The cover used during its promotional run in Germany.
Prosthetic Head is the ending song from Green Day's fifth studio album Nimrod. Although it was recorded in 1997, it was released as a 1998 promotional single in Germany.
Song Meaning[]
The author ran into a person who obviously over relies on cosmetics or surgery in an effort to look good. Their reconstructed face is described as horrific and the author is willing to label them like they're an alien. He believes the effects of surgery is so bad he can't even use various parts of his body anymore, but nonetheless tells the person to shut up. The song than delves deeper into what it took to attempt to make this person good looking, when in reality it's all to help mask their low self-esteem issues. The more that is described by the author about the cosmetic subject, the more that author hates them.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I see you, down in the front line
Such a sight for sore eyes, you're a suicide makeover
Plastic eyes, lookin' through a numbskull
Self-effaced, what's his face
You erased yourself so shut up
You don't let up
[Pre-Chorus]
You have a growth that must be treated
Like a severed severe pain in the neck
You can smell it, but you can't see it
No explanation identified 'cause
[Chorus]
You don't know
You don't say and you got no reply
[Verse 2]
Hey you, where did you come from?
Got a head full of lead, you're a inbred bastard son
All dressed up, a red blooded, A-mannequin
Do or die, no reply, don't deny that you're synthetic
You're pathetic
[Pre-Chorus]
You have a growth that must be treated
Like a severed severe pain in the neck
You can smell it, but you can't see it
No explanation identified 'cause
[Chorus]
You don't know
You don't say and you got no reply
You don't know
You don't say and you got no reply
[Instrumental Solo]
[Bridge]
I see you, down in the front line
Such a sight for sore eyes, you're a suicide makeover
[Chorus]
You don't know
You don't say and you got no reply
You don't know
You don't say and you got no reply