Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) Lyrics
A fork stuck in the road
directs you where to go
So make the best of this test
and don't ask why
It's not a question
But a lesson learned in time
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time
of your life
and stillframes in your mind
Hang it on a shelf
in good health and good time
and dead skin on trial
for what it's worth
it was worth all the while
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time
of your life
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time
of your life
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time
of your life
To me, it has no specific happening (like breaking up or graduating or whatever...) but when I hear it, my feeling is that it points out how cruel life can be, and just do things with us we didn't want to, didn't ask for, and or not happy with at all to happen. But we can't choose how our life goes (yeah, offcourse we can influence it, but I mean the part that we can't influence), we just see it happen and we have to accept it.
So instead of waisting our time with wondering why on earth those bad things had to happen to us, or by complaining ourselves, we just have to accept it, and try to make the best of our lives, don't let it destroy by the bad things that happens. We should keep the good things with us and don't forget them, remember that those worthful memories are what make life worth living, doesn't matter how it goes or how it ends, we ourselves choose on what to put the emphasis, and this lyrics say, put the nice, good memories on the first place, they give you the energy and courage to live on.
That's what I feel, and it's a support to me, eventhough it has a very bitter undertone and it says very well how hard and how raw life can be, it gives me a positive message.
The song projects the cycles of life and how they tend to repeat themselves, based off our perceptions and experiences. It sends the message that we can choose to identify life essentially as good or bad and that mindset might be the only control we have. The rest is predetermined and at that end of our journey, we'll understand why. More specifically, how life can teach us if we allow it to and are paying attention and to try not to figure everything out. It's good to have a self awareness and understanding of our surroundings but it can paralyze us if we delve to deep and not take things as they come.
If the song encapsulates what the writer directly went through; the band does a tremendous job of expressing satire through a sarcastic/melancholy tone, with a result of optimism. Sounds like the writer/ singer may have experienced some trying times but chose to accept and see through them in a positive light. I think this is not only intended for a romantic relationship but for life in general. It says to cherish the best moments but expel and learn from the tough ones. The irony of the song is that the person was once who he's encouraging everyone not to be like. He lived, he learned.
the real name for this song is called good riddance by the way. i love this song its about how time passes and how u have to let go of the past. everybods saying this song is just okay... i disagree. theres so much meaning packed into the few lines of this song it takes my breath away reading the lyrics. its not a question but a lesson learned in time.
thats my favorite part of the whole song. u dont ask what to do bcuz theres no words for how the lesson learned goes. thats so hard to explain im no good at putting meanings into words i just like no what hey mean in the back of my head if that makes sense at all lol. i love how the structure is different. it makes u pay more attention to the words and not tso much the music which is what green day intended for this particular song, bcuz they really want to get the message from this song across. its easy not to like this song bcuz of how different it is and u mite think its a mistake, but no that it was intended so u pay attention to the words. love 2 u.
@goodgollymissmolly are you sure you’re not my sister by another mister?!
@goodgollymissmolly are you sure you’re not my sister by another mister?!
This song is very, very well written. Sometimes a few words can be worth a lot more than just the actual words themselves. This song always reminds me of Seinfeld, which I felt was the perfect song to end that show. Like the show, the song is about a change that is happening and the writer is reflecting back on all the things that happened. As goodgolly said, the name of this song is actually "Good Riddance" which says, hey whatever this was(a career, a relationship, whatever it may be) was incredible but you are equally happy to be rid of it because it was worn out and wasn't going anywhere particularly.
``Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)'' is the most frequently misunderstood of Green Day's songs. The track was written shortly after the release of Dookie in 1994, but didn't appear on an album until the band came out with their third major label release, Nimrod, in 1997.
Though the song lends itself to many different interpretations, two explanations are the most prevalent. According to the first, the song was written for 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California, the club where the band got its start. After the mainstream success of Dookie, many of the band's original fans accused the group of selling out and turned their backs on Green Day. The band responded by writing this song in retaliation.
Billie Joe Armstrong has also claimed that the song was written about an ex-girlfriend who moved to Equador. In interviews, he has explained that, during the experience, he tried to remain as level-headed and understanding as possible, but his best efforts quickly turned to bitterness. The song was given two titles to express these conflicting feelings. Oddly enough, despite the tune's acidic tone, ``Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)'' was the number one wedding song in 1997, the year it was released.
You're doing what? Going to Ecuador? Well go if you're going, and, girl, I hope you had the time of your life. (Good Riddance)
You're doing what? Going to Ecuador? Well go if you're going, and, girl, I hope you had the time of your life. (Good Riddance)
Yeah, that's the explanation that sounds right to me. After all, who understands women?
Yeah, that's the explanation that sounds right to me. After all, who understands women?
And it's so ridiculous that this was the #1 wedding song. The line, "I hope you had the time of your life." was meant sardonically.
And it's so ridiculous that this was the #1 wedding song. The line, "I hope you had the time of your life." was meant sardonically.
i thought it was about a breakup or something at the start but i realized it more about leting go of things in general, you may not always think what happoned is a good thing but time will show you, you can see the bad things that happon to you now as the best things later on in life so keep going
This song states that you should treat each day of your life as if it were your last.
It makes a great song to remember deceased friends by, as I sadly discovered recently.
i love this song so much because it is so emotional its about looking at your mistakes and such it so wonderful and amazing i dont think it needs a chorus Billie sounds so awesome in this i love old green day
i agree 100%...
i agree 100%...
long live Billie:)!!!!
long live Billie:)!!!!
Agreed. This and Minority are probably my 2 favorite Greenday songs.
Agreed. This and Minority are probably my 2 favorite Greenday songs.
This song is so very emotional. I think it's great how he cusses at the beginning after the two "incorrect" strums (I think that's what they are supposed to be)
This song is so very emotional. I think it's great how he cusses at the beginning after the two "incorrect" strums (I think that's what they are supposed to be)
Listen after the second one.
Listen after the second one.
Anyway, I greatly appreciate this song.
Anyway, I greatly appreciate this song.
--Thylacine
--Thylacine
I actually really like this song. It's really calming to me when I hear it... I'm not entirely positive why, but it makes me just feel... happy! It's just such a NICE song, you know? I'm not sure what it's about, but I agree with the other commenters... it's a good-bye song. To your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, mom, dad, anyone. I just really like this song! And it's easy for me to sing...