
By Cody-James Henderson
It’s no secret to anyone (quite literally anyone) that I am one of the biggest Green Day fans you will ever come across. I would even go on record to say I’m one of the bands biggest fans in Australia all together. For 21 years I’ve been unable to keep any composure or musical related conversation together without bringing it back to ‘Gods Favourite Band’ in same way, shape or form. So here I am, on a new platform for people to read and I’m here today to talk about them once more (surprise?)
In 2024, the band celebrated the anniversaries of 2 important ground breaking Punk/Pop Punk records. The 30th anniversary of the mid breakout record Dookie and 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking politically charged American Idiot. Combined, these two records have gone on to sell over 35 million copies worldwide. To celebrate further, the band announced a gigantic world tour playing both of these historic albums in full alongside tracks from their latest album Saviours. In March 2025 the band finally returns to Australia for the first time since 2017’s Revolution Radio Tour, bringing with them all time influential Emo Punk rock legends AFI to celebrate. As the tour grows ever closer, I am here to bring you 10 tracks to get you hyped up for the scene kids equivalent of Taylor Swifts Eras tour. Lets begin.
1 – HOLIDAY (AMERICAN IDIOT 2004)
A politically lyrical standpoint combined with a riff that every guitar teacher has probably tried to teach their students at least once or twice; ‘Holiday’ is one of the bands most popular tracks of all time and it’s no secret as to why. If it’s not it’s stadium anthem chorus that gets you excited then the call and response bridge that provides one of the most energised moments of any Green Day show will be sure to get your heart pumping and feet stomping. And don’t even get me start on that transition into ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’.
2 – SHE (DOOKIE 1994)
It’s hard to believe that by age 22, Green Day were gearing up to release their 3rd album that would go on to be one of the biggest selling albums of all time. Whilst the entirety of this album is flawless, ‘She’ is one of the ultimate standouts. A silent scream that gets talked over the top of, Billie Joe pens this 2 minute feminist charged track that combines beauty in its words without losing that aggressive edge. Critics call this track one of Green Days all time great songs and I would have to wholeheartedly agree.
3 – DILEMMA (SAVIOURS – 2024)
Green Days are no strangers to being open on sensitive topics and struggles they’ve experienced. Family tragedy, substance abuse, mental health, struggles with sexuality, Green Day have covered it. But this open recount of Billie Joe Armstrong relapsing after being sober since 2012 is one of latter day Green Days ultimate standouts. Describing himself as a Lab Rat stuck in Rehab, Armstrong conveys the struggles of being torn between the highs and lows of trying to get better in true signature polished grit that Green Day does best.
4 – ONE OF MY LIES (KERPLUNK 1992)
What is technically described as Green Days 1st proper full length album (1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours was a collection of EPs compiled into an album) Kerplunk is full of hidden gems that are without a doubt some of the most stand out tracks in the bands extensive discography. The biggest diamond of the lot is ‘One Of My Lies’ a major chord, depressive tale of realising that growing up is inevitable. The start of the second verse “Why does my life have to be so small and death is forever? And does forever have a life to call its own?” are some of Green Day most impressive lyrics the band has ever penned, helping this to be one of the bands most well written songs. Even more impressive when you realise that it was written by someone who was not old enough to purchase alcohol/cigarettes. Well, legally anyway.
5 – EAST JESUS NOWHERE (21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN 2009)
And speaking of well written songs, East Jesus Nowhere in my own personal opinion stands atop the pillar of greatest Green Day songs post American Idiot. Clocking in at almost 5 minutes long, it might to long to be truly considered a “punk” song, but its aggressive tone and spitefulness against fundamentalist religion is one of the most complete performances of Rock Opera that any band has ever released. Over shadowed by its Radio Rock contemporaries ‘Know Your Enemy’ and ‘21 Guns’, ‘East Jesus Nowhere’ deserves to be in contention as one of the all time top Green Day songs.
6 – BURNOUT (DOOKIE 1994)
Remember how ‘One of My Lies’ was about the depressing side to getting older? Well, the opening track to the 1994 masterpiece ‘Dookie’ is a solemn “Fuck You” to those that expect you to conform and accept the norm of life. It’s short, angsty, in your face introduction takes you through just over 2 minutes of classic punk rock and sticking it to the man. Prepare yourself with this one as it will start the Dookie journey for the upcoming tour. Plus, the post chorus drum solo is often imitated, never replicated by air drummers across the globe. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself, shake those sillies out.
7 – THE AMERICAN DREAM IS KILLING ME (SAVIOURS 2024)
The goosebumps I got hearing the introduction for the first time in late 2023 during the bands teaser videos let me knew I was truly in for something special. And I know in a few weeks time, those goosebumps will intensify and the tears will flow as this echoes throughout Australian stadiums signalling the very start of the show. If you disappeared from the Green Day train after American Idiot, may I suggest you jump on it again by starting with this fitting sequel?
8 – DIRTY ROTTEN BASTARDS (TRE 2012)
Many things can be said about the Garage Rock or “Trilogy” era of Green Day. It mightn’t be the strongest collection of songs the band has written and following up on their dominance in the 2000s would be no easy task for any band. But a track like ‘Dirty Rotten Bastards’ follows on the Rhapsody, style bending songs (Jesus of Suburbia, Homecoming, 21st Century Breakdown) that Green Day have an absolute knack for writing. From its arena rock introduction, punk bass driven middle (with a killer bass solo by Mike Dirnt) into its big sing-a-long finale, you quickly immerse yourself into a 6 and a half minute high that feels like it’s over in a flash.
9 – WHATSERNAME (AMERICAN IDIOT 2004)
Ask any Green Day fan the 3 songs they’re most excited to hear at these upcoming shows, and I’m willing to bet that 95% of them with a tear in their eye will say ‘Whatsername’. This heart wrenching, albeit fictional break up song has been spun at least once or a hundred times in a breakup scenario, compelling listeners into a level of sadness as concert goers will soon realise this song marks the beginning of the end. It may not be the upbeat hype song to get you excited for the show, but it’s important to share this here to at least prepare you for the emotions you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by.
10 – GOOD RIDDANCE (TIME OF YOUR LIFE)
Oh come on, did you really expect anything less?
I feel it’s appropriate to end this list the same way almost every Green Day show has ended for the last 25 years. There really isn’t a lot more to say about this song, as I’m sure a lot of readers recognise this from their school graduations, funerals they’ve attended or it was one of the first songs they learned to play on an acoustic guitar. Some people may not have heard it since these particular instances, so hype yourself up for one of the loudest concert moments you’ll ever be a part of. See you there.
You can catch Green Day with special guests AFI touring the Australian East Coast in March! Tickets still available but close to selling out! Get yours now at livenation.com.au
