"Wake Me Up when September Ends" Perfect 9/11 Song?
Splicing Lyrics
Could "Wake Me Up When September Ends" be the perfect song to play in remembrance of September 11, 2001? That depends. Is this Green Day second Top 10 single written about 9/11? Billy Joe Armstrong, writer and headman to the band Green Day, reflects the track from the album American Idiot describes the September 10, 1982 loss of his father due to esophageal cancer. However, the video for "Wake Me Up When September Ends" involves love and war resulting in the absence of a loved one.
Green Day's YouTube music video "Wake Me Up When September Ends", produced by Rob Cavallo, stems from an anti-war notion following the U.S. invasion (occupation) of Iraq. Meaning, the song itself may not be perfect but the words and video can apply to September 11th to some.
The official video begins with two lovebirds (man, woman) in an emotional promise to be there for each other. But the storyline takes a dramatic turn as she finds out her love has enlisted to fight the war. The ending adds even more drama. Thousands of miles away from each other, the soldier fights for his life as the woman sits on the bleachers while gazing towards the sky thinking (obviously out loud) of the earlier promises made of being there for him.
My favorite YouTube Green Day version of "Wake Me Up When September Ends" comes from Green Day live in Peru. The song is also followed by "Time of Your Life" as both have much acoustic for string lovers (as I). And the comments are pretty entertaining.
The lyrics spell out a beautiful sentiment with deep personal essence as exploring each word can tie the song together when it comes to September 11, 2001. Let's explore.
"Summer has come to pass, the innocence can never last" reminds many of the summer of 2001. A quiet season. A summer of silence. A summer of peace. But as you know, good things can end. However, one White House 2001 press release includes a few defense words from then active President George Bush. Yet Bush usually added a dash of military - no red flags. Bush mentions America building "the military of the future" and shovels out a good pep talk involving protecting America from her enemies. Blindsided by a breezy summer - fall was about to ... fall (on US all).
"Like my father's come to pass, seven years has gone so fast" marks the very reason why 2008 "Wake Me Up When September Ends" grew in popularity. Seven years had gone quite fast since September 11, 2001. And "like my father's come to pass" can easily be mistaken for the death of a father during or post 9/11.
The rest of the lyrics involve an empty sadness of continuing without. "Here comes the rain again, falling from the sky" can bring tears to the eyes of those who lost loved ones due to 9/11. For some the New York rain makes them upset inside. Why? Try losing a loved one trapped under rocks and searching during the first rains after the Twin Towers fell. A hard thing to swallow - in the rain - for some.
But it is September, remember, remember the 11th of September. September will remain America's darkest months for decades to come. Conclusion, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is suitable for 9/11. Even when the direction of video or lyrics deem otherwise (or semi close to).
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" was recorded in 2004, released in 2005.
Related Sources:
Green Day's YouTube (Official video), "Wake Me Up When September Ends", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjNJmwwf7QA
Green Day Live in Peru 2010 YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbWh1iA55v4
Aug. 2001 White House (Press release), President George Bush, http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010829-2.html
Green Day's YouTube music video "Wake Me Up When September Ends", produced by Rob Cavallo, stems from an anti-war notion following the U.S. invasion (occupation) of Iraq. Meaning, the song itself may not be perfect but the words and video can apply to September 11th to some.
The official video begins with two lovebirds (man, woman) in an emotional promise to be there for each other. But the storyline takes a dramatic turn as she finds out her love has enlisted to fight the war. The ending adds even more drama. Thousands of miles away from each other, the soldier fights for his life as the woman sits on the bleachers while gazing towards the sky thinking (obviously out loud) of the earlier promises made of being there for him.
My favorite YouTube Green Day version of "Wake Me Up When September Ends" comes from Green Day live in Peru. The song is also followed by "Time of Your Life" as both have much acoustic for string lovers (as I). And the comments are pretty entertaining.
The lyrics spell out a beautiful sentiment with deep personal essence as exploring each word can tie the song together when it comes to September 11, 2001. Let's explore.
"Summer has come to pass, the innocence can never last" reminds many of the summer of 2001. A quiet season. A summer of silence. A summer of peace. But as you know, good things can end. However, one White House 2001 press release includes a few defense words from then active President George Bush. Yet Bush usually added a dash of military - no red flags. Bush mentions America building "the military of the future" and shovels out a good pep talk involving protecting America from her enemies. Blindsided by a breezy summer - fall was about to ... fall (on US all).
"Like my father's come to pass, seven years has gone so fast" marks the very reason why 2008 "Wake Me Up When September Ends" grew in popularity. Seven years had gone quite fast since September 11, 2001. And "like my father's come to pass" can easily be mistaken for the death of a father during or post 9/11.
The rest of the lyrics involve an empty sadness of continuing without. "Here comes the rain again, falling from the sky" can bring tears to the eyes of those who lost loved ones due to 9/11. For some the New York rain makes them upset inside. Why? Try losing a loved one trapped under rocks and searching during the first rains after the Twin Towers fell. A hard thing to swallow - in the rain - for some.
But it is September, remember, remember the 11th of September. September will remain America's darkest months for decades to come. Conclusion, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is suitable for 9/11. Even when the direction of video or lyrics deem otherwise (or semi close to).
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" was recorded in 2004, released in 2005.
Related Sources:
Green Day's YouTube (Official video), "Wake Me Up When September Ends", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjNJmwwf7QA
Green Day Live in Peru 2010 YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbWh1iA55v4
Aug. 2001 White House (Press release), President George Bush, http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010829-2.html
Published by Lori Lane
Lori Lane is a published poet, active electronic journalist, technical writer, fitness center staff member. Lori Lane welcomes questions or feedback. View profile
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1 Comments
Post a Commentthanks, I wasn't familiar with the tune. I'll be listening for it, cheers ;)