I get up every weekday morning to the buzz from the alarm clock radio and then switch over immediately to my favorite radio station. Usually I’m accosted by the voice of some deejay trying bravely to tune listeners in at this godforsaken hour, or some annoying radio commercial insert.
But every now and again I’m pleasantly surprised by a great tune from the past. This morning it was Green Day’s American Idiot. This one was not that distant past, but old enough, because I hadn’t listened to any Green Day in a while.
American Idiot is not my favorite Green Day song, but this…
If that had woken me up this morning, I swear I would have been playing air guitar jumping up down on my bed. Now pay attention to the lyrics.
Welcome to Paradise
Dear Mother
Cant you hear me whining?
It’s been 3 whole weeks
Since I have left your home
This sudden fear has left me trembling
Cuz now it seems that I am out here on my own
& I’m feelin so alone
Pay attention to the cracked streets & the broken homes
Some call it slums some call it nice
I wanna take you through a wasteland I like to call my home
Welcome to paradise
A gunshot rings out at the station
Another urchin snaps & left dead on his own
It makes me wonder why I’m still here
For some strange reason it’s now feelin like my home
& I’m never gonna go
Pay attention to the cracked streets & the broken homes
Some call it slums some, call it nice
I wanna take you through a wasteland I like to call my home
Welcome to paradise
Dear Mother
Can you hear me laughing?
It’s been 6 whole months
Since I have left your home
It makes me wonder why I’m still here
For some strange reason it’s now feelin like my home
& I’m never never gonna go
Pay attention to the cracked streets & the broken homes
Some call it slums, some call it nice
I wanna take you through a wasteland I like to call my home
Welcome to paradise
Paradise….
Lenny Says 