searching! I was so happy I actually cried happy tears, and I saved the photo. But later I found a better quality version of this picture on the Green Day Authority website.

In 2017 I made my own calendar on Shutterfly and I added a lot of Green Day pictures on it. For one of the months I added this photo, and when I was done using the calendar I cut it out along with the rest of the pictures and put it in a frame. I would love to have another copy of this photo because I love it so much. <3