Green Day “Bang Bang” Lyric Video has too many Targets
written by Scotty Evil
American punk rockers Green Day have released their latest lyric video “Bang Bang” ahead of their new album, “Revolution Radio”, much to the appreciation of their fans.
AS an aside, I must say I really enjoy lyric videos. For the most part I find their content to be much more creative than the usual T&A fest one might see in hip-hop offerings. But I digress.
The sound from “Bang Bang” is quickly identifiable as old-school Green Day. The way punk should be, fast, clean drums, crunchy riffs etc.
But I found the message to be more complicated, and that isn’t necessarily a good thing. The visuals support the mixed message of the lyrics with nods to the military, Russia and ever-watching cut-and-paste eyes.
Billie Joe Armstrong said THIS about it:
“Yeah. It’s about the culture of mass shooting that happens in America mixed with narcissistic social media. There’s this sort of rage happening, but it’s also now being filmed and we all have ourselves under surveillance. To me, that is so twisted. To get into the brain of someone like that was freaky. It freaked me out. After I wrote it, all I wanted to do was get that out of my brain because it just freaked me out.”
I wouldn’t go so far as to say just because the fact everyone and their grandmother has the ability to shoot video of you that you are necessarily “under surveillance”. But that makes a good topic for a punk song.
So while the musicianship and mix are sound, the message gets lost. Pick one topic, write a catchy line, drive it home. What are you upset about, cellphone videos, narcissism, mass shootings or government surveillance?
Pick one FFS.
So, in summary: Catchy – yes. Singable – no. Air guitar/drums worthy? Yes. A song destined to be a classic? Nope.
Right direction Green Day. Better execution next time however. Fans will be happy, others, meh.
3.5 Stars.
Check out Green Day’s Bang Bang video below
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written by Scotty Evil