Still Breathing (Green Day song) explained

Still Breathing
Cover:File:Still_Breathing_single_cover.jpg
Alt:Cover artwork of "Still Breathing": Red blood cells, white blood cells, and an EKG line appear over a dark background. The title, "Still Breathing," is printed in the center; the band's name, "Green Day," is printed in the top-right corner.
Type:single
Artist:Green Day
Album:Revolution Radio
Label:Reprise
Producer:Green Day
Prev Title:Revolution Radio
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Father of All...
Next Year:2019

"Still Breathing" is a song by American rock band Green Day from their twelfth studio album, Revolution Radio (2016). Written and produced by the band, the lyrics explore the idea of overcoming adversity in the face of hardship. "Still Breathing" is a pop-punk song with a pop-like production, which has been stylistically considered a return to form for the band.

A lyric video for "Still Breathing" was released on September 23, 2016, and Reprise Records made the song available for digital download the same day as the third single for Revolution Radio. The music video for the song, directed by P. R. Brown and released on November 7, 2016, depicts Billie Joe Armstrong walking solemnly through streets while Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool practice in a warehouse.

"Still Breathing" received critical acclaim from music critics, being considered one of the best songs on Revolution Radio despite some criticism towards its production and lyrics. The song topped the US Alternative Airplay, Mainstream Rock Songs, Rock Airplay, and Canada Rock charts, and appeared on various others. It was included in the setlist of the Revolution Radio Tour, the band's 2016-2017 concert tour in support of the album.

Background and release

In 2015, Green Day began recording material at OTIS, Billie Joe Armstrong's studio in Oakland, California, for their twelfth studio album Revolution Radio.[1] The album was conceived by the band as a "back-to-basics" move, following the rushed ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tre! trilogy of albums and Armstrong's rehab.[2] Armstrong had previously written "Still Breathing" for the Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, but deemed the song too intense.

"Still Breathing" was released on September 23, 2016 as the third single of Revolution Radio through a lyric video published on YouTube, and was made available for digital download the same day.[3] Later that year on November 7, 2016, a music video directed by P.R. Brown for the song was released on YouTube.[4] The video features shots of Armstrong walking solemnly through streets while Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool practice in a warehouse, culminating in the band's reunification.[5] Between scenes, various people, including a farmer, a child, and a military veteran, stare pensively as they "find simple salvation in the beauty of nature".[6] "Still Breathing" was later released as part of the band's 2017 greatest hits album God's Favorite Band.[7]

Composition and lyrics

"Still Breathing" is a slow-burning[8] song which begins with "quickly strummed acoustic guitars and a spare beat",[9] before building up to a heavier sound driven by electric guitar in its chorus.[10] Anna Gaca of Spin described "Still Breathing" as a "paint-by-number pop-punk song",[11] while Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan instead categorized it as alternative rock[12] and Alternative Press called the song an "emo anthem".[13] The song's production has been labeled as "radio-friendly" in reference to its pop sound.[14] Matt Melis and Collin Brennan of Consequence noted that "Still Breathing" sounded "engineered to sit alongside other motivational pop anthems",[15] while Chris Deville of Stereogum characterized the song as a power ballad with pop sensibilities.[16] The song has been compared to those by Blink-182, due to its "heart-on-sleeve sugar-rush harmonies".[17] [18] The songwriters of the Struts' 2013 song "Could Have Been Me" received co-writing credits on "Still Breathing" due to similarities between the songs' melodies.[19]

The lyrics of "Still Breathing", according to Armstrong, are about being a survivor and overcoming adversity.[20] The song's lyrics are mostly similes about various characters like a gambler and a soldier confronting "all kinds of potential trauma".[21] Gil Kaufman of Billboard suggested that these comparisons ultimately connected to the premise of "slogging through it all to make 'my way to you'". Armstrong also noted the line "I'm still breathing on my own" alludes to how "at some point, we’re all going to have to be on life support".[22] Various critics commented that the lyrics of "Still Breathing" reflect Armstrong's personal struggles with prescription drug addiction and his drug rehabilitation. However, Armstrong responded that he avoided introspection when writing the song's lyrics in lieu of "mak[ing] people happy" and "creat[ing] a difference in some way, just by people recognizing themselves in the song".

Critical reception

"Still Breathing" received acclaim from music critics. Entertainment Weekly's Kevin O'Donnell praised the song as a "three-minute blast of life-affirming punk",[23] while NME's Rhian Daly called the song an "air-punching punk glory full of strength, power and guts".[24] Multiple critics regarded "Still Breathing" as a highlight on Revolution Radio, with The A.V. Club's Alex McLevy deeming it the "statement of purpose" for the album as an "acknowledgement that most of the time, all we have to hang on to is the knowledge that we’re still alive".[25]

Critics lauded "Still Breathing" as a return to form for the band,[26] with Uproxx's Chris Morgan praising its "Green Day sound" despite being "slightly less snotty and brash as some of their earlier tracks". However, the song's pop-like production was met with mixed reception. Loudwire's Graham Hartmann called the song the "poppiest cut from the album", yet noted it "maintain[ed] that classic Green Day feel". Far Out's Tyler Golsen called "Still Breathing" a "hell of a pop song", saying that the band was "reaching for something that lies slightly into the future" instead of sticking to the sounds of the band's "glory days". ABC News noted that the song sounded as though it were "written to please bland, modern radio-ballad standards",[27] while Sputnikmusic's Raul Stanciu deemed the song "too light for its own good".[28]

The lyrics of "Still Breathing" were positively received, with critics calling them "inspirational" and "powerful". Morgan wrote how "there’s something about a punk band that has been around for more than 25 years singing a song with lyrics like 'I’m still alive'". Pitchfork's Ivy Nelson praised the song for having "Armstrong's most convincing lyrics" on Revolution Radio, despite being "restricted to the traditional designs of pop-punk".[29] The song's lyrics have also been praised for being "immensely vulnerable", despite DIY's Emma Swann noting that the song's vocals were "not as vulnerable as the lyrics might warrant".[30] However, the lyrics of "Still Breathing" have been criticized for being clichéd, with Spin's Anna Gaca writing that "sometimes overcoming personal challenges and tragedies leads to heartbreaking lyrical insight, and sometimes it leads to 'Still Breathing'". Paste's Reed Strength similarly critiqued the song's lyrics for being "cringe-inducing".[31]

Chart performance

"Still Breathing" peaked at number one on the US Alternative Airplay, Mainstream Rock, and Rock Airplay charts, marking the third time that a single by the band has topped all three charts (after "Know Your Enemy" and "Bang Bang"), and the first time that a single topped all three concurrently.[32] The song also peaked within the top 20 of the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (11) and Adult Alternative Airplay (17) charts. Outside the United States, the song peaked at number one and number two on the Canada Rock and UK Rock & Metal Singles charts, respectively. The song also charted on Belgium's Ultratip Flanders (11), the Czech Republic's Rádio – Top 100 chart (21), Scotland's Singles Sales chart (65), and Slovakia's Rádio – Top 100 chart (82).

Live performances

Green Day first performed “Still Breathing” live as part of their Revolution Radio Tour, the concert tour in support of Revolution Radio which ran from September 26, 2016 to November 19, 2017.[33] [34] The band performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 13, 2016, alongside "American Idiot”.[35] On March 21, 2017, the band performed "Still Breathing" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[36] Critics generally praised the performance, calling it “hard-hitting”[37] and “ear-pummeling”,[38] but Zac Gelfand of Uproxx noted that Armstrong’s vocals sounded “strained” due to the Revolution Radio Tour.[39] Green Day performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden on May 4, 2017.[40] On May 19, 2017, the band performed the song in Central Park as part of their setlist for Good Morning America’s televised “Summer Concerts” series.[41] The band later performed the song as part of the setlist of the Hella Mega Tour, a concert tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer which ran from July 24, 2021 to July 2, 2022.[42]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from iTunes.Green Day

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[43] 30
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[44] 4

Release history

Release history for "Still Breathing"!Region!Date!Format(s)!Label!
VariousSeptember 23, 2016Reprise
ItalySeptember 30, 2016Radio airplayWarner[45]
United StatesNovember 1, 2016Modern rock radio[46]
November 15, 2016Active rock radio[47]
United KingdomJanuary 2017Promotional CD singleReprise[48]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Greene . Andy . August 11, 2016 . Billie Joe Armstrong on Green Day’s Provocative New LP . May 17, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  2. Hiatt . Brian . Inside Green Day's Revolutionary Rebirth . Rolling Stone . September 7, 2016 . July 16, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160919000002/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-green-days-revolutionary-rebirth-w438197 . September 19, 2016 . live . mdy-all .
  3. Web site: Still Breathing — Song by Green Day — Apple Music . May 17, 2024.
  4. Web site: Kreps . Daniel . November 7, 2016 . Watch Green Day’s Contemplative ‘Still Breathing’ Video . May 17, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  5. Web site: Lifton . Dave . November 7, 2016 . Green Day Release Video for 'Still Breathing' . May 17, 2024 . Diffuser.
  6. Web site: November 7, 2016 . Green Day unveil emotional music video for "Still Breathing" . May 17, 2024 . Alternative Press.
  7. Web site: Stubblebine . Allison . October 12, 2017 . Green Day to Release Greatest Hits Album: ‘God’s Favorite Band’ . May 19, 2024 . Billboard.
  8. Web site: Kreps . Daniel . September 23, 2016 . See Green Day’s Lyric Video for Resilient ‘Still Breathing’ . May 18, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  9. Web site: Kaufman . Gil . September 23, 2016 . Listen to Green Day’s Inspirational Anthem ‘Still Breathing’ . May 18, 2024 . Billboard.
  10. Web site: Collins . Robyn . September 23, 2016 . Check Out Green Day's New Single, 'Still Breathing' . May 18, 2024 . CBS News.
  11. Web site: Gaca . Anna . September 23, 2016 . Green Day Are “Still Breathing” on New Song, At Least . May 18, 2024 . Spin.
  12. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . September 23, 2016 . Green Day share "Still Breathing" . May 18, 2024 . . It’s a bit slower than the other two, more of an anthemic alternative rock song than the snotty pop punk they helped bring to prominence in the ’90s..
  13. Web site: September 30, 2016 . 'Revolution Radio' is the most intensely personal Green Day album in years . May 18, 2024 . Alternative Press.
  14. Web site: Hartmann . Graham . September 23, 2016 . Green Day Reveal Emotionally Heavy Track ‘Still Breathing’ . May 18, 2024 . Loudwire.
  15. Web site: Melis . Matt . Brennan . Collin . February 17, 2023 . A Definitive Ranking of Every Green Day Album . February 17, 2023 . Consequence.
  16. Web site: Deville . Chris . October 6, 2016 . Do You Remember Rock On Pop Radio: Why Green Day Aren’t Crossing Over Anymore . October 6, 2016 . Stereogum.
  17. Web site: Breihan . Tom . September 23, 2016 . Green Day – “Still Breathing” . May 19, 2024 . Stereogum.
  18. Web site: Robinson . Collin . November 7, 2016 . Green Day – “Still Breathing” Video . June 14, 2024 . Stereogum.
  19. Web site: Selleck . Cole . September 23, 2016 . Struts Guitarist Got Writing Credit For New Green Day Song . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160924171525/http://radio1057.iheart.com/onair/cole-selleck-57258/struts-guitarist-got-writing-credit-for-15138005/ . September 24, 2016 . May 18, 2024 . iHeart.
  20. Web site: Ryan . Patrick . October 6, 2016 . Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong: 'It got pretty scary for a while' . May 18, 2024 . USA Today.
  21. Web site: Morgan . Chris . September 23, 2016 . Green Day’s New Single ‘Still Breathing’ Is Hooky, Hopeful, And Really, Really Good . May 18, 2024 . Uproxx.
  22. Web site: Hiatt . Brian . Greene . Andy . September 22, 2016 . Green Day’s ‘Revolution Radio’: A Track-by-Track Guide to New Album . May 18, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  23. Web site: O'Donnell . Kevin . January 16, 2017 . Green Day's 'Revolution Radio': EW Review . May 19, 2024 . Entertainment Weekly.
  24. Web site: Daly . Rhian . September 23, 2016 . Track Review: Green Day Tackle Personal Demons On Triumphant ‘Still Breathing’ . May 19, 2024 . NME.
  25. Web site: McLevy . Alex . October 7, 2016 . Green Day are punks afraid of dying on the uncertain Revolution Radio . May 19, 2024 . The A.V. Club.
  26. Web site: Geffen . Sasha . September 23, 2016 . Green Day’s New Song ‘Still Breathing’ Is A Triumphant Ode To Survival . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818071409/https://www.mtv.com/news/2gcxje/green-day-still-breathing . dead . August 18, 2022 . May 19, 2024 . MTV.
  27. Web site: October 12, 2016 . Review: Green Day's 'Revolution Radio' Is 'Short on Jaw-Dropping Moments' . May 19, 2024 . ABC News.
  28. Web site: Stanciu . Raul . October 7, 2016 . Review: Green Day – Revolution Radio . June 14, 2024 . Sputnikmusic.
  29. Web site: Nelson . Ivy . October 10, 2016 . Green Day: Revolution Radio album review . May 18, 2024 . Pitchfork.
  30. Web site: Swann . Emma . October 7, 2016 . Green Day – Revolution Radio review . May 19, 2024 . DIY.
  31. Web site: Strength . Reed . October 28, 2016 . Ranking Green Day’s 12 Albums . May 19, 2024 . Paste.
  32. Rutherford . Kevin . Green Day's 'Still Breathing' Rules Mainstream Rock Songs Chart . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170312072610/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7677808/green-day-still-breathing-mainstream-rock-songs-chart . March 12, 2017 . March 9, 2017 . Billboard . mdy-all.
  33. Web site: Kroll . Katy . March 18, 2017 . Green Day Takes Crowd-Pleasing Victory Lap With Sold-Out Revolution Radio Tour . May 21, 2024 . Billboard.
  34. Web site: September 1, 2017 . Green Day brought the 'Revolution Radio' tour to BB&T Pavilion . May 21, 2024 . BrooklynVegan.
  35. Web site: Kaye . Ben . December 13, 2016 . Green Day perform “Still Breathing” and “American Idiot” on Ellen, their first-ever daytime TV appearance — watch . May 21, 2024 . Consequence.
  36. Web site: Geslani . Michelle . March 22, 2017 . Green Day perform “Still Breathing” on Colbert — watch . May 21, 2024 . Consequence.
  37. Web site: Reed . Ryan . March 22, 2017 . Watch Green Day’s Rousing ‘Still Breathing’ on ‘The Late Show’ . May 21, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  38. Web site: Hughes . Hillary . March 22, 2017 . God Is A Huge Green Day Fan, According To Stephen Colbert . https://web.archive.org/web/20230122015630/https://www.mtv.com/news/eixfpd/green-day-still-breathing-colbert . dead . January 22, 2023 . May 21, 2024 . MTV.
  39. Web site: Gelfand . Zac . March 22, 2017 . Stephen Colbert Accidentally Proved Green Day Is God’s Favorite Band . May 21, 2024 . Uproxx.
  40. Web site: Wright . Hayden . May 5, 2017 . Watch Green Day Perform 'Still Breathing' on 'The Late Late Show' . May 21, 2024 . CBS News.
  41. Web site: DiVita . Joe . May 20, 2017 . Watch Green Day Kick Off 'Good Morning America' Summer Concert Series . May 21, 2024 . Loudwire.
  42. Web site: Morton . Luke . July 25, 2021 . This is Green Day's setlist from the Hella Mega Tour . May 21, 2024 . Kerrang!.
  43. Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017. Billboard. May 21, 2020.
  44. Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017. Billboard. January 21, 2022.
  45. Web site: Mompellio . Gabriel . Green Day – Still Breathing (Radio Date: 30/09/2016) . May 20, 2024 . Italy: Airplay Control . it . Press release.
  46. Web site: November 1, 2016 . Your Radio Add Recap . May 23, 2024 . Hits.
  47. Web site: Rock Future Releases . https://web.archive.org/web/20161107005847/http://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases . November 7, 2016 . November 7, 2016 . All Access.
  48. Web site: Green Day – Still Breathing . May 20, 2024 . Australian Charts.

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