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{{Short description|2004 single by Green Day}}
{{Short description|2004 single by Green Day}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{refimprove}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = American Idiot
| name = American Idiot
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| B-side = Too Much Too Soon
| B-side = Too Much Too Soon
| released = {{start date|2004|8|6}}<ref name=CTE-US/>
| released = {{start date|2004|8|6}}<ref name=CTE-US/>
| recorded =
| recorded = 2003
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = * [[Punk rock]]
| genre = * [[Punk rock]]
* [[pop-punk]]
| length = 2:54
| length = 2:54
| label = [[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
| label = [[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
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}}
}}


"'''American Idiot'''" is a [[protest song]]<ref name="protest">{{cite web |last1=Ensminger |first1=David |title=The Top 20 Punk Protest Songs for July 4th |url=https://www.popmatters.com/top-20-punk-protest-songs-2495836398.html?rebelltitem=13#rebelltitem13 |website=[[PopMatters]] |access-date=August 31, 2020 |date=July 4, 2020 }}</ref> by the American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Green Day]]. The first single released from the album ''[[American Idiot]]'', the song received positive reviews by critics and was nominated for four [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005 Grammy Awards]]: [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]], [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]], and [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]]. It is considered one of the band's [[signature song]]s.{{not in body}}
"'''American Idiot'''" is a [[protest song]]<ref name="protest">{{cite web |last1=Ensminger |first1=David |title=The Top 20 Punk Protest Songs for July 4th |url=https://www.popmatters.com/top-20-punk-protest-songs-2495836398.html?rebelltitem=13#rebelltitem13 |website=[[PopMatters]] |access-date=August 31, 2020 |date=July 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517130357/https://www.popmatters.com/top-20-punk-protest-songs-2495836398.html?rebelltitem=13#rebelltitem13 |url-status=live }}</ref> by the American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Green Day]]. The first single released from the album ''[[American Idiot]]'', the song received positive reviews by critics and was nominated for four [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005 Grammy Awards]]: [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]], [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]], and [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]].


==Background==
==Background==
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| description = A 15-second sample of "American Idiot"
| description = A 15-second sample of "American Idiot"
}}
}}
"American Idiot" was written in the key of [[A-flat major|A{{music|flat}} major]]. The song is composed of four chords, the I-IV-{{music|b}}VII-IV-I-{{music|b}}VII progression, while the chorus and solo share the IV-I-V-I progression.<ref name="totalguitar04">{{cite journal|title=Learn to Play: Green Day - American Idiot|pages=42–44|date=October 2004|journal=[[Total Guitar]]|location=[[London]]|issn= 1355-5049 |publisher=[[Future plc]]}}</ref> The song is classified as a [[punk rock]]<ref name="AltPress">{{cite web |title=Every Green Day album ranked |url=https://www.altpress.com/green-day-albums-ranked/ |website=AltPress |access-date=December 22, 2022 |date=April 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name="protest"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/185074-united-states-of-rage-and-love-green-days-american-idiot-introductio/|title=United States of Rage and Love: Green Day's 'American Idiot' - Introduction and "American Idiot"|work=PopMatters|access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref> and [[pop-punk]] song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxMEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22American+Idiot%22+%22title+track%22+%22punk+pop%22&pg=PA46|title=Billboard August 28, 2004|date=August 28, 2004|access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref> The musical style of the song has been cited as a mix of the [[melodic punk]] of [[Social Distortion]] and the hard rock of [[Joan Jett]].<ref name="Wiederhorn">{{cite web |last1=Wiederhorn |first1=Jon |title=Green Day Album Preview: Politics, Dynamics And A Rock Opera |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/8b91gv/green-day-album-preview-politics-dynamics-and-a-rock-opera |website=[[MTV]] |access-date=December 22, 2022}}</ref> Armstrong plays a [[Gibson Les Paul Junior|1956 Les Paul Junior]] on the song, switching to a reissued 1959 flame-top Les Paul for the double-tracked guitar solo. Armstrong was initially reluctant to pursue recording a solo, fearing it to be corny. He eventually decided against this, as he hoped for the album to be "about being 15 and rocking out in front of a mirror."{{sfn|DiPerna|2005|p=24}} The song's format and cadence was influenced by the [[Midnight Oil]] song "[[US Forces (song)|US Forces]]", which Armstrong was introduced to through his wife.{{sfn|Winwood|2010|p=50}}
"American Idiot" was written in the key of [[A-flat major|A{{music|flat}} major]]. The song is composed of four chords, the I-IV-{{music|b}}VII-IV-I-{{music|b}}VII progression, while the chorus and solo share the IV-I-V-I progression.<ref name="totalguitar04">{{cite journal|title=Learn to Play: Green Day - American Idiot|pages=42–44|date=October 2004|journal=[[Total Guitar]]|location=[[London]]|issn= 1355-5049 |publisher=[[Future plc]]}}</ref> The song is classified as a [[punk rock]]<ref name="AltPress">{{cite web |title=Every Green Day album ranked |url=https://www.altpress.com/green-day-albums-ranked/ |website=AltPress |access-date=December 22, 2022 |date=April 7, 2022 |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222140501/https://www.altpress.com/green-day-albums-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="protest"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/185074-united-states-of-rage-and-love-green-days-american-idiot-introductio/|title=United States of Rage and Love: Green Day's 'American Idiot' - Introduction and "American Idiot"|work=PopMatters|access-date=April 29, 2015|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313133545/http://www.popmatters.com/post/185074-united-states-of-rage-and-love-green-days-american-idiot-introductio/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[pop-punk]] song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxMEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22American+Idiot%22+%22title+track%22+%22punk+pop%22&pg=PA46|title=Billboard August 28, 2004|date=August 28, 2004|access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref> The musical style of the song has been cited as a mix of the [[melodic punk]] of [[Social Distortion]] and the hard rock of [[Joan Jett]].<ref name="Wiederhorn">{{cite web |last1=Wiederhorn |first1=Jon |title=Green Day Album Preview: Politics, Dynamics And A Rock Opera |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/8b91gv/green-day-album-preview-politics-dynamics-and-a-rock-opera |website=[[MTV]] |access-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223010957/https://www.mtv.com/news/8b91gv/green-day-album-preview-politics-dynamics-and-a-rock-opera |url-status=dead }}</ref> Armstrong plays a [[Gibson Les Paul Junior|1956 Les Paul Junior]] on the song, switching to a reissued 1959 flame-top Les Paul for the double-tracked guitar solo. Armstrong was initially reluctant to pursue recording a solo, fearing it to be corny. He eventually decided against this, as he hoped for the album to be "about being 15 and rocking out in front of a mirror."{{sfn|DiPerna|2005|p=24}} The song's format and cadence was influenced by the [[Midnight Oil]] song "[[US Forces (song)|US Forces]]", which Armstrong was introduced to through his wife.{{sfn|Winwood|2010|p=50}}

==Release==
==Release==
[[File:Fox News Channel newsroom.jpg|thumb|[[Billie Joe Armstrong]] touches on the idea that [[mainstream media]] has caused [[paranoia]] among the American public in a post-[[September 11 attacks|9/11]] world. Armstrong also suggests that these same media outlets are [[brainwashing]] their viewers through [[propaganda]] and [[Subliminal stimuli|subliminal messaging]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hopper |first=Alex |date=2022-08-10 |title=Behind The Meaning of Green Day's Protest Song "American Idiot" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-american-idiot-green-day-song-lyrics/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-10 |title=Green Day's "American Idiot" Lyrics Meaning |url=https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/green-days-american-idiot-lyrics-meaning/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Song Meanings and Facts |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Day - American Idiot Lyrics Meaning |url=https://www.lyricinterpretations.com/green-day/american-idiot |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Lyric Interpretations}}</ref>]]
[[File:Fox News Channel newsroom.jpg|thumb|[[Billie Joe Armstrong]] touches on the idea that [[mainstream media]] has caused [[paranoia]] among the American public in a post-[[September 11 attacks|9/11]] world. Armstrong also suggests that these same media outlets are [[brainwashing]] their viewers through [[propaganda]] and [[Subliminal stimuli|subliminal messaging]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hopper |first=Alex |date=2022-08-10 |title=Behind The Meaning of Green Day's Protest Song "American Idiot" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-american-idiot-green-day-song-lyrics/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226053547/https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-american-idiot-green-day-song-lyrics/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-10 |title=Green Day's "American Idiot" Lyrics Meaning |url=https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/green-days-american-idiot-lyrics-meaning/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Song Meanings and Facts |language=en-US |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226053547/https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/green-days-american-idiot-lyrics-meaning/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Day - American Idiot Lyrics Meaning |url=https://www.lyricinterpretations.com/green-day/american-idiot |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Lyric Interpretations |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226053547/https://www.lyricinterpretations.com/green-day/american-idiot |url-status=live }}</ref>]]


Released in 2004, the single peaked at number 61 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], becoming Green Day's first ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart entry.<ref name="chart beat">{{cite magazine|title=Chart Beat Bonus|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/66943/chart-beat-bonus|magazine=Billboard |date=March 23, 2001|access-date=December 3, 2011}}</ref>{{failed verification}} All of Green Day's other hits had only managed to chart on the [[Hot 100 Airplay]] chart or the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100]] chart.<ref name="chart beat" /> However, the appearance of "American Idiot" on the US singles charts occurred just prior to [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']]'s inclusion of Internet download purchases into their ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart data, which would have made a significant difference in the song's peak had it benefited from the new chart tabulation system.<ref>{{cite news | first = Geoff | last = Mayfield | title = Billboard Hot 100 To Include Digital Streams | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1050326/billboard-hot-100-to-include-digital-streams |work=Billboard magazine | date = August 4, 2007 | access-date =July 30, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022316/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1050326/billboard-hot-100-to-include-digital-streams | archive-date = June 14, 2013 }}</ref> "American Idiot" became Green Day's first top-five single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 3, and it debuted at number 1 in Canada. In Australia, the song reached number 7 was ranked number 22 on [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2004|Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004]]. Green Day performed the song at the 2005 [[Grammy Awards]].{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} "American Idiot" has sold 1,371,000 copies as of July 2010.<ref name="AIUSsales">{{cite web|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=Week Ending July 25, 2010: It's Every Rapper For Himself|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-25-2010-its-every-rapper-for-himself.html|publisher=Yahoo! Music|access-date=December 3, 2011|quote=Green Day fan: American Idiot (the song) has sold 1,371,000. Jesus Of Suburbia: 204K Holiday 1,452,000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203040533/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-25-2010-its-every-rapper-for-himself.html|archive-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref>
Released in 2004, the single peaked at number 61 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], becoming Green Day's first ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart entry.<ref name="hot100"/> The appearance of "American Idiot" on the US singles charts occurred just prior to [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']]'s inclusion of Internet download purchases into their ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart data, which would have made a significant difference in the song's peak had it benefited from the new chart tabulation system.<ref>{{cite news | first = Geoff | last = Mayfield | title = Billboard Hot 100 To Include Digital Streams | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1050326/billboard-hot-100-to-include-digital-streams |work=Billboard magazine | date = August 4, 2007 | access-date =July 30, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022316/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1050326/billboard-hot-100-to-include-digital-streams | archive-date = June 14, 2013 }}</ref> "American Idiot" became Green Day's first top-five single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 3, and it debuted at number 1 in Canada, their only #1 single there. In Australia, the song reached number 7 was ranked number 22 on [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2004|Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004]]. Green Day performed the song at the 2005 [[Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Green Day's Electrifying "American Idiot" Performance In 2005 {{!}} GRAMMY Great Performances {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://grammy.com/videos/green-day-american-idiot-performance-2005-grammys-great-performances |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=grammy.com}}</ref> "American Idiot" has sold 1,371,000 copies {{As of|2010|07|lc=y}}.<ref name="AIUSsales">{{cite web|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=Week Ending July 25, 2010: It's Every Rapper For Himself|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-25-2010-its-every-rapper-for-himself.html|publisher=Yahoo! Music|access-date=December 3, 2011|quote=Green Day fan: American Idiot (the song) has sold 1,371,000. Jesus Of Suburbia: 204K Holiday 1,452,000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203040533/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-25-2010-its-every-rapper-for-himself.html|archive-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref>


Ian Winwood of ''[[Kerrang!]]'' said that "Green Day did for their generation, and their country, what the [[Sex Pistols]] did for the United Kingdom in 1977, for a nation sick with love for a parasitical royal family."<ref name="kerrang12">{{cite journal|author=Ian Winwood|title=The Secrets Behind The Songs: "American Idiot"|date=May 9, 2012|journal=[[Kerrang!]]|location=[[London]]|issn= 0262-6624|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|issue=1414}}</ref>
Ian Winwood of ''[[Kerrang!]]'' said that "Green Day did for their generation, and their country, what the [[Sex Pistols]] did for the United Kingdom in 1977, for a nation sick with love for a parasitical royal family."<ref name="kerrang12">{{cite journal|author=Ian Winwood|title=The Secrets Behind The Songs: "American Idiot"|date=May 9, 2012|journal=[[Kerrang!]]|location=[[London]]|issn= 0262-6624|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|issue=1414}}</ref>


⚫
=== Live version ===
[["Weird Al" Yankovic]] released a parody of American Idiot on his 2006 album [[Straight Outta Lynwood]] under the name [[Canadian Idiot]]. The lyrics make fun of [[Canada]] and are about Canadian stereotypes.

⚫
==Music video==
⚫
The music video for "American Idiot" shows the band playing in a warehouse against a green American flag (a reference to the name of the band), which only has 48 stars. In the middle of the video, the band is seen playing at different speeds (fast, slow-motion, and normal speed). During the bridge, the stripes of the flag melt onto the floor. The band is then sprayed by a green liquid from amplifiers next to the flag. At the end, the band drop their instruments and leave.<ref>{{cite web|title=Green Day - American Idiot [OFFICIAL VIDEO]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI|website=www.youtube.com|publisher=YouTube|access-date=17 August 2014}}</ref> The song's video was directed by [[Samuel Bayer]]. The video won the [[MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice|Viewer's Choice Award]] and also nominated as [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61627/green-day-dominates-mtv-video-music-awards|title=Green Day Dominates MTV Video Music Awards|magazine=Billboard|date=August 29, 2005|access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref>

⚫
==Live version==
Green Day's 2011 live album ''[[Awesome as Fuck]]'' contained a live rendition of the song, featuring an extended [[guitar solo]], recorded in [[Montreal, Quebec]], Canada, on the [[21st Century Breakdown World Tour]]. It was also featured in their 2005 live album ''[[Bullet in a Bible]]'', set at [[National Bowl|Milton Keynes Bowl]].
Green Day's 2011 live album ''[[Awesome as Fuck]]'' contained a live rendition of the song, featuring an extended [[guitar solo]], recorded in [[Montreal, Quebec]], Canada, on the [[21st Century Breakdown World Tour]]. It was also featured in their 2005 live album ''[[Bullet in a Bible]]'', set at [[National Bowl|Milton Keynes Bowl]].

⚫
== Music video ==
⚫
The music video for "American Idiot" shows the band playing in a warehouse against a green American flag (a reference to the name of the band), which only has 48 stars. In the middle of the video, the band is seen playing at different speeds (fast, slow-motion, and normal speed). During the bridge, the stripes of the flag melt onto the floor. The band is then sprayed by a green liquid from amplifiers next to the flag. At the end, the band drop their instruments and leave.<ref>{{cite web|title=Green Day - American Idiot [OFFICIAL VIDEO]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI|website=www.youtube.com| date=August 21, 2012 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=17 August 2014|archive-date=January 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110195358/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI|url-status=live}}</ref> The song's video was directed by [[Samuel Bayer]]. At MTV's [[MTV Video Music Awards|Video Music Awards]], the video won the [[MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice|Viewer's Choice Award]] and was also nominated for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61627/green-day-dominates-mtv-video-music-awards|title=Green Day Dominates MTV Video Music Awards|magazine=Billboard|date=August 29, 2005|access-date=October 2, 2019|archive-date=October 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002205630/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61627/green-day-dominates-mtv-video-music-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Accolades==
==Accolades==
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==Use as a protest song==
==Use as a protest song==
In advance of [[Donald Trump]]'s [[List of presidential trips made by Donald Trump during 2018#July|visit to the UK in July 2018]], a campaign to get "American Idiot" to the top of the UK song charts was launched.<ref name="ind01">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/american-idiot-trump-uk-visit-green-day-protest-campaign-a8439871.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710205514/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/american-idiot-trump-uk-visit-green-day-protest-campaign-a8439871.html |archive-date=2018-07-10 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|date=July 10, 2018|title=American Idiot by Green Day hits UK charts ahead of Trump visit|author=Roisin O'Connor|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> On the Official UK Charts dated 13 July 2018, the song re-entered the [[UK Singles Chart]] at 25 and the [[UK Singles Downloads Chart]] at number 2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/green-days-american-idiot-back-in-the-top-40-as-president-trump-visits-uk__23386/|title=Green Day's American Idiot back in the Top 40 as President Trump visits UK|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=2018-07-13|work=Official Charts Company|access-date=2018-07-16|language=en}}</ref>
In advance of [[Donald Trump]]'s [[List of presidential trips made by Donald Trump during 2018#July|visit to the UK in July 2018]], a campaign to get "American Idiot" to the top of the UK song charts was launched.<ref name="ind01">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/american-idiot-trump-uk-visit-green-day-protest-campaign-a8439871.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710205514/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/american-idiot-trump-uk-visit-green-day-protest-campaign-a8439871.html |archive-date=2018-07-10 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|date=July 10, 2018|title=American Idiot by Green Day hits UK charts ahead of Trump visit|author=Roisin O'Connor|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> On the Official UK Charts dated 13 July 2018, the song re-entered the [[UK Singles Chart]] at 25 and the [[UK Singles Downloads Chart]] at number 2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/green-days-american-idiot-back-in-the-top-40-as-president-trump-visits-uk__23386/|title=Green Day's American Idiot back in the Top 40 as President Trump visits UK|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=2018-07-13|work=Official Charts Company|access-date=2018-07-16|language=en|archive-date=July 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717013202/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/green-days-american-idiot-back-in-the-top-40-as-president-trump-visits-uk__23386/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2019, Billie Joe Armstrong began changing the lyric "I'm not a part of a redneck agenda" to "I'm not a part of a [[MAGA]] agenda" during live performances. The lyrical variation received renewed popular attention following Green Day's televised performance at [[Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve|New Year's Rockin' Eve 2024]]. Armstrong has been strongly critical of Donald Trump, comparing him to [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Atkinson |first1=Katie |title=Green Day Take Aim at Trump With Some New 'American Idiot' Lyrics at 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/green-day-american-idiot-trump-lyrics-iheartradio-festival-8530668/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=20 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=American idiots are completely missing the point of Green Day's American Idiot |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/american-idiots-are-completely-missing-the-point-of-green-days-american-idiot |website=Louder |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=20 January 2021}}</ref>
During [[Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign|Trump's presidential run in 2016]], Billie Joe Armstrong began changing the lyric "the subliminal, mind-fuck America" to "the subliminal mind-Trump America" during live performances of "American Idiot",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/11/07/green-day-american-idiot-trump/|title=Donald Trump: Green Day change American Idiot lines to diss candidate|author=Goodman, Jessica |work=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> and in 2019, he added another change, shifting "I'm not a part of a redneck agenda" to "I'm not a part of the [[MAGA]] agenda". The lyrical variation received renewed popular attention following Green Day's televised performance at [[Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve|New Year's Rockin' Eve 2024]]. Armstrong has been strongly critical of Donald Trump, comparing him to [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Atkinson |first1=Katie |title=Green Day Take Aim at Trump With Some New 'American Idiot' Lyrics at 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/green-day-american-idiot-trump-lyrics-iheartradio-festival-8530668/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709151823/https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/green-day-american-idiot-trump-lyrics-iheartradio-festival-8530668/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=American idiots are completely missing the point of Green Day's American Idiot |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/american-idiots-are-completely-missing-the-point-of-green-days-american-idiot |website=Louder |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=20 January 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709151824/https://www.loudersound.com/news/american-idiots-are-completely-missing-the-point-of-green-days-american-idiot |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Track listings==
==Track listings==
{{tracklist
| headline = Promo
| title1 = American Idiot (Censored Version)
| length1 = 2:56
| title2 = American Idiot
| length2 = 2:54
}}

{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = Europe single (CD 1)
| headline = Europe single (CD 1)
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! scope="row"{{single chart|Austria|18|artist=Green Day|song=American Idiot}}
! scope="row"{{single chart|Austria|18|artist=Green Day|song=American Idiot}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"|Canada ([[Canadian Singles Chart|Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/green-day/chart-history/cns/|title=Green Day Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 22, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="row"|Canada ([[Canadian Singles Chart|Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/green-day/chart-history/cns/|title=Green Day Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504174832/https://www.billboard.com/artist/green-day/chart-history/cns/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 1
| 1
|-
|-
! scope="row"|Canada Rock Top 30 (''[[Radio & Records]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-10-01.pdf|title=R&R Canada Rock Top 30|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1575|page=62|date=October 1, 2004|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="row"|Canada Rock Top 30 (''[[Radio & Records]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-10-01.pdf|title=R&R Canada Rock Top 30|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1575|page=62|date=October 1, 2004|access-date=October 7, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111192436/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-10-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 5
| 5
|-
|-
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| 38
| 38
|-
|-
! scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2004/BB-2004-10-02.pdf|title=Hits of the World – Eurocharts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=116|issue=40|page=39|date=October 2, 2004|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref>
! scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2004/BB-2004-10-02.pdf|title=Hits of the World – Eurocharts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=116|issue=40|page=39|date=October 2, 2004|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212610/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2004/BB-2004-10-02.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 10
| 10
|-
|-
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! scope="row"{{single chart|Italy|13|artist=Green Day|song=American Idiot}}
! scope="row"{{single chart|Italy|13|artist=Green Day|song=American Idiot}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"|Netherlands ([[:nl:Tipparade|Dutch Tipparade 40]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/green-day/green-day-american-idiot-13322|title=Green Day – American Idiot|publisher=[[Dutch Top 40]]|language=nl|access-date=June 6, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="row"|Netherlands ([[:nl:Tipparade|Dutch Tipparade 40]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/green-day/green-day-american-idiot-13322|title=Green Day – American Idiot|publisher=[[Dutch Top 40]]|language=nl|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627055333/https://www.top40.nl/green-day/green-day-american-idiot-13322|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 4
| 4
|-
|-
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! scope="row"{{single chart|UKrock|1|date=20040925|access-date=December 22, 2019|refname="ukr1"}}
! scope="row"{{single chart|UKrock|1|date=20040925|access-date=December 22, 2019|refname="ukr1"}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardhot100|61|artist=Green Day}}
! scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardhot100|61|artist=Green Day|refname="hot100"}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|1|artist=Green Day}}
! scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|1|artist=Green Day}}
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! scope="col" | Position
! scope="col" | Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2004/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=January 12, 2021}}</ref>
! scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2004/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016183710/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2004/singles-chart|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 57
| 57
|-
|-
! scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2004.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2004|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|access-date=December 22, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2004.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2004|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=October 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015110737/http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2004.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 95
| 95
|-
|-
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|relyear=2004|title=American Idiot|artist=Green Day|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2014|certmonth=1|digital=true|access-date=September 6, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|relyear=2004|title=American Idiot|artist=Green Day|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2014|certmonth=1|digital=true|access-date=September 6, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|award=Gold|source=archive}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|award=Gold|source=archive}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2024|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|accessdate=February 22, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=August 19, 2022|id=470-2001-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=August 19, 2022|id=470-2001-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|award=Gold|digital=true|refname=CTE-US}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|award=Gold|digital=true|refname=CTE-US}}
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|{{hlist|[[Active rock]]|[[alternative radio]]}}
|{{hlist|[[Active rock]]|[[alternative radio]]}}
|rowspan="5"|[[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-08-06.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1567|page=23|date=August 6, 2004|access-date=June 17, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-08-06.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1567|page=23|date=August 6, 2004|access-date=June 17, 2021|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803051533/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-08-06.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Music download|Digital download]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Music download|Digital download]]
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|-
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|United Kingdom
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|United Kingdom
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Idiot-Explicit/dp/B001F4N048/|title=American Idiot [Explicit]|publisher=Amazon|access-date=June 17, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Idiot-Explicit/dp/B001F4N048/|title=American Idiot [Explicit]|publisher=Amazon|access-date=June 17, 2021|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205195117/https://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Idiot-Explicit/dp/B001F4N048|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|September 13, 2004
|September 13, 2004
|CD
|CD
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=27|date=September 11, 2004}}</ref>
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=27|date=September 11, 2004}}</ref>
|}

==5 Seconds of Summer version==
{{Infobox song
| name = American Idiot
| cover =
| alt =
| type = Song
| artist = [[5 Seconds of Summer]]
| album = [[Amnesia (5 Seconds of Summer song)#Track listing|Amnesia]]
| released = June 11, 2014
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:57
| label = {{hlist|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[Hi or Hey Records|Hi or Hey]]}}
| writer = [[Billie Joe Armstrong]]
| producer = [[John Feldmann]]
}}

Australian [[pop rock]] band [[5 Seconds of Summer]] covered the song and released it on June 11, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2tlskf/5sos-green-day-american-idiot-cover-kerrang|title=5SOS Crush Green Day's 'American Idiot'|website=[[MTV]]|author=Gil Kaufman|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212193403/https://www.mtv.com/news/2tlskf/5sos-green-day-american-idiot-cover-kerrang|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song was released as part of ''[[Kerrang!]]''{{'}}s tribute album to ''[[American Idiot]]'', marking the record's 10-year anniversary.<ref name="Music Times">{{cite web|url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/6725/20140611/listen-5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-twitter.htm|title=Listen: 5 Seconds Of Summer Cover Green Day 'American Idiot', Twitter Fans Go Insane For New Song|website=Music Times|author=Carolyn Menyes|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102210716/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/6725/20140611/listen-5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-twitter.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also included on their ''[[Amnesia (5 Seconds of Summer song)#Track listing|Amnesia]]'' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/amnesia-ep/1445037707|title=Amnesia - EP by 5 Seconds of Summer|website=[[Apple Music]]|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/amnesia-ep/1445037707|url-status=live}}</ref> The band performed the track live on ''[[The Howard Stern Show]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/55189/20151119/5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-howard-stern.htm|title=5 Seconds of Summer Cover Green Day's 'American Idiot' on Howard Stern [WATCH]|website=Music Times|author=Carolyn Menyes|date=November 19, 2015|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=January 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103202534/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/55189/20151119/5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-howard-stern.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
The cover was met with mostly positive reviews from music critics. Haley Blum of [[USA Today]] called the track, "pretty good." She stated, "The guys, who play their own instruments [...] produce a pretty faithful rendition of the track."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2014/06/11/american-idiot-5-seconds-of-summer-cover-green-day-kerrang/77299332/|title=5 Seconds of Summer covers Green Day's 'American Idiot' and, hey, it's pretty good|website=[[USA Today]]|author=Haley Blum|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2014/06/11/american-idiot-5-seconds-of-summer-cover-green-day-kerrang/77299332/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Fuse.tv]] remarked, "The cover is fairly faithful, but it does have 5SOS flair."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fuse.tv/2014/06/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot|title=5 Seconds of Summer Flawlessly Cover Green Day's 'American Idiot'|website=[[Fuse.tv]]|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://www.fuse.tv/2014/06/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot|url-status=live}}</ref> Michelle McGahan of [[PopCrush]] praised the band's harmonies on the track.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://popcrush.com/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot/|title=5 Seconds of Summer Cover Green Day's 'American Idiot' - And It's Amazing|website=[[PopCrush]]|author=Michelle McGahan|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://popcrush.com/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot/|url-status=live}}</ref> Carolyn Menyes of ''Music Times'' gave a less positive review, criticizing the band's use of autotune and vocal distortion that "make this song sound not quite as biting as the Green Day version" and the track's overproduction.<ref name="Music Times"/>

===Charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "American Idiot"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
|-
! scope="row"| Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=43348|title=ARIA Chartifacts 15-September-2014|website=Australian-charts.com|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103139/http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=43348|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 89
|-
|}
|}


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{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


⚫
{{Green Day}}{{Green Day songs}}{{MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice}}
{{Green Day}}
⚫
{{MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:2004 singles]]
[[Category:2004 singles]]
[[Category:American Idiot]]
[[Category:American Idiot]]
[[Category:Anti-war songs]]
[[Category:Anti-Iraq War songs]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of American people]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of American people]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of George W. Bush]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of George W. Bush]]
[[Category:Green Day songs]]
[[Category:Green Day songs]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Samuel Bayer]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Samuel Bayer]]
[[Category:Protest songs]]
[[Category:Reprise Records singles]]
[[Category:Reprise Records singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Rob Cavallo]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Rob Cavallo]]
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[[Category:Songs written by Billie Joe Armstrong]]
[[Category:Songs written by Billie Joe Armstrong]]
[[Category:Spike Video Game Award winners]]
[[Category:Spike Video Game Award winners]]
[[Category:Anti-American sentiment in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 10:35, 9 November 2024

"American Idiot"
Single by Green Day
from the album American Idiot
B-side"Too Much Too Soon"
ReleasedAugust 6, 2004 (2004-08-06)[1]
Recorded2003
Genre
Length2:54
LabelReprise
Composer(s)Green Day
Lyricist(s)Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer(s)
Green Day singles chronology
"Waiting"
(2001) 		"American Idiot"
(2004) 		"Boulevard of Broken Dreams"
(2004)
Music video
"American Idiot" on YouTube

"American Idiot" is a protest song[2] by the American rock band Green Day. The first single released from the album American Idiot, the song received positive reviews by critics and was nominated for four 2005 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rock Song, and Best Music Video.

Background

[edit]

One of the two explicitly political songs on the album (the other being fellow single "Holiday"),[3] "American Idiot" says that mass media has orchestrated paranoia and idiocy among the public. Citing cable news coverage of the Iraq War, Billie Joe Armstrong recalled, "They had all these Geraldo-like journalists in the tanks with the soldiers, getting the play-by-play." He felt with that, American news crossed the line from journalism to reality television, showcasing violent footage intercut with advertisements.[4] Armstrong went on to write the song after hearing the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "That's How I Like It" on his car radio.[5] "It was like, 'I'm proud to be a redneck' and I was like, 'oh my God, why would you be proud of something like that?' This is exactly what I'm against."[6] Songwriter Mike Dirnt felt many people would be insulted by the track until they realized that, rather than it being a finger-pointing song of anger, it could be viewed as a "call for individuality".[7] The song emphasizes strong language, juxtaposing the words "faggot" and "America", to create what he imagined would be a voice for the disenfranchised.[8]

In a 2004 interview with Q Magazine, the three members of Green Day discussed the idea of flag desecration in relation to their song, with Armstrong and Dirnt being the most supportive: "It means nothing to me. Let's burn the fucking thing."[9]

Composition

[edit]
"American Idiot"
A 15-second sample of "American Idiot"
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"American Idiot" was written in the key of A♭ major. The song is composed of four chords, the I-IV-♭VII-IV-I-♭VII progression, while the chorus and solo share the IV-I-V-I progression.[10] The song is classified as a punk rock[11][2][12] and pop-punk song.[13] The musical style of the song has been cited as a mix of the melodic punk of Social Distortion and the hard rock of Joan Jett.[14] Armstrong plays a 1956 Les Paul Junior on the song, switching to a reissued 1959 flame-top Les Paul for the double-tracked guitar solo. Armstrong was initially reluctant to pursue recording a solo, fearing it to be corny. He eventually decided against this, as he hoped for the album to be "about being 15 and rocking out in front of a mirror."[4] The song's format and cadence was influenced by the Midnight Oil song "US Forces", which Armstrong was introduced to through his wife.[5]

Release

[edit]
Billie Joe Armstrong touches on the idea that mainstream media has caused paranoia among the American public in a post-9/11 world. Armstrong also suggests that these same media outlets are brainwashing their viewers through propaganda and subliminal messaging.[15][16][17]

Released in 2004, the single peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Green Day's first Billboard Hot 100 chart entry.[18] The appearance of "American Idiot" on the US singles charts occurred just prior to Billboard's inclusion of Internet download purchases into their Billboard Hot 100 chart data, which would have made a significant difference in the song's peak had it benefited from the new chart tabulation system.[19] "American Idiot" became Green Day's first top-five single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 3, and it debuted at number 1 in Canada, their only #1 single there. In Australia, the song reached number 7 was ranked number 22 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004. Green Day performed the song at the 2005 Grammy Awards.[20] "American Idiot" has sold 1,371,000 copies as of July 2010.[21]

Ian Winwood of Kerrang! said that "Green Day did for their generation, and their country, what the Sex Pistols did for the United Kingdom in 1977, for a nation sick with love for a parasitical royal family."[3]

Live version

[edit]

Green Day's 2011 live album Awesome as Fuck contained a live rendition of the song, featuring an extended guitar solo, recorded in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on the 21st Century Breakdown World Tour. It was also featured in their 2005 live album Bullet in a Bible, set at Milton Keynes Bowl.

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "American Idiot" shows the band playing in a warehouse against a green American flag (a reference to the name of the band), which only has 48 stars. In the middle of the video, the band is seen playing at different speeds (fast, slow-motion, and normal speed). During the bridge, the stripes of the flag melt onto the floor. The band is then sprayed by a green liquid from amplifiers next to the flag. At the end, the band drop their instruments and leave.[22] The song's video was directed by Samuel Bayer. At MTV's Video Music Awards, the video won the Viewer's Choice Award and was also nominated for Best Art Direction.[23]

Accolades

[edit]

"American Idiot" was ranked the number 13 Single of the Decade by Rolling Stone magazine in 2009. VH1 also placed the song at number 13 on its Top 100 Songs of the 2000s in 2011.[24] Rolling Stone ranked it number 432 of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2010, the only Green Day song on the list.[25] The song is certified Gold in the United Kingdom for sales of 400,000.[26]

Use as a protest song

[edit]

In advance of Donald Trump's visit to the UK in July 2018, a campaign to get "American Idiot" to the top of the UK song charts was launched.[27] On the Official UK Charts dated 13 July 2018, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at 25 and the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number 2.[28]

During Trump's presidential run in 2016, Billie Joe Armstrong began changing the lyric "the subliminal, mind-fuck America" to "the subliminal mind-Trump America" during live performances of "American Idiot",[29] and in 2019, he added another change, shifting "I'm not a part of a redneck agenda" to "I'm not a part of the MAGA agenda". The lyrical variation received renewed popular attention following Green Day's televised performance at New Year's Rockin' Eve 2024. Armstrong has been strongly critical of Donald Trump, comparing him to Adolf Hitler.[30][31]

Track listings

[edit]
Promo
No.TitleLength
1."American Idiot (Censored Version)"2:56
2."American Idiot"2:54
Europe single (CD 1)
No.TitleLength
1."American Idiot"2:54
2."Too Much Too Soon"3:33
Europe single (CD 2)
No.TitleLength
1."American Idiot"2:54
2."Shoplifter"1:52
3."Governator" (lyrics written by Mike Dirnt)2:31

7-inch picture disc

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."American Idiot"2:54
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Too Much Too Soon"3:33
DVD Single
No.TitleLength
1."American Idiot" (music video)3:02
2."American Idiot" (live at the Grammy Awards in 2005)3:17

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel adapted from American Idiot single liner notes[32]

Production

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "American Idiot"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[61] Gold 35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[62] 5× Platinum 400,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[63] Gold 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[64] Platinum 50,000‡
Japan (RIAJ)[65] Gold 100,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[66] Gold 5,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[67] Platinum 60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[1] Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "American Idiot"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States August 6, 2004
Reprise [69]
Digital download [1]
Germany [70]
United Kingdom [71]
September 13, 2004 CD [72]

5 Seconds of Summer version

[edit]
"American Idiot"
Song by 5 Seconds of Summer
from the album Amnesia
ReleasedJune 11, 2014
Length3:57
Label
Songwriter(s)Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer(s)John Feldmann

Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer covered the song and released it on June 11, 2014.[73] The song was released as part of Kerrang!'s tribute album to American Idiot, marking the record's 10-year anniversary.[74] It was also included on their Amnesia EP.[75] The band performed the track live on The Howard Stern Show.[76]

Critical reception

[edit]

The cover was met with mostly positive reviews from music critics. Haley Blum of USA Today called the track, "pretty good." She stated, "The guys, who play their own instruments [...] produce a pretty faithful rendition of the track."[77] Fuse.tv remarked, "The cover is fairly faithful, but it does have 5SOS flair."[78] Michelle McGahan of PopCrush praised the band's harmonies on the track.[79] Carolyn Menyes of Music Times gave a less positive review, criticizing the band's use of autotune and vocal distortion that "make this song sound not quite as biting as the Green Day version" and the track's overproduction.[74]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "American Idiot"
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[80] 89

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "American single certifications – Green Day – American Idiot". Recording Industry Association of America.
  2. ^ a b Ensminger, David (July 4, 2020). "The Top 20 Punk Protest Songs for July 4th". PopMatters. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Ian Winwood (May 9, 2012). "The Secrets Behind The Songs: "American Idiot"". Kerrang! (1414). London: Bauer Media Group. ISSN 0262-6624.
  4. ^ a b DiPerna 2005, p. 24.
  5. ^ a b Winwood 2010, p. 50.
  6. ^ "Viva La Revolution!". Q. May 2009. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  7. ^ "International Superhits". Kerrang! (1061). London: Bauer Media Group: 52–53. June 18, 2005. ISSN 0262-6624.
  8. ^ Lanham 2004, p. 122.
  9. ^ "Bored of the USA". www.greendayauthority.com. December 1, 2004. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  10. ^ "Learn to Play: Green Day - American Idiot". Total Guitar. London: Future plc: 42–44. October 2004. ISSN 1355-5049.
  11. ^ "Every Green Day album ranked". AltPress. April 7, 2022. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "United States of Rage and Love: Green Day's 'American Idiot' - Introduction and "American Idiot"". PopMatters. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  13. ^ "Billboard August 28, 2004". August 28, 2004. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  14. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon. "Green Day Album Preview: Politics, Dynamics And A Rock Opera". MTV. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  15. ^ Hopper, Alex (August 10, 2022). "Behind The Meaning of Green Day's Protest Song "American Idiot"". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "Green Day's "American Idiot" Lyrics Meaning". Song Meanings and Facts. August 10, 2020. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
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  29. ^ Goodman, Jessica (November 7, 2016). "Donald Trump: Green Day change American Idiot lines to diss candidate". Entertainment Weekly.
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  74. ^ a b Carolyn Menyes (June 11, 2014). "Listen: 5 Seconds Of Summer Cover Green Day 'American Idiot', Twitter Fans Go Insane For New Song". Music Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  75. ^ "Amnesia - EP by 5 Seconds of Summer". Apple Music. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
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  77. ^ Haley Blum (June 11, 2014). "5 Seconds of Summer covers Green Day's 'American Idiot' and, hey, it's pretty good". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
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