Green Day Songs Ranked

Green Day is an American rock band formed in 1986 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt. For much of the band’s career, they have been a trio with drummer Tré Cool, who replaced John Kiffmeyer in 1990 prior to the recording of the band’s second studio album, Kerplunk (1991). Green Day was originally part of the punk scene at the DIY 924 Gilman Street club in Berkeley, California. The band’s early releases were with the independent record label Lookout! Records. In 1994, their major-label debut Dookie, released through Reprise Records, became a breakout success and eventually shipped over 10 million copies in the U.S., Green Day is credited with popularizing mainstream interest in punk rock in the United States. Here are Green Day‘s top songs ranked.

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20. Know Your Enemy (21st Century Breakdown, 2009)

“I will be honest, when I first listened to this song I did not listen deeply enough to the lyrics and thus was surprised when I heard that it had won an award for deep and meaningful lyrics. But if you listen to it closely, it becomes so much easier to see how its great. Not only does it have a great rhythm but it sends a strong warning to people to avoid corruption and violence in the world as it labels it as the ‘enemy’. Billie almost demands the question to the listener “Do you know the enemy? ” indicating that it is extremely important to be aware of such evils I the world.”

19. Geek Stink Breath (Insomniac, 1995)

“This song is off the underrated insomniac, and of course a song of American idiot is number one. not that American idiot is a bad album, but geek stink breath and insomniac blow boulevard and American idiot away. My dreams were broken when I heard that song. but geek stink breath is amazing should be much higher”

18. East Jesus Nowhere (21st Century Breakdown, 2009)

“The musicals that you get can’t be compared to any of the above, with the riff being motivating, the chorus making you burst with anger and everything else. This song is a masterpiece.”

17. 21st Century Breakdown (21st Century Breakdown, 2009)

“I just love the sound and the lyrics. They’re meaningful and they really say something. It’s just a super cool song especially that part when you here Tre Cool playing that drum part and it just builds up sorta like an eager/anger type of feeling and then all of a sudden it stops and it goes into a sorta of love song type of thing and then your anger just goes away. That’s amazing.”

See more: Green Day Albums Ranked (Top 5)

16. Whatsername (American Idiot, 2004)

“This song is easily one of the most relatable songs that Billie has ever written and is definitely the most underrated of all of their songs.(with the exception of Redundant of course) but the chorus at the end is so emotionally striking, the part that goes “remember, whatever it seems like forever ago” and this is not only In My opinion the best GD song but probably the second most emotional one (after wake me up when September ends)”

15. Minority (Warning, 2000)

“Just a great rock song, from the catchy acoustic line to the thundering chorus. It really is everything a good rock song should be. And if your still not convinced, it does have a pretty neat harmonica solo…”

14. Hitchin’ a Ride (Nimrod, 1997)

“This song definitely deserves to be in the top 10! Better than welcome to paradise and definitely better than 21 guns! Please please listen to the song and then vote. The only drawback with that is that you won’t be able to stop listening to it!”

13. Homecoming (American Idiot, 2004)

“When I started listening to Green Day this song used to be my favorite one. I mean come on I can’t understand why people just don’t love it. I adore it more than anything. The lyrics, the rhythm, the fact that they’re all singing (except from Jason but he wasn’t an official member of the band back then), the passion, even the length of the song is just impressive and even though usually it’s tiring to listen to a 10 minute song, this one is so incredible! It is literally done before you can even understand it began. I remember how I always like melted in the last part, where Billie sings “Here they come marching down the street” I don’t even know what’s so different about that part but I just love Billie’s voice in it. Also this song LIVE is just incredible! It’s so energetic and it’s so unfair it’s so underrated!”

12. Brain Stew (Insomniac, 1995)

“This song is kick-ass with its sister song, jaded. The whole feeling of the song from start to finish gets you pumped and then jaded comes and just kicks you in the balls. I also find it quite funny that Billy has a lisp in this song as some lyrics he says funny”

11. Welcome to Paradise (Kerplunk, 1991)

“So good it had to come back in another album, Warner sure knew they would be missing out on this brilliant song if they didn’t buy the rights for it at the time. Fast and strong, without hurting us. It seems to me like it compiles 90% of Green Day’s aura and crams it all in this 3 minute song.”

10. When I Come Around (Dookie, 1994)

“Amazing Song, makes me think about my friends and buddies. Just pure awesomeness: the riff and the lyrics. The bass is also pretty awesome and Tre does a great job with a few drum fills.”

9. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) (Nimrod, 1997)

“Yes this song has been used countless times for graduation and yes it seems overplayed but there is no doubt that this song is lightyears better than Boulevard of Broken Dreams and 21 Guns. This song is relatable to anyone and everyone and is simple, short and gets the message across which is what Green Day is best at.”

8. Longview (Fresh Meat, 1992)

“One of the best punk songs ever. Its dynamics is awesome. The chorus is really heart grabbing. And the bridge! (I’ve got no motivation) is great. And just compare the lyrics with the name! Does it strike?”

7. 21 Guns (21st Century Breakdown, 2009)

“Can’t define this song.. Just.. Ahhh it’s so addicting I can’t sleep without listening to it. And after waking up I listen to this, too.. It.. It has something enchanting, mesmerizing in it… The lyrics, the thoughts.. It reaches the inside so deeply.. And. And. The voice.. I LOVE the VOICE.. So.. So mind provoking and killer voice.. I love billy’s voice and yes the guitar and every damn thing about this song.. The music, the everything speaks my words and to my depth.. This and the boulevard of broken dreams.. These two are my favorite of Green Day. I love them after these songs. And yah all of the songs are awesome- so different from any other band.. The intensity… And this song is EPIC”

See more: Peter Green Albums Ranked

6. American Idiot (American Idiot, 2004)

“Full of passion and creativity. Serious don’t understand why Broken Dreams is their most popular song, yeah, it’s emotional and whatever but it’s so boring. This song clocks in at just over 9 minutes and it’s full of emotion and personal stories, it’s powerful and engaging the entire time. Easily the best song by Green Day. Their other hits do have catchier hooks though.”

5. Wake Me Up When September Ends (American Idiot, 2004)

“It’s about his father’s death, and it hits me really hard. I’ve never seen them live (yet) but I’ve seen live videos from them and in the middle of him singing it, he choked up, kept singing, but it looked like he was crying a little. It’s so emotional and amazing and you can hear the emotion in his voice straight from the heart. It’s beautiful.”

4. Holiday (American Idiot, 2004)

“This song is absolutely amazing. It’s got everything a song should: killer riff, an amazing bass bridge and energetic drums the whole way through. And the best part, it wasn’t about love so it sets itself apart from other songs about love and losing your love of your life and blah blah blah. It’s is so rebellious and it’s an anthem. It’s anti-war so you can sing it and not get beat up on the streets. It’s energetic, simple and loud. The way a lot of songs should be.”

3. Jesus of Suburbia (American Idiot, 2004)

“One of the best songs of all time, it really speaks out to the teenage population suffering from depressing lives. The song practically describes the life of an adolescent named Jesus who is so well revered in the teenage society that he may as well be a god, but he leads a very hedonistic lifestyle, full of sex, drugs, alcohol, and graffiti. His mother tells he needs to stop but he calls her pathetic and when he finds out his girlfriend dumped him he leaves town, but not after placing a handprint (made of his own blood) on a bathroom wall. The song ends with a loud blaring “I don’t care!”. This song really depicts the animalistic lifestyle that leads many teenagers to shame and sadness.”

2. Basket Case (Dookie, 1994)

“This is exactly what a song should be, catchy, but you don’t even know it is catchy. Fast and slow, aggressive and mellow, it is all going on at the same time. I think this song is the blood that runs through Green Day’s veins. It is not Green day, because is bigger than a song, but this is the one which makes Green Day what it is.”

1. Boulevard of Broken Dreams (American Idiot, 2004)

“Simply put: it’s the BEAST! Hands down this is an AWESOME song. LOVE it! Listen to it once and your hooked. It’s AMAZING! Love the music and lyrics has a nice meaning ” I walk a lonely road the only one that I have ever known, don’t know where it goes but it’s home to me and I walk alone” don’t we all feel like that sometimes”