He's at it again and he's gonna win
Gonna take it for a hell ride anyway
He's on your side, gonna throw you aside
And let the vultures pick apart what's left

Seems like everything was just a fraction of a second from being okay
So run and hide 'cause we're all gonna die
And let the vultures pick apart what's left

I'll be back
I'll be back
I'll be back
I'll be back

He's at it again
He's at it again
And it makes great television
Watching the world end

He's at it again, he's gonna win
Gonna take it for a joyride anyway
You're standing in line, better make up your mind
And let the bastard pick apart what's left of you

Seems like everything
Was just a fraction of a second being a dream
So run and hide 'cause we're all gonna die
Let the government decide what's left

I'll be back
I'll be back
I'll be back
I'll be back

He's at it again
He's at it again
And it makes great television
Watching the world end

I'll be back
I'll be back
I'll be back

Walk around, I see million possibilities
Well, I know
Nowhere to go
And I can't comprehend
Things this real seems, so pretend, I know
I don't know

But I'll be back
I'll be back
I'll be back

And it makes great television, watching the world end (I'll be back)

I'll be back
I'll be back
I'll be back

And it makes great television, watching the world end (I'll be back)
I'll be back


Lyrics submitted by Alucard

Governator [Non-Album Track] Lyrics as written by Frank E. Billie Joe Armstrong

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Governator song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    OR it could be about Arnold Schwarzenneagar whose name I can't spell, sorry! He's got extreme right wing views like Bush (who Green Day hate) and he's the Govern(at)or of California where Green Day live, so I could see why they wouldn't like him. Or maybe it is about Bush and the title is to do with his problems with words and phrases.

    OR there's My Big Number Two Theory which I already posted on the thing for Favourite Son. I'm suggesting that MAYBE Shoplifter, Governator and Favourite Son are background characters from American Idiot that are on Rock Against Bush 2 and AI Bsides for one of two reasons: either A) they were maybe cut from the album because it was too long and they're less important characters or B) Green Day were leaving clues, the sly dogs that they are...

    Or maybe I'm a budding conspiracy theorist and this is a load of BS, who knows?

    ArianeTheFoolon December 17, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    oh yeah and critisizing anything is good. billie joe said that writing a song like american idiot is an american thing to do, and i agree.

    longview loseron December 29, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song is aimed specifically at Arnold, but there's also a more general view against celebrities in politics in general. I like the song, thought I'm not too extremely against Arnold as a person. I don't like him too much as governor, though, but from what I've heard, he's better than the guy that they got rid of. If this song had been left on the album, where would it have gone? I can't seem to place this one whatsoever, it's too broad. I think it was probably close to Holiday, though.

    Arteron August 02, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I am from California and I GUARANTEE you this song is about Arnold. EVERYONE here refers to him as the Governator, some mockingly and some lovingly. It simply amazes me that people can listen to this song and not realize that it is about arnold.

    1. It's called GOVERNATOR!!!! Doesnt anyone watch Daily Show? Hell they even called the election "Total Recall" (because it was recalling Gray Davis) I am dead serious.

    2.He repeatedly says "I'll be back" if you missed this clue, commit yourself to a mental institution.

    chistov23on September 05, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    if this were on the album, i'd say it fits between Jesus of Suburbia and Holiday.

    Quintonamoreon August 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's cool to hear Mike to lead vocals, but as a whole, this song kind of sucks.


    freewebs.com/thejakesite

    Jakeberton November 13, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    were can i get this song? Anyone?

    ralph2869on November 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    download it. i think it's part of the master tapes that got stolen while they were making american idiot.

    Phyxiuson November 17, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Meep! Wrong :O It's on the second single of American Idiot. Though the songs on the first single were better

    mitmusicon November 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It is indeed a "Bonus Song/B side" on the AI single, and the title makes the meaning fairly obvious, it's all about AH-NLOD!

    knuxmanon December 16, 2004   Link

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