In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Seventeen and strung out on confusion
Trapped inside a roll of disillusion
I found out what it takes to be a man
Now mom and dad will never understand
Secrets collecting dust but never forget
Skeletons come to life in my closet
I found out what it takes to be a man
Now mom and dad will never understand
What's happening to me
Seventeen and coming clean for the first time
I finally figured out myself for the first time
I found out what it takes to be a man
Now mom and dad will never understand
What's happened to me
Trapped inside a roll of disillusion
I found out what it takes to be a man
Now mom and dad will never understand
Secrets collecting dust but never forget
Skeletons come to life in my closet
I found out what it takes to be a man
Now mom and dad will never understand
What's happening to me
Seventeen and coming clean for the first time
I finally figured out myself for the first time
I found out what it takes to be a man
Now mom and dad will never understand
What's happened to me
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No idea why I'm replying to an old topic, but this song is about Billie Joe coming to terms with his bisexuality. I have the article to prove it, and Billie quotes"I think I've always been bisexual." To everyone who says he isn't, or that it's just a phase, it isn't. Why would Billie lie about being bi? As for "but he loves Adrienne, he can't be bi! hes with a girl" Not all bisexual people fall in love with someone of the same sex, it just means they like the same sex. Billie can still be bi and be in love with Adie.
To the biphobic/homophobic fans of Green Day: you guys aren't true fans if you can't tolerate them, or their sexual prefences. Green Day are in no means homophobic(which people have claimed to say) especially since an opening band for a concert was once Pansy Division,and Billie saw fans flipping the band off, in which Billie said he was appalled by the homophobic fans.
As for the song: I love it. It's a song I feel I can relate too, and I think it's amazing. It's definatly one of my favorite songs.
Can you please post the link? I'm totally fine with him being bisexual I don't care I just want to see, hear, or read the proof.
Guys, it's about BJA being bisexual. For those of you saying that he can't be bi 'cause he's with a woman, you don't get it. Just because you're bi doesn't mean you have to be with someone of the same sex. It means you are attracted to both the same sex and the opposite sex. Jeez, it's not that complicated. I've understood since I was ten.
No such thing as bi. We are all orientated one way or another, not both. All bi means is that one is willing to not follow God's teachings and is willing to have sex outside conventional norms. The stigma once attached to bisexuality has gone by the way side. Family and God and morals have declined (I am just as guilty), so now everything is up for grabs. Soon sex with 1st cousins, siblings, sex with multiple people at one time, etc will all be commonplace. Just wondering what people will need for a thrill once bisexuality and the others are no longer outside the norm. How will they get their thrill? Really, though, who cares. Once sex is reduced to recreation (as it's already been done) it's nothing important. It's just a release of semen; a kiss that means little, a notch on the bedpost, and a boost to the human ego. The vast majroity of people who claim to be "bi" are gay, but afraid to admit their status for whatever reasons. Many others are simply lonely and therefore not very selective. As for gay, straight, or bi, who cares. What one does in the bedroom is between him; his hopefully consenting partner, and God.
Billie Joe has admitted to being bisexual enough times. It's rather hurtful when you don't believe them. For instance, a lot of the time, gay guys believe bisexual men are either straight guys who are desperate or lying to themselves, and women tend to think it makes you off limits somehow. If he says he is, it's only right we should believe him.
"...she probally didn't believe him (and i wuoldn;t believe him ether, i mean come on he is too hot to be bi-sexual i mean he is fine!) but kissing..."
Because bi people are naturally unattractive and if they're good looking then clearly they're straight? That's some weird blend of deluded optimism and biphobia.
Um, it's actually about Bille Joe being bi, he said it himself.
How about everyone continues commenting with the same exact interpretation? Because, really, we don't get it yet.
did you know that it's about billy joel being bisexual?
NO WAY. Why didn't anyone say anything?!
this song is about a homosexual kid that hides it form everyone and he's trying to come clean with everyone.
I also think this is one of Green Day's most underrated songs. It's really catchy. "Secrets collecting dust but never forget" is such a great line. I think I might agree with kodiakbear, but there could be a more metaphoric meaning behind it. Great song!
Watch the ultimate albums Dookie show on VH1 it explains it.
what about for people who don't have sky or didn't catch the show? I think it's about confusion about the future and not being sure what to do
It's about coming out of the closet.