Song of the Week: "F.O.D"
By Aska /Nov. 21, 2011 / Comments
This week's Song of the Week is the eternally popular F.O.D off Green Day's major label debut, Dookie, released in 1994. The song is the 14th and final track on the album (aside from the hidden All By Myself) and is probably one of the most explosive final tracks on any of Green Day's albums.
The one thing I love about these lyrics more than anything else is that it shamelessly doesn't beat around the bush. It's an unapologetically rage-filled hate-fest; there are no pretty metaphors or poetic devices, it's simplistic and almost animalistic in its rawness - Billie's lyrics themselves make note of how he "can't explain it". Even the quiet, mellow first half of the song has some pretty harsh words and plenty of pent-up aggression, namely the "let's nuke the bridge..." chorus. It's almost like Billie (or whoever the first person is) is trying to write a letter to this person he hates so much; it starts off civil and controlled, until what he's been "aching now to say" suddenly just bursts out in one big 'fuck you'. The quiet acoustic guitar intro that tears aggressively into the all-out full-band second half of the song just adds to the feeling of anger and hatred. It's also that slow build-up of emotions and tension that makes this song so good live, especially when the audience knows what's coming up, and the whole crowd surges forward at the beginning of the second half.
This week's video is a live performance of F.O.D from the Jaded in Chicago concert in 1994. Billie's sneer and manic twitching, coupled with the blistering pace of the performance makes this one of my favourite live versions of the song. Also make sure to check out difference between the crowd between the two halves of the song.
Lyrics and a download of the song can be found here, and this is F.O.D's Song of the Week thread, where you'll find a greater song-analysis and some member-discussion. Feel free to stop by and post your opinion, or nominate next week's song.
The one thing I love about these lyrics more than anything else is that it shamelessly doesn't beat around the bush. It's an unapologetically rage-filled hate-fest; there are no pretty metaphors or poetic devices, it's simplistic and almost animalistic in its rawness - Billie's lyrics themselves make note of how he "can't explain it". Even the quiet, mellow first half of the song has some pretty harsh words and plenty of pent-up aggression, namely the "let's nuke the bridge..." chorus. It's almost like Billie (or whoever the first person is) is trying to write a letter to this person he hates so much; it starts off civil and controlled, until what he's been "aching now to say" suddenly just bursts out in one big 'fuck you'. The quiet acoustic guitar intro that tears aggressively into the all-out full-band second half of the song just adds to the feeling of anger and hatred. It's also that slow build-up of emotions and tension that makes this song so good live, especially when the audience knows what's coming up, and the whole crowd surges forward at the beginning of the second half.
This week's video is a live performance of F.O.D from the Jaded in Chicago concert in 1994. Billie's sneer and manic twitching, coupled with the blistering pace of the performance makes this one of my favourite live versions of the song. Also make sure to check out difference between the crowd between the two halves of the song.
Lyrics and a download of the song can be found here, and this is F.O.D's Song of the Week thread, where you'll find a greater song-analysis and some member-discussion. Feel free to stop by and post your opinion, or nominate next week's song.
