I'm not fucking around
I think I'm coming out
All the deceivers and cheaters
I think we've got a bleeder right now
Want you to slap me around
Want you to knock me out
Well, you missed me, kissed me
Now you better kick me down

Maybe you're the runner-up
But the first one to lose the race
Almost only really counts in
Horseshoes and hand grenades

I'm gonna burn it all down
I'm gonna rip it out
Well, everything you employ
Was meant for me to destroy
To the ground now
So don't you fuck me around
Because I'll shoot you down
I'm gonna drink, fight, and fuck
And pushing my luck
All the time now

Maybe you're the runner-up
But the first one to lose the race
Almost only really counts in
Horseshoes and hand grenades

Demolition, self-destruction
What to annihilate
The age-old contradiction
Demolition, self-destruction
What to annihilate
The old age

I'm not fucking around
I think I'm coming out
All the deceivers and cheaters
I think we've got a bleeder right now
I'm not fucking around
G-L-O-R-I-A


Lyrics submitted by bfg1024

Horseshoes and Handgrenades Lyrics as written by Tre Cool Billie Joe Armstrong

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Horseshoes and Handgrenades song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    America's self-destruction via military-industrial complex, or is that WAY too left field?

    jmoreno86on May 19, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I wish this song could be the next single, but all the f-bombs will prevent that I'm sure...

    It brings up an interesting point though, CxLTxN, that there is a kit of parts that Green Day songs always seem to fit into. It's brought me to a theory that I now believe in because of what I've heard over the last 20 years. Green Day remains so accessible because of the fact they use simple rock chord progressions infused with energy that no one else can match. But they acclaim fame based on the layering of sophisticated commentary underneath that basic musicianship. The match of music and lyrics is unparalleled by any other rock band out there right now.

    "Almost only really counts in horseshoes and hand grenades" is a cliche, but it comes to life in the energy of this song.

    I love how he spells Gloria's name at the end. It sounds like a cautionary tale of anarchy.

    davidecoyoteon May 17, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "Demolition, self-destruction What to annihilate This age-old contradiction"

    Could be a subtle reference to "Walking Contradiction".

    TutorMeon May 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    just another great green day **** YOU song!

    buddy23on May 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is pretty much a rip off of Main Offender by The Hives. I like this song better though.

    CxLTxNon May 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Should say "Want to annihilate"

    TutorMeon May 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's about the frustration of knowing you will never come in first place.

    spicyfloon May 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this end is wrong well, in the cd the end says: "i'm not fucking around i think i'm coming out i'm a hatter a traitor in pair of chuck taylors right now i'm not fucking around g-l-o-r-i-a" And why chuck taylor????

    fOdRaFaXxon May 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    does anyone else feel unsatisfied by Act III? I mean Act I had the story of Christian and Gloria meeting, their histories, and their status as a relationship, Act II had the story of how Christian struck and how the "enemy" reacted by attacking Gloria's beliefs. Act III just leaves me hanging for an ending.

    boseson June 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think exactly the same than boses. Up to 21 Guns it's killer, but then I didn't like American Eulogy and See The Light doesn't the job of ending...

    But maybe this was made on purpose.

    This song seems to talk about being ready to fight... But 21 Guns pretty much destroys this fighter, who's far too self-destructive to triumph.

    Santiagofon June 05, 2009   Link

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