Letterbomb

Letterbomb is the tenth track off of Green Day's seventh studio album, American Idiot (2004).

Background[]

Jesus and Whatsername's romance has ended. She left him, believing that he's too melodramatic and self-destructive.

Letterbomb seems to be presented from Whatsername's perspective. This is apparent in the Broadway adaptation, as well as in the middle eight of the song: "You're not the Jesus of Suburbia."

In a scene from Broadway Idiot, Billie Joe Armstrong confirms that "the intention was always for that song to be sung by a woman, or coming from a woman's point of view".

A letterbomb refers to an extremely harmful letter, either physically (as in an explosive mailed in a package), or emotionally.

Live[]

This song was played sporadically throughout the American Idiot tour - whenever it did appear, it was usually during shorter sets at festivals. It also made a few TV appearances.

Except for one performance in November 2009, Letterbomb wasn't played on the 21st Century Breakdown tour until the later months, when it became a consistent part of the setlist. A live recording appears on the deluxe edition of Awesome as Fuck.

This song was one of the few played on every date of the 99 Revolutions tour.

Letterbomb remained a staple throughout the Revolution Radio tour, usually played around the same time as Holiday and Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

Lyrics[]

[Intro - Kathleen Hanna]
Nobody likes you
Everyone left you
They're all out without you
Having fun

[Verse 1]
Where have all the bastards gone?
The underbelly stacks up ten high
The dummy failed the crash test
Collecting unemployment checks
Like a flunkie only along for the ride

Where have all the riots gone
As the city's motto gets pulverized?
What's in love is now in debt
On your birth certificate
So strike the fucking match to light this fuse!

[Pre-Chorus]
The town bishop's an extortionist
And he don't even know that you exist
Standing still when it's do or die
You better run for your fucking life

[Chorus]
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late

There is nothing left to analyze

[Bridge]
Where will all the martyrs go when the virus cures itself?
And where will we all go when it's too late?

[Ad Lib]
And don't look back

[Middle Eight]
You're not the Jesus of Suburbia
The St. Jimmy is a figment of
Your father's rage and your mother's love
Made me the idiot America

[Chorus 2]
It's not over 'till you're underground
It's not over before it's too late
This city's burnin'
It's not my burden
It's not over before it's too late

[Outro]
She said "I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind"
Well she said "I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight"

Letterbomb

Contents

Background[]

Live[]

Lyrics[]

Video Gallery[]

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