7. Green Day, “Jesus of Suburbia”

[American Idiot, 2004]

“I read the graffiti in the bathroom stall / like the holy scriptures of the shopping mall / and so it seemed to confess / it didn’t say much, but it only confirmed / that the center of the earth is the end of the world / and I could really care less”

https://youtu.be/SA8v3B1SxR0

“I’m the son of rage and love / the Jesus of Suburbia / from the bible of “none of the above.”  

Sigh, few people associate Green Day with Jesus. They would be correct not to associate the two. “Jesus of Suburbia” makes religious references, but not in the most “Christian way possible.” Sift through the lyrics of the conceptual rock song and it’s definitely NOT biblical! Over its course and many parts, it’s clear that the protagonist is rebellious and could care less about moral and spiritual authority – he is on his own path and controls his own destiny.  The music video confirms.

“Everyone is so full of sh*t / born and raised by hypocrites / hearts recycled but never saved / from the cradle to the grave”