Insomniac
1.
Armatage Shanks
Posted by Amanda on April 18 2010
In an interview with Billie Joe he stated that "Armatage Shanks is a brand of toilets made in the UK" In other words the name is completely random, but at the same time it connects to the song. Billie is singing about how his or someone else's life is in the toilet. They're pessimistic, claustrophobic, and they can't even trust themselves. Not only do they have their own problems, but society's push on them is making it worse and now they're not sure what to do.
1/4
Posted by Nick123 on January 27 2010
Actually, there was an interview where BJ said the song actually WAS random but it was like that so he could express mixed emotions about war and love and everything else.
2/4
Posted by johnny on January 03 2010
It's a pretty random song the first time you listen to the lyrics. But after a while you realize it's about just being confused and frustrated all the time and how much of an idiot you really are once you can open your goddamn eyes. Billie is trying to get that message out to everyone.
3/4
Posted by Matt M. on May 27 2009
In the opening song to Insomniac, Billie expresses his love/hate relationship with himself, including his frequent panic attacks, and bouts of loneliness. Similar to songs on Dookie, he illustrates his complete lack of trust in society as well as his insisting on being a constant pessimist in regards to his own life. This first song in a way illustrates the undeniably bratty punk rock tone that the album aggresively delivers.
4/4
Armatage Shanks
Posted by Amanda on April 18 2010
In an interview with Billie Joe he stated that "Armatage Shanks is a brand of toilets made in the UK" In other words the name is completely random, but at the same time it connects to the song. Billie is singing about how his or someone else's life is in the toilet. They're pessimistic, claustrophobic, and they can't even trust themselves. Not only do they have their own problems, but society's push on them is making it worse and now they're not sure what to do.
Posted by Nick123 on January 27 2010
Actually, there was an interview where BJ said the song actually WAS random but it was like that so he could express mixed emotions about war and love and everything else.
Posted by johnny on January 03 2010
It's a pretty random song the first time you listen to the lyrics. But after a while you realize it's about just being confused and frustrated all the time and how much of an idiot you really are once you can open your goddamn eyes. Billie is trying to get that message out to everyone.
Posted by Matt M. on May 27 2009
In the opening song to Insomniac, Billie expresses his love/hate relationship with himself, including his frequent panic attacks, and bouts of loneliness. Similar to songs on Dookie, he illustrates his complete lack of trust in society as well as his insisting on being a constant pessimist in regards to his own life. This first song in a way illustrates the undeniably bratty punk rock tone that the album aggresively delivers.
2.
Brat
Posted by Lyndsey McNitt on May 27 2009
"Brat" is a song about all of the trust-fund babies, all of the surbubia kids, all of the rich kids, who don't have respect for their parents and just see them as a bank and cannot wait until the day they die so they get their parents money.
Brat
Posted by Lyndsey McNitt on May 27 2009
"Brat" is a song about all of the trust-fund babies, all of the surbubia kids, all of the rich kids, who don't have respect for their parents and just see them as a bank and cannot wait until the day they die so they get their parents money.
3.
Stuck With Me
Posted by little tre on April 02 2010
In this song, the narrator (Billie Joe) is pretty much saying that he is a loser and doesn't really care if he gets "thrown back into the gutter".
1/2
Posted by Tommy Ten Fingers on May 28 2009
Stuck With Me is a song that was written for every person who has ever been put down in their life by somebody who thinks they are better. The lyrics reject that elitism, and describe the desperate sense of alone-ness the dejected constantly feel.
2/2
Stuck With Me
Posted by little tre on April 02 2010
In this song, the narrator (Billie Joe) is pretty much saying that he is a loser and doesn't really care if he gets "thrown back into the gutter".
Posted by Tommy Ten Fingers on May 28 2009
Stuck With Me is a song that was written for every person who has ever been put down in their life by somebody who thinks they are better. The lyrics reject that elitism, and describe the desperate sense of alone-ness the dejected constantly feel.
4.
Geek Stink Breath
Posted by little tre on April 02 2010
BJ wrote this because of all the bad things that happen to you after doing drugs. Mainly meth.
1/8
Posted by Adam on August 06 2009
FYI, BIllie had some meth bouts now and then in the early days. I think he realized how destructive and useless it was before getting clean and then writing this.
2/8
Posted by sean on June 07 2009
This song is about destroying yourself with meth.
3/8
Posted by Jen on June 06 2009
This song is about the side effects of doing drugs.
4/8
Posted by Katherine on June 02 2009
Billie Joe wrote this about how everyone in the Bay Area started getting into going Meth. The lyrics talk of the effects of doing meth.
5/8
Posted by H347H32 on June 02 2009
This song is about a meth addict. The lyrics "I made my decision/to lead a path of self-destruction" explain how, although he knows it's destroying him, he continues to get high and he can't control himself any longer.
6/8
Posted by Dana B on June 02 2009
This song is about someone who does drugs, and what effect the drugs have had on them: "Killing my complexion and rotting out my teeth"
7/8
Posted by 4thWarmasterKais on June 01 2009
'Geek Stink Breath' talks about the negative effects of drug usage; Billie Joe was sick of watching pople waste their lives away with drugs.
8/8
Geek Stink Breath
Posted by little tre on April 02 2010
BJ wrote this because of all the bad things that happen to you after doing drugs. Mainly meth.
Posted by Adam on August 06 2009
FYI, BIllie had some meth bouts now and then in the early days. I think he realized how destructive and useless it was before getting clean and then writing this.
Posted by sean on June 07 2009
This song is about destroying yourself with meth.
Posted by Jen on June 06 2009
This song is about the side effects of doing drugs.
Posted by Katherine on June 02 2009
Billie Joe wrote this about how everyone in the Bay Area started getting into going Meth. The lyrics talk of the effects of doing meth.
Posted by H347H32 on June 02 2009
This song is about a meth addict. The lyrics "I made my decision/to lead a path of self-destruction" explain how, although he knows it's destroying him, he continues to get high and he can't control himself any longer.
Posted by Dana B on June 02 2009
This song is about someone who does drugs, and what effect the drugs have had on them: "Killing my complexion and rotting out my teeth"
Posted by 4thWarmasterKais on June 01 2009
'Geek Stink Breath' talks about the negative effects of drug usage; Billie Joe was sick of watching pople waste their lives away with drugs.
5.
No Pride
Posted by Blehhh on January 10 2010
It might be about a person who got kicked down and now is feeling like crap, and warning some other guy about it so that that guy doesn't end up having no pride too
1/2
Posted by dallasthemenace on May 26 2009
just a feeling of not belonging, or being a black sheep, of sorts. and not identifying with certain moral ideals and/or standards of whats expected and acceptable. and not just not identifying, but denouncing those things at the same time.
2/2
No Pride
Posted by Blehhh on January 10 2010
It might be about a person who got kicked down and now is feeling like crap, and warning some other guy about it so that that guy doesn't end up having no pride too
Posted by dallasthemenace on May 26 2009
just a feeling of not belonging, or being a black sheep, of sorts. and not identifying with certain moral ideals and/or standards of whats expected and acceptable. and not just not identifying, but denouncing those things at the same time.
6.
Bab's Uvula Who
Posted by little tre on April 02 2010
BJ describes anger problems that everybody has in a colorful discription in Bab's Uvula Who. Everybody can relate to this song. Everybody has a temper and sometimes it just gets to a boiling point where you just let your actions and your words explode. After your temper blows your brain out of your skull you tend to have a bad feeling in your stomach.
The name for this song was taken from a knock-knock joke somebody did.
1/4
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This is mainly focusing on bipolar where you're happy one min. and at the slightest move you're pissed. It's also focusing on anger issues. It's also about getting worked up over little things. I have an anger issue, and I flip over the little things. It also relates to me because I often fuck up in relationships and just at life. 100% Karma's a BITCH!
2/4
Posted by chich. on June 03 2009
I jsut read a song meaning submitted for this....i also have ADHD and this song really speaks out to me. i loose my temper a lot (at school and home) and get stuck in situations i dont mean or want to be in. i think this song is about finding it hard to control yourself and you don't mean to suddenly snap, but you do and afterwards you feel shit about it. ive only really just noticed this song as one that speaks out to me, but now i have noticed it, it makes me feel as if im not alone anymore. and thts a good feeling :)
3/4
Posted by Brenda AKA Bryn or jinx33 on the forums on May 26 2009
As someone who has ADHD, I get this song. You get more and more wound up, you fly of the handle, your mind goes ninety miles an hour.
Once you are done, you feel terrible about it. Ashamed, and like a total fuck up. The song opens with "I've got a knack for fucking everything up, My temper flies and I get myself all wound up."
I think it is about that. The first time I heard it I related 110%
4/4
Bab's Uvula Who
Posted by little tre on April 02 2010
BJ describes anger problems that everybody has in a colorful discription in Bab's Uvula Who. Everybody can relate to this song. Everybody has a temper and sometimes it just gets to a boiling point where you just let your actions and your words explode. After your temper blows your brain out of your skull you tend to have a bad feeling in your stomach.
The name for this song was taken from a knock-knock joke somebody did.
Posted by Corey Ward on June 11 2009
This is mainly focusing on bipolar where you're happy one min. and at the slightest move you're pissed. It's also focusing on anger issues. It's also about getting worked up over little things. I have an anger issue, and I flip over the little things. It also relates to me because I often fuck up in relationships and just at life. 100% Karma's a BITCH!
Posted by chich. on June 03 2009
I jsut read a song meaning submitted for this....i also have ADHD and this song really speaks out to me. i loose my temper a lot (at school and home) and get stuck in situations i dont mean or want to be in. i think this song is about finding it hard to control yourself and you don't mean to suddenly snap, but you do and afterwards you feel shit about it. ive only really just noticed this song as one that speaks out to me, but now i have noticed it, it makes me feel as if im not alone anymore. and thts a good feeling :)
Posted by Brenda AKA Bryn or jinx33 on the forums on May 26 2009
As someone who has ADHD, I get this song. You get more and more wound up, you fly of the handle, your mind goes ninety miles an hour.
Once you are done, you feel terrible about it. Ashamed, and like a total fuck up. The song opens with "I've got a knack for fucking everything up, My temper flies and I get myself all wound up."
I think it is about that. The first time I heard it I related 110%
7.
86
Posted by Brandon on January 02 2010
"86" means that you are banned from returning to a club. Green Day was 86ed from 924 Gilman St. for signing to a major label instead of staying with Lookout, which was an indie label. The East Bay punk scene rejected Green Day after the release of Dookie, and after seeing graffiti from fans calling the band sellouts, Billie Joe wrote the song from an ex-fan's point of view, with the lyric "There's no return from 86" saying that they're banned from Gilman and that they really don't care, as they are now the world's greatest current punk rock act.
1/8
Posted by Hal on December 04 2009
I believe this song is about a person having a one night stand, and trying to kindle a relationship with it. 86 is the hotel/apartment room of the stander, and there is no returning to it.
2/8
Posted by Jacleby on November 25 2009
The song 86 is all about the time they were kicked out of Gilman street for becoming sellouts (not!). As the number 86 is the code in bars and clubs for banishment. Meaning that if you are 86ed you are never allowed to return to the club. Green Day were 86ed from Gilman street after Dookie became such a big success. " There's no return from 86." The song is sung from the view of the people at Gilman street.
3/8
Posted by sean on June 07 2009
this song is about how after Green Day went with Reprise Records how the local punk scene sort of disowned them.
4/8
Posted by Katherine on June 02 2009
This was written about a past girlfriend or something along those lines who wouldn't go away and move on.
5/8
Posted by DetonateNow on June 02 2009
This is about the Gilman street place they started out, and about how they are not accepted back there due to becoming mainstream!
6/8
Posted by 4thWarmasterKais on June 02 2009
This song is about being rejected, "Don't let the door kick you in the ass". This could be through shame or betrayal, but either way, you know you're never getting back in. Billie once said that it was about being rejected from their original scene when they had major success with 'Dookie'.
7/8
Posted by dallasthemenace on June 02 2009
a song about the unwelcomed, to the unwelcomed. just completely writing someone off...telling 'em to leave and not come back. billie actually wrote it after reading some pretty intense graffiti about himself in the ladies room at gilman st. following the band's initial mainstream breakout following dookie.
8/8
86
Posted by Brandon on January 02 2010
"86" means that you are banned from returning to a club. Green Day was 86ed from 924 Gilman St. for signing to a major label instead of staying with Lookout, which was an indie label. The East Bay punk scene rejected Green Day after the release of Dookie, and after seeing graffiti from fans calling the band sellouts, Billie Joe wrote the song from an ex-fan's point of view, with the lyric "There's no return from 86" saying that they're banned from Gilman and that they really don't care, as they are now the world's greatest current punk rock act.
Posted by Hal on December 04 2009
I believe this song is about a person having a one night stand, and trying to kindle a relationship with it. 86 is the hotel/apartment room of the stander, and there is no returning to it.
Posted by Jacleby on November 25 2009
The song 86 is all about the time they were kicked out of Gilman street for becoming sellouts (not!). As the number 86 is the code in bars and clubs for banishment. Meaning that if you are 86ed you are never allowed to return to the club. Green Day were 86ed from Gilman street after Dookie became such a big success. " There's no return from 86." The song is sung from the view of the people at Gilman street.
Posted by sean on June 07 2009
this song is about how after Green Day went with Reprise Records how the local punk scene sort of disowned them.
Posted by Katherine on June 02 2009
This was written about a past girlfriend or something along those lines who wouldn't go away and move on.
Posted by DetonateNow on June 02 2009
This is about the Gilman street place they started out, and about how they are not accepted back there due to becoming mainstream!
Posted by 4thWarmasterKais on June 02 2009
This song is about being rejected, "Don't let the door kick you in the ass". This could be through shame or betrayal, but either way, you know you're never getting back in. Billie once said that it was about being rejected from their original scene when they had major success with 'Dookie'.
Posted by dallasthemenace on June 02 2009
a song about the unwelcomed, to the unwelcomed. just completely writing someone off...telling 'em to leave and not come back. billie actually wrote it after reading some pretty intense graffiti about himself in the ladies room at gilman st. following the band's initial mainstream breakout following dookie.
8.
Panic Song
Posted by Sina on January 11 2010
This song to me is about thinking all these bad things are happening when you're high. And nothing is right and a million thoughts go into your head about how you feel everyone is against you etc. but in reality nothing is wrong - you're just panicking and being paranoid.
1/5
Posted by Maria on October 25 2009
Well, Mike was born with a heart problem and sometimes has panic attacks... So yeah, the song is about panic disorder and panic attacks I think :)
2/5
Posted by Nikki on August 19 2009
Maybe this is about having panic disorder, I'm not sure about that subject. I think it's about having bitter angst towards something to the point where you wear yourself out. The world is a sick machine... I don't care... limp with hate. Stuff is corrupt and I'm losing my mind.
3/5
Posted by Breanna on August 12 2009
I have panic attacks too, so i completely understand this song and can relate to it with ease. It's about having panic attacks and wanting to stop but not being able to, so in the end wanting to "destroy yourself" hence the line "headed for a cheap escape, on the brink of self destruction."
4/5
Posted by Crissie on June 08 2009
I think this song is talking about how it feels to have a panic disorder. It talks about the hopeless feelings and how you feel alone in the world during a panic attak.
5/5
Panic Song
Posted by Sina on January 11 2010
This song to me is about thinking all these bad things are happening when you're high. And nothing is right and a million thoughts go into your head about how you feel everyone is against you etc. but in reality nothing is wrong - you're just panicking and being paranoid.
Posted by Maria on October 25 2009
Well, Mike was born with a heart problem and sometimes has panic attacks... So yeah, the song is about panic disorder and panic attacks I think :)
Posted by Nikki on August 19 2009
Maybe this is about having panic disorder, I'm not sure about that subject. I think it's about having bitter angst towards something to the point where you wear yourself out. The world is a sick machine... I don't care... limp with hate. Stuff is corrupt and I'm losing my mind.
Posted by Breanna on August 12 2009
I have panic attacks too, so i completely understand this song and can relate to it with ease. It's about having panic attacks and wanting to stop but not being able to, so in the end wanting to "destroy yourself" hence the line "headed for a cheap escape, on the brink of self destruction."
Posted by Crissie on June 08 2009
I think this song is talking about how it feels to have a panic disorder. It talks about the hopeless feelings and how you feel alone in the world during a panic attak.
9.
Stuart and the Ave
Posted by Words-I-Might-Have-Ate on August 11 2009
This song is about moving on with your life when it gets too messed up. Whether it's leaving someone or something.
1/2
Posted by Niamh on June 02 2009
This song is about finally forgetting someone in your past and moving on with you life.
2/2
Stuart and the Ave
Posted by Words-I-Might-Have-Ate on August 11 2009
This song is about moving on with your life when it gets too messed up. Whether it's leaving someone or something.
Posted by Niamh on June 02 2009
This song is about finally forgetting someone in your past and moving on with you life.
10.
Brain Stew
Posted by Brandon on February 14 2010
Billie Joe wrote most of the songs on Insomniac when he couldn't go back asleep after his kid kept waking up crying in the middle of the night. Brain Stew is a song about the insomnia he got from all of that waking up in the middle of the night and how it affected him.
1/5
Posted by David on December 02 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song when trying to get his kid to fall asleep.
2/5
Posted by Jess on November 12 2009
Some say this is about when Billie's first son was born and he couldn't fall asleep since his son cried a lot.
3/5
Posted by Matt on July 26 2009
This song is about trying to fall asleep after a night of doing coke
4/5
Posted by Steven on May 27 2009
About Billie's insomnia.Or when joey was a baby,he was up all night crying and billie was up all night trying to calm him down
5/5
Brain Stew
Posted by Brandon on February 14 2010
Billie Joe wrote most of the songs on Insomniac when he couldn't go back asleep after his kid kept waking up crying in the middle of the night. Brain Stew is a song about the insomnia he got from all of that waking up in the middle of the night and how it affected him.
Posted by David on December 02 2009
Billie Joe wrote this song when trying to get his kid to fall asleep.
Posted by Jess on November 12 2009
Some say this is about when Billie's first son was born and he couldn't fall asleep since his son cried a lot.
Posted by Matt on July 26 2009
This song is about trying to fall asleep after a night of doing coke
Posted by Steven on May 27 2009
About Billie's insomnia.Or when joey was a baby,he was up all night crying and billie was up all night trying to calm him down
11.
Jaded
Posted by Marshall on August 07 2009
It makes sense that this song flows out of Brain Stew, where he cannot sleep, so he possibly uses drugs to ease the insomnia, and then he is "jaded." This song is partly about being high, but more importantly about always moving forward in life, regardless of how correctly you are moving (always move forward; going straight will get you nowhere)
1/4
Posted by Hailey on August 03 2009
This song is about how you feel when you get high. Billie got high when shooting the video for Jaded to "get the feel" for the video.
2/4
Posted by Doug on July 26 2009
The meaning of Jaded is about living fast and dying young. It's about getting high and living life to the fullest and eventually killing yourself from this crazy and wild life you're living.
3/4
Posted by Whatsername on June 16 2009
Jaded is about that funny feeling you get when your high and you couldn't care less about anything but that feeling
4/4
Jaded
Posted by Marshall on August 07 2009
It makes sense that this song flows out of Brain Stew, where he cannot sleep, so he possibly uses drugs to ease the insomnia, and then he is "jaded." This song is partly about being high, but more importantly about always moving forward in life, regardless of how correctly you are moving (always move forward; going straight will get you nowhere)
Posted by Hailey on August 03 2009
This song is about how you feel when you get high. Billie got high when shooting the video for Jaded to "get the feel" for the video.
Posted by Doug on July 26 2009
The meaning of Jaded is about living fast and dying young. It's about getting high and living life to the fullest and eventually killing yourself from this crazy and wild life you're living.
Posted by Whatsername on June 16 2009
Jaded is about that funny feeling you get when your high and you couldn't care less about anything but that feeling
12.
Westbound Sign
Posted by CLetrab on December 23 2009
This song is about moving on with your life. It also sounds like the main character is on drugs, with the line "weighed out, her choices on a scale".
1/3
Posted by Lucky on June 03 2009
Written by Billie about Adrienne, inspired by when she moved from her native Minnesota to live in California with him (California's southwest-ish from Minnesota, for those who don't know their state geography).
2/3
Posted by Petra on June 01 2009
This song is about a girl, who just decided to say fuck you to the world, and leave all she ever had behind - because it made her miserable. The only things worth taking with her she boxed, and all the rest 'she sold on rainy yard sale'. She made plans for the future - whether good or bad, only time will show.
3/3
Westbound Sign
Posted by CLetrab on December 23 2009
This song is about moving on with your life. It also sounds like the main character is on drugs, with the line "weighed out, her choices on a scale".
Posted by Lucky on June 03 2009
Written by Billie about Adrienne, inspired by when she moved from her native Minnesota to live in California with him (California's southwest-ish from Minnesota, for those who don't know their state geography).
Posted by Petra on June 01 2009
This song is about a girl, who just decided to say fuck you to the world, and leave all she ever had behind - because it made her miserable. The only things worth taking with her she boxed, and all the rest 'she sold on rainy yard sale'. She made plans for the future - whether good or bad, only time will show.
13.
Tight Wad Hill
Posted by jinxfink on January 04 2010
this song to me is about this nowhere town that's filled with junkies.
and saying how the people there (perticularly the "white trash manequin") are wasting their lives hanging around some shitty place.
this may or may not be another nodd to Rodeo.
1/2
Posted by Del Bishop on June 11 2009
This song is just about all the cheapskates in the world, and how they will NEVER give you money
2/2
Tight Wad Hill
Posted by jinxfink on January 04 2010
this song to me is about this nowhere town that's filled with junkies.
and saying how the people there (perticularly the "white trash manequin") are wasting their lives hanging around some shitty place.
this may or may not be another nodd to Rodeo.
Posted by Del Bishop on June 11 2009
This song is just about all the cheapskates in the world, and how they will NEVER give you money
14.
Walking Contradiction
Posted by whatsername on December 08 2009
i think walking contradiction is just about being what everyone hates - the anti-whatever, and wherever you go something goes wrong and someone is always really pissed
1/7
Posted by Danielle on September 15 2009
I think that this song is a sarcastic remark on how contradictory they were when Dookie became a success. By contradictary, I mean the age old rule on punk going mainstream and how "true" punk stays underground. "I believe I'm a walking contradiction and I got no rights." Basically, I think they were sarcastically saying that yep, they were walking contradictions and they were not punk, even though they are.
2/7
Posted by THEamericanidiot04 on September 07 2009
I think this song is about a chain reaction of bad things happening to you and you just cant escape it.
3/7
Posted by Rachel on August 25 2009
Life itself is a walking contradiction. That's the message here I think. Basically, Billie's saying that everything is contradictory to everything else, and how people say one thing then five minutes later say/do something else.
4/7
Posted by joe on July 23 2009
I always saw it as autobiographical of the band--They were 3 punks who Dookie turned into multi-millionaires. "My wallet's fat...and so is my head".
5/7
Posted by Stan on June 08 2009
I believe this is about having the worst time, day, or week and nothing goes right. You have the worst luck and right now you feel like the biggest loser because nothing good is happening.
6/7
Posted by Mari on June 03 2009
I believe this song is about how hypocritical people are. Basically people say one thing and do something else
7/7
Walking Contradiction
Posted by whatsername on December 08 2009
i think walking contradiction is just about being what everyone hates - the anti-whatever, and wherever you go something goes wrong and someone is always really pissed
Posted by Danielle on September 15 2009
I think that this song is a sarcastic remark on how contradictory they were when Dookie became a success. By contradictary, I mean the age old rule on punk going mainstream and how "true" punk stays underground. "I believe I'm a walking contradiction and I got no rights." Basically, I think they were sarcastically saying that yep, they were walking contradictions and they were not punk, even though they are.
Posted by THEamericanidiot04 on September 07 2009
I think this song is about a chain reaction of bad things happening to you and you just cant escape it.
Posted by Rachel on August 25 2009
Life itself is a walking contradiction. That's the message here I think. Basically, Billie's saying that everything is contradictory to everything else, and how people say one thing then five minutes later say/do something else.
Posted by joe on July 23 2009
I always saw it as autobiographical of the band--They were 3 punks who Dookie turned into multi-millionaires. "My wallet's fat...and so is my head".
Posted by Stan on June 08 2009
I believe this is about having the worst time, day, or week and nothing goes right. You have the worst luck and right now you feel like the biggest loser because nothing good is happening.
Posted by Mari on June 03 2009
I believe this song is about how hypocritical people are. Basically people say one thing and do something else
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