Symbolism and meaning in Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends"

History Of Rock Music

The study of music often involves examining how the use of lyrics and sounds can tell a story about a particular place or event. This is significant, because the underlying meaning of these different songs is hotly debated by fans, about how it should be interpreted. At which point, the music begins to take on a life of its own, as it becomes an eclectic collection of sounds and images. In modern music (such as Rock) this can be used as way to tell a story, while at the same time sparking controversy about what the song means. In the case of Green Day, their songs have been known to spark controversy and debate about the actual meaning. A good example of this is the song Wake Me Up When September Ends. Where, the lyrics and music video are used as way to provide a number of different interpretations. At the same time, the song Longview talks about the struggles of life. To fully understand the overall scope of these different interpretations in relation to the songs requires: examining the music video, the style and the actual meaning. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights, as to how various images and sounds are creating different interpretations of the meaning of the song among listeners.

The Music Video of Wake Me Up When September Ends

Wake Me Up When September Ends, is the fourth single to be released on Green Day's seventh album American Idiot. The song was written by the group's lead singer Billy Jo Armstrong and was released on June 13, 2005. It was produced by Rob Cavallo and Green Day. The record label that released the song and the album are Reprise Records. ("Wake Me Up When September Ends")

The video begins by showing one male and female teenager who are in a romantic relationship. They live an ordinary American life, with the two spending time hanging out and playing video games. Then after the 18th birthday of the male, the female becomes upset about his decision to join the Marine Corps. At which point, the video fast forwards in time, briefly showing him in boot camp and then fighting in Iraq. Once this takes place, the viewer realizes that the beginning of the video is the male remembering his life before the going to Iraq. Then, it shows the challenges his squad faces when they are conducting a search and destroy mission. Where, the unit comes under enemy fire, resulting in casualties. At which point, the video flashes back to male's girlfriend who is: worried, sad and lonely for her true love. ("Green Day -- Wake Me Up When September Ends")

What this video shows is that the song is making a statement about war. Where, it is tearing the fabric of youth apart, as innocence is lost when the male joins the Marines and goes to Iraq. Then, once he gets there, he begins to remember and think about the life that he once had. At which point, the video shows the sobering reality of his new world in comparison with the old one. This is significant, because many people would obviously assume that the video is about the sacrifices and struggles that hundreds of thousands of families go through every year. Especially, when you put in the back drop the title of the song, where many people would assume that September, is tied to the 911 terrorist attacks. ("Green Day -- Wake Me Up When September Ends")

The Actual meaning of Wake Me When September Ends

When you watch the music video of Wake Me When September Ends, it seems like the song was written as a tribute to members of the military. However, after conducting further research, it is obvious that the video and the actual meaning of the song writer are two different interpretations. Like what was stated previously, the lead singer of Green Day, Billy Jo Armstrong wrote the song. The actual meaning of the lyrics is dedicated to his father, who died of throat cancer when he was 10 years old. His father passed away on September 10th and Armstrong was never the same after the event, hence he wrote the song as a tribute. Evidence of this can be seen in the very beginning of the song where it says. "Like my father's come to pass seven years has gone so fast. Wake me up when September ends. Here comes the rain again falling from the stars. Drenched in my pain again. Becoming who we are." ("Green Day Lyrics") in this verse when the song talks about, "the rain again falling from the stars" it is referring to Armstrong's tears, in missing his father who was taken from him to soon. This is significant, because it shows how the underlying meaning and the actual music video are about two different topics. The reason why the story line was chosen was because the director (Samuel Bayer) thought that its use in the video will instill the same kind of emotions that Armstrong felt. Then, when you combine this with the fact that trying to show a version of his father in the video would have been too difficult (emotionally for Armstrong), meant that the story line used in the video was chosen. ("Green Day -- Wake Me Up When September Ends Meaning")

What this shows, is that with some of the more popular songs, the general public will assume that the song is about the video. In the case of Wake Me When September Ends, this highlights how the video and the lyrics were assumed to be about the war on terrorism and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Where, the story line would show the romantic relationship between a male and female teenager, which turns from one of happiness to worry / loneliness. This is significant, because it shows how fans can often misinterpret the underlying meaning of the song. Where, they assume that the actual video and lyrics were what inspired the song. However, once you begin to look further beneath the surface, it is clear that this song is about the untimely death of: Billy Jo Armstrong's father when he was 10. This is important, because it shows how the actual meaning of the video and the song can be completely different. Where, fans will assume that song and video mean one thing, while in reality it means something totally different. In many ways, this shows the heated debate among fans about: what the interpretation of the song means and what it is saying about the world. Where, one side could claim that the song is about the war on terrorism; while the other could say that it is a personal ballad about the love of a father and son. Ironically, both sides are correct. This is because the song is talking about the untimely loss of someone close to you. Where, the overall amounts of emotions can be felt regardless of the type of relationship, as they are no longer the same. In this aspect, the song is considered to be a masterpiece, because it keeps the listener guessing as to the underlying meaning. Once this takes place, is when you will see a number of interpretations about what the words and events mean.

Longview

Longview is the struggle of youth, where someone is facing the challenges of life and the common frustrations that many deal with growing up. A good example of this can be seen with the lyrics that say, "Bite my lip and close my eyes. Take me away to paradise. I'm so damn Bored I'm going blind. And loneliness has to suffice." This is significant, because it shows how the challenges in the music of Green Day talks about the struggles of adolescence. Where, Longview highlights about the typical life of an ordinary teenager, while Wake Me Up When September Ends is about the love between a father and son. ("Green Day -- Long View")

Clearly, the songs Wake Me Up When September Ends and Longview shows how the overall use of sounds, images and lyrics are creating different interpretations, as to the underling meaning of the songs. Where, the video shows the relationship between two teenage lovers, who are forced apart as the male joins the Marines and goes to Iraq. In many ways, most people will assume that the song / video are about the war on terrorism and the September 11th attacks. Especially, when you consider the main chorus of the song, "Wake me up when September ends." As a result, this has caused many fans to assume that the song is about these different events. Yet, when look beneath the surface, it is clear, that the song is about the untimely death of lead singer Billy Jo Armstrong's father. Where, the song uses different instrumentals to instill the overall amounts of emotionalism that was felt by Armstrong. An example of this can be seen with the changes in the tones of the guitar sound. With it becoming softer during those times of happiness, while at other times the sound will become more intense. The changes in the intensity of the sound are used to show the overall changes in emotions that are being felt by Armstrong. Then, when you combine this with the lyrics about the rain falling, indicates the severe sadness that is felt from the loss of his father. In many ways the listener can feel these same kind of emotions when listening to the music or watching the video. Once this takes place, is when they will be able to feel the sense of loss that Armstrong felt. While, the song Longview highlights the overall struggles that many adolescents face. Together, both songs provide a unique interpretation of the challenges that many will go through in during the course of the lives.