No Fun Mondays Explained

No Fun Mondays
Type:	compilation
Artist:	Billie Joe Armstrong
Cover:	Billie Joe Armstrong - No Fun Mondays.png
Recorded:	March–September 2020
Studio:	Jingletown Studios, Oakland, California
Genre:	Punk rock^[1] rock^[2]
Length:	40:21
Producer:	Billie Joe Armstrong
Prev Title:	Foreverly
Prev Year:	2013

No Fun Mondays (stylized in all caps) is a compilation album of cover songs by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, released on November 27, 2020. The project consists of 14 cover songs released during quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the "No Fun Mondays" series of songs, in which Armstrong would release a cover song onto the Green Day YouTube channel every so often usually on a Monday as the title suggests.^[3]

Recording and release

On March 23, 2020, Billie Joe Armstrong released the first song of the series, "I Think We're Alone Now", on the Green Day YouTube channel, announcing the series at the same time.^[4] The description of the video reads "Dear friends.. While we've all been in quarantine I've been reflecting on the things that matter the most in my life. Family, friends and of course music. I recorded a cover of Tommy James and the Shondells "I think we're alone now" in my bedroom. I figure if we have to spend this time in isolation at least we can be alone together. Love BJ." The next week, a cover of "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" was released and, a week after that, a cover of "Manic Monday" featuring a video appearance from Susanna Hoffs. On October 6, it was announced the series would be released as a 14-track album.^[5]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic calls the album "a bit of a lark, unexpected in its energy but not its contents." Clash editor Robin Murray calls it "a real blast"., and Julie River of Punknews.org calls it "a pop-rocking good time." At NME, editor Andrew Trendell says "Armstrong paints a pretty spot-on portrait of what it’s like to be alive in 2020, told through the hidden gems of his record collection and delivered with the heart and energy that you’ve always known him for." Rolling Stone calls the album "a batch of fun covers"

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of No Fun Mondays.^[6]

Musicians

• Billie Joe Armstrong – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, and drums
• Chris Dugan – drums (tracks 4, 8, 9, and 11)
• Bill Schneider – bass guitar (track 8)
• Jason White – guitar (track 8)

Technical personnel

• Billie Joe Armstrong – production, engineering (including track 11), mixing (track 14), front cover photo
• Chris Dugan – mastering, mixing, engineering (tracks 4, 8, 9, 11)
• Chris Bilheimer – design
• Greg Schneider – design
• Stephen Walker – design

Notes and References

1. Web site: River . Julie . Staff Review: Billie Joe Armstrong – "No Fun Mondays" . PunkNews.org . November 7, 2021 . November 27, 2020 . Armstrong found a way to make sound like 70s or 80s pop with a punk edge..
2. Web site: Album Review: No Fun Mondays (November 27, 2020) – Billie Joe Armstrong . Evan . Cardinal . bctv.org . December 18, 2020 . May 18, 2021.
3. Web site: Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Announces New Covers Album No Fun Mondays. Yoo. Noah. October 6, 2020. Pitchfork. October 12, 2020.
4. Web site: Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong shares new 'No Fun Mondays' lockdown cover. Aubrey. Elizabeth. April 13, 2020. NME. October 6, 2020.
5. Billie Joe Armstrong to Release Quarantine Covers Album 'No Fun Mondays'. Blistein. Jon. October 6, 2020. Rolling Stone. October 6, 2020.
6. No Fun Mondays . . 2020 . liner notes . Armstrong . Billie Joe.