"21 Guns" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It was released as the second single from their eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown (2009), and serves as the sixteenth track from the album. The single was released through Reprise Records on May 25, 2009 as a digital download and July 14, 2009 as a CD single.
The song has been a commercial success on the BillboardHot 100 chart, peaking at No. 22, becoming their highest charting single since "Wake Me Up When September Ends" in 2005. To date, it is their last top 40 hit in the United States. The song is also featured on the soundtrack of the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and is featured as one of the songs during the end credits.
"21 Guns" addresses the topic of patriotism. Frontman and chief songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong told Q, 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."[1]
According to Q, the song is "a mammoth power ballad with a chorus like Mott the Hoople's 'All the Young Dudes'."[2] William Goodman from Spin agreed, also comparing the song to "All the Young Dudes".[3]Entertainment Weekly's Simon Vozick-Levinson described it as a "sensitive arena rock cut that made us think of Toto's 'Africa'. While the chorus sounded more like ELO's 'Telephone Line.'[4] A Rolling Stone article commented that it "has a dash of 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' to it."[5]Spin's Goodman agreed, writing: "This track covers a lot of territory in its five minutes, from a solo acoustic guitar (reminiscent of "Boulevard of Broken Dreams") to Brian May-worthy electric riffage. But the chorus holds the killer hook, [because] Armstrong hits highs with his voice in a thrilling moment."[3]
The song has received critical acclaim. Chris Fallon writing for AbsolutePunk commented that "it is arguably the album's highlight, presenting an anti-war ballad that is both monumentally enduring and also sophisticated protest."[9] James Montgomery of MTV News described it as "a cell-phones-in-the-air anthem, starting with more sharply strummed acoustic guitars."[10] Colin Moriarty from IGN wrote that the track is "perhaps the best song on the album as a whole, a multi-faceted song with a pretty poignant message to boot."[11]
Jordan Richardson of Blogcritics commented: "It's the album’s anti-war hymn, reaching heroic heights with a sleek sort of sappiness that fits flawlessly. The range and sentiment may dishearten those looking for a little more Dookie from their Green Day, but I’ve never heard Billie Joe sound so good and so earnest as he pulls his frail voice upwards to knock out some stunning high notes."[12] Mayer Nissim gave the song three out of five stars, writing: "It combines verses reminiscent of Neil Young's 'Heart of Gold' with big power-pop chord changes and choruses that soar in all the right places. The jerky charm of the band's earlier work may be missing, but there's still lots to enjoy here."[7]
Chart performance
The song debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 22 (becoming their highest peaking song since the 2005 hit "Wake Me Up When September Ends", and their second-to-last single to debut on the chart, as after 'Oh Love', all of their subsequent tracks have failed to chart), and No. 81 on the Canadian Hot 100, reaching #15. It reached No. 3 on the Alternative Songs chart and No. 17 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It also reached #7 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart. On the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, the song peaked at #14. On the UK Singles Chart, it debuted at No. 100 and rose to #36, and as of 2021, remains their last UK Top 40 hit. In New Zealand, the song debuted at No. 23 and peaked at No. 3 in its seventh week on the chart, giving it the highest peak of any Green Day song there.[13] In New Zealand, it was certified Platinum after 13 weeks on the chart, selling over 15,000 copies.[14] It was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The single was also certified Platinum in Italy.[15]
Release and media appearance
"21 Guns" was released to modern punk radio stations on May 25, 2009, although it had already been played on some radio stations, such as KROQ in Los Angeles and 101.9 in New York City.[16] In the radio edit, the song is over forty seconds shorter than the album version due to the bridge being shortened and the intro being taken out. The CD single and clear 7" single were released on July 14, 2009.[17]
A live version was also released on 21 Guns Live EP in September 2009.[21]
Music video
A music video was directed by Marc Webb and filmed in Los Angeles on June 6, 2009. It premiered on MySpace on Monday, June 22, 2009 at midnight EDT.[22] A shorter version of the video also exists, which is set to the radio edit of the song.[citation needed]
The video takes place with the band and the album's two protagonists Christian (Josh Boswell) and Gloria (Lisa Stelly) taking refuge in a white room after robbing a bank. The police arrive outside the room and open fire through the window, to the couple's terror.[24] As bullets rain through the room, the band continues playing. Gloria picks up the phone and throws it into a fish tank. As the bullets continue to fly and tear apart the room, Christian and Gloria become calm and walk toward each other, unharmed by the bullets. They embrace and kiss as the room goes dark, recreating the 21st Century Breakdown cover art. As the song ends, the room lights up again, and they are still uninjured. After the room lights up, there are various shots of destruction in the room, including a shot of some of the writing on the walls. The writing includes an excerpt of the lyrics to "21 Guns", as well as those of the song "See the Light" which is the final song on the album. The video may represent the meaning of the song in the story.
Green Day has recorded two versions of "21 Guns" with the cast of American Idiot. The recording was produced by Billie Joe Armstrong. The recording with Armstrong singing the male solo parts was released on December 3, 2009 to Spinner.com and also released for digital download on December 22, 2009.[25] The video was released February 1, 2010.[26][27]
The second version of the song with the cast of American Idiot features Stark Sands, John Gallagher Jr., and Michael Esper singing their respective solos instead of Armstrong.
It was performed with Armstrong singing lead male vocals at the 52nd Grammy Awards.
Green Day released a live EP for the song including live performances of "Welcome to Paradise", "Brain Stew/Jaded" and "F.O.D." recorded live in Albany, New York and Madison Square Garden. This EP was released on the Australian iTunes store, Amazon UK, and Napster.
Track listing
Original version:
Digital download/Maxi CD
No.
Title
Length
1.
"21 Guns"
5:21
2.
"Favorite Son" (Green Day's contribution to the Rock Against Bush Vol. 2 compilation)
2:13
3.
"21 Guns" (Studio 880 version)
5:17
CD single/7" single
No.
Title
Length
1.
"21 Guns"
5:21
2.
"Favorite Son" (From "Rock Against Bush Vol. 2")
2:13
Promo CD
No.
Title
Length
1.
"21 Guns" (Radio Edit)
4:37
Musical cast version:
Digital download/CD single
No.
Title
Length
1.
"21 Guns" (Green Day with the cast of American Idiot version)
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Capital city of South Australia, Australia This article is about the Australian metropolis. For the local government area, see City of Adelaide. For other uses, see Adelaide (disambiguation). AdelaideTarndanya (Kaurna)[1]South AustraliaAdelaide city centreAdelaide Town HallSt Peter's CathedralGeneral Post OfficeSAHMRI buildingUniversity of South AustraliaElder Park and Adelaide OvalVictoria SquareAdelaideCoordinates34°55′39″S 138°36′00″E / 34.92750°S 13...
Berikut ini merupakan daftar dari para pemimpin Kerajaan Capua. Para Pemimpin Lombardia dari Capua Daftar Gastald dan Pangeran Gastald (atau para pangeran) Capua merupakan pengikut para pangeran Benevento sampai awal tahun 840, ketika Gastald Landulf mulai menuntut kemerdekaan yang baru-baru saja diumumkan oleh Salerno. Hal ini menyebabkan sebuah perang sipil di Benevento yang tak henti-hentinya selama sekitar 10 tahun dan pada akhir abad Capua definitif independen. 840–843 Landulf I il ve...
Air Mikisew IATA ICAO Kode panggil V8 N/A AURORA Didirikan1961 (sebagai Contact Air)PenghubungBandar Udara Fort McMurrayKota fokusBandar Udara Edmonton City Centre (Blatchford Field) Bandar Udara Fort ChipewyanArmada10Tujuan3Perusahaan indukAir Mikisew Ltd.Kantor pusatFort McMurray, Alberta, KanadaTokoh utamaGraham Davis (Operations Manager), Steve Webster (Chief Pilot)Situs webhttp://www.airmikisew.com Air Mikisew merupakan sebuah maskapai penerbangan yang berbasis di Fort McMurray, Alberta,...
Anjing gembala Shetland Sheltie warna mahogany sable Nama lain Shetland Collie (tidak lagi digunakan)Dwarf Scotch Shepherd (tidak lagi digunakan)Toonie dog (tidak lagi dipakai)Apartment Collie (jarang digunakan)Miniature CollieSheltie Nama panggilan Sheltie Mini Lassie (slang) Negara asal Skotlandia Ciri-ciri Klasifikasi & standar FCI Grup 1 Seksi 1 #88 standar AKC Herding standar ANKC Grup 5 (Anjing Pekerja) standar CKC Grup 7 - Anjing Gembala standar KC (UK) Pastoral standar NZKC Peker...
1947-1962 armed resistance movement against communist rule in Romania Romanian anti-communist resistance movementPart of the Cold War and the anti-communist insurgencies in Central and Eastern EuropeMap of Romania with armed resistance areas marked in redDate1947–1962LocationRomaniaResult Insurgency suppressedBelligerents PR Romania PCR Securitate Supported by: Soviet Union Anti-communist groups Nationalists Monarchists National Peasantists Supported by: United States U...
2022 studio album by BonoboFragmentsStudio album by BonoboReleased14 January 2022GenreElectronica[1][2]houseLength51:16LabelNinja TuneProducerSimon GreenBonobo chronology Migration(2017) Fragments(2022) Singles from Fragments RosewoodReleased: 6 October 2021 TidesReleased: 20 October 2021 OtomoReleased: 10 November 2021 ShadowsReleased: 1 December 2021 From YouReleased: 3 January 2022 Professional ratingsAggregate scoresSourceRatingMetacritic76/100[3]Review sc...
Questa voce sugli argomenti calciatori francesi e calciatori congolesi (Repubblica del Congo) è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti dei progetti di riferimento 1, 2. Jordan Massengo Nazionalità Rep. del Congo Calcio Ruolo Centrocampista Squadra svincolato CarrieraSquadre di club1 2009-2011 Istres23 (2)2011-2012→ Besançon20 (0)2012-2013 Istres10 (0)2013-2014 Vannes21 (0)2014-2015 Mons31...
Bendera Pribadi Ratu Jamaika Bendera Pribadi Ratu Jamaika adalah bendera pribadi Ratu Elizabeth II dalam peranannya sebagai Ratu Jamaika. Bendera ini telah disetujui untuk digunakan pada tahun 1962 dengan perbandingan sekitar 4:7~. Bendera ini hanya digunakan oleh Ratu ketika dia berada di Jamaika atau menghadiri acara di luar negeri dalam peranannya sebagai kepala negara Jamaika. Perwakilan Ratu, Gubernur-Jenderal Jamaika memiliki bendera tersendiri. Bendera ini terdiri dari bendera lambang ...
Church in Manhattan, New York 40°51′21.64″N 73°56′3.8″W / 40.8560111°N 73.934389°W / 40.8560111; -73.934389 St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran ChurchThe congregation has been located at 178 Bennett Avenue since 2006General informationTown or cityManhattan, New York CityCountryUnited States of AmericaConstruction started1671, 1673, 1729, 1767, 1822, 1841, 1847, 1906, 1926, 1956[2]Completed1671, 1673, 1729, 1767, 1822, 1841, 1847, 1906, 1927, 1957[...
Mechanisms that spread coronavirus disease 2019 Medical conditionTransmission of COVID-19Other namesMode of spread of COVID-19The respiratory route of spread of COVID-19, encompassing larger droplets and aerosolsSpecialtyInfection prevention and controlTypesRespiratory droplet, airborne transmission, fomitesPreventionFace coverings, quarantine, physical/social distancing, ventilation, disinfection, hand washing, vaccination The transmission of COVID-19 is the passing of coronavirus disease 20...
Former state electoral district of New South Wales, Australia Paddington was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1859, partly replacing Sydney Hamlets. It included the suburbs of Paddington and Redfern. The rest of Sydney's current Eastern Suburbs, which were then rural, were part of Canterbury.[1] With the creation of the electoral districts of South Sydney and Redfern in 1880, Paddington included the nor...
Nature preserve in Virginia, United States Bull Run Mountains Natural Area PreserveLocation within VirginiaShow map of VirginiaBull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve (the United States)Show map of the United StatesLocationFauquier and Prince William counties, VirginiaNearest cityManassasCoordinates38°48′46″N 77°38′6″W / 38.81278°N 77.63500°W / 38.81278; -77.63500Area2,486 acres (10.06 km2)Established2002 (2002)OwnerVirginia Outdoors Foundat...
Suicide of an American college student Suicide of Tyler ClementiClementi's Facebook profile picture[1]DateSeptember 22, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-09-22)LocationManhattan, New York City, U.S.TypeTeenage suicide, suicide by jumping, drowningMotiveHomophobia (Ravi)DeathsTyler Clementi, aged 18Accused Dharun Ravi Molly Wei ConvictedDharun RaviChargesRavi: Invasion of privacy (2 counts) Attempted invasion of privacy (2 counts) Bias intimidation (hate crime) (4 counts) Tamp...
1969 Dutch action television series FlorisRutger Hauer as Floris (1969)Created byGerard SoetemanPaul VerhoevenDirected byPaul VerhoevenStarringRutger HauerJos BergmanHans BoskampCountry of originNetherlandsNo. of episodes12ProductionRunning time27 minutes[1]Original releaseNetworkNTSReleaseOctober 15 (1969-10-15) –December 21, 1969 (1969-12-21)[2] Floris is a 1969 Dutch action television series starring Rutger Hauer and Jos Bergman, written by Gerard Soeteman,...
Stasiun Usa宇佐駅Stasiun Usa pada April 2016LokasiUsa, ŌitaJepangKoordinat33°31′56″N 131°24′43″E / 33.53222°N 131.41194°E / 33.53222; 131.41194Operator JR KyushuJalur■ Jalur Utama NippōLetak75.8 km dari KokuraJumlah peron1 peron samping + 1 peron pulauKonstruksiJenis strukturAtas tanahInformasi lainSitus webSitus web resmiSejarahDibuka21 Desember 1909 (1909-12-21)PenumpangFY2016423 per hariPeringkatke-263 (di antara stasiun-stasiun JR Kyushu) Lo...
La LéchèrecomuneLa Léchère – Veduta LocalizzazioneStato Francia RegioneAlvernia-Rodano-Alpi Dipartimento Savoia ArrondissementAlbertville CantoneMoûtiers TerritorioCoordinate45°30′N 6°28′E45°30′N, 6°28′E (La Léchère) Superficie101,89 km² Abitanti1 978[1] (2009) Densità19,41 ab./km² Altre informazioniCod. postale73260 Fuso orarioUTC+1 Codice INSEE73187 CartografiaLa Léchère Sito istituzionaleModifica dati su Wikidata · Manuale La Lé...
This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: According to the article Ensemble Citoyens, he leads the Progressive Federation founded in 2020. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2022) French politician François RebsamenFrançois Rebsamen in 2019Mayor of DijonIncumbentAssumed office 10 August 2015Preceded byAlain MillotIn office25 March 2001 – 5 April 2014Preceded byRobert PoujadeSucceeded byAlain MillotMinist...