- 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:
- "21 Guns (Radio Edit)" (4:38) - A shortened version with no intro and a shorter bridge section for play on radio released on the "21 Guns" promotional single on May 25, 2009.
- "21 Guns (Verizon Studio 880 Session)" (5:15) - A demo version released on the "21 Guns" single on June 26, 2009.
- "21 Guns (feat. The Cast of American Idiot)" (4:41) - A re-recorded version featuring guest vocals from the Cast of American Idiot released as a single on January 26, 2010. (Other Variations)
- "21 Guns (feat. Green Day)" (4:45) - A cover version by the Cast of American Idiot featuring Green Day as a backing band released on the Original Broadway Cast Recording album on April 13, 2010.
Live:
- "21 Guns (Live in Albany)" - A live version recorded July 25, 2009 in Albany, New York, U.S. released on the 21 Guns EP on September 4, 2009.
- "21 Guns (Live in Tokyo)" (5:56) - A live version recorded May 28, 2009 at Akasaka BLITZ in Tokyo, Japan released on the Last Night on Earth (Live in Tokyo) EP on November 11, 2009.
- "21 Guns (Live in Mountain View)" (5:56) - A live version recorded September 4, 2010 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, U.S. released on the Awesome as Fuck live album on March 22, 2011.
- "21 Guns (Live in Saitama)" (5:56) - A live version recorded January 23, 2010 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan released on the Awesome as Fuck video album on March 22, 2011.
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 |
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Chart Positions[]
Weekly Charts[]
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Year-end Charts[]
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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[]
Template:21st Century Breakdown