21 Guns lyrics by Green Day, 25 meanings. 21 Guns explained, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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Green Day – 21 Guns lyrics

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Green Day – 21 Guns lyrics
Do you know what's worth fighting for?
When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating?

Does the pain weigh out the pride?
And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside?
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I

When you're at the end of the road
And you lost all sense of control
And your thoughts have taken their toll
When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul

Your faith walks on broken glass
And the hangover doesn't pass
Nothing's ever built to last
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I

Did you try to live on your own
When you burned down the house and home?
Did you stand too close to the fire
Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone?

When it's time to live and let die
And you can't get another try
Something inside this heart has died
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I
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Songwriters: Billie Joe Armstrong, David Bowie, Frank Edwin III Wright, John Edmund Andrew Phillips, Mike Ryan Pritchard
21 Guns lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Submitted by L-Lawliet
Corrected by PTVfan

hot lyrics

21 Guns meanings Post my meaning

  • -
    + 19
    --songyxlurver-- 2010-06-10 09:54:10
    When I first read the lyrics, I was astounded. Not because the lyrics are awesome or something (they are!), but because this song is about love, prejudice, and change, a different perspective and portraying that's all. You fight for things you believe are right and just, but when you have to give up, it doesn't mean that you are weak. Rather, it means that you have to take a step back to observe how things are going, and find a new approach to tackle the problem. When you lose faith (your faith walks on broken glass) or are hurt (did someone break your heart inside etc), you should actually accept the change. This is what I think :)
    Add your reply
  • m
    + 13
    mustpostnow 2009-07-15 00:10:29
    The newest release from longtime rock band Green Day is a solid, if not revolutionary single. "21 Guns" addresses issues of knowing when to quit and not letting an excess of pride make you miserable. The music--which switches from calm and mellow to edgy, hard rock several times--is surprisingly technically difficult, yet is carried off as if it is as simple. Green Day's straightforward style makes fans nostalgic for the early days of rock and roll.
    Add your reply
  • kk_pac
    + 7
    kk_pac 2009-10-31 04:10:45
    O come on, this is such a meaningful song. What it means to me is, it reminds me of soldiers going to war. At first they feel like they're fightin for sumthin meaningful, freedom, faith, peace or sumthin. But the more they fight, the more it seems like a violent, pointless battle. The deaths of so many innocents, the sufferings of mothers, fathers, wives, children. N they see their brothers in arms dying. They no longer know what they are fighting for; would sumthing that causes so much destruction be for the greater good? They've lost their faith, their beliefs, n ultimately, a part of their soul. So its time we stopped fighting fire with fire, time to lay down arms, n join hands instaed!
    Add your reply
  • g
    + 6
    GirlyGIrl1800 2010-02-09 02:48:27
    Do you know whats worth fighting for. And if you do is it worth it? Will you be proud of yourself for doing that thing you did? Owuld you give your life to help others, family, friends? Are you killing yourself inside trying to deside what to do, amd what not to do to give your life away. Should you do it until you can't fight the pain anymore, and your life is bleeding out of your body. So you can die. Your fighting with your love and your lives depend on your saftey? Should you give your life and soul to save theirs?
    That what I think this song means to everyone who listens to this song. Its long, but my explanation is very explainable. Don't you think?
    Add your reply
  • f
    + 4
    forty-two 2016-12-07 12:37:42
    "21 Guns" addresses the topic of patriotism. Frontman and chief songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong told Q magazine, in May 2009: "It brings up 21st Century Breakdown in a lot of ways, and the 21-gun salute for someone that's fallen, but done in an arena rock 'n' roll sort of way.".
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered 2016-01-01 15:30:06
    I think it's a song about remembering fallen loved ones. Of dealing with pain after losing a loved one. Of us people that are still alive being in ruins because we lost someone we loved.
    It is a story about sorrow, hurt and anger at oneself. It is questioning oneself if we have what it takes to go on. Do we surrender or do we get on with our lives remembering forever our lost ones. The past is in the past, but it doesn't mean that we can't learn from it.

    Those are just my thoughts, you don't have to agree, but feel free to comment on those. Also listen to some good nightcore made of this and other Green Day songs.
    Add your reply
  • c
    + 3
    CasualGaming 2015-01-09 21:43:03
    When I finished reading these lyrics I clearly saw two meanings in it that mean to both lovers and soldiers. The first meaning of it is that it's clearly about soldiers meaning cadets AND generals going into war and some of them dying due to injuries caused by guns and some surrendering due too many people dying and suffering and going into comas. In a line it states 'Do you know what's worth fighting for? When it's not worth dying for.' This would mean that their asking them if they really think it's worth losing people and sacrificing themselves for something that really doesn't seem to be worth much. Now for the second meaning, for lovers that get heart broken this song clearly asks if dating someone is worth the heart break, for all you know and this is for the women, for all you know they could be players that would just fill their pleasurable desires and throw you away like trash. Now I don't wanna be sexist so now as for men you guys would date any girl you fall in love with but you don't know if she's a player or not. In all this song means a lot for all those who are heart broken and for our fighters out there that are still fighting to keep us all safe.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered 2011-12-27 03:06:38
    To me it talks about soldiers going to war, yet they don't actually know what they are fighting for. Their freedom? Their faith? Their families? They don't know, they don't want tobe fighting but they have to because all they know is to help defend their country, but from what? The only reason they're out fighting is to defend our country that is trying to defend its self from our attack. Its a never endingcircle, but this song says we need to lay weapons down and end this circle somewhere .
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered 2012-07-29 18:49:30
    To me this song is a way of life it helps me when I'm down to get back up again also I think this song has independence in it I think this song truly means something in peoples hearts and mine aswell the song sounds like a love song. 'your heart has been broken inside and your in ruins' I know its not the exact lyrics but that's the part that I mostly like and the 3rd verse is the end of the relationship. Does any one agree with me?
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered 2012-05-27 15:28:22
    Green day benim çok değ erli bi grup zaten sevdiğ in kiş iler senin için değ erli olurlar ş arkı sözlerini gerçekten çok sevdim ve ezberlemekte zorluk çekmedim bu grup gerçekten mükemmel, aslı nda bu grubu 'know your enemy'ile tanı dı m ve hala çok seviyorum belki dinlemekte geç kalmış olsam bile tanı maya çalış tı M. Ilk kı tadaki sözleri diğ erlerinden daha çok beğ endim.
    Kavga etmenin neye yaradığı nı biliyor musun?
    ölmeye değ er olmadığı zaman.
    Nefesini uzaklaş tı rabilir mi? Ve kendini tı kanı k hissettin mi?. (ş arkı sözleri): mütiş.
    Add your reply
  • b
    + 2
    bang2x 2010-05-24 15:36:28
    It can make you to realize about how, what, and why do you fight? It takes me at the past! About the history of the war! Not only in using a materials but also in idea. Because of this song, I will prove to myself that I will not afraid to fight because I have faith that this thing that I fight is good for me and for every people.
    Add your reply
  • s
    + 2
    simplyrina 2010-04-11 06:53:45
    This isn't just about war of races to races, it could also mean a war within our hearts. Sometimes, nothing is wrong with giving up. If what your fighting for continually brings frustratios, sadness, pains, tears. To give up doesn't denote weakness. It is a shift of point of view, lookingthings in different perspectives, or positive perspective. Think about this: do you know what's worth fightin for?. Does it worth all your sacrificies?. Lay down your arms give up the fight.
    --- for michael.
    Add your reply
  • t
    + 2
    thejasondivy1997 2009-09-02 08:11:00
    I think that people are absolutely right in connecting this song to the Iraq war. I think the meaning behind the chorus is that the war was not even worth "one 21 guns," or one military funeral.
    The first verse introduces the soldier who has died in Iraq, and laments his loss--asking mournfully if the war was "worth dying for." The rest of the song focuses upon the people close to this soldier whose "pain [weighed] out the pride" in their friend/brother/son/etc.
    It is about war and the lyrics "and the hangover doesn't pass" talks about how the effects of the war will be felt long after it's over.
    Add your reply
  • mutt244
    + 2
    mutt244 2009-07-25 06:35:19
    Something diffrent for green day not liek there classic tracks like 'she' or 'time of your life' but still good. The only reason why they have it live is cuase' you can't play acoustic guitar and electric at the same time right? This song is long but it's worth listining to it. The first time I heard it I was like is that green day? Cuase' I could hear that the voice singing it was Billy Joe. It's got some of the best lyrics I've ever read and heard and the team behind these lyrics is truelly amazing David Bowie? That's really good he has some of the best songs and his writing is so good. Billie joe wright's most of the Green day songs and loads become hits so I'm not at all surprised this is a single. I'm getting the album and am going to be listing to it very closely cuase' I hear it is something very diffrent for the guys. That's always good to see bands getting out of there comfet zones to make there fan; s happy. It sometimes pay's like Blink-182 with there final album they went a bit diffrent and had some more serious songs in stead of the teenage tradgey, punk and comdey mix short tracks. Plus most of the fans loved it some diden't who knows what there next album will be like? Linkin park did it with there record 'Minutes to midnight'and they got hit after hit for about 2 years. Now look, another one which is getting massive Hit's on youtbe and on the radio's.
    I hope green day have more hits like this it will show all there hard work to get this record going!
    Add your reply
  • h
    + 2
    HazelDountLovesBullet 2009-06-15 22:29:06
    This is the 15th installment of the 21st Century Breakdown story. It is written in Gloria's point of view.
    Christian has finally given up, and they have found eachother, and they're picking up the pieces of their relationship. She knew it wouldn't last and she's hurting because he's hurting. She still loves him.
    He realizes he shouldn't have left her, and she understands how he's feeling, all his pain. All his regret, because she's been there.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 1
    Unregistered 2012-02-23 21:13:06
    It makes me feel happy when I am sad. I think it means, that if you no were else to go in life, to just think positivley. A few soldiers hate this song, becasue they think it is about giving up in the war. Well, you know, that may be why green day wrote it, idk. But all I do know is it's the most amazing song ever, and it is beautifful :)
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 1
    Unregistered 2011-12-24 12:22:00
    I feel that this talks about giving up and not acting tough anymore and letting go of whatever's been bothering you. And that whatever's been bothering you has taken away ur peace of mind and if you keep thinking about it, it wont let you live and move on. Its such a great song. For me this song tells you not to disguise ur pain by acting tough because that will only lead to more suferring. And finally letting people know how much pain there is inside you.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 1
    Unregistered 2011-12-21 18:58:58
    I think it is about how you can ezpress your feeling's and tell how you feel. I also think that it is a awsome song for people to listen to because I have been through the exact same thing and I know how people feel and how they what to die and I just want to say it is not worth dying for because it is a wonderful life to live and you should not want to end youre life just because you have bad thing's going on in youre life cause want's you do end youre life there is no comeing back and you will never see any one and any body so yeah.
    Add your reply
  • t
    + 1
    timothyjameswall 2011-12-21 14:58:31
    I believe that 21 guns by green day is a message of mixed emotions that people have when they're in a relationship with a girl that they love dearly, but then comes along another girl and then he'll have to decide which girl he love the most and stop seein' the other girl which people are afraid of or too stupid to do anything brave and rightous and then all of a sudden he losses both girls and finally knows he messed up and so he trys, or, does get the girl who in fact he has wronged and explains what made him act like that.
    Add your reply
  • m
    + 1
    mhakhuletz 2010-08-24 00:14:49
    I love this song dahil yung taong minahal ko eh merong pangarap pra saken hndi sya mkasarile lage nalang nya kong iniintindi kya nga mahal n mahal ko sya sau na co 21 I hope tumagal tyo more power on our relationship I love you mahal co chuzi m kc maxado mahal ko sana ikw na ang aking hero hindi ang patner kung d aking hero. Isa kang pang magalang paner at msasabe kong dapat kang mahalen ng pang habang buhay hal ko. Sana mbsa m tung gngwa ko 4 you. Salamat mahal ko. Mahal n mahal kita mahal co acin ca 21. Singed by: miz, mhakhuletz.
    Add your reply
  • c
    + 1
    chockabohahasquork 2010-07-17 19:10:42
    I think the song is about resisting isn't always the best option. Usally, when you resist something you know you shouldnt, or can't, the only one who stands to get hurt is you, or worse-someone you love. The song conveys this by the fact that the man, who is resisting the police, has one gun. The police, have many more guns then this, maybe not twentyone guns, but that I soley for the songs fluency. The man is resisting the police, and he and his partner are the only ones who will be hurt-as he is resisting, when he has no hope of victory.
    Add your reply
  • l
    + 1
    Lexylou25 2009-11-05 23:51:09
    I agree with kk_pac. This song has a lot to do with beliefs and whter or not the cause is worth the effect. Sometimes the effect is good or bad but you have to decide: can I get into this with the possibilty that I can change something in a great way, or get hurt doing it. Green Day always knows how to leave people hanging off of every word they say and that's why I think they are so successful.
    Add your reply
  • MEVANS14843
    + 1
    MEVANS14843 2009-06-23 01:44:34
    We all know what Green Day is trying to say here- it's pretty cut and dry. I think, just like a lot of Americans, they are confused as to why we are over there in the first place. It just doesn't seem right- the ends do not justify the means. There's so much negativity to the whole concept- there is nothing to look up to. What good is coming out of it?
    Add your reply
  • vnia_1011
    + 1
    vnia_1011 2009-06-08 23:56:29
    I think this songs about war. Like how you will go out and fight, but then regret it in the last place.
    The first verse for me is like, I thnk he's trying to ask you weather its really worth-it or not. "does the pain weigh out the pride" I thnk this is about how you know whn they say die / fight with pride. Bt as they stab each other, it really doesn't help that much.
    And I thnk the bridge talks about how when you do realize that its nt worth-it, its already too late.
    Add your reply
  • 8
    0
    84litreviper 2009-06-12 04:26:30
    Yeah, literally, it surely refers to war. But luckily good lyrics have a universal underlying theme as well. Whenever I hear this song I think it has the idea of someone who travelled too far down the wrong path. We all have actively engaged in a choice that proved to be the wrong one. Most of the time it's only results in a minor consequence, like stealing a chocolate bar or lying to a friend. Every once in a while it has a serious consequence. In wars you are scarred from seeing horrible impact it has on both your friends and people you hardly know. While some of it was out of your control there is that bit you can be pinned for responsibility. It doesn't even need an external consequence. We are our own harshest critic so most of the damage is internal and self inflicted. Those are the worst because you are your own enemy and no one can save you from that.
    My favourite line is "did you try to live on your own/ When you burned down the house and the home"
    Literally, it's tough to live without a roof over your head. Like if a bomb hit it; again war. Internally, the loss of a sanctuary can leave you feeling exposed in other ways: like when your parents get divorced or isolation from friends due to alcoholism. It's tough to regain that confidence to live knowing that you made a brutal mistake.
    Maybe referencing suicide is an easy way out on this song, but "being in ruins" is a good way to describe it and it is a consequence returning from war.
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    • -
      + 19
      --songyxlurver--
      When I first read the lyrics, I was astounded. Not because the lyrics are awesome or something... Read more →
    • m
      + 13
      mustpostnow
      The newest release from longtime rock band Green Day is a solid, if not revolutionary single. "21... Read more →
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    [Intro][Verse][Pre-Chorus][Chorus][Hook][Bridge][Outro]