Green Day may have performed one of the most iconic Coachella headliner sets ever, but the act, of course, are punk-rock veterans who deserve all the hype in the world. Cementing their status as rock legends in the ’90s with Dookie, Green Day has a whopping 14 studio albums under their belt with no signs of wrapping up soon.
Fresh off the release of 2024’s Saviors, trio Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool never fail to constantly push the envelope sonically, all while staying true to their punk ethos. (Ex: Changing the lyrics of “American Idiot” to dig at MAGA.)
So, with their truly mesmerizing discography, it only makes sense to highlight some of their work. Here is the best song, worst song, most underrated song, and saddest song in Green Day‘s roster. Let’s get into it!
Best Song:
“Basket Case”
So, there’s really no shortage of Green Day songs that are beloved by many. You have “Holiday,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “American Idiot,” and more that really stand out as fan-faves. However, “Basket Case” is quintessential Green Day. Of course, the band has released amazing tracks since this 1994 mega hit, but if we could only pick one track to keep on your Spotify playlists… it would 1000% be this Dookie song. I mean, that iconic riff alone makes it one of the best tracks in alternative music.
Worst Song:
“Strangeland”
As per usual, we hate giving the label “Worst Song” to any track from alternative stars. (Because well, most music, even the lesser-loved songs, are cool!) However, Kerplunk!, from 1992, isn’t revered as the band’s best work—after all, they were just babies at the time. It’s simply hard to understand what Armstrong is saying on the track. Though some fans view this track and the album as a whole as classic, old-school punk.
Saddest Song:
“Wake Me Up When September Ends”
Many already know that “Wake Me Up When September Ends” is about the death of Armstrong’s father, who passed on September 10, 1982. Notably, a young Armstrong ran home from his dad’s funeral, locked himself in his room, and told his mom, “Wake me up when September ends.” Armstrong did share in an interview, “I think about [my father] every day, really. I kinda avoided writing about him for many years, and then finally having a breakthrough like that felt good. It wasn’t like a negative emotion so much, but it was just kind of like honoring him.” So, for those who are also navigating the ebbs and flows of grief, this song especially hits home, each and every time.
Most Underrated Song:
“Whatsername”
Released in 2004, “Whatsername” was not a single on American Idiot, but many believe the track has that it-factor. This track fully encompasses that beautiful early aughts tone with raucous, grunge-laced guitar melodies, soaring choruses, and (unfortunately) relatable themes of lost love. “I made a point to burn all of the photographs/She went away, and then I took a different path/I remember the face, but I can’t recall the name/Now I wonder how Whatsername has been,” Armstrong sings.
