I'm continuing my review of American Idiot. First of all, I would like to say that I really enjoy American Idiot, and that I think it's a great album with very good song writing. So please don't take what I have to say next as hate. What a bad single. It's boring. It's way too emotional. If you want something extremely emotional go for it. But I think it's a terrible choice for a single, and should have never been released and made into a video (over so many better choices). Now, I'm pretty sure you think I hate this song. That's not true. I think this is very good as PART OF THE ALBUM. The song captures emotions very well. The song is about the death of Billie Joe's father. His father died in September 1982. 7 years later, Bille Joe released 1000 Hours--His first EP under Green Day. This song is emotional, because it's about an emotional event in his life. So why include it on this Album? Why include it right here? This song captures the sense of isolation and despair that happens to Jesus of Suburbia when Whatshername leaves. It's almost as if his world is crumbling around him. The music video (also overly emotional) uses a couple being broken up when the boyfriend desides to go to war. Whether it's war, the desolation of JOS losing Whatshername, or Billie Joe losing his father, this song deals with loss. The loss of a loved one, or the loss of the inocence, or the loss of the world around you. Overall, it's not one of my favorite tracks on the album, but it fits perfectly just where it is, and it is perfect for that point in the album.

I'm continuing my review of the album. This is the climax of the album. The story left off with Whatshername leaving Jesus of Suburbia. First of all, before I explain the meaning, I want to talk about the song. It's a 9 minute song, but it's divided into 5 shorter songs. It's not as good as "Jesus of Suburbia" because the songs aren't as different. It's still a pretty well written song and it is the perfect climax for the story. Part 1: Jesus of Suburbia is feeling alone after Whatshername left him, and he is clinging to St. Jimmy. St. Jimmy has his own problems, but he is really a good friend and will stay with him. But St. Jimmy knows that they're fucked up. St. Jimmy kills himself. Jesus of Suburbia is the only one who cares, and part of him dies inside (own private suicide) Part 2: Nobody cares that St. Jimmy is dead. "Nobody cares" is something that is throughout the album. No one caring about the death of St. Jimmy is just another example. Jesus of Suburbia goes to some mindless job filling out paper work. He would rather be with his friends. He would rather have Whatshername. He would rather do anything else. He wants to escape. Part 3: A sing-song mocking inside Jesus of Suburbia's head. Everyone left him, nobody cares. He really has nothing left where he is living. Part 4: A postcard to Jesus of Suburbia from a former friend, Tunny. Tunny is saying that he is happy living a rock and roll life. He moved away a while ago, and he is trying to say that he is happy. This makes Jesus of Suburbia realize how unhappy he is now. (On a side note, this is Tre's song, and doesn't have a lot to do with the story. That's why it's a post card so it doesn't hurt the story) Part 5: He realizes there is no reason to stay where he is. He desides to go back home. That's basically the end of the story. His journey is over. It's not a happy ending, but it isn't a sad ending either. In a way, this story is a lot about Jesus of Suburbia growing up. (think Catcher in the Rye). Like I said, it's not the happiest ending, but there is still a chapter left.

(Continuing my review) This is the end. Jesus of Suburbia returned home. Who knows what he is going to do with the rest of his life. That's not important. This story is about him growing up (and seeing the problems with the world along the way). He is trying to forget Whatshername. He burned her photographs, he crossed out her name. But he can't really forget her. He still remembers her face, and even dreamed that he met her again. But in reality she is gone forever. All he has is his memories of her, and his memories of his journey. A good song. I pretty sad, especially combined with the album. The album doesn't have a happy ending, which makes it much more powerful. At the begining, the album looks political. It has a political-sounding title. It has politcal singles (with some political videos). But in reality, that's only a small part of the story. The story is Jesus of Suburbia growing up. It's a powerful story, that is something you would never expect from Green Day. Green Day may have created the pop-punk mold, but they're doing what they can to break it.