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Not to be confused with 21 Guns (EP).

"21 Guns" is the sixteenth song on Green Day's eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, the third song in Act III: Horseshoes and Handgrenades, as well as the second single from the album and twenty-seventh overall single from the band.

Background[]

To Be Added

Composition[]

To Be Added

Song Meaning[]

The song addresses the topic of patriotism. Billie Joe Armstrong told Q magazine in May 2009: "It brings up 21st Century Breakdown in a lot of ways, and the 21-gun salute for someone that's fallen, but done in an arena rock 'n' roll sort of way."

Release[]

The song was first released on the 21st Century Breakdown album on May 15, 2009.

Single[]

"21 Guns" was released as the second single from 21st Century Breakdown on May 25, 2009 as a promotional radio single in the United States, Europe and Australia. On June 26, 2009, an official single was released for download on iTunes exclusively in Europe. It was released on CD version on July 13, 2009 exclusively in Europe, with a 7" vinyl version being released in both the United States and Europe on the same day.

Music Video[]

To Be Added

Other Versions[]

Alternate:

Live:

In Other Media[]

  • The song was featured in the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen film released on June 8, 2009.
  • The song was featured on the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – The Album soundtrack released on June 12, 2009.
  • The song was featured in the Rock Band video game through the Green Day 01 DLC pack released on July 7, 2009.
  • The song was featured in the American Idiot Broadway musical which premiered on September 4, 2009.
  • The song was featured in the The Vampire Diaries television series episode "Lost Girls" released on October 15, 2009.
  • The song was featured in the Green Day: Rock Band video game released on June 8, 2010.

Track Listing[]

Single 1[]

Format: CD, iTunes download

No. Title Length
1. "21 Guns" 5:21
2. "Favorite Son" 2:05
3. "21 Guns (Verizon Studio 880 Session)" 5:15
Total time: 10:41

Single 2[]

Format: CD, 7" vinyl

No. Title Length
1. "21 Guns" 5:21
2. "Favorite Son" 2:05
Total time: 7:26

Promotional Single[]

Format: CD

No. Title Length
1. "21 Guns (Radio Edit)" 4:38
Total time: 4:38

Live Appearances[]

To Be Added

Reception and Sales[]

The song has been a success on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, chart, peaking at No. 22, which is their highest charting song since 2005.

Awards and Nominations[]

The song was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo/Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song in 2010.

Certifications[]

The song was certified platinum in the United States with over 1,000,000 sales. To Be Added

Region Certification Sales

Chart Positions[]

Weekly Charts[]

Chart (2009) Peak
position

Year-end Charts[]

Chart (2009) Peak
position

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
Do you know what's worth fighting for
When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating?
Does the pain weigh out the pride?
And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside?
You're in ruins

[Chorus]
One, twenty-one guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, twenty-one guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

[Verse 2]
When you're at the end of the road
And you lost all sense of control
And your thoughts have taken their toll
When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul
Your faith walks on broken glass
And the hangover doesn't pass
Nothing's ever built to last
You're in ruins

[Chorus]
One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

[Bridge]
Did you try to live on your own
When you burned down the house and home
Did you stand too close to the fire?
Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
When it's time to live and let die
And you can't get another try
Something inside this heart has died
You're in ruins

[Chorus]
One, twenty-one guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, twenty-one guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
One, twenty-one guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, twenty-one guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

Personnel[]

To Be Added

Trivia[]

  • "21 Guns" has the most alternate versions of any Green Day song with 10: 5 studio versions and 5 live versions.

Gallery[]


References[]


External Links[]

See Also[]

veGreen Day discography
Albums Studio

39/SmoothKerplunk!DookieInsomniacNimrodWarning:American Idiot21st Century Breakdown¡Uno!¡Dos!¡Tré!Revolution RadioFather of All MotherfuckersSaviors

Compilation

1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy HoursInternational Superhits!ShenanigansDemoliciousGreatest Hits: God's Favorite Band

Soundtracks

The Original Broadway Cast Recording (Selections)

Live

Bullet in a BibleAwesome as FuckWoodstock 1994BBC Sessions

Extended Plays Studio

1,000 HoursSlappySweet Children

Compilation

Oh LoveOtis Big Guitar Mix

Live

Live TracksBowling Bowling Bowling Parking ParkingFoot in MouthTune In, Tokyo...21 GunsLast Night on Earth (Live in Tokyo)Live at the WhiskyLive From Hella Mega!

Singles

LongviewWelcome to ParadiseBasket CaseWhen I Come AroundGeek Stink BreathStuck with MeBrain Stew/JadedHitchin' a RideTime of Your Life (Good Riddance)RedundantNice Guys Finish LastMinorityWarningWaitingPoprocks & CokeI Fought the LawShoplifterAmerican IdiotBoulevard of Broken DreamsHolidayWake Me Up When September EndsJesus of SuburbiaThe Saints Are ComingWorking Class HeroThe Simpsons ThemeKnow Your Enemy21 GunsGoing to Pasalacqua2000 Light Years AwayChristie RoadJ.A.R.DesensitizedEast Jesus Nowhere21st Century Breakdown21 Guns (Cast Version)Last of the American GirlsWhen It's TimeDon't Want to Know If You Are LonelyOh LoveKill the DJLet Yourself GoStray HeartX-KidBang BangLetterbomb (Live)Still BreathingRevolution RadioFell for You (Otis Mix)Father of All...Xmas Time of the YearOh Yeah!DreamingHere Comes the ShockPollyannaRock and Roll All Nite (Live from Hella Mega)Holy Toledo!

Box Sets

Green Day BoxDookie/InsomniacSingles BoxFoot in Mouth/Bowling Bowling Bowling Parking ParkingDookie/NimrodUltimate Collectors BoxThe Green Day Collection21st Century Breakdown/American IdiotThe Studio Albums 1990–2009Uno... Dos... Tré!The Ultimate American IdiotBoombox and Cassette

Template:21st Century Breakdown

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