Dilemma (Green Day song) explained

Dilemma
Type:single
Artist:Green Day
Album:Saviors
Studio:RAK Studios, London
Genre:
Length:3:18
Label:Reprise
Composer:
Lyricist:Billie Joe Armstrong
Producer:
Prev Title:Look Ma, No Brains!
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:One Eyed Bastard
Next Year:2024

"Dilemma" is a song by American rock band Green Day from their fourteenth studio album, Saviors (2024). The fifth song on the album, "Dilemma" is a punk rock song which has been stylistically compared to power pop and '50s rock. The song is lyrically inspired by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong's struggles with alcohol addiction and mental health.

"Dilemma" was first released on December 7, 2023 as the third single from Saviors. The accompanying music video for the song, directed by Ryan Baxley, begins with an intoxicated Armstrong having what seems to be a fun night out, before revealing the actual, "uglier" events from the night. "Dilemma" received acclaim from music critics, with multiple declaring it as a standout track on Saviors. The song is included in the setlist of The Saviors Tour, the ongoing concert tour in support of Saviors. "Dilemma" topped the US Rock & Alternative Airplay and the Canada Rock charts, and was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Background and release

"Dilemma" was inspired by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong's struggles with alcoholism. Following an onstage meltdown during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival, Armstrong first entered rehab for his alcohol addiction; however, after five years of sobriety, he noted how he gradually began to drink excessively again, and struggled to receive help due to loneliness and him feeling unable to receive help through organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous due to being a celebrity. Armstrong noted on The Howard Stern Show how he wrote the song while drinking, and has called it one of the most honest songs he had ever written.[1] [2]

Alongside other songs from Saviors, "Dilemma" was recorded at RAK Studios in London after the band learned the Liam Gallagher recorded his studio album C'mon You Know there.[3] [4] The band teased the single release on December 4, 2024 through a "festive" social media post featuring a photo booth image strip and the text "A Very Green Day Holiday!".[5] On December 7, "Dilemma" was made available for digital download and streaming as the third single off Saviors, and an accompanying music video was simultaneously released to the band's YouTube channel.[6] [7]

Composition and lyrics

"Dilemma" is a "punk bossa nova" song which stylistically draws from power pop,[8] doo-wop,[9] and '50s rock.[10] [11] The song begins with a slow, "nostalgic-sounding" introduction containing only an electric guitar for instrumentation. Afterwards, the introduction finishes with an open cadence, before a drum hits and the song transitions into a heavier sound more reminiscent of "classic Green Day".[12] [13] Dana Poland of Slant commented on the song's "bright, Beach Boys-esque guitar tones", which complemented its "bursts of pop-punk energy".[14] Marko Djurdjić of Exclaim! stylistically compared "Dilemma" to songs by the Menzingers,[15] while Kory Grow of Rolling Stone noted that the song was likely inspired by Ramones.

Lyrically, "Dilemma" focuses on Armstrong's struggles with alcoholism and mental health.[16] Armstrong explained that the lyric "I was sober, now I'm drunk again" from the chorus could be seen as both a celebratory statement for having gotten drunk, or as a representation of "someone that's fallen".[17] Armstrong also acknowledged how the first line of the song, "Welcome to my problems, it's not an invitation", was designed to be self-pitying akin to a Facebook post, however commented that people should interpret the lyric how they want.[18]

Reception

Critical response

"Dilemma" received acclaim from music critics, with Far Out's Kelly Scanlon calling it a "punk anthem destined to infiltrate your mind for weeks, if not months".[19] Tom Breihan of Stereogum praised the composition of "Dilemma" for being "fun" and "catchy", while Kory Grow of Rolling Stone called the song a "plaintive, swinging rocker". The song's lyrics have also received positive reviews, with The Independent's Helen Brown calling "Dilemma" an "enjoyably self-pitying whinge"[20] and BrooklynVegan's Andrew Sacher calling the lyrics some of the "most impacting" on Saviors.[21] Multiple critics regarded "Dilemma" as a standout on Saviors, with Madison Walters of New Noise Magazine going as far as to declare it "one of the best songs Green Day has ever released".

Accolades

Nominations for "Dilemma"!Award!Category!Result!Ref.
2025 Grammy AwardsBest Rock Song[22]

Commercial performance

On April 6, 2024, "Dilemma" topped Billboard's Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, making it the eighth song by the band to do so.[23] "Dilemma" also individually topped Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and Alternative Airplay chart on April 27 and May 4 respectively, becoming the ninth and thirteenth song by the band to do so.[24] [25] Outside the United States, "Dilemma" also topped the Canada Rock chart, and charted in New Zealand, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Music video

The music video for "Dilemma", directed by Ryan Baxley, was released on December 7, 2023 to coincide with the single release. The video begins in black-and-white, with Armstrong waking up on a floor and remembering a night out at a bar and a Christmas party. However, towards the end of the video, it changes to full color and reveals that, in reality, the events of that night were much "uglier".[26] [27] According to Baxley, the video represents the "personal, honest side" of the band, and is the third video in a cycle where color was gradually introduced — the video for "The American Dream Is Killing Me" was entirely in black-and-white, while that of "Look Ma, No Brains!" was black-and-white with pink accents.[28] The music video for "Dilemma" was nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, losing to the music video for "Human" by Lenny Kravitz.[29]

Live performances

Green Day played the live debut of "Dilemma" during their performance as part of the 2024 edition of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.[30] The band then performed an acoustic version of "Dilemma" on January 16, 2024 in a New York City subway station with Jimmy Fallon, as part of a segment for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; while the performance did not air, it was uploaded to the show's YouTube channel on January 18.[31] [32] The song was included in the setlist of their January 18, 2024 show at Irving Plaza, as part of the Small Stages Series by Sirius XM.[33] On April 3, 2024, the band played the song at the Fillmore during a charity concert for the United Nations Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance.[34]

"Dilemma" is included in the setlist of the Saviors Tour, the ongoing concert tour in support of Saviors which began on May 30, 2024.[35] On July 26, 2024, the band played "Dilemma" during their appearance on Good Morning Americas televised "Summer Concert Series".[36] The band also played the song during their appearance on the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special on October 6, 2024.[37]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from iTunes.[38]

Green Day

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Germany Airplay (TopHit)[39] 37
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[40] 25

Release history

Release history for "Dilemma"!Region!Date!Format(s)!Label!
VariousDecember 7, 2023Reprise[41]
United StatesJanuary 23, 2024Modern rock radioWarner[42]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kaufman . Gil . January 18, 2024 . Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Says ‘Dilemma’ Tackles Substance Use, Mental Health With Zero Filter: ‘There’s No Metaphor’ . November 20, 2024 . Billboard.
  2. Web site: Gerber . Brady . January 19, 2024 . Billie Joe Armstrong on Trump, Punk, and Green Day's Saviors . November 20, 2024 . Vulture.
  3. Web site: Carter . Emily . December 19, 2023 . Watch Green Day record new single Dilemma at London’s RAK Studios . November 20, 2024 . Kerrang!.
  4. Web site: Brannigan . Paul . December 15, 2023 . "We went to this crazy burlesque show, took off our shirts, and put these nipple tassels on. I've got the photos to prove it!": Green Day reveal how recording 'Saviors' in London threw up some new life experiences . November 20, 2024 . Louder Sound.
  5. Web site: Skinner . Tom . December 6, 2023 . Green Day announce new single ‘Dilemma’, coming this week . November 20, 2024 . NME.
  6. Web site: Paul . Larisha . December 7, 2023 . Green Day Sobers Up and Faces Hard Truths in Blurry ‘Dilemma’ Video . November 19, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  7. Web site: Carter . Daisy . December 7, 2023 . Green Day release drop latest album teaser ‘Dilemma’ . November 20, 2024 . DIY.
  8. Web site: January 19, 2024 . Green Day - Saviors (album review 3) . November 21, 2024 . SputnikMusic.
  9. Web site: Swann . Emma . January 19, 2024 . Green Day - Saviors . November 21, 2024 . DIY.
  10. Web site: Grow . Kory . January 8, 2024 . Green Day Update Their Take on American Idiocy With ‘Saviors’ . November 21, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  11. Web site: Amorosi . A.D. . January 19, 2024 . Green Day’s Sociopolitical Sarcasm Ages Well in Sharp ‘Saviors’: Album Review . November 21, 2024 . Variety.
  12. Web site: Vito . Jo . December 7, 2023 . Green Day Release New Single “Dilemma”: Stream . November 21, 2024 . Consequence.
  13. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . December 7, 2023 . Green Day share new song, "Dilemma" . November 21, 2024 . BrooklynVegan.
  14. Web site: Poland . Dana . January 14, 2024 . Green Day Saviors Review: Pop-Punk’s Great Redeemers Get Personal . November 21, 2024 . Slant.
  15. Web site: Djurdjić . Marko . January 17, 2024 . Green Day Hit a Late-Career High on 'Saviors' . November 21, 2024 . Exclaim!.
  16. Armstrong . Billie Joe . Ayesha Rascoe . Billie Joe Armstrong on Green Day's latest album 'Saviors' . November 21, 2024 . . January 21, 2024.
  17. Web site: Nelson . Jeff . January 18, 2024 . Billie Joe Armstrong on Managing Addiction, Mental Health: 'There's No Shame' (Exclusive) . November 21, 2024 . People.
  18. Web site: Carter . Emily . December 7, 2023 . Green Day have shared a personal new single, Dilemma . November 23, 2024 . Kerrang!.
  19. Web site: Scanlon . Kelly . January 18, 2024 . Green Day – ‘Saviors’ album review: authentic post-punk anthems for a broken world . November 22, 2024 . Far Out.
  20. Web site: Brown . Helen . January 19, 2024 . Green Day review, Savior: Stroppy chant-alongs about the State of Things . November 23, 2024 . The Independent.
  21. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . January 18, 2024 . Green Day return to form on new album 'Saviors' (review) . November 23, 2024 . BrooklynVegan.
  22. Web site: 8 November 2024 . 2025 GRAMMYs: See The Full Nominations List . 8 November 2024 . The Recording Academy.
  23. Web site: Rutherford . Kevin . March 29, 2024 . Green Day’s ‘Dilemma’ Tops Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart . November 23, 2024 . Billboard.
  24. Web site: Rutherford . Kevin . April 19, 2024 . Green Day Earns Ninth Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 With ‘Dilemma’ . November 23, 2024 . Billboard.
  25. Web site: Rutherford . Kevin . April 26, 2024 . Green Day Earns 13th Alternative Airplay No. 1 With ‘Dilemma’ . November 23, 2024 . Billboard.
  26. Web site: Breihan . Tom . December 7, 2023 . Green Day – "Dilemma" . November 19, 2024 . Stereogum.
  27. Web site: December 7, 2023 . GREEN DAY Releases New Single 'Dilemma' . November 19, 2024 . Blabbermouth.net.
  28. Čížek . Ondřej . March 20, 2024 . The American Dream Is Killing Me. Interview with Director Ryan Baxley . live . https://archive.today/20240805154954/https://www.wired.cz/clanky/the-american-dream-is-killing-me-interview-with-director-ryan-baxley . August 5, 2024 . November 19, 2024 . Wired CZ.
  29. Web site: Atkinson . Katie . September 11, 2024 . 2024 VMAs Winners List: Complete . November 19, 2024 . Billboard.
  30. Web site: December 27, 2023 . 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' performers include LL Cool J, Cardi B . November 18, 2024 . KABC-TV.
  31. Kaufman . Gil . January 17, 2024 . Green Day and Jimmy Fallon Rock N.Y. Subway Station With Surprise 'Basket Case' Performance . November 18, 2024 . Billboard.
  32. Kaufman . Gil . January 19, 2024 . 'Tonight Show' Posts Official Video of Green Day's Ripping Subway Pop-Up Concert . November 18, 2024 . Billboard.
  33. Web site: Shanfeld . Ethan . January 19, 2024 . Green Day Previews New Album 'Saviors' at Intimate, Hit-Filled Irving Plaza Show . July 28, 2024 . Variety.
  34. Web site: Ruskin . Zack . April 3, 2024 . Green Day riles up S.F. crowd for a cause . July 28, 2024 . San Francisco Chronicle.
  35. Web site: Carter . Emily . May 31, 2024 . Green Day: Here’s the setlist from the first night of The Saviors Tour . November 18, 2024 . Kerrang!.
  36. Web site: July 26, 2024 . Green Day played Central Park for GMA's Summer Concert Series (pics, setlist) . November 18, 2024 . BrooklynVegan.
  37. Web site: Carter . Emily . October 7, 2024 . See Green Day perform Dilemma at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special . November 18, 2024 . Kerrang!.
  38. Web site: Dilemma — Song by Green Day — Apple Music . November 18, 2024.
  39. Web site: Top Radio Hits Germany Weekly Chart: Oct 10, 2024. TopHit. October 15, 2024.
  40. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. January 8, 2024. January 5, 2024.
  41. Web site: December 8, 2023 . Spotted on New Music Friday . November 20, 2024 . Hits.
  42. Web site: October 24, 2023 . A Recap of Radio Add Recaps . November 20, 2024 . Hits.

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