American Idiot (song)
{{Short description|2004 single by Green Day}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = American Idiot
| cover = Green Day - American Idiot single cover.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Green Day
| album = American Idiot
| B-side = Too Much Too Soon
| released = {{start date|2004|8|6}}
| recorded = March 2004
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
| length = 2:54
| label = Reprise
| lyricist = Billie Joe Armstrong
| composer = Green Day
| producer = * Rob Cavallo
- Green Day
| prev_title = Waiting
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = Boulevard of Broken Dreams
| next_year = 2004
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|V9NFs7qPwuk|"American Idiot"}}}}
}}
"American Idiot" is a protest song{{cite web |last1=Ensminger |first1=David |title=The Top 20 Punk Protest Songs for July 4th |url=https://www.popmatters.com/top-20-punk-protest-songs-2495836398.html?rebelltitem=13#rebelltitem13 |website=PopMatters |access-date=August 31, 2020 |date=July 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517130357/https://www.popmatters.com/top-20-punk-protest-songs-2495836398.html?rebelltitem=13#rebelltitem13 |url-status=live }} by the American rock band Green Day. The first single released from the album American Idiot, the song received positive reviews by critics and was nominated for four 2005 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rock Song, and Best Music Video.
Background
One of the two explicitly political songs on the album (the other being fellow single "Holiday"), "American Idiot" says that mass media has orchestrated paranoia and idiocy among the public. Citing cable news coverage of the Iraq War, Billie Joe Armstrong recalled, "They had all these Geraldo-like journalists in the tanks with the soldiers, getting the play-by-play." He felt with that, American news crossed the line from journalism to reality television, showcasing violent footage intercut with advertisements.{{sfn|DiPerna|2005|p=24}} Armstrong went on to write the song after hearing the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "That's How I Like It" on his car radio.{{sfn|Winwood|2010|p=50}} "It was like, 'I'm proud to be a redneck' and I was like, 'oh my God, why would you be proud of something like that?' This is exactly what I'm against."{{cite magazine |author= |title=Viva La Revolution! |url=http://www.greendayauthority.com/articles/115/7/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713020952/http://www.greendayauthority.com/articles/115/7/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-07-13|magazine=Q|date=May 2009 |access-date=June 27, 2021}} Songwriter Mike Dirnt felt many people would be insulted by the track until they realized that, rather than it being a finger-pointing song of anger, it could be viewed as a "call for individuality".{{cite journal|title=International Superhits|pages=52–53|date=June 18, 2005|journal=Kerrang!|location=London|issn= 0262-6624|publisher=Bauer Media Group|issue=1061}} The song emphasizes strong language, juxtaposing the words "faggot" and "America", to create what he imagined would be a voice for the disenfranchised.{{sfn|Lanham|2004|p=122}}
In a 2004 interview with Q Magazine, the three members of Green Day discussed the idea of flag desecration in relation to their song, with Armstrong and Dirnt being the most supportive: "It means nothing to me. Let's burn the fucking thing."{{cite web|url=http://www.greendayauthority.com/articles/37/3/|date=1 December 2004|title=Bored of the USA|website=www.greendayauthority.com|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141557/http://www.greendayauthority.com/articles/37/3/|url-status=dead}}
Composition
{{Listen
| filename = Green Day - American Idiot.ogg
| title = "American Idiot"
| format = Ogg
| description = A 15-second sample of "American Idiot"
}}
"American Idiot" was written in the key of A-flat major. The song is composed of four chords, the I-IV-{{music|b}}VII-IV-I-{{music|b}}VII progression, while the chorus and solo share the IV-I-V-I progression.{{cite journal|title=Learn to Play: Green Day - American Idiot|pages=42–44|date=October 2004|journal=Total Guitar|location=London|issn= 1355-5049 |publisher=Future plc}} The song is classified as a punk rock{{cite web |title=Every Green Day album ranked |url=https://www.altpress.com/green-day-albums-ranked/ |website=AltPress |access-date=December 22, 2022 |date=April 7, 2022 |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222140501/https://www.altpress.com/green-day-albums-ranked/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/185074-united-states-of-rage-and-love-green-days-american-idiot-introductio/|title=United States of Rage and Love: Green Day's 'American Idiot' - Introduction and "American Idiot"|work=PopMatters|access-date=April 29, 2015|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313133545/http://www.popmatters.com/post/185074-united-states-of-rage-and-love-green-days-american-idiot-introductio/|url-status=live}} and pop-punk song.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxMEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22American+Idiot%22+%22title+track%22+%22punk+pop%22&pg=PA46|title=Billboard August 28, 2004|date=August 28, 2004|access-date=April 29, 2015}} The musical style of the song has been cited as a mix of the melodic punk of Social Distortion and the hard rock of Joan Jett.{{cite web |last1=Wiederhorn |first1=Jon |title=Green Day Album Preview: Politics, Dynamics And A Rock Opera |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/8b91gv/green-day-album-preview-politics-dynamics-and-a-rock-opera |website=MTV |access-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223010957/https://www.mtv.com/news/8b91gv/green-day-album-preview-politics-dynamics-and-a-rock-opera |url-status=dead }} Armstrong plays a 1956 Les Paul Junior on the song, switching to a reissued 1959 flame-top Les Paul for the double-tracked guitar solo. Armstrong was initially reluctant to pursue recording a solo, fearing it to be corny. He eventually decided to record the solo, as he hoped for the album to be "about being 15 and rocking out in front of a mirror."{{sfn|DiPerna|2005|p=24}} The song's format and cadence was influenced by the Midnight Oil song "US Forces", which Armstrong was introduced to through his wife.{{sfn|Winwood|2010|p=50}}
Release
File:Fox News Channel newsroom.jpg touches on the idea that mainstream media has caused paranoia among the American public in a post-9/11 world. Armstrong also suggests that these same media outlets are brainwashing their viewers through propaganda and subliminal messaging.{{Cite web |last=Hopper |first=Alex |date=2022-08-10 |title=Behind The Meaning of Green Day's Protest Song "American Idiot" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-american-idiot-green-day-song-lyrics/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226053547/https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-american-idiot-green-day-song-lyrics/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-10 |title=Green Day's "American Idiot" Lyrics Meaning |url=https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/green-days-american-idiot-lyrics-meaning/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Song Meanings and Facts |language=en-US |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226053547/https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/green-days-american-idiot-lyrics-meaning/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Green Day - American Idiot Lyrics Meaning |url=https://www.lyricinterpretations.com/green-day/american-idiot |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Lyric Interpretations |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226053547/https://www.lyricinterpretations.com/green-day/american-idiot |url-status=live }}]]
Released in 2004, the single peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Green Day's first Billboard Hot 100 chart entry. The appearance of "American Idiot" on the US singles charts occurred just prior to Billboard's inclusion of Internet download purchases into their Billboard Hot 100 chart data, which would have made a significant difference in the song's peak had it benefited from the new chart tabulation system.{{cite news | first = Geoff | last = Mayfield | title = Billboard Hot 100 To Include Digital Streams | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1050326/billboard-hot-100-to-include-digital-streams |work=Billboard magazine | date = August 4, 2007 | access-date =July 30, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022316/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1050326/billboard-hot-100-to-include-digital-streams | archive-date = June 14, 2013 }} "American Idiot" became Green Day's first top-five single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 3, and it debuted at number 1 in Canada, their only #1 single there. In Australia, the song reached number 7 was ranked number 22 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004. Green Day performed the song at the 2005 Grammy Awards.{{Cite web |title=Watch Green Day's Electrifying "American Idiot" Performance In 2005 {{!}} GRAMMY Great Performances {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://grammy.com/videos/green-day-american-idiot-performance-2005-grammys-great-performances |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=grammy.com}} "American Idiot" has sold 1,371,000 copies {{As of|2010|07|lc=y}}.{{cite web|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=Week Ending July 25, 2010: It's Every Rapper For Himself|work=Yahoo Music |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-25-2010-its-every-rapper-for-himself.html|publisher=Yahoo! Music|access-date=December 3, 2011|quote=Green Day fan: American Idiot (the song) has sold 1,371,000. Jesus Of Suburbia: 204K Holiday 1,452,000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203040533/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-july-25-2010-its-every-rapper-for-himself.html|archive-date=February 3, 2014}}
Ian Winwood of Kerrang! said that "Green Day did for their generation, and their country, what the Sex Pistols did for the United Kingdom in 1977, for a nation sick with love for a parasitical royal family."{{cite journal|author=Ian Winwood|title=The Secrets Behind The Songs: "American Idiot"|date=May 9, 2012|journal=Kerrang!|location=London|issn= 0262-6624|publisher=Bauer Media Group|issue=1414}}
= Live version =
Green Day's 2011 live album Awesome as Fuck contained a live rendition of the song, featuring an extended guitar solo, recorded in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on the 21st Century Breakdown World Tour. It was also featured in their 2005 live album Bullet in a Bible, set at Milton Keynes Bowl.
Music video
The music video for "American Idiot" shows the band playing in a warehouse against a green American flag (a reference to the name of the band), which only has 48 stars. In the middle of the video, the band is seen playing at different speeds (fast, slow-motion, and normal speed). During the bridge, the stripes of the flag melt onto the floor. The band is then sprayed by a green liquid from amplifiers next to the flag. At the end, the band drop their instruments and leave.{{cite web|title=Green Day - American Idiot [OFFICIAL VIDEO]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI|website=www.youtube.com| date=August 21, 2012 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=17 August 2014|archive-date=January 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110195358/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI|url-status=live}} The song's video was directed by Samuel Bayer. At MTV's Video Music Awards, the video won the Viewer's Choice Award and was also nominated for Best Art Direction.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61627/green-day-dominates-mtv-video-music-awards|title=Green Day Dominates MTV Video Music Awards|magazine=Billboard|date=August 29, 2005|access-date=October 2, 2019|archive-date=October 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002205630/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61627/green-day-dominates-mtv-video-music-awards|url-status=live}}
Accolades
"American Idiot" was ranked the number 13 Single of the Decade by Rolling Stone magazine in 2009. VH1 also placed the song at number 13 on its Top 100 Songs of the 2000s in 2011.{{cite web|title=VH1 100 Greatest Songs Of The '00s|date=September 29, 2011|url=http://stereogum.com/826992/vh1-100-greatest-songs-of-the-00s/top-stories/lead-story/|publisher=VH1|access-date=December 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304011803/http://www.stereogum.com/826992/vh1-100-greatest-songs-of-the-00s/top-stories/lead-story/|archive-date=March 4, 2014}} Rolling Stone ranked it number 432 of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2010, the only Green Day song on the list.{{cite web|url=http://cbs2chicago.com/entertainment/rolling.stone.songs.2.1721498.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601032239/http://cbs2chicago.com/entertainment/rolling.stone.songs.2.1721498.html |archive-date=June 1, 2010 |title=Rolling Stone Updates "500 Greatest Songs" List |date=June 2010 |work=CBS |access-date=May 29, 2010}} The song is certified Gold in the United Kingdom for sales of 400,000.[http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx Certified Awards] - [https://web.archive.org/web/20130124005813/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx Web Citation], February 6, 2013
Use as a protest song
In advance of Donald Trump's visit to the UK in July 2018, a campaign to get "American Idiot" to the top of the UK song charts was launched.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/american-idiot-trump-uk-visit-green-day-protest-campaign-a8439871.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710205514/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/american-idiot-trump-uk-visit-green-day-protest-campaign-a8439871.html |archive-date=2018-07-10 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|date=July 10, 2018|title=American Idiot by Green Day hits UK charts ahead of Trump visit|author=Roisin O'Connor|work=The Independent|access-date=July 10, 2018}} On the Official UK Charts dated 13 July 2018, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at 25 and the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number 2.{{Cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/green-days-american-idiot-back-in-the-top-40-as-president-trump-visits-uk__23386/|title=Green Day's American Idiot back in the Top 40 as President Trump visits UK|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=2018-07-13|work=Official Charts Company|access-date=2018-07-16|language=en|archive-date=July 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717013202/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/green-days-american-idiot-back-in-the-top-40-as-president-trump-visits-uk__23386/|url-status=live}}
During Trump's presidential run in 2016, Billie Joe Armstrong began changing the lyric "the subliminal, mind-fuck America" to "the subliminal mind-Trump America" during live performances of "American Idiot",{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/11/07/green-day-american-idiot-trump/|title=Donald Trump: Green Day change American Idiot lines to diss candidate|author=Goodman, Jessica |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 7, 2016}} and in 2019, he added another change, shifting "I'm not a part of a redneck agenda" to "I'm not a part of a MAGA agenda". Armstrong has been strongly critical of Donald Trump, comparing him to Adolf Hitler.{{cite magazine |last1=Atkinson |first1=Katie |title=Green Day Take Aim at Trump With Some New 'American Idiot' Lyrics at 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/green-day-american-idiot-trump-lyrics-iheartradio-festival-8530668/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709151823/https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/green-day-american-idiot-trump-lyrics-iheartradio-festival-8530668/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=American idiots are completely missing the point of Green Day's American Idiot |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/american-idiots-are-completely-missing-the-point-of-green-days-american-idiot |website=Louder |access-date=9 July 2023 |date=20 January 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709151824/https://www.loudersound.com/news/american-idiots-are-completely-missing-the-point-of-green-days-american-idiot |url-status=live }} The lyrical variation received renewed popular attention following Green Day's televised performance at New Year's Rockin' Eve 2024.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} They also performed this same lyrical variation at Coachella 2025.{{Cite web |title=Green Day alters lyrics of American Idiot as they launch blistering attack against Donald Trump during Coachella gig |url=https://www.gbnews.com/celebrity/green-day-donald-trump-coachella-lyrics-american-idiot-palestine |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.gbnews.com |language=en}} The band modified the same lyrics to "I'm not part of an Elon agenda" at a concert in South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/green-day-hit-out-elon-34525098|title=Green Day hit out at Elon Musk with brutal American Idiot lyric update|author=Duff, Seamus |work=The Mirror|date=January 21, 2025}}
Track listings
{{tracklist
| headline = Promo
| title1 = American Idiot (Censored Version)
| length1 = 2:56
| title2 = American Idiot
| length2 = 2:54
}}
{{tracklist
| headline = Europe single (CD 1)
| title1 = American Idiot
| length1 = 2:54
| title2 = Too Much Too Soon
| length2 = 3:33
}}
{{tracklist
| headline = Europe single (CD 2)
| title1 = American Idiot
| length1 = 2:54
| title2 = Shoplifter
| length2 = 1:52
| title3 = Governator
| note3 = lyrics written by Mike Dirnt
| length3 = 2:31
}}
7-inch picture disc
{{tracklist
| headline = Side A
| title1 = American Idiot
| length1 = 2:54
}}
{{tracklist
| headline = Side B
| title1 = Too Much Too Soon
| length1 = 3:33
}}
{{tracklist
| headline = DVD Single
| title1 = American Idiot
| note1 = music video
| length1 = 3:02
| title2 = American Idiot
| note2 = live at the Grammy Awards in 2005
| length2 = 3:17
}}
Personnel
Personnel adapted from American Idiot single liner notes{{Cite AV media notes|title=American Idiot |others=Green Day |year=2004 |type=CD single liner notes |publisher=Reprise}}
- Billie Joe Armstrong – lead vocals, guitar; backing vocals on "Governator"
- Mike Dirnt – bass, backing vocals; lead vocals on "Governator"
- Tré Cool – drums
Production
- Rob Cavallo; Green Day – producers
- Chris Dugan; Doug McKean – engineer
- Brian "Dr. Vibb" Vibberts; Greg "Stimie" Burns; Jimmy Hoyson; Joe Brown; Dmitar "Dim-e" Krnjaic; Reto Peter – assistant engineers
- Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Chris Bilheimer – cover art
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" | Chart (2018) ! scope="col" | Peak |
| scope="row"{{single chart|Scotland|2|date=20180719|rowheader=true|access-date=22 July 2019|refname="scot2"}} |
|---|
| scope="row"{{single chart|UK|25|date=20180719|access-date=December 22, 2019|refname="uk2"}} |
| scope="row"{{single chart|UKrock|1|date=20180719|access-date=December 22, 2019|refname="ukr2"}} |
| scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|23|artist=Green Day|access-date=October 7, 2023}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" | Chart (2005) ! scope="col" | Position |
| scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2005 The Year in Charts: Top Modern Rock Songs|magazine=Billboard Radio Monitor|volume=13|issue=50|page=52|date=December 16, 2005}}
| 67 |
|---|
{{col end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "American Idiot"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|award=Platinum|number=5|access-date=October 18, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|award=Platinum|certyear=2025|access-date=April 3, 2025|id=15220}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2018|award=Platinum|access-date=May 14, 2018|id=5518}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|relyear=2004|title=American Idiot|artist=Green Day|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2014|certmonth=1|digital=true|access-date=September 6, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|award=Platinum|number=3|source=radioscope|access-date=March 13, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2024|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|accessdate=February 22, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=August 19, 2022|id=470-2001-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Green Day|title=American Idiot|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|award=Gold|digital=true|refname=CTE-US}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
Release history
5 Seconds of Summer version
{{Infobox song
| name = American Idiot
| cover =
| alt =
| type = Song
| artist = 5 Seconds of Summer
| album = Amnesia
| released = June 11, 2014
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:57
| label = {{hlist|Capitol|Hi or Hey}}
| writer = Billie Joe Armstrong
| producer = John Feldmann
}}
Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer covered the song and released it on June 11, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2tlskf/5sos-green-day-american-idiot-cover-kerrang|title=5SOS Crush Green Day's 'American Idiot'|website=MTV|author=Gil Kaufman|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212193403/https://www.mtv.com/news/2tlskf/5sos-green-day-american-idiot-cover-kerrang|url-status=dead}} The song was released as part of Kerrang!{{'}}s tribute album to American Idiot, marking the record's 10-year anniversary.{{cite web|url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/6725/20140611/listen-5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-twitter.htm|title=Listen: 5 Seconds Of Summer Cover Green Day 'American Idiot', Twitter Fans Go Insane For New Song|website=Music Times|author=Carolyn Menyes|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102210716/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/6725/20140611/listen-5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-twitter.htm|url-status=live}} It was also included on their Amnesia EP.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/amnesia-ep/1445037707|title=Amnesia - EP by 5 Seconds of Summer|website=Apple Music|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/amnesia-ep/1445037707|url-status=live}} The band performed the track live on The Howard Stern Show.{{cite web|url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/55189/20151119/5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-howard-stern.htm|title=5 Seconds of Summer Cover Green Day's 'American Idiot' on Howard Stern [WATCH]|website=Music Times|author=Carolyn Menyes|date=November 19, 2015|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=January 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103202534/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/55189/20151119/5-seconds-summer-cover-green-day-american-idiot-howard-stern.htm|url-status=live}}
=Critical reception=
The cover was met with mostly positive reviews from music critics. Haley Blum of USA Today called the track, "pretty good." She stated, "The guys, who play their own instruments [...] produce a pretty faithful rendition of the track."{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2014/06/11/american-idiot-5-seconds-of-summer-cover-green-day-kerrang/77299332/|title=5 Seconds of Summer covers Green Day's 'American Idiot' and, hey, it's pretty good|website=USA Today|author=Haley Blum|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2014/06/11/american-idiot-5-seconds-of-summer-cover-green-day-kerrang/77299332/|url-status=live}} Fuse.tv remarked, "The cover is fairly faithful, but it does have 5SOS flair."{{cite web|url=https://www.fuse.tv/2014/06/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot|title=5 Seconds of Summer Flawlessly Cover Green Day's 'American Idiot'|website=Fuse.tv|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://www.fuse.tv/2014/06/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot|url-status=live}} Michelle McGahan of PopCrush praised the band's harmonies on the track.{{cite web|url=https://popcrush.com/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot/|title=5 Seconds of Summer Cover Green Day's 'American Idiot' - And It's Amazing|website=PopCrush|author=Michelle McGahan|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212191901/https://popcrush.com/5-seconds-of-summer-green-day-american-idiot/|url-status=live}} Carolyn Menyes of Music Times gave a less positive review, criticizing the band's use of autotune and vocal distortion that "make this song sound not quite as biting as the Green Day version" and the track's overproduction.
=Charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "American Idiot" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=43348|title=ARIA Chartifacts 15-September-2014|website=Australian-charts.com|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=February 12, 2024|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103139/http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=43348|url-status=live}}
| 89 |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite journal|last=DiPerna|first=Alan|title=Combat Rock|date=June 1, 2005|journal=Guitar Legends|issue=81|publisher=Future US|issn= 1045-6295|pages=22–30}}
- {{cite journal|last=Lanham|first=Tom|title= A Night at the Opera|date=October 1, 2004|journal=Alternative Press|issue=195|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc.|issn= 1065-1667|pages=114–122}}
- {{cite journal|last=Winwood|first=Ian |title="It Was a Great Time for Us!"|date=September 23, 2010|journal=Kerrang!|volume=|location=London|issn= 0262-6624|publisher=Bauer Media Group|issue=1330|pages=48–52}}
{{Refend}}
{{Green Day}}{{Green Day songs}}{{MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Idiot (Song)}}
Category:Cultural depictions of American people
Category:Cultural depictions of George W. Bush
Category:Music videos directed by Samuel Bayer
Category:Reprise Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Rob Cavallo
Category:Songs about the media
Category:Songs about the United States
Category:Songs of the Iraq War
Category:Songs written by Billie Joe Armstrong