Green Day, Bang Bang | Track Review 🎵

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Green Day returns fiery with single “Bang Bang,” the promo single for forthcoming album, Revolution Radio.

Following a four-year hiatus, Green Day returns with “Bang Bang”, the promo single for forthcoming album, Revolution Radio.  Revolution Radio follows a trio of albums from punk-revivalist band.  Unfortunately, the trio of albums didn’t perform particularly well on the charts.  Green Day has to be looking to rekindle the success of the likes of American Idiot (2004) and follow-up, 21^st Century Breakdown (2009), both commercially successful, Grammy-winning efforts.   

There is plenty to feast upon with “Bang Bang.” The record features a killer driving bass line, “balls to the walls” guitars, and pummeling drums.  The majority of the song is quite loud – understatement of the year.  What more can you ask for rock fans?

Expectedly, the vocals are aggressive and unapologetic.  Typical Billie Joel Armstrong, the singer is at his best when he’s fiery. The lyrics are difficult to decipher at times. Initially, this puts more weight on the sound and energy.  After examining the lyrics, “Bang Bang” makes more sense, particularly upon successive listens.

Ultimately, “Bang Bang” is about mass shootings, according to interview with Billie Joe Armstrong in Rolling Stone. The lyrics certainly suggest anger, angst, and the lust for attention.   

“I got a fever for the violent behavior

I’m sweatin’ bullets like a modern Romeo

…I testify like a lullaby of memories

broadcasting live and it’s on my radio”

The chorus confirms the sick message of the protagonist.

“Bang, bang, give me fame

Shoot me up to entertain

I am a semi-automatic lonely boy

You’re dead, I’m well fed

Give me death or give me head

Daddy’s little psycho and mommy’s little soldier.”

Final Thoughts 

“Bang Bang” is one of Green Day’s loudest songs in years.  Jam-packed with energy, the song never backs down. “Bang Bang” is definitely reminiscent of the 90s, when punk-revivalism was “kind of a big deal.”

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Green Day • Revolution Radio • Reprise • Release: 10.7.16

Photo Credit: Reprise