Billie Joe Armstrong reveals his favourite Green Day song and album
He delves into their 32-year recording history
Last updated 27th Apr 2021
Billie Joe Armstrong has chosen his favourite Green Day song and album.
Since they released their debut EP ‘1,000 Hours’ as fresh-faced teenagers back in 1989, Green Day have gone on to record more than 200 songs and release 13 studio albums.
In a new interview with Vulture, Green Day frontman and co-founder Billie Joe Armstrong has revealed that nine-minute epic ‘Jesus of Suburbia’ from 2004’s ‘American Idiot’ is his favourite track from the band’s distinguished musical arsenal.
“‘Jesus of Suburbia’ is the one (song) that sticks out,” Billie Joe said. “It’s so epic. I mean, I’m tooting my own horn, but I think it encompasses so much about my life and friendship and family, and it’s flamboyant and big and bombastic.
“It’s one of those moments where I was feeling like I wanted to take a big risk. It’s so fun to play live, seeing how the entire crowd sings along. It’s just one of those songs.”
Reflecting upon his favourite Green Day record, Billie Joe chose the band’s second studio album ‘Kerplunk’ from 1991, which features an early version of ‘Welcome To Paradise’ before it was re-recorded for ‘Dookie.’
Billie Joe said: “At the moment, I’m going to say ‘Kerplunk’ (is my favourite). It’s kind of autobiographical. We wrote that record when I was 18, 19 years old, and it was at a time before punk became mainstream.
Feature: A guide to Green Day's albums
“There’s something about it that feels like a fanzine. All of us were living together, living in bands together. It was a coming of age in a way. A song like “Welcome to Paradise” wasn’t just about teenage heartbreak anymore. It had a lot more to do with life slapping you in the face.”
Green Day’s Hella Mega Tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer is still listed as hitting the UK in late June and the dates are yet to be rescheduled.